04/25/2010

China expats parlay affluence earned in Japan

FANGZHENG COUNTY, China--With signs touting everything from cosmetics to chicken casseroles written in incorrectly assembled hiragana and katakana characters, even the most skeptical Japanese can feel slightly at home in this frigid northeastern Chinese city.

Chicken has become "chikiso" due to a misplaced brushstroke for the last katakana character, but along with the common kanji for "boil," it's not hard to figure that the shop is an eatery.

"I'm sure the Japanese who see our sign will feel they are welcome here," said a 32-year-old woman who runs a makeup and hairdressing school that uses Japanese script on its sign.

In a country where animosity still runs strong against things Japanese, Fangzheng county in Heilongjiang province is an exception. The provincial government made it official policy in 2006 to have all new businesses opening in its jurisdiction to put up signs written in both Chinese and Japanese.

Aside from drawing Japanese business and tourism, the region has another reason for flaunting its affinity to Japan. Of the 220,000 people listed in the county registry, roughly 35,000 are currently residing in Japan. Another 68,000 residents have at one point or another lived in Japan. Combined, at least one half of the county's population has a strong connection with Japan.

Read more at asashi shimbun

Apr 25, 2010 11:37:51 PM | Culture, Current Affairs

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