The Big Short

Big questions, Short answers

Josh Raub, Manager of IT Services, joined ASIJ in 2006 along with his wife Mihoko Shimada, former middle school administrative associate and current Japanese teacher. Their children Owen ’26 and Myla ’29 currently attend the school.

Where are you from?

I grew up in the suburbs of Minneapolis, MN, USA.

What kind of student were you in school?

I was always a curious student and did well in school, but didn’t really care about grades or school spirit or anything like that. It wasn’t until I was in college and realized I could choose to study and participate in whatever I wanted that I really got invested. I threw myself into my studies, became the General Manager of my college radio station and had a blast. It’s the kind of thing I wish had been unlocked for me earlier and I hope we are unlocking that feeling for ASIJ students now.

What is your favorite thing about Japan?

At this point, I’ve lived almost half my life in Japan. It’s become my home and thus it’s hard to answer this question. But if I had to choose, I’d say the quality of the food. But I’m not referring to specific “Japanese” dishes. I mean the actual ingredients. For example, vegetables in other parts of the world have been selected and prioritized for a long shelf life to survive the distances they travel to the table. The result are vegetables that often look good, but are bland to the taste. In Japan, taste is still the priority for every ingredient and eating any single item will almost guarantee it is the best tasting version you’ve ever had.

What is your favorite thing about ASIJ?

Ginger chicken? Hahaha, that’s a joke for all of the oldies in the crowd. I think my favorite thing about ASIJ is the people. I’ve visited international schools all around the world and am always happy to return to ASIJ. No place else compares. I’ve worked under some of the best leaders here. I have some of the most dedicated, hardworking, and fun colleagues here. I always find interesting stories about alumni in The Ambassador. But most of all, it’s the students. In August, there are no students on campus yet, just faculty and staff working in the hot summer weather, preparing for the first day of school. Then on the first day of school, when the students start to file in from the buses, it’s like the whole campus transforms into a completely different place. It almost feels like magic.

Which talent would you most like to have?

To be able to sing. While I’m very musical and can hear pitch and tone and figure out any song on the guitar with relative ease, I cannot, for the life of me, do the same with my singing voice. It baffles me.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

I don’t know that I “identify” with a historical figure. What a strange question. Is Luke Skywalker historical?

Who are your favorite writers?

Favorites are hard. I really like Michael Ondaatje. In the Skin of a Lion is one of my favorite books. I like almost everything by Kazuo Ishigaru. I’ve read almost everything by Ursula K. Le Guin and Vladimir Nabokov. “Pale Fire” is maybe my favorite book. Zadie Smith. Graham Greene. Jon McGregor. Some of Pynchon, Kundera, and John Fowles. Better pump the breaks or I will never stop. Oh! I’m also a big comic book fan. Almost everything Brian K. Vaughan has written is great. And G. Willow Wilson! I love what she has done for inclusivity in comics through her representations of women and Muslims.

Which living person do you most admire?

I have a lot of respect for Greta Thunberg. Her unrelenting commitment to fight global warming is impressive. Even more fascinating is how her simple action caused such a backlash and reactive response amongst some of those in power and that stand the most to lose as we move towards climate justice. Her tenacity and perseverance in the face of those reactions have only furthered her cause and inspired even more people to take up the fight. That is quite impressive.

When and where were you happiest?

Right here, right now. I’ve had plenty of happy moments in the past, but

I’m not one to get sentimental or dwell on them. Much better to keep striving to make each moment going forward my happiest one.

Who are your heroes in real life?

Real life? Hmmm. I guess I can’t pick Luke Skywalker…

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