Call me Ronin (aka YouTube and Discord Moderator)

Waiting for the stream (Manhole Art). Credits: Only in Japan Go

I have been one of the moderators for Only in Japan YouTube and Discord pages since September this year. Allow me to talk about this aspect here in this blog.

I have followed Only in Japan YouTube channel more than two years ago when John Daub was one of the presenters/content creator on his previous channel now called WaoRyu Only in Japan. Two years ago, he created the Only In Japan Go - where he livestreams his Japan travels and activities. John and the Management behind Wao Ryu eventually ended their partnership when he decided to part ways starting this year.

Since then, I have religiously followed his stories - from Shinkansen Train adventures, midnight snack runs, Temple runs, his wedding with his wife Kanae, eating out and other Japan-related topics. I also interacted with people while watching these and having fun getting updated with the sights, sounds and surroundings of Japan.

This year, I became a paid subscriber (OIJ Traveler) because I want to support him in my own way and joined the Only in Japan Discord Channel. I also supported the Kickstart Firework Project as well.

Somewhere in August (I suppose), Nosh Abroad - during one of the live streams - approached me and wanted to discuss something over Discord. I was busy that time and sort of "procrastinated" on my promise to get in touch. On September this year, when I entered one of the Livestreams, I got surprised that there was a wrench after my name, which means I became a Moderator in YouTube (and eventually in OIJ Discord). I was happy about this and talked to Nosh afterwards via Discord

The role of the Moderator is to make sure that all participants are welcomed and interacting within the topic OIJ is presenting within the Livestream, ensuring decorum (to avoid demonetization of the channel) in both livestream and the comment sections and "remove" trolls and disruptors. In Discord, it is the same role - although there is sub classifications/topics such as travel, video discussion and others where you do interact in real time - there are also disruptions but surprisingly less compared with YT.

Interruptions defined here are: making political statements (we had a lot during the US elections and still ongoing from time to time), derogatory statement of all kinds, all caps (as in you are "shouting"; exception to this rule is during the Fireworks, where we allowed everyone to express their happiness), sensitive topics, arguing with the mods (including me) and other stuff that the Mods may not find proper. We either remove the statement with a warning or reminder (politely of course), time off (300 seconds or 5 minutes) the disruptor or hide him (aka banned).

I had my share being told off that I wasn't fair if I remove something or remind members on their violations. One of them even begged me not to time him out (but I didn't really LOL!). We are currently called the "Fun Police"; I do not take this tag personally, it is part of so called "occupational hazard". Some trolls are sneaky - once we call their attention suddenly they disappear (except for those who are persistent). It is to my advantage that I've been modding for Facebook Groups for Human Resources Management so somehow I've developed some level of immunity over those comments.

But for most parts, I've been fortunate to be "YT" friends with a couple of people inside, both participants to the live chat and on Discord. There are too many names to mention but these people have traveled and loved Japan; looking forward (like me) to travel back again. It is a hodge podge of nationalities and I love the interaction among members up to Discord posting.

Channels like OIJ, TabiEats, Rion Ishida, Tokyo Explorer - in the time of COVID 19 - fill in the void and cravings for Japan. Not just the main cities such as Tokyo, Osaka and others but those under the tourist radar that is worth exploring in the future. Even hosts like John says that you cannot feel the real Japan until you go beyond the cities.

I am looking forward to my Japan travel as soon as it is over; provided that there is vaccine and no quarantine required. I wish that this pandemic end and travel again to Japan (and elsewhere).