Japanese Women in Canada Vol. 30 Fumiko Sawada

What do you enjoy about living in Canada?

I have a deep appreciation for nature, and my husband and I actually met while camping. We both love spending time outdoors and have been taking our son camping since he was born. Vancouver is a great city for us because it’s very livable, and there is a large Asian community here that we feel comfortable in.

What led you to move to Canada, and how long have you been living there?

While I was in university, I participated in a summer program at the University of Victoria where I studied English. It was there that I met my host family, and we’ve remained close friends for over 25 years.

After I graduated from university and became a dentist, I returned to Vancouver to study translation and interpretation at SFU because I wanted to improve my English skills. When I returned to Japan, I continued working as a dentist while also translating academic papers for universities. During a conference held in Nagoya, I had the opportunity to interpret for a UBC professor, which led to an invitation to work as a postdoctoral fellow at UBC for two years starting in 2008. While I had a fulfilling experience in Canada, I was unable to practice dentistry there, so I eventually returned to Japan.

I never thought I would return to Canada, but fate had other plans. I met my husband while camping with a mutual acquaintance in Vancouver, and we fell in love and got married. We’ve been together ever since, and I feel grateful for the unexpected path that has led me back to Canada.

How did you feel about immigrating to Canada? Were there any doubts or uncertainties you had about starting a new life in a foreign country?

After working as a dentist for about a decade and feeling like I was finally in control of my life, I was enjoying the freedom to earn money and pursue my hobbies like playing music. When the opportunity arose to immigrate to Canada, I was initially anxious about leaving behind my career as a dentist and starting a new life in a foreign country.

However, thanks to my husband and children, I’ve been able to have incredible new experiences and meet amazing people in Canada. Even though I can’t practice dentistry here, I’ve found fulfillment in other ways and I’m enjoying life in a different way than before. While the decision to immigrate wasn’t easy, I’m glad that I took the leap and am grateful for the life that I’ve built in Canada.

I saw a video of you singing on Instagram. How did you become interested in music and how did you start learning to sing?

I played piano until high school, but when I entered university, I switched to singing. After taking a break for a while, some friends invited me to sing jazz and bossa nova, which reignited my passion for music. Even now, when I return to Japan, I perform live concerts at music clubs.

When I switched from classical to jazz, I didn’t understand the theory behind it, so I decided to study it in more detail and enrolled at VCC. However, I wasn’t able to complete the two-year course due to my pregnancy and childbirth. Nevertheless, I managed to take a beginner’s jazz piano course before giving birth, and since I had a good grasp of basic chords, I was able to learn a lot. After giving birth, I had to stop attending classes due to lack of time, but I still receive occasional lessons from Japanese teachers. Even though I don’t get to practice or take lessons as much as I would like, I find it enjoyable to talk about music with my teacher since I don’t have any friends who are connected to music.

What do you do now?

As a mother of young children, my daily routine revolves around taking care of them. Even though my husband encourages me to pursue my interests, I find it difficult to simply focus on domestic duties since I used to work and support myself in Japan. Therefore, I try to balance my responsibilities as a parent with my personal goals by doing what I can in my spare time.

Currently, I contribute articles to a website called Saita, write about lab yoga for a dental technology magazine, and translate medical research papers. These activities allow me to continue developing my skills and staying engaged with the world outside of my home.

What inspired you to start practicing yoga?

As a dentist, I have observed how poor posture during treatment can cause dentists to experience discomfort and pain in other parts of their bodies. This concern has been with me since my days as a dental student. In Vancouver, I started practicing yoga as a way to maintain my own physical health, and soon became passionate about it. I even obtained my yoga instructor certification before returning to Japan to pursue postdoctoral research and continue working as a dentist.

Upon returning to Japan, I began teaching yoga to others in addition to my dental work. But after moving back to Vancouver and starting a family, I felt the need to incorporate my love of yoga into my life in a more significant way. That’s when I started teaching yoga classes that could be enjoyed by both adults and children, as I found that raising my kids alone did not provide enough personal fulfillment for me.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when you first arrived in Canada and how did those experiences shape your personal growth and learning?

Back in Japan, my family lived close by and we used to see each other frequently. Since moving to Canada, I find it difficult not being able to spend as much time with them as before. My sons also miss their cousins and I wish they could play together more often. However, we do our best to stay in touch through group chats, phone calls, and occasionally sending letters with our children.

Whenever I return to Japan, I try to make spending time with my family a top priority. The COVID-19 pandemic made it especially challenging for us to see each other, and during that time, I realized just how important and grateful I am for my family back in Japan.

What are your current goals and aspirations for the future, both personally and professionally?

Music was a big part of my life when I was in Japan, so I would like to continue making music here if possible. Although it has been difficult with my children being young, I have recently started taking singing lessons as a small step towards that goal.

You will be instructing a parent-child yoga class at Tonarigumi. Can you give a message about the yoga class?

To all the hardworking moms out there, I want to say a heartfelt thank you. As a mother of two mischievous boys aged three and seven, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to raise children while also trying to take care of yourself. We often sacrifice our own needs and desires for the sake of our families, and it’s easy to become overwhelmed by stress and fatigue.

For me, yoga has been a lifesaver during those difficult moments. It has helped me to refresh my body and mind, and find a sense of peace and balance in the midst of the chaos of motherhood. I believe that other moms can benefit from yoga as well, which is why I’m excited to be teaching a monthly parent-child yoga class in our neighborhood.

My hope is that through this class, moms can take a little time for themselves to relax, rejuvenate, and connect with their children in a meaningful way. In addition to the parent-child class, I also offer private yoga lessons on Zoom and in-person at my home studio. If you’re interested in learning more, please check out my Instagram account @yoga_tsumugu

Fumiko’s Instagram @yoga_tsumugu

Editor’s Note

Moving to a new country where your educational and professional background may not be recognized can be an incredibly daunting task. Starting from scratch in a foreign land can be a challenging experience, but those who choose to make this new place their home must persevere and overcome these obstacles. Fumiko is an excellent example of this resilience, with her beautiful voice and infectious smile, she has chosen to make Canada her home and inspires us all to embrace the challenges of life in a new country.

I would love to hear Fumiko sing in Canada and share her musical talents with the community. Her smile and positive attitude are infectious, and I believe that her music would bring joy and inspiration to many.

I also want to invite everyone to attend Fumiko’s upcoming parent-child yoga classes on May 15th and June 19th. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with others in the community, bond with loved ones, and experience the positive energy and warmth that Fumiko brings to every class.

• Parent-Child Yoga Class
• Location: Tonarigumi (42 W8th Avenue, Vancouver, BC)
• Time: 10:00-11:30am
• Fee: Free
• You do not need to register for the drop-in class.