Our Japanese Dinner is Ready! We cooked Beef Yakitori with Sirloin Marinated in Ginger, Soy, Scallions, Garlic, Sugar, Sesame seeds, and Lemon Juice. Then we grilled it over charcoal. It was heavenly! Definitely satisfied the Japanese discovered taste of Umami, meaning pleasantly savory. We also prepared Ebi Chili Shrimp. This was my favorite dish of all. The shrimp were lightly stir friend in ginger, scallions, and corn starch then covered with a fiery sauce made from Sweet Thai Chili Paste and Hot Sriracha chili sauce. So delicious! We served this with traditional Japanese Sticky rice and Komatsuna
no ohitashi (stir fried mustard spinach) with red pepper flakes, sake, sesame oil, and garlic. This was my favorite week by far. I cannot believe we are already done with 20 countries, 32 to go! Here are the recipes we used to prepare our Japanese meal.
Fun Facts
1. Crime rates are particularly low in Japan. The country enjoys the second lowest homicide rate in the world, behind only Monaco which is about half the size of New York’s Central Park. It is illegal to own a handgun, and even ceremonial swords must be registered with the police.If you ever have the misfortune of standing trial in Japan, however, you can be almost certain that you’re going to jail; indeed, the conviction rate is said to exceed ninety-nine percent (the career of a judge can suffer greatly for handing out acquittals).
2. Japanese place great importance on the concept of wa, or group harmony. The value of the common greater good is more important than valuing one's own needs. This principle is applied in schools, as well as social groups and, later in life, the workplace.
3. The inferior partner in a relationship, whether personal or business, must allay their own wants, thoughts, and opinions to that of the superior, so as not to cause the superior to lose face or be humiliated. The appearance, or tatemae, is more important than the reality, or honne. Although this may appear as hypocritical or negative to the eyes of westerners, to the Japanese this may be completely normal
4. Although the Japanese are known for their industrious work ethic, the stereotype of the boozy businessman is not that far from the truth. Marathon drinking sessions are often seen as a cornerstone of the Japanese business model; corporate relationships are forged over gallons of sake. That said, it’s also relatively easy to nurse a hangover. The Japanese business culture values an employee who naps on the job. “Inemuri,” as it is known, is a quick cat-nap meant to recharge the batteries. It is seen as a sign of hard work and commitment.
5. Despite the exponential population rise seen throughout the world, the Japanese are slowly dying off behind an aging infrastructure. Compounding the problem is a growing problem: the shut-in “hikikomori.” Although every society is home to a small number of people who could be described as “reclusive”— most of these recluses tend to be older individuals, marked with mental illnesses such as depression and agoraphobia.
Japan’s hikikomori hermits, on the other hand, are decidedly young. They’re mostly disaffected teenagers and twenty-somethings, withdrawn almost completely from society. There is no precise explanation to account for the rise in hikikomori, though there are several known contributing factors, including the rise of the internet, intense academic pressures, and parents willing to shelter their children well into adulthood. Psychiatrists (many of whom are forced to make house calls to visit their patients), have only recently set upon the task of helping the group dubbed by some as “the missing million.”
6. Coffee is very popular and Japan imports approximately 85% of Jamaica's annual coffee production.
8. Raw horse meat is a popular food in Japan. Thinly sliced and eaten raw, it is called Basashi.
9. Sometimes the trains are so crowded railway staff are employed to cram passengers inside, they are called "packers".
10. Many couples in Japan celebrate Christmas like Valentine's Day. It is definitely more of a "lovers" holiday in Japan.
11. Japan is home to many different forms of martial arts. Karate, Judo, Sumo, Ninjutsu, Kendo, Jujutsu, and Aikido to name a few.
12. Sumo is recognized as the national sport of Japan, although the most popular spectator sport is baseball.
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