Angela & Sam

40 years ago, in 1986, Angela Davies received a letter from the Japanese Embassy about the position of CIR. She threw it into the bin, because she didn’t think she could leave her family for a whole year. It turned out that she could take her son, too!

I was really disappointed to find out that I was being sent to Takamatsu, on the island of Shikoku, and about 400 miles away from Tokyo. I didn’t know anyone or anything about Kagawa. I later found out that my sponsor in Japan had been involved in the decision; he thought Kagawa was a nicer place to stay and was concerned that my son, Sam, who was only seven might be bullied in a Tokyo school.

The role of CIR has changed quite a lot. In 1987/1988 there were no laptops, or mobile phones and the support network for people on JET was limited to two meetings in Tokyo during the year, and filling out forms which were supposed to be anonymous. However since I was the only CIR from the UK, even if I didn’t have to put in my name, it was obvious from the country!

In those days girls were supposed to wear uniforms and of course make the tea. I managed to get around doing both, while avoiding confrontations. After all, I was there to introduce Western ways as well as learn Japanese ways!

I expect the role of a CIR itself hasn’t changed that much. I spent time interpreting for the Governor when there were visiting VIPs; Ambassadors and Consuls. One memorable visit was by the Israeli Ambassador, who was invited to dine with the Governor as was the custom. He talked throughout the dinner, and being well-mannered, I didn't eat anything as I was interpreting the whole time!

I was involved with the Seto Ōhashi Bridge project, which hops over the five islands of the Seto Inland Sea; it is 13km long and made up of six connected bridges that stretch from Honshu to Shikoku. Construction began in 1978 and took 10 years to complete! The towns at both ends of the bridge were involved in Sister City events and I took part in that as interpreter and assistant.

I made great friends with all my colleagues and after my year’s contract finished and I returned home so that Sam could continue school in the UK. In 2007 I awarded cultural ambassador for Kagawa, a position held by certain well-known Kagawa people living abroad. At that time I was the only foreigner to hold the position, and I have done a lot to promote the area. My ‘contract’ is renewed every 2 years, and I have just renewed it again in 2025. Receiving the Japanese Foreign Ministers Commendation in 2013 was another bonus. JET certainly created many opportunities for me and I am still teaching, giving talks and holding the role of vice-chair for JETAANW.

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