Japan

We had the heaviest snow in Tokyo since 2014 and experienced serious traffic disruptions. I was visiting a research participant. The meeting went well, and we arranged for three-day observations in February. After the meeting, the snow was getting heavier, and I was stuck at a train station for two hours. On Thursday, Tokyo recorded read more

Three weeks have passed since I came to Tokyo to start my fieldwork. I have spent the past few weeks (and will continue to do so) contacting and recruiting research participants, meeting with them in person, explaining the study, arranging dates for my observations and recordings, and working on literature reviews. This week, I found read more

I have fully recovered from the flu and got back into a normal work routine: wake up at 6 am, have a chat with Luca, have breakfast, and then work. I started making hand-written field notes on 9th January, and I keep writing about everything that happened, whom I have met, and what I have read more

I’ve had the flu since 2nd January, with a high fever of 39.7˚C, a chill, and body aches that continued for five days. I went to a hospital on the 6th and was tested for influenza and pneumonia. Luckily, the high fever was not a symptom of pneumonia but only of influenza. My doctor prescribed read more

I had contacted three care homes through my personal connections. The managers, nurses and caregivers showed positive interest in my research. They agreed to my presence during activities in the care homes. The allied doctors working at these facilities told me that they seldom engage in verbal interaction with their patients, except when performing clinical read more

Luca came to Japan for the first time in nine months for a holiday. I spent this whole week meeting friends and sightseeing around Tokyo with Luca. For my research, I only managed to complete the translation of the information forms. Whenever I meet my close friends for a chat, I am reminded of what read more

It’s been very humid and hot in Tokyo. I started conducting my preliminary fieldwork. This week, I was allowed to observe 7 medical consultations and take notes. In each, a doctor, a nurse, a patient and the patient’s family were there. The doctor introduced me to the patients; it was an opportunity for the patients read more