Work

The big news in our world is that I started work yesterday. It was a completely different experience from starting at a US Law Firm. In the US, my first day of work was filled with orientation. My ID badge and computer were all set up for me, and my schedule included training on computer systems and time keeping, etc. Generally, I also had a first assignment waiting for me.

In Japan, on the other hand, I arrived, was shown to my office - and that was it! I'm having to take much more responsibility for learning the systems (which, by the way, are all in Japanese), getting an ID badge, figuring out how to keep track of my time, and finding work. Another thing that is different is that here I have officemates. I share my office with two Japanese lawyers. This has ended up being very useful, as the senior attorney in my office, Omoto-sensei, has taken me under his wing and introduced me around the floor. I never would have met anyone without him! Omoto-sensei works all hours - he worked last night until 5am. (He would want me to tell you that he did go home at 1am, and worked from home until 5.) I, on the other hand, had no work, so I split at 6pm on the button!

This is my desk. Happily it faces a big window. The view is not fantastic, but at least I will enjoy the sunshine. I am having lunch with some other foreign attorneys today, so I can start gathering tips for working here!