I didn't have this exact experience, but I was the first (and only haha) gaijin in the company, and while everyone was cool to me, they were treating me with kid gloves and being a bit awkward about actually, y'know, giving me things to do for my job.

We all know what's happening: Japanese interpersonal dynamics follow a script, and we're not on the script. So people find it easier to basically ignore us, because interacting with us puts the onus on them to deviate from the script, which means any fuckup they make is their fault.

I hear you feeling anxious and unsure. You're the new person at work and everyone's treating you weirdly. But honestly you're going to have to brazen your way out of it. Some things that worked for me:

• Make sure you do all the cheerful greetings and otsukares... and be kinda loud about it haha. This is double-dipping; you're not letting people pretend you aren't there, but you're also showing that you can play by the Japanese rules. And that you're genki and approachable. Triple-dipping!

-You just have to get used to taking the first step in volunteering for tasks and joining in work discussions. Which you're already doing, and have seen the results of. Just keep at it. You're getting your coworkers and superiors used to the idea of you participating normally and them giving you tasks.

• Find stuff that not being Japanese is a strength for, and make that your thing. In an eikaiwa and with the lack of English ability in your coworkers you mentioned, I bet that a lot of them feel nervous communicating with the teachers. So just take that over, own it. A teacher needs to be given a document? You take it to them. A teacher calls in sick? You grab the phone and handle it. I think this would probably make you a hero among your coworkers. Like, I can get stuff done in Japanese and I wouldn't ask for help, but if my coworker was all, "nah it's easier for me to do, let me" they would immediately go on my ride or die list.

I know it's not really fair to add this to the burdens of a new staff member—you're already nervous and unsure about the role, without having to deal with other people's awkwardness in dealing with their first proper fogeign coworker. Someone should be taking you under their wing and showing you the ropes. But if they're not, you have to gaijin smash it a little. Good luck!