We are proud to announce the launch of Japanese on the Move: Life Stories of Transmigration! Funded by the Australia-Japan Foundation and the Faculty of Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Japanese-on-the-Move is a multimedia collection of life stories of transnationals with ties to Australia and Japan. Over the period of one year, we will introduce fifty people and their personal reflections on what it means to be on the move and at home and to belong to two (or more) countries.
Today we launch Japanese on the Move with the story of Mayu Kanamori, a Sydney-based artist. Born and raised bilingually in Tokyo, she moved to Australia in the 1980s. For the interview, she took us to Rookwood Cemetery, where the first recorded Japanese migrant to Australia is buried. The location fits with one of her projects, In Repose, which features Japanese cemeteries across Australia. Interviewed by Ingrid Piller, Mayu speaks about the ups and downs of leading a transnational life. Some of her doubts have emerged from her deepening engagement with Aboriginal elders she met in Broome, Western Australia.
Well, I would say that people have their own reasons to live abroad. For me, during living in Auatralia, I enjoy and love that place, but I would strongly say living in my country is the best. I can get more opportunities such as good salary, good inclusion in Australia but I still feel want to go back Thailand. Compare with my friend, he has successful life in Australia and decide to live there because he have everything in there; work, family and friends. So, I would say that the reasons which people decide to transnational must be the important thing which changes people mind all the times. In my opinion, I love to learn more languages and cultures because I think it is good to understand others and that is challenge for me.