2025.12.18

☆☆☆Fifth report of Daniel Gottstein, 25th scholar of GRÜNWALD STIFTUNG☆☆☆

Fifth Scholarship Report – Daniel Gottstein

As this will be my final scholarship report, I would first like to extend my sincere gratitude to Mr. Okamoto. Through his commitment, he enabled me to gain insights into Japanese society that I have hardly experienced within my own, helped me develop a basic understanding of the Japanese language, and laid the foundation for many unforgettable moments. Thanks to his efforts, settling into this unfamiliar culture was made remarkably easy, and I am returning home with the confidence that I will be able to master similar stays abroad in the future as well. Through Okamoto-san in particular—but ultimately throughout Japan as a whole—I experienced omotenashi firsthand, which I would like to take with me as a lasting source of inspiration.

Also in the final weeks of my stay, I continued to notice a number of distinctive aspects, beginning on the political level. Due to its geographical proximity to China, the country plays a significant role here as well and is frequently discussed in conversions. Relations between China and Japan have become increasingly strained, not least because of the stricter stance adopted by Prime Minister Takaichi toward China. In this context, the Chinese government announced a suspension of travel to Japan, leading to expectations of declining tourist numbers from China. Outrage was sparked by the Chinese ambassador’s demand for Takaichi’s resignation, though an apology or clarification is not to be expected. The close ties with the United States—actively pursued by the first female prime minister since taking office—have further contributed to the tense relationship. With regard to the Okinawa Islands, located not far from Taiwan, China has asserted initial claims to Japanese territory and has engaged in provocative military exercises. Much like Taiwan, the Okinawa island chain holds strategic importance for maritime shipping. This situation became particularly tangible to me when, while in Naha on the main island, I could hear the roar of American fighter jets at minute intervals—an unfamiliar sound for someone living in Munich.

I also found Mr. Okamoto’s explanations of the public transportation system in Osaka particularly fascinating. Apparently, there is a certain hierarchy among railway lines, reflected primarily in the views offered from the trains. Lines that pass through “better” neighborhoods with more attractive scenery have the reputation of being used by more socially established groups. This reputation is said to be one of the reasons passengers choose a particular line. In addition, the individual railway companies invest in the attractiveness of the areas they serve by opening department stores—known in English as shopping malls. It is also interesting to note that the operators of these railway lines accumulated much of their wealth through the acquisition of land along the routes before construction began. With green and red velvet seats and an aesthetically pleasing retro design, the Hankyu Line has become my favorite railway company—please see the attached photo.

Hankyu Line