DO NOT LIVE IN JAPAN? Moving out of Japan? Why are foreigners moving out of Japan?
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- Опубликовано: 10 фев 2025
- DO NOT LIVE IN JAPAN? Moving out of Japan? Why are foreigners moving out of Japan?
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Japan is one of the most unique and fascinating countries in the world, with its culture, advanced technology, and blend of ancient traditions and modern innovation. But for Americans, moving to Japan can be a double-edged sword. While many Americans will find Japan to be an exciting and transformative place to live, others may struggle to adapt to its unique lifestyle, customs, and societal expectations.
In this article, we'll explore both the challenges and the rewards of living in Japan as an American. Whether you are considering a move to Japan for work, study, or adventure, understanding the potential difficulties and benefits of living in Japan will help you make an informed decision.
The Challenges: Why Americans Might Hate Living in Japan
Language Barrier
One of the biggest hurdles for Americans moving to Japan is the language barrier. While many Japanese people speak basic English, Japanese is the primary language spoken in everyday life. From reading signs and menus to conversing with locals, not knowing the language can make simple tasks feel overwhelming. English is not widely spoken outside major cities like Tokyo or Osaka, so you may find it challenging to communicate, especially in rural areas.
For Americans accustomed to English being the global lingua franca, the need to learn a new language can be frustrating and isolating. This language barrier can make social interactions, finding a job, and navigating bureaucratic processes difficult and time-consuming.
Cultural Differences and Social Expectations
Japan’s culture is fundamentally different from that of the United States, and these differences can create discomfort for Americans. One of the most noticeable cultural differences is the emphasis on politeness and formality in Japan. Japanese society places a strong value on respect, hierarchy, and group harmony, which can sometimes make interactions feel rigid or formal for those used to the more casual and individualistic nature of American society.
For instance, in Japan, bowing is a common form of greeting, and personal space is highly valued. Social norms around dress codes, behavior in public, and even eating etiquette (like slurping noodles) can be quite different from what Americans are used to. The pressure to conform to these social norms can be stressful for those who are not accustomed to Japan’s highly structured societal expectations.
Work-Life Balance and Work Culture
Japan is known for its demanding work culture, which may be a shock to many Americans. The concept of "karoshi," or death by overwork, is a real issue in Japan, and many employees work long hours, often extending beyond the typical 9-to-5 schedule. The pressure to perform and adhere to corporate expectations can leave little time for personal life or relaxation.
Cost of Living
Japan, especially cities like Tokyo and Osaka, has a high cost of living. Rent in central areas can be expensive, and food, while generally affordable, can quickly add up, especially if you're eating out regularly. Transportation costs, while efficient and reliable, can also become expensive depending on your commuting distance. Compared to many cities in the U.S., Japan's high costs may come as a surprise to Americans who are used to different economic conditions.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
DO NOT LIVE IN JAPAN? Moving out of Japan? Why are foreigners moving out of Japan?
Website: www.SavvyJapan...
Telephone: +81.70.9041.6946 Tokyo, Japan
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I commented on one of your recent videos about how I've seen so many people making videos about how much they hate living in Japan.. as someone who's wanted to live there for 17 years now, and would literally do anything to get to live over there.. I appreciate you addressing this!!!
And like I said in my previous comment..if only there was a way for one of these whiners to just give me their work visa so they can pack up and go back home!! :P
@@AaronAubreyPhoto Take a look at the first post and click on the link.
Or go to: savvyjapan-today.com/moving-to-japan-today
Or go to thejegroup.savvyjapan-today.com
I havea pretty similar story. 22 years for me. Moved back to my home country beginning of this summer. I was happy to be an observer for a while also. After about 12 years I thought about my life and decided to get more involved. Settle down so to speak. I've never been a Japanophile or anything like that. But my life was there so I got serious about the relationship I was in and we got married and had a child. It was then that I started to have more issues with Japan. None of the "no one will smile at me" kind of problems, but clashes over actual life philosophies. Stuff that I was told I had to either like it or lump it basically. And they were right. If I wanted to live in their system I had to play by their rules. Fair enough. But I know that's not the only way to live in Japan. But you're going to need to have enough money, a plan and the experience of living in Japan to live on the fringes... so to speak.
As for many foreigners newer to Japan I'm reminded of the Paris Syndrome talk that was popular there years back. How Japanese would go to Paris because they had built an image of France in their mind that was pure fantasy and come back seriously traumatized. They're looking for community, fictional or not, that they think they can just plug themselves into because they've watched or read some things. Unlikely to happen.
That's not to say you can't or won't ever be accepted. But you'll have to accept their ways first (over your own). Otherwise you live in limboland, half in, half out. And you really are on your own there. Sometimes you have a wonderful spouse to keep you plugged in somewhat but often they suffer from being somewhat outsiders as well. More often divorce rears it's head. Other people; Filipino's, Chinese, Koreans, Brazilians, etc build communities around themselves so Westerns tend to get caught in that limbo state more often.
It really is just the West (mainly English speaking countries at that) where we have this weird concept of just joining other cultures as if we were changing schools or something. You really do need to become Japanacized in order to fit in enough tho. And that takes time, often a lot of it. I think Japan can be a great place to visit/be but unless you're independently wealthy for many Westerners that are looking for their new home... it's going to make them eventually run home crying. Me, I'll be back. I love the land and the culture there, modern society... not so much. The people are hit or miss like anywhere. But I have family there and financially it could be a good place to retire... if you know what you're doing. The reality though is opportunities are limited and I'm not interested in doing (or wasn't in a position to start) the few things that could give me an edge for a better life there.
Wow! So interesting!
Thank you all for the positive comments. And if I may repeat myself, everyone has their own experiences and so do I. When I said I laugh at the people who cry about their experience living in Japan from overseas - my laughing is caused my own experience contrasted by others and it's funny how we all see Japan in the first years of the struggle. I laugh at me as well as others who thought Japan was this romantic Hollywood movie we saw before coming to Japan. We are funny to think Japan is like our own country.
Great video. I have a 4+ decade Japanese spouse, so partial experiential“knowledge”. My take is the following: most foreigners in Japan come when young, having not yet fully experienced the hardship and compromises adulthood requires to achieve a level of “success” or security. Well, that part is the same in Japan. Compromises. But without a basis for comparison, they must experience that same transition “in a foreign country”, where they are woefully deficient in the native language. Try living in ANY country not knowing the language, one will live on the uncomfortable fringe. That becomes unbearable over time. Acceptance by locals comes when one shares daily with everyone around them they are committed to living in Japan, by their rules. Until then, they’ll see you as expecting “special” treatment. THAT is a no-go in Japanese society. Your interactions with locals will likely be either 1) cordial indifference, or 2) as the “nail that must be hammered down”, to paraphrase a popular Japanese saying. It takes a strong person like yourself to thrive under those conditions. Kudos again for the video.
I agree with just about everyone you said. Life is hard. There is no crying when attempting to relocate to another country. Thinking is required. A though mental attitude is a must. Every day. Even after 25 years of living in Japan. What's the reward. Check out my next video coming on Monday.
The anger happens when people create a unrealistic idealistic idea of a place and then have that shattered. That is true of any place or country. I think it may happen more often with Japan as it has formed this fairytale like aura to lots of people. Anime has contributed to this Fairytale aura I think. But in many regards it has earned this amazing reputation due to the amazing public transportation, safety, cleanliness, healthcare, entertainment, customer service, food, affordable housing and culture. But at the end of the day it is still on Earth and has the same problems as most countries. Although if your values are more in line with Japan's values you will probably be happier there then your home country.
You may be right! Thank you for posting and watching this video!
Your persistence is very admirable in such a monoethnic country. TWO thing gaijins never think about when moving to Japan - OSTRACIZATION and RETIREMENT income. 30 yr American vet of J-land here, born and raised in Ikebukuro. I’m 65, 100% bilingual, retired from U.S. military and have U.S. SSI (年金). Will move to J-land (NOT Tokyo) soon to retire from Arizona to escape hyperinflation here. I’ll rent out my property for + 15万円 a month which makes my total monthly income about 60万円. If you are depending on J-SSI, you’d better be prepared to be poor or work ‘till you die. I’ve warned many gaijins, but nobody listens until they’re a day late and a dollar short.
I hear ya! Thank God I am Rich!
@@SAVVYJAPANTODAY- Good for you, man. Interesting content for people like me who are almost forced to look elsewhere to live, besides this insane, inflationary America. Hope your channel grows to 100K!
I was born and raised in Japan, and moved to the US when I was 17 on my own. I now live in New York. (I'm visiting my mom in Japan at the moment.) I relate to your perspective even though I moved in the opposite direction. Many Japanese people who move to the US complain in the same way, and many eventually move back to Japan. Just as you said, I think many expats cannot let go of their home culture and blame the host culture for their own failure. I equate it to foreign exchange traders. When you trade foreign currencies professionally, your "profit" is calculated by defining your home currency. If an American trader buys yen, his profit is not realized until he sells it and gets his dollars back. So, even if he has lots of yen, he is always thinking of it in terms of how much it is worth in dollars.
Likewise, Americans living in Japan evaluate identities in terms of how other Americans would perceive them, not how other Japanese people do. So, for instance, when they look for jobs, they think in terms of how Americans would perceive them. Some careers or employers might be prestigious in Japan but not in America. So, they would prioritize the latter. They are always thinking in terms of how they would be judged by Americans when they go back. Most Japanese people do the same when they move to the US.
This can manifest in subtle ways. For instance, in Japan, houses are periodically demolished and rebuilt. They do not like living in previously occupied homes. A brand-new apartment is a status symbol. But, New Yorkers are the opposite. Modern buildings are cheaply made, so they prize "pre-war" buildings, built before WWII. Japanese people (and many other Asian immigrants) flock to modern buildings because they care more about how they are perceived by other Japanese people. Many are not even aware that New Yorkers' status symbols are the opposite.
In this way, no matter how long they live as expats, they cannot let go of their home currency, but this predictably leads to all sorts of frustrations.
Really? Many Japanese move to Hawaii and never return to Japan.
@@SAVVYJAPANTODAY I’ve been in New York for 38 years and I’d say 90% of Japanese people I’ve met have gone back. In fact, another one is heading back today! Everyone says Japan is more “comfortable”.
Happy New Year to you as well.
Happy New Year to You too!
Thank you for the video.
Thank you too!
Love this video. I escaped after seven years. Also fell into the wrong international crowd.
It happens. No matter where you live in the world, be careful who enters your orbit.
I like that you showed the trains for train lovers. I love Japan, I'm planning on moving back there soon.
What are you going to do here in Japan?
NEW VIDEO TOMORROW!
@@SAVVYJAPANTODAY I am a special education teacher, and I will teach American children at the military bases (once I have a job offer).
I would take some of the anti-Japanese videos on RUclips with a grain of salt. There's been a culture war on RUclips over Japan for a long time, and sometimes some of these vloggers would play up how much they hate Japan to needle weebs. That's not to say they were lying about leaving (disappointment, culture shock, etc.), but that they would really lay it on thick out of spite because of all the hateful comments they received when they were trying to do a more down to earth vlog about their experiences in Japan.
A channel that went down this route was Ryan Boundless (or Boundless Journey). He tried doing slice of life videos about Japan, but got so hounded by weebs who were upset over how mundane his videos were that he would troll them with so-called "dreamcrusher" videos. Even to this day, they won't leave him alone. He left Japan ages ago, moved to Africa, and keeps getting begged to go back to Japan. He is still having to address the weebs after all these years.
Understood. Thank you for your message!
I discover this video to be uniquely in a rich cultural way.
Seriously though, there's a lot of "orientalism" going on with westerners re East Asia, buy I rarely hear about the "occidentalism" of Asians. It's nice to hear someone point it out. Also nice to hear someone pooh-pooh comic books😂. I feel the same way.
Thank you! Great to read your post! Happy you are here!
Brother you’re wrong on many points.I love Japan but there’re things about Japan that are unacceptable I. The modern global world such as landlords denying you renting a property because you’re a foreigner or not being able to get certain jobs simply because you’re not ethnically Japanese even though you’re born and bred there.Those are unacceptable.We’re in a global world.
Some racist landlords do this but not all. I have been turned away ONE TIME in 25 years. Also, you need to speak Japanese to get most jobs. This is Japan as I said. And Japan is not the same as other countries 100%. I have seen many changes over my years here. Positive Thoughts Brother!
That was a Huge Rat 😰
They have teeth too.
walking from Mizonokuchi?
Sorry, but no....