Page 27 - link magazine

Local Lives
27

Enjoying the British way

Swindon has become home for a large number of Japanese families connected with the Japanese companies established in
the area. The Link magazine met the Kizawas who live in Nine Elms and discovered what they think of living in Britain

When asked if she would like to move from British are reserved and wait to get to know Satoko makes some fascinating observations
Japan and live in Britain with her husband for a somebody new, especially if there is a language of British life. She's surprised by how many
few years, Mrs Satoko Kizawa readily agreed to and cultural barrier. She started to get to meet parents drive their children to school. At home
the idea. other women at antenatal class when she was they are expected to walk.
Her husband Tatsuya had come to Swindon expecting Tatsuhide. She admits to being quite She's also impressed by the number of people
several times since Honda was first established worried about giving birth in England as she in wheelchairs and their helpers she sees around
in the town six years ago. Satoko had always did not know much about the medical system, the supermarket. Social pressures in Japan
wanted to travel so it was quite easy to make a or about babies. Luckily Tatsuhide decided to forces people with disabilities to stay out of the
decision to come here. arrive early, on the day Saeko Shaw was visiting public eye. Their shopping is usually done over
Satoko and Tatsuya and their four month old and she was able to accompany her to PMH and the telephone and it is delivered to them.
baby Tatsuhide are part of the growing commu- help her through the birth. Needless to say The Kizawas can get most things they need
nity of Japanese families living in and around Tatsuya was with Satoko to encourage her. To locally but a mobile shop brings them Japanese
Swindon who are associated with the Honda help her cope with her new baby Sa toko's mother foods like dried and raw fish, soya bean prod-
car factory or other Japanese companies which in law spent a month with the family when she ucts and dried seaweed to make sushi. Sakoto
have set up in the area. came home from hospital. admits she has not tried any English recipes.
But she has taken to driving in England. She
"Britain is safe country and rarely drives on the narrow, crowded, often
she did not think the culture chaotic roads at home where drivers have to
keep an eye out for children and cyclists. She
shock would be too great" finds it much easier to drive here, though she
had never seen a roundabout before.
With the help of Saeko Shaw who assists Satoko also noticed the absence of advertis-
Japanese families settle in Swindon, Satoko ex- ing hoardings lining every road. This was a
plained that although the family is a long way problem when she first arrived because without
from home, and the cultural difference between the landmark of a huge advertisement she had
British and Japanese lifestyles are huge, Britain to concentrate hard so that she would not get
is an attractive country to move to as there is an lost driving home.
affinity between its people. She felt that Britain She is impressed by the planning system
would be a safe country and she did not think here. The buildings are well designed and in
the culture shock would be too great. AllJapa- keeping with their environment. The views
nese study English at school and get to know a from houses are pleasant and nobody hangs
little about Britain, though Satoko quickly dis- their washing out in the front.
covered her school English had little practical The Kizawa family feel that coming to Britain
use. has been a good move and they are making the
The Kizawa's come from commuter suburb most of the time they will be here.
of Tokyo and lived in a new apartment block. Satoko, Tatsuhide and Tatsuya Kizawa
They had a small flat, so the four bedroom at home in Nine Elms
detached house they moved to in Nine Elms Satoko's English teacher, landlady and neigh- Parish of West Swindon
seemed huge and luxurious. In Japan it's very bours were all looking forward to seeing the & The Lydiards
unusual for Japanese families living near big baby and she received many cards which she Anglican, Methodist, URC, Baptist
cities to live in a house with garden. says made the precious experience of having
Apart from their honeymoon in Hawaii, Tatsuhide even better. Satoko really appreci- All Saints, L Millicent (10.30am) &
Tatsuya and Satoko had not visited another St. Mary's Llregoze (10.30am)
ated their kindness.
country. Being able to see Europe was another for Freshbrook & Grange Park)
reason to leave family and friends. The cost of "Satoko's English teacher, Rev. Rob Buries 870244
visiting Europe from Japan is prohibitive and Toothill Church (10.45am)
they would probably have to come in a tour landlady and neighbours were Rev George Gibson 692620
party. Satoko prefers to visit places when there all looking forward to seeing a Westlea Church (lOam) & Holy Trinity Shaw
are no otherJapanese around. BeforeTatsuhide (10.30am) Rev Peter & Ruth Walker 872932
arrived, they visited Paris and Majorca and Japanese baby.... She really Evening & other services as announced.
most Sundays they visit tourist attraction where appreciated their kindness." Full range of children's and other groups.
Tatsuya enjoys sampling different beers incoun- Church Office: 874221
try pubs. He also enjoys his spare time by swim- When the family return to Japan Tatsuhide
ming and taking saunas in a sports club. will be old enough for school which is renowned
He does not have much time to relax during for the pressure placed on youngsters. Satoko Freshbrook
the week as he leaves for work before 7am and likes to see the children running around the
often does not return until 9pm. The family playground at nearby Brook Field School when Evangelical Church
watchJapanese programmes on cableTV, but to she passes. She feels the demands of the Japa- Worsley Road
watch Japanese videos they have to have a nese system are too great and regards the British
separate TV and video play back as their tapes teaching methods as humane. Her son will have Will give YOU
do not work on European standard machines. to take an entrance test to gain a place in a good a warm welcome
Satoko thought she would be saying 'hello' nursery school.
when picking up the phone, but was surprised Japanese children attending school here ac- Sunday I Oarn Family Praise with children's
that most people who call her are Japanese. quire an excellent grasp of English and writing, Covenanter Movement & creche
There are about 40 Honda families in the area reading and grammar skills, but they have to 6.30pm Evening Worship and Communion
and another 20 connected with other Japanese work hard to catch up when they return home.
companies. They already get a lot of homework from the For details of mid-week meetings, house
She also expected to be go to lots of parties Japanese school they attend in London on Sat- groups and other activities, telephone the
and meet English people. But she found the urdays. Church Office, Tel: 873050