Introduction [MAMA AMIA! Surviving Japan]

ママ・アミアSurvivingJapan LIFESTYLE

A message or all foreigners living in Japan: From Mama Amia
A survival column to you in Japan–those working so hard, trying, sometimes succeeding and other times not–words of encouragement along with a strict “buck up” from your home-away-from-home mother-figure. Mama Amia shares everything from mental health survival tips to how to take out the trash. Come back to this column regularly for your virtual check-up. (Japanese readers welcome as well!)

Hi I’m Mama Amia!

ママ・アミアの写真

Hi.I’m Amia. I’m old enough to be your mother. Hence,Mama A-Mia. Mama Mia? Get it? (Work with me, people.)

This is the first of many posts sharing tidbits of how to live and survive in Japan. Consider me your mother, your home-away-from-home mother.

“Oh, but I don’t need a mother,” you say? Oh, yes you do, darlin’. Every now and then you need comforting, scolding, a word of advice, a recipe, a reality check, a dos and don’ts list, and a virtual hug.

Life in Japan can be rewarding and incredible, and it can be profoundly lonely and terrifying. I’ve been through it all and have survived. Mistakes were made, but still. I’m here to tell the tale.

Why am I writing for MODEL BIBLE? I like the people behind it. I like what they’re trying to do. I also work with them. But, it’s mostly because I’ve been here long enough to get it.

For me, this is now instinctive and intrinsic. I know the rules, the cultural norms, and for the most part don’t push back against what’s expected of me. I’ve learned how to stand up for myself, speak up, and call bullshit when I see/hear/experience it. In hindsight, I could have used someone like me along the way, pointing out what to do, what works and won’t, and how to get through the being-away-from-home part that sometimes feels overwhelming.

This series is about life in Japan, a country of rules and protocol.

Some of these expectations you already know. Some you won’t because they’re that hidden. My job is to help you navigate. I’ve done this before as part of my work, and here, I’m doing it because, simply put, I want you to be happy. I know what it’s like to be unhappy. I know what it’s like to be lonely. I’ve got you. You’ll get through this. I know how hard it can be, living away from family and friends. I know you work hard and sometimes reap the benefits and other times feel the world is conspiring against you. The good news you’ll get through this. The bad news is sometimes it’s harder than you’d like it to be. I’ll help. I have my own survival tips and most of these I’ve honed through my own struggles and successes. Free tips, dear people. Because that’s the way I roll. Because I’ve been there, too.

So, let’s begin. I’ll post very regularly (at least that’s the goal). Check in here often and give yourself a chuckle, let the tears flow, discover courage you didn’t think you had, and go out and grab this country with all you’ve got.

Let the journey begin.

ママ・アミア(MAMA AMIA)

料理人・タレント。日本育ちのアメリカ人。18歳で渡米、通訳やコンサルティング業に従事する。2011年、東日本大震災を受けて退職し、陸前高田市にてボランティアを開始。7年にわたり数々のメディアを通して世界に被災地の情報発信を続ける。2014年には岩手県知事から表彰、2018年には在サンフランシスコ日本総領事館から総領事表彰を授与された。
別名「Pie Queen」。ハードなボランティア活動で心が疲弊していたある日、故郷の食べ物——バターと砂糖が焼けるパイの香りに癒やされることに気づき、パイの販売を始める。2019年より「ママ・アミア」の名で活動開始。日本在住外国人のママとして元気を発信中。相撲が大好き。
所属事務所Profile

Food consultant/Talent. American born and raised in Japan. Returned to the US at age 18 for university, and continued on as an interpreter and US-Japan consultant. Came back to Japan in 2011 to volunteer in the aftermath of the Tohoku disaster and stayed on in Rikuzentakata (Iwate Prefecture) for seven years. Raised funds, liaised with major international media outlets for coverage of the city and region. One of the primary sources of information on the disaster region for foreigners. Recognized and awared by the Governor of Iwate in 2014 and the Consul General of the Japanese Consulate of San Francisco in 2018 for the work and dedication to promoting awareness. Also known as the PieQueen. Found the scent of baked goods was both food for the soul as well as emotionally therapeutic, she began a business selling American-style pies. Working as Mama Amia as of 2019 promoting cooking and baking using traditional Japanese ingredients and offering advice to foreigners in Japan as "your mother in Tokyo". Big fan of sumo.