A Life in Japan - Documentary (English with English subtitles)
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- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
- Ever wondered how a life in Japan might be? 19 foreigners share their personal experiences, likes and dislikes. See the country through the eyes of, mostly western, foreign residents, who have lived in Japan between a few months and several decades.
Without subtitles: • A Life in Japan - Docu...
With Japanese subtitles: • A Life in Japan - ドキュメ...
With Swedish subtitles: • Att leva i Japan - Dok...
With Spanish subtitles: • Una vida en Japón - Do...
A special edit of the final music: • みみずくず 「踊りましょう」with lyrics
Home page: www.alifeinjapa...
Facebook: / 388307967922654
Mimizukuzu: www.mimizukuzu.com
Here you can choose your favorite music app and listen to a remix of the final song, and a whole album with the band: linkk.la/mimiz...
I love documentaries when there are several perspectives, opinions etc.
Other documentaries seem way too biased and I don't see how it really is.
Thanks, coming from the UK!
haha! u are actually one of the makers of this doc! until now I never had a chance of thanking any doc maker! thank u, Petri! really great job!
Thank you! Actually, I'm not "one" of the makers, I'm "the" maker of the documentary. Did everything by myself.
About the Service in Japan: At my first travel I went to a phone store to get a pre-paid card for my iPhone 3S, which was still a locked phone, so they couldn't sell me something. So I asked, if there is a Internet Cafe nearby to check my emails. Since I couldn't read Japanese very well I asked to point me in the right direction. The Clerk showed me out of the Mall, went about two streets down with me showed me a staircase to an upstairs manga kissa, walked me up in the 2nd floor and explained to the clerk there my needs, since they didn't spoke english and translated the service and login procedure to me. Then he bowed, didn't accept a tip, and went back to his store about 400 meters away. This was my first day in Japan.
Amazing people
+Georg Gerdon I have an american friend who had a similar situation to yours when he was in Japan a month ago. He told me he and his girlfriend got lost couldn't find a train so they asked a guy and he helped them to get around. He did mention to me that they dont like tips, so I believe you.
+Georg Gerdon That's pretty amazing! Ive heard the Japanese never accept tips though. It's an amazing place
thats a great story. always be grateful for these amazing people, I'm suprised they even have respect for Americans
***** it's a cultural thing. I feel bad since I give tip for the level of service I get. Usually in Japan I recieved excelent service. Worth 15-20%
I'm 12 and I love Japan and I'm learning Japanese right now at a young age
Japan is one of the most civilized country I ever visited. People are so polite and care about others, but at the same time reserved and avoid giving trouble to others. There is philosophy at the arrangement of everything. Overall it's a positive experience.
Thank you for creating such an interesting documentary!!! I've always seen that Japan is a place with many wonders but also with many hidden mysteries and gaps between foreigners and the people who live in Japan. I think that this documentary bridges this gap, and explains a lot of untold things about this marvelous country.
Thank you again!!! :D
+GeorgiePorgie Pie
I think it bridges a few peoples opinion. We all have hit this stage in Japan.
It is well done but not complete/ needs a Part II.
A very balanced presentation of the foreign experience here. Well done!
thank you for this video. I did enjoy it but at the same time i was disappointed and felt little depressed from the truth of what i learnt about Japan. Thank you educational, this braces me for Japan in the future. knowledge is power. video is very informative and differant to see this. thanks again.
+Gengis kentmen This is a wonderful docu, it is only a skewed opinion on the negative parts which are few based on peoples view that have been living there 10 years or more and have no idea what HOME is like today. Home is lacking freedom people.
Japanese Smile so much! Freedom is there still.
The truth is actually worse. However all countries have wonderful things and bad things about them. Japan has a rich culture and wonderful food. People are polite and curious and the cherry blossoms and the countryside is beautiful, the trains are efficient and frequent... However they have a very poor welfare system, if you are bankrupt the government doesn't care, and you have to pay huge debts back to the bank. If you are homeless you are 'chased' off the streets because it's seen by the police as a 'public nuisance', and some people resort to living in trees! There is still a lot of discrimination against women, and they are treated badly at work, or will never get promoted unless they never marry and have children. Drinking at work everyday until midnight is still a huge tradition and many businessmen don't see their wives and children until past midnight. You have to drink or you can't fit in. Conformity is a big thing, if you are slightly different you get bullied a lot at school, older kids from older years can bully younger kids, they can order them to do chores, or even slap them, the teachers say it's normal and do nothing. The suicide rate is high in Japan. Foreigners have to live in flats only available to foreigners, and have to pay more. Even if you 've lived in Japan for over 30 years, you are still considered a foreigner. In Japan you either love something or hate it. Also, they don't teach them about the invasion of China, Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia or anything truthful about WW2, about their aggression, their pact with Hitler or comfort women! That's why it causes many strained diplomatic relationships with Asian countries. There is no reform or even much guilt or awareness, there is one page in their history book! Some teachers tried to change it but nothing's happened within the Ministry of Education. But a country has many faults can have many good things as well. But I think if you were a really moral person you probably couldn't stand it here. Also, even foreigners are graded. They like 'whites' the best, and discriminate against Africans, African Americans, Chinese and Koreans.
The British guy with the glasses is entertaining.
Very. Sounds like there was more to his story, since he referred to himself as a political refugee...and his description of Britain was less than flattering.
1. Win the lottery !
2. Take a trip to Japan (with the dog)
3. Find and buy a nice little home right next to the Kisuki line - somewhere right out in the 'sticks'.
4. Spend my remaining time on this planet living in the best country on the planet !
Oh well - nice dream anyway.
3,5-Marrying a beautiful japanese girl with a open-minded family-in-law.
funny, you dream was my reality for so many years until it became my nightmare and i left japan . i spent 20 years there
olfursson kyllian What made it your nightmare?
olfursson kyllian yeah i want to know what that nightmare was xd
dwighson Pavion once you realize Japan no matter how beautiful it is is a country where the word freedom, means absolutely nothing, you leave it.
I value freedom over anything else. I had an amazing career in Japan i made more than 30 000 dollars a month in the past 4 years , i was treated like royalty just because i am white, tall, with green eyes, which i found utterly ridiculous. i could have sex with a different partner every single night , i mean that would be a dream for some, money, easy life easy sex. But when you realize that the country doesn't give a fuck about you, you pay taxes but you are not allowed to vote, you are always ALWAYS looked at on the street as a way to remind you that you are a foreigner. The police constantly asks you to show your ID there again reminding you that you are not considered member of the community let alone the country. At work your word is never taken seriously and decisions are always made without any consideration regarding your opinion on the matter. People assume that you can neither read nor write and probably hardly speak the language (japanese) which is true most of the time, but i am basically at native level.
You don't get a loan to buy a house even though you earn 5 times your japanese neighbour's wage . You have to put up with trucks screaming racist slogans with loud speakers on the streets every fucking sunday and this is legal in Japan, you have to put up with japanese tv that shows Gaijin as either stupid, or dangerous . If a japanese kills a little girl vut her into pieces after raping her and eat her, he is a criminal and they just mention that he was aa man or a woman, but if a foreigner was caught using drugs then every fucking news paper or tv broadcast makes sure that the whole country knows it was a foreigners, they sometimes do not even mention the gender, just a foreigner !
Honestly man i could write for days about all the crap i had to put up with. And it may not seem that much to you. But it is like the chinese torture of the water drop on the forehead, it may not seem much at first but because it is constant it can drive you insane .
So i left, best decision of my life. I miss the wage, i don't miss the sex (japanese are not that good in bed anyway)
This video gave such an in depth perspective that I've never seen before. A fair portion of things I was somewhat aware of but this was sort of like a Rosetta Stone for actual living in Japan (No relation to the language program) However, the one portion I know I would never accept is the bowing to authority and just blindly accepting of whatever is imposed on you. I guess that's a pretty typical response for a westerner, but I think everyone deserves to have their own voice.
I've seen this documetal more than three times. Thanks !!
+Marlon Báez Borrero Thanks! Nice to hear.
I honestly want to go to Japan for my future, even though I'm 11.. I love the history of it, the language, and all of the nice people there. The thing is, when Im older I don't think I can 'cause I most likely won't have enough money for it.
Truly brilliant documentary, and I think a lot of this still rings true.
I wish you had talked more than 30 seconds about the yazuka gangs, as I believe this has a more profound on Japanese life than most realise, especially as a foreigner.
Regardless, a 10/10 watch.
Thank you! And, yes, you are probably right about the yakuza.
I'm Asian-American and Asians in Asia are a bit ethnocentric. It's not necessarily racism; just a wariness of foreigners. But given their history with Europeans, can you really blame them? Even I am treated as a foreigner when I visit - trust me, they know right away.
I will say that there are many laws and unspoken rules in Asia, just as there are in Western culture such as "personal space." I encourage you to visit because it's such an awesome experience.
*****
OK, I will give you the Mongolians. They're the only Asians that have ever invaded an inch of land in Europe. Now, let's compare that to Europe and America's history in Asia...
The definition of racism: "the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races."
How does a wariness of Europeans equate to racism? They don't think they're superior to Europeans, just cautious of their motives. Also, Japan is in Asia the last time I checked. Asian borders have been drawn and re-drawn for millennia. Lighten up, buttercup.
Both of you buttercups stfu
Europe and America? Europe is not one country. We are not like the US where their states are United! In Europe each country is on her own, with different language, different culture, different beliefs. Europe is like a deal between countries about their economic interests. Cause last time i checked my country never invaded any country. But even so, i believe nowdays most people in the world love japan as a country, as a civilazation and as a culture, there is no real reason behind japanese being racists on foreigners.
And if you don't know that Europe is not a country, go back to school, seriously. That's like general education and if you don't know that shame on you.
Yannie Angerer When did I ever say Europe is a country? You and Inbred Oreal need someone to read what I wrote again. Then ask them to find where I stated Europe is a country. When I refer to Europe and the US, I'm grouping then as part of the "West" like Asia is commonly refered to as the "East."
I'm an American who has lived in Japan for 40 years. Your video was extremely well done. Maybe you could fix the subtitles where they misuse it's instead of its?
Thanks! Unfortunately I can't do anything about the subtitles anymore but I have learned a lesson and next time I'll go to a professional from the beginning.
There is a version without the subtitles. A Life in Japan - Documentary (English, no subtitles)
I have in Tokyo and Kyoto for very short time. It was very amusing. now I really wish to spend some time of my life there. I liked and the flow of the documentary. And all the participants were so calm and comprehended, probably Japan has made them so. x
This was a well-made documentary! Thank you very much for sharing it!
GREAT DOCUMENTARY !! JUST WISH THERE WOULD BE ENGLISH SUBS FOR THE SONG AT THE END. THANKS FOR SHARING !!
Thanks for watching!
Bruh wtf you still replying to comments 4 years after video was posted XD
I didn't know there was a time limit :)
Japan -clean street,good food, well mannered people really fabulous place to stay and enjoy spectacular scapes of all seasonal scenery.
Just learned that the youngish blond-haired kid (American or Canadian?) has passed suddenly, in 2020...at age 39. Daniel Donny-Clark. I believe he had 2 young children. RIP.
Yes... that came totally out of the blue... I feel so sad when I think about it.
Thanks for the Video Petri!
Thanks for watching :)
I am a Chinese, I enjoy this documentary very much. I love Japanese culture and respect it, but at the same time, I am pretty jealous, there is a lot similarities between Japanese and Chinese culture, but they protect it way much better than us. And their people are very civilized, everyone says compliment about Japan and Japanese people. I really hope China could become better and better in the future, I think we have a lot things to learn from Japan, but most Chinese people are full of hate about Japan and refuse to learn, kinda sad.
As a Chinese guy who has lived in Tokyo for ten more years, I could feel the echo when I was watching this video. Though some time a guy from China could perceive some thing more complicated (precisely, more "微妙" ) than the guys from the west. You know, there IS a strange tie between two counties and the people live in China and Japan, historically, culturally, emotionally.
Any way, this is a nice video. Good work.
The history between China and Japan (and Korea) is very long, and it has not only been violent like in the past centuries.
Of course, there were many positive periods in past 1800 years except blood shedding. We hate each other. bite each other, kill each other, and rely on each other. :)
Like any good neighbors :)
Nice Video ......
Lovely Country Japan Love from Nepal
great documentary love it.
Loved this!!
Basically Japanese has distinctive culture, it is really amazing. Their food, it is clean environment, they have advance technology, they are polite. Overall it is beautiful country. It is expensive though that is downside.
Everything doesn't need to be expensive. It is possible to find cheap and good restaurants at least.
Thank you for making this video. It really helps me in understanding Japanese culture.
As a Chinese, I can find there is some similarities between two countries, but Japanese version is more extreme, IMHO.
To be honest, I would rather live in China, or, some other countries....I think I would be worn off trying to pretend to be someone else in Japan, and I would choose not to....
BTW, I find that Italian girl really beautiful & cute, with nice smiles.
Would love 2 c a part 2. :)
I really Felt Sad and emotional when he said at the end that some non japanese people here cant stand that they leave bcz of that they need to know whts going on and have some grasp of deeper parts of society.......and when they realize......that they are not gonna get that......Then time to leave..........it really touched me.... very sad though... :,(
that Colombian girl is absolutely gorgeous, the Italian girl as well.
I love japan because of shrines and amazing places,culture,people,language but of course most of all the MANGAS AND THE ANIMES :D
***** Seriously, where does the Japanese people get this idea from???!?
Arthaslepeureux from ancient china
Needless Lorekeeper animes? anime. and otaku are looked down upon in Japan
+Abbie Trash Nobody cares.
old guy in hat = creeper
I know right, talking about going girls who were willing to speak English with him, and going to teach "pretty girls" in Japan, i hope he didn't teach at a high school.
just commented the same. man, this guy is disgusting.
Feels like he's a demon and has no purpose in life !! 😯😯
@@mohamedwaleed8446
He has his purpose; you heard it.
The purpose just happens to be creepy in this case😂
Yeah because being attracted to young pretty girls is creepy...
ty for this vid
Purposes of going to Japan
1. girls
2. animes
3. cars
4. exotic places
5.temples
6. history
7. tattoos.
8. More girls
+John Pham That's they don't like whities there.
derci ferreira Soooo according to you Japanese people don't like "whities" because they want to enjoy their culture. K den *face palm*
porposes of going to Japan
1. girls
2. girls
3. girls
Bluestal
porposes of going to Japan
1. girls
2. girls
3. girls
derci ferreira Purposes****
Also worth watching, ruclips.net/video/QH-kNnq7mFM/видео.html
すべての先進国のように....日本にはプラスとマイナスがあります。 いくつかの点でそれは窒息しているようです。 これは文化を巡る魅力的な旅行でした。 ありがとうございました！
ive been here in japan just only more than a year, and i really enjoy japan,,,,..jpan is very beautiful and really nice to live BUT..the life here is sooo dull...
"I have a fetish for long black hair." "... Aaah. I see..."
I'm pretty sure they were just creeped out. :P
U570 no actually I am in severe pain and the quintessentials of Japan’s long lasting men are all from alabasta and I am in severe pain
Arcterion
That guy was deluded , he thinks that the west is any different , there’s no free press that’s for sure , ask Julian Assange
But he was very sharp
@@standalby6949 As the other guys said in there, you RARELY see people standing against authorities in Japan, but in other countries you see MORE, that's what he's talking about.
7:18 timestamp for those who came to this video just for that quote
All the white people feeling the sting of racism here, this is what I go through virtually everyday in the mainly white town I live in, in England as a black man.
Welcome to the world, my brothers!
I loved it! for once there's a document that shows positive AND negative aspects of Japan. Thanks for sharing, I think it will be useful to those who want to settle there!
The longer I live in Japan, and the more of the language I learn, the more I miss my first year of blissful ignorance. This is a great documentary, a lot of wise an insightful comments....
Nobody:
Literally no one:
The guy with the hat and the glasses: pretty girls in Japan.
the prettiest
The story about returning the phone and returning the 3000 dollars is the type of life changing story that make these documentaries worth it all on it's own.
I came across this video by accident, but I watched it all the way through. Really an amazing insight in the Japanese culture and society.
Same here.
Same. Was searching Osaka story (1999) didn;t find it but came across this documentary
@@silvb3610 who's here?
Me too, the content was amazing but some of the style narrative became predictable and repetitive like the loud song between parts. But everything was worth sailing through and rough it up. I am sure wasn’t done by a profesional network.
So real
I'm Japanese, but this is a great documentary that tells truth and the reality of Japan seen and experienced only by people who actually live there and the other perspective toward Japan felt and perceived only by people from the outside Japan. It was very interesting, and I thank to those people who honestly talked in the film how they feel in living in Japan and how they think of Japan through their keen, critical observation on Japanese culture, politics, economic, and social system. I am impressed how much those people have struggled to adjust to and try to understand a whole different environment, culture or society, but also how much they contemplate themselves and their surroundings in being in Japan, and how much they appreciate the traditional value of Japanese culture and the meanings implied behind which Japanese don't even know or realize. Now, I am studying in the US and I am grateful for being in this position because I can see my country I was born and raised in from the outside, and since I came here, I've found things about Japan that I got to feel blessed and appreciate much more but also things that I found strange, or need to be changed, both of which I could never have known if I had lived only in Japan.
+Jr Maron Travelling abroad, or even better, living abroad, is going to challenge your old beliefs and make you see things from a new perspective, and maybe make you a more understanding and better person :)
+Jr Maron, thank you for your honest review, it has integrity that I find appealing. I'm actually preparing to move to Tokyo and I look forward to my new life there. Thank you once again!
You're the real Uchiha Itachi, dude! =)
Ayumi good comments!
Ayumi is so pretty and cute. Kawaii
It is really interesting to see not what Japan is like but how Japan changed the people who went there and became Japanophiles. History is filled with foreigners who went to Japan and fell in love not only with the people and the culture but with who they have become because of Japan. I grew up in Japan in the 1960’s as a teenager and saw many Americans come as teenagers. If they stayed for less than 3 years, they don’t change as much but those that stay longer fall in love and often have difficulties fitting back in with their own society.
Some interesting points of view expressed by these people.
It is why very few foreigners last long term in Japan.
TheJapanChannelDcom Agreed!
Thanks a lot! It's a very interesting film, well done!
Problem is mostly mainlanders.. Islanders are friendly, but you cant have the feeling of a island if your self doesnt have the DNA.. Same why you see lesser islanders swimming than tourist on islands.. Because they know its colling but can be danger the other day.
what you call diversity. its their culture. go where u r happy. doh!
@@klm20079 what?
Seems like Google is remaking the way commenting works. Right now I can't answer any comments.
Google is bogus in so many ways. Those of us with a conservative, pro-American attitude need another avenue to teach, learn, and express serious opinions.
Realestate monopolises land and property. Google monopolises information. They probably got channels in another country crediting them from your work. Like a Professor probably reading some students work from Europe but selling it to you.
"People" are like that. but their lie robs them from substance and value. Not price but Value.
Dont mix price/cost with Value.
2:28 I heard that santa claus lived in japan & so i wanted to come here & see if i could find the real Santa Claus, LOL
I can't reply to some of your comments. RUclips won't give me the option. So, it's not because I'm ignoring you, it's because I can't.
Petri Storlöpare I think that's to do with the Google Plus integration, and is actually the individual users disabling the ability to reply (for whatever reason).
vikingfortiesfaeroes In some of the cases people have been asking questions, so then maybe they don't even know it's been disabled.
+Petri Storlöpare I usually send a private MSG iwhen that happens to me
+Petri Storlöpare
Thanks so much! This was so interesting, and helped me imagine a little what it would be like to live in Japan. It's always been my dream to go there and I'm looking forward to getting to discover the country someday in the future. This is one of my favorite documentaries about Japan. I also loved the song at the end. Thanks for inspiring me :)
+Petri Storlöpare
ps. The most interesting person was the British guy.
Japan that's my place! I have to live there, I wanna be a physical therapist there so badly, and I talked to the Navy after i get my bachelors I can do a program and get my doctorate. Then off ward to Japan! That's my dream :D
Did u reach there?
"In Japan, all of the gods are male"
Have you not heard of Amaterasu? Izanami? Uzume? Otohime?
Right? How self-absorbed are they.. sheesh.
Leia Clapton there is only one God
@@desertmoonlee6631 There is no god, there is no self.
I think you're talking about yokai
@@Alexeon kinda little research about yokai dude thats why. Its all because of their beliefs in shintoism
Married to a Jaoanese lived there 20 years, starting as a young teenager , went to japanese school, speak read and write japanese like any other japanese, I really love this country for so many reason starting with my art and my family in law which is very much related , but Japan is not a democracy, actually it is a democracy if you are japanese , and i mean by blood since japan only gives out citizenship if one can attest of its japanese lineage . except for very exceptional people and it usually costs them 一億円so, approximately a million dollar. anyway this program is strange to me, I can't stand the gaijin who complain about not being able to read the language , what's the fuck is wrong with them, learn it guys it is not going to happen by magic , and if you can not read japanese you are very very limited and you actually know nothing about japanese culture, because anything that is genuine in japanese culture is written , It is like comparing TV news to newspaper, in Japan only stupid people watch TV news, smart people read the papers. But yes the society is weird, foreigners are mostly just mere exotic entertainment and should not expect more than that , unless you are ready to work very very hard and yet you will still not be considered quite as good as a national .
Japan is very safe in term of society , but that is also because you are constantly watched, especially as a foreigner, there is always someone, mostly neighbours who keep an eye on you, so privacy is a luxury that only a few can afford, unless you decide you just don't care being on someone's radar constantly. The japanese police could have given lessons to WW2 german gestapo , i mean if you are a foreigner in japan , for the police you are already somehow guilty of something. Mostly because the police is ruled by extremely patriotic actually nationalist activists who have a visceral hatred toward non japanese . so if you get arrested , you're in for some serious troubles. you usually get checked most of the time on the street by the police in different areas especially the shinjuku , for no reason, just because you are a foreigner and this is legal in japan, and they actually want you to get excited so they can charge you with obstruction. this is really vicious . anyway japanese police is atrocious.
Racism is legal in japan so people should get ready for that, it is not punished by law, and it is felt several times a day if you have an active life .
as a white guy i feel very bad complaining about japan because my situation was nothing compared to my friends there from the Philippines, China, Brazil, Iran, or Africa and Asia in general. I am from iceland japanese most of the time have no clue where the hell iceland is but if i say iceland is kind of a scandinavian country then i was very much considered as the elite in terms of ethnicity , in japan the whiter the better , just have a look at the geisha's make up or the concept 美白or white beauty , just copy paste the kanji and check it out on google image .
Japan is not a democracy if you are about to go live their just keep that in mind. Japan is excellent at packaging and make everything look better than it is , and they have created a perfect illusion of democracy, mostly to attract the western market but this is just a lure . Japan doesn't even have animals protection laws , you can kill your dog or your neighbours dog you won't go to jail, Cats and dogs in japan become either pet or shamisen which is a traditional music intrument made with cat and dog skin ,
In japan money rules more than in america actually, and for the sake of making money there are no limits in japan especially tokyo and osaka and you must keep that in mind , because the only reason japan somehow tolerates gaijin is because they can make money out of them (us).
To the guy who got his heart broken for not getting his kyoto machiya , I actually bought a kyoto nagaya next to gion, which was an old okiya , I was not granted the loan at first because i'm a foreigner the bank clerck clearly explained that being a foreigner was the reason though i made more money than the average japanese , but my mother in law who was already retired at that time , just had to come with me to the bank and i got the money .
Many japanese say , gaijin just come make money and leave , i actually went studied hard worked even harder made money and was ready to settledown, the reason i left is because the world freedom means nothing in japan, and no money in the world no greatest art and refine culture or polite smiles and bows can buy or get even remotely close to be worth given up on freedom.
the only thing japan taught me was to keep my feelings for myself , and that is actually the only way to survive Japan, even maybe to eventually like it .
the guy at 13:49 summed it all up in one sentence, Japan, it's all about the money. and that is so true , if you think you are unhappy in japan, you must realize that you are happier than most japanese, because most japanese have completely lost the meaning of the word happiness, they have a concept called 幸せor shiawase 嬉しいor ureshi, which is their definition of happiness, one expresses a feeling of satisfaction , as in a need being satisfied , and the other describes gratitude toward someone , but none of them actually mean Happiness , because in japan being happy just by existing is weird, you can only be happy as a reward of some hard work or happy because someone did something for you or because you won something, but the idea of true happiness, plenitude does not even exist and no one (japanese people) really expects in japan to be happy , so being unhappy in japan is very natural , but you can buy satisfaction if you make money .
damn i could write books on this country even years after i left i still feel , damn what an utter waste of time that was.
you can see on the face of most of the foreigners who enjoy japan in that show that they would have never been really happy in their own country, so japan was some sort of second best for them, they hide being the money they make and how polite and beautiful the country is but look into their eyes , they are not happy , not at all, they just became shiawase like most japanese
What you say is quite true. Being happy in life depends on your status and earnings as in just about any country, even in the USA. Foreigners in the US feel the same as you in Japan. Despite the freedom in the US, there is still racism in some form, like not being served in a restaurant.
lionstanding you are right
***** Thanks a lot for the very long text. It is really interesting.
I will answer to your first questions to get out of the way. I hate explaining why i came to Japan because it sounds very conceited . I was scouted on the street in Arizona where i grew up ( I am icelandic not american but i grew up in the US) by a model agent , they offered me a contract and the contract brought me to Japan when i was 15 ( i am 40 so this was during the last years of the japanese bubble period) , i loved the country, the wage was absurdly good and i saw a chance for me to use this money to do the things i wanted to do in my life.
I really liked Japan at first, of course i was frustrated like anyone who lives in a foreign country especially one as exotic as Japan, but i knew that in order to survive , learning the language perfectly was the best thing to do. unfortunately the more i understood the language and talked to people the more i also understood how Japan functions and i guess this is when things got a little difficult. Fortunately i had good friends and eventually met the one i would end up marrying and things were easy, I never very much mingled with the Gaijin community , i found it reductive and they all sort of talked about the same things. I wanted to study traditional arts and i knew that surrounding myself with foreigners wouldn't help so i pretty much stuck to my Japanese environment friends and colleagues
I agree with you, you notice quite immediately that Japanese are unhappy and so are the foreigners who live there too long . unless there is a purpose for them living there. The most interesting foreigners i have met in japan where all professionals in some sort of field, from Doctors to lawyers traditional artists architects musicians etc, the worst are the so called teachers, those should be killed at sight haha ! They are so uninteresting and always complaining or stupidly happy for no clear reason, just from having a drink in a local bar and bragging about getting away from the stinks they come from, i usually never paid more than 5 minutes attention to these ones ! ( i am sorry for what i just wrote if you were a teacher in Japan but you must admit that most of them are seriously boring) .
I grew up in the US and was actually born there from icelandic parents but i hate the states even more than japan, I can not stand the stupidity of americans and how brain washed they are , Their irrational fear of muslims or blacks or other ethnic group, their obsession with food and medias , the way they do not care about the fact that their contry is respnsible for more than 80% of all the conflicts on the planet for the past 150 years at least, and how they dare talking about terrorism when america itself was build on the largest genocide in human history with over 100 000 000 people killed after the arrival of europeans .
But that's another topic. I burned my american passport at 15 , the day i left the US and asked for the Icelandic citizenship which i got without any problem , and i am very proud to be from Iceland today.
Where are you from yourself ? and what brought you to japan in the first place?
We seem to share the same view about Japan, how long did you stay there, what made you leave in the end and where do you live now ?
***** Have you tried Europe ?
France for example is a very nice country and so are Germany and Spain. Scandinavia is very nice too if you can stand the cold and learn the language,
Iceland is to me the best country on the planet but it is maybe not very objective of me to say that ! But life there is simple, people are friendly and interesting and nature is absolutely beautiful
I visited turkey a few times, i had a great time there, you have such an amazing history is the country is truly beautiful, especially the country side .
I live in London now, not that i like England so much but i feel free there and i love cold or rainy weather but mostly because my job is there.
I go to Japan every now and then but only as a tourist or for work, this is the only way i can truly appreciate Japan now. I will maybe retire there but only when i am old and i will live in the country side or on a small island with cats and dogs , i never want to live in Tokyo again, this is the city of the living dead for me. The perfect place to waste one's life and the technology or kawai japanese girls and strange japanese guys does not excite me at all.. All i see in tokyo is people too tired to enjoy their life, too frustrated and money obsessed to take a minute and look at the cherry flowers ( i guess this must be right now for you).
Japan was once an amazing country with an amazing culture but world war 2 destroyed it and they never recovered their identity, Yet another country that america messed up.
Singapore is like Japan but worse i highly recommend you not to go there . As for Australia, if you can face the racism and narrow minded people , it is still better than Japan.
I agree with you, what i missed the most in japan was to sit at a bar and actually meet people without the sex intention or the cliche exotic chat . It impossible to ever talk seriously and honestly about real things with a Japanese at a bar and as you put it, it is very difficult to meet a gaijin to have a good conversation with .
Where do you live i Japan and where do you usually go out?
I am sure we would have had a good chat if we had met there .
***** i'm on my way to work now but we must keep in touch.
What's your name by the way /
i'm Kyllian.
You seem really nice and smart and this is an endangered species nowadays .
I am sure we can managed to have a beer , we are both globe trotters.
Sorry for the short answer, i really got to run .
It must be around 8pm for you now, go get yourself a beer at the local conbini" and go look at the cherry trees , that's what i'd do if i was in japan now !
“It all started with ninjas.” This guy nails it!
I always come back to watch this documentary. It's so awesome and well done! One day I'll go to japan, maybe even live there. :)
We all Asian people r so lucky.
All Asian county is so rich in culture.
We have the best in food, people treat each other the best way possible.
From Bangladesh to China.. Japan to Korea.. All this country really rich in culture..
You never see in any part of Europe or Western society this much affection.. This much love for their language n their country. We love the language we spoke. Even poor country like Bangladesh shows real courage.
90000+ of Bangladeshis troops fighting all over the world for UN peace keeping.
Well our language is boring, your language is so much funnier to speak lol.
I think it's because European countries are younger.
Even me
For me my interest in Japan came when I learned how important noodles are in the Japanese culture. Ever since I dreamed of going to Japan and eating noodles.
For everybody who lived in a foreign county, the turn of events in this documentary is not surprising at all. Great documentary. I love RUclips for this
Thank you!
I've been considering temporarily moving to Japan for a while now for maybe 3 months or so just so I can experience a different culture than here in England, only thing I'm worried about is learning japanese and getting a temporary job over there. Thank you for making this documentary though :)
I've been to Japan the last two years, really is an amazing country. I will be going back to live/work in Hokkaido for the ski season at the end of this year, can't wait! Thanks for the upload.
This was excellent. This style in a series in different countries would be awesome too.
I choose this video to improve my English skill at the first glance,because of the english subtitle. In this video,I learned not only English phrases,but also Japanese culture.Japan is really attracted me after watching this video,it's actually a good documentary thanks a lot.
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Me too .... listening and listening.... I'm from Brazil and I need becoming fluent in English...
这个是黑的吧
I am 16years old. I've lived in America for one year (California) as a foreign exchange student before. But I really didn't feel like "foreigner". The people talked to me as a US citizen. And I realized it is so different toJapan. As a Japanese I thought people from other country will be happy if we give them welcome specially. But I learned it's sometimes wrong. Some people want us to see as a "Japanese citizen" not as a foreigner. Like one guy in this video said, "Japanese people never think I am Japanese" even he can speak Japanese, he knows how to wear kimono... He said he accepted it, but I think Japan should solve this problem. And many Japanese people don't know about this problem at all like I was. I could realize because I got a chance to go to America. We all should learn about this and I want you to feel more comfortable in Japan. America is called Melting pot in the world. How amazing if Japan become like that!
Actually the difference between the U.S. and Japan is the U.S. is a country made up of immigrants and the descendants of immigrants. Japan is a very homogenous culture comprised of 99% Japanese ethnicity. If you move to America, work there, live there and pay your taxes and want to be American you are accepted as such. You can still hold on to your culture and also embrace American culture as well. One way is not right or wrong but the cultures are very different. I lived in Japan for a year and travel here twice a year. I love the time I spend here but I'm happy to be American and don't expect to be treated as a Japanese citizen. Nonetheless the people of Japan are very kind to me so I have no complaints.
America is a great country but when you get straight down to it there are more idiots who would consider you a racist, sexist, and a homophobic. Simply because of our american history of slavery and women's right but to be honest almost every country had slavery and unfair rights for women and now our politic is base on who is racist or not racist or who is sexist and not sexist. It's really a joke nowadays and many american have not learn the manners of respect and appreciation instead they want the government to spoon feed them and add more money towards the lazy and unemployed then the poor and hard working.
Patch Weaver you are right
森川恵美 America is horribly corrupt and racist as amajority. racism and ignorance about all Asians is horrifying. I told a girl i am Korean and white she replied "I knew you were A Japanese!" how awful. be grateful where you are ☆～(о^∀^о) ♡♡♡ (ノω＾)
Japan has its virtues, but inclusiveness is not one of them.
I have never been to Japan but i love it already. All my friends who hav gone there feel the same way. Western culture, w/v my country has adopted, is so disrespectful.
The Japanese look down on people from south-east Asia or south Asia. They do this in a very subtle/ polite Japanese way. If you are from developed world, then life is good in japan but for south-east Asians etc, it is hell.
I lived in Japan for 3 years and I miss it dearly. I would like to live there again.
sweet song at the end
interesting documentary indeed. Thanks for uploading
omg!! this video is so fantastic.. great knowledge and very useful for those who want to go to japan and to know about Japanese cultures..
Thank you, I'm glad you liked it!
Amazing documentary, with a lot of nuance. Superb work.
+sumerian88 Thank you!
+Petri Storlöpare Yeah, this is great, thanks for this! Going to Japan soon on holiday ^_^
Giradox
Have a nice trip :)
Living in Japan could make you a better person. en.rocketnews24.com/2015/12/31/does-the-experience-of-living-in-japan-make-you-a-better-person-the-good-bad-and-ugly/
thanks for the article
shut the fuck up don't be so stupid.
I love the ending song ❤️
I've always liked Japan and this documentary seals the deal. Japan, here I come!
Daisuke Sakurai take me with you : (
chaosdream1 im sending this comment from japan just to mock you ;)
TheJarmag fuu: (
chaosdream1 hahahahahaha love you to :D from kyoto
I am going to live in Japan for a year as an exchange student, this was very interesting. Thanks for this great video!
+Lain Who is Lain?
+Evan C anime character
I know, I'm referencing a quote from the show ;) Serial Experiments Lain is one of my favorite series.
+Lain Hi ! Just wondering, how are you getting on in Japan if you are there
+K.S. Yeah, I've been living here for about a month now and it is amazing! I am being treated very kindly by everyone I meet. Amazing people!
I wish i had a japanese friend here in the netherlands who would take me to Japan as a guide. Really want to go and visit for as long as i can remember.
Don't need a guide, just google translate app
Burak Simsek , ln Toyko lots of signs have English translations, and ATMs at 7eleven stores are in English .
I’m going soon and not letting that stop me!
I went by myself in 2008. I don't speak Japanese and found it really easy to get around. There are local area maps every 500 metres or so, or if you ask for directions people are super friendly and some will even take you there. Just go! I was there for 2 weeks. I really want to go back but just don't have the money right now. I applied to teach English in Japan but never heard back, so I don't know what will happen. I'd love to live in Japan for a year or 2 and just travel around.
Gumm Neddiack at least we aren’t rude and cold like you making such a rude comments
I've been all over the world - and the best place on earth is Japan. There is no way to describe it, but this video makes a valiant effort.
Thanks for this - it feels like my home. I"m back in five weeks and can hardly wait. :)
I always look forward visiting Japan.
Hi threre, I just wanted to say thanks a lot for this video. I've been drawn to the Japanese culture through animes which I'm sure most people my age are as well. Like persons in your documentary, am a bit tired of my own country and it's culture.
Eli Tachibana It's healthy to live in, or at least visit, other countries to get a different perspective on things. On top of that, I just red that the further away you move from home, the longer you'll live :)
Eli Tachibana weeb
Eli Tachibana I have never been into my culture at all.
chaosdream1 Really? :) May i ask where you're from?
*****
What you mean by that?
This makes my ideas about living in Japan be the right one. It's making me grow more impatient to just start a new life there!
lol same here, better start to learn the language first!
aBrick2theKnee no not at all, just go there and ABSORB IT , no need to study, it. learn and practice tres tres facile
Luigi Lovie remember this doco was biased in that it was full of almost completely positives by ppl who are still living there. if you were to watch a doco made with returnees, you;'d see a vastly different story, be ready for some amount of disillusionment if u go. GOOD LUCK n remember you'll ALWAYS be a gaijin
homebrandrules It is pretty easy, and I don't want to go to an country without knowing the language properly. C'est mieux
i did , it was really very easy. Japanese is of course 1 of the easy languages to learn to SPEAK. non tonal, very simple consistent grammar. i am almost illiterate however ( i didnt bother with kanji)
bon swarais (see i am illiterate also in french.)
A cogent, informative, and unvarnished documentary that presents a sense of the foreigner's realism of life in Japan. Well done and thank you Petri Storlöpare your excellence.
Japan,....democracy ? hahahahaha what a joke !
lol
lionstanding yes i love it, and we don't have double standards in Japan which i love too, we are also nationalist and patriotic which i really REALLY love we don't like foreigners unless they work hard and shut the fuck up, this i love as well, what's your point ? we don't want to change, why should we? when you are Japanese , Japan is a fantastic place to live, and if you're a gaijin and don't like the country, then the door is wide open, just get the fuck out .
lionstanding i'm glad you understood the sarcasm of my comment. That is not what i think that is what japan thinks.
If you want to be a rich artist Japan is a good place to be.
I love how that British guy says an example of what Japanese people think foreigners do by taking the money and spending it home, it is EXACT same thing the British tell foreigners who work in Britain. :D All I'm trying to say is we are all pretty much the same. I work with foreigners every day and most have hard time adjusting. And I'm not even talking HUGE Cultural difference like Japanese is to the West. Some people are intrigued by foreigners, some despise them, it's exactly the same everywhere in the world. Some cultures just display it differently.
I think this documentary is brilliant! I'm so pleased you have put it on RUclips so I can show my friends and family. Thankyou Petri!
Thank you! Enjoy it and Merry Christmas!
It is very hard to understand the experience some people have when living in japan. I am glad you have given us this insight. I do wonder if people in japan will become more assertive with their rights with the power of the information age and more foreigners moving and visiting. I personally hope they do because I wont fit in very well if I ever get there that is.
+Louie Sebring I think one analogy is that cultures or civilizations are like cooking. In any kind of food, you pretty much need to have all the essential ingredients in terms of nutrition and taste. In terms of a culture, you could say that rights is one of those ingredients, which I think is an idea that is based on how one views the world and specifically the idea of the individual self.
It's not that the idea of the individual self does not exist in Japan. It's that there may be subtle but significant differences from western cultures in the way that the world is viewed, and by extension, how this idea is seen. As as result, the idea of rights will have a different flavor too.
Thinking in black and white -- that is, whether or not a culture practices "rights" as it's generally conceived in western cultures -- may limit your way of looking at the world.
And on top of that, by visiting other cultures, you might be surprised to find other cultural "ingredients" that you would have never even dreamed of if you had never left western soil all your life.
One way to look at it may be to look at the end product of a given culture. I'm not excusing any of Japan's flaws, but I personally think that it may present **EDIT** [a few hints on] how a society might be run.
It's got a population of about half of the US (130 million) living in an area about 1/26th of the US (actually 1/75th because 3/4 of its landmass is mountains). The greater Tokyo area is a little smaller than Connecticut and it's got more people in it than Canada (37 million).
Still, the country manages to have a violent crime rate that is the 7th lowest (and dropping) among all countries surveyed, manages to be economically vibrant enough to produce the world's 3rd largest GDP, and has the longest life expectancy in the world.
Again, I know there are many areas that could use improvement, but I think these parameters are quite significant.
The people who make up this society may have a different idea of "rights" from how it's generally seen in the west, but there is way more to the story that you may never find out unless you come and take a look.
I completely understand that around the would have different perceptions on rights, its only natural. Also I do try to keep an open mind to others' interpretations.
What I was saying in my original comment was that, I see japan's culture, through my personal research only unfortunately, as somewhat restrictive compared to the country I live in, The United States. With the same point I'm glad you see there is room for improvement because there is always room for improvement regardless where you live.
On the other hand your statistics are compelling to say the least. But, the information age is here and I was wondering out loud the effects of it on the culture.
As you said though I will have to find out for myself so I will get there eventually. Hopefully.
Just to continue the conversation do you see the growing interconnection between multiple countries changing the culture in the future and is it for better or worse?
+Louie Sebring
Thanks for replying! Great to have a conversation for a change! Yes, I think what you say: "restrictive compared to the country I live in, The United States" can be true on some levels.
I've lived in Canada and US for a total of 20 years (17 in Canada, 3 in California) so I think I know the kinds of things that you may be talking about.
But you might be surprised to hear that, in the end, I realized that living in Canada/US had been quite oppressive for me personally in a subtle psychological way. There was a general uneasiness that apparently had been growing after maybe the first 5 years of living there. At the time, I just thought it was some kind of life phase thing, and I didn't actually realize that it may have had cultural reasons until I came back to Japan. For me personally, it's like a weight was lifted off of my shoulder.
It's quite subtle and difficult to explain; subtle but significant in my personal case. I think it may have something to do with how there seems to be a somewhat fundamental difference in the way our cultures view the world.
I think the west generally sees the world through a lens of good/bad, right/wrong, desirable/undesirable, etc. What else is there right? I can see how this way of looking at the world has its obvious benefits and its drawbacks.
I think people in Japan (and I'm guessing to a large extent in many other cultures where abrahamic ideologies have not set root ... but again that's just my guess) generally tends to look at the world in terms of what works and what doesn't, for lack of a better way to describe it. Of course, what works and what doesn't is colored by culture and tradition (which I think in turn is largely shaped by geography, natural elements, and history). And this way of looking at the world has its benefits and drawbacks too.
The thing is, what is "right" may not be the course of action that would "work" more or less for everyone involved in any given situation. And what "works" may not be the "right" or "correct" thing to do. So as you say, it's not about which is "better."
Just to bring up a song lyric that still remains poignant to me, it appears that Peter Gabriel may be someone who actually sees this dichotomy in a similar way (just my wild guess and I'm in no way saying that he is pointing to the same thing.)
I'm listening to the conversation
judge and jury in my head
it's colouring everything
all we did and said
[snip]
I'm hearing right and wrong so clearly
there must be more than this
it's only in uncertainty
that we're naked and alive
I hear it through the rattle of a streetcar
hear it through the things you said
--
So this was a long response to your perception of Japan being "restrictive." And I know it's all on my personal level because I have a lot of Japanese friends who love it over there and think I'm crazy to move back to Japan!
I think people are all the same around the world in that they want happiness. I think that's pretty universal. And sensible cultures or civilizations collectively strive to achieve that for as many of its members as possible. Within that group, I think there are a lot of flavors, and I think it's the different flavors that we're talking about here.
"Just to continue the conversation do you see the growing interconnection between multiple countries changing the culture in the future and is it for better or worse?"
I used to think that multi-culturalism, whatever that means, was the way to go. At one point, I thought that if we all inter-married cross culturally and ethnically, then we would all be one huge global family and that would be the end of these endless conflicts.
I've since changed my position. I now see the global civilization like I would think of a rainforest ... The greater the diversity the better. Each cultural niche has developed over many centuries. Losing the uniqueness and by extension the unique contributions, detected/foreseen or not by our feeble minds, that these cultures have to offer to the whole is a huge waste.
And I think that such loss will be particularly heavily felt if it comes as a result of running them over with values that one part of the world sees as being "universal" but may in fact be transitory. (Like how Japan's vibrant homosexual culture was snuffed out when it opened up to the west in the 1800s)
I think interconnection between multiple countries is crucial and inevitable, and that these interconnections will bring changes to all cultures. But I also think that each culture must work as hard as it can to preserve their own culture. Otherwise, the "rainforest" will become one huge monoculture, and we all know how that works for plants.
The reason I brought up the statistics is to present the possibility that the question of whether or not Japan is "restrictive" by certain parameters may not be a core issue; that the core issue may be more about what a culture/civilization is collectively able to do for itself.
meh, just a bunch of boring anecdotes strung together, not really what i would call "documentary" there really is no thought or research process involved aside from finding english speaking people that happened to live in japan for a while
If you cannot enjoy peoples' stories and their view on things you find valuable, you are deeply flawed my friend.
theres something called qualitative research. it is literally just interviewing people and analyzing their responses. this can definitely be considered research. are foreigners real experiences and tales not considered good information? no one is going to have the same experience in japan so these are more like case studies on each person's experiences
Excellent documentary!
I'm Japanese and I believe it would be a good opportunity for not only foreigners but also us native Japanese to listen to their experiences and honest feelings in this video.
I visited many countries around the world, used to live in Europe in 90's and experienced a lot of different things as a foreigner(minority). Some experiences there enabled me to see my homeland objectively and I appreciate it. What I felt the most about Japan through these experiences was that Japan would be a very very very unique country in both good and bad way. (so I understand that some foreigners say Japan is another planet). It's a bit too complicated to explain, but unique indeed.
Now I support foreign workers and students here in Japan as a volunteer listening to their worries or simply enjoying conversations.
It seems like there are few native Japanese on the comment section but I'd like many Japanese as well to watch this impressive documentary.
Thank you so much for uploading. ありがとうございます。
Sending much respect🙏
Thank you very much for your comment!
There is also a version with Japanese subtitles that is mostly watched by Japanese: ruclips.net/video/trYqpYHtFPo/видео.html
@@PetriStorlopare Thank you so much, I'll check it out! I don't know where you live now but hope you and your family stay safe out there😊 To all of them in this video too.
I definitely agree. I am an American living in Japan for over four years. Japan culture vs. Western Culture is like night and day. It seems the opposite place for a westerner to end up, the exotic and differentness such as food "okonomiyaki" or "arashiyama" in Kyoto was exciting. Even the convenience stores are different, 7-Eleven in USA vs. Japan are different.
30:41, The Japanese on the white van means " Japanese Communist Party"
LOL
Thanks for the wonderful videos. It digs a bit deeper into the Japanese culture than most other documents I saw. Great job!
Thank you for this video. I have been studying Japanese for a little over a year and a half now, with ambitions to learn the language, get my bacholers degree and move to Japan to establish and raise my family. Your video confirmed some of my fears, but also made me a lot better about the whole prospect in general.
Though I'm going to struggle with the whole 外人 thing. but for all of the good things about it, I am pretty sure i can make it work. So thank you. :)
Whats the update so far, hope it turned out well for you.
Ok so you lost your phone and somebody called you to give it back....called you where? Landline?👀 just asking....
ALL media bro, not just Japanese press ... America is probably worse
MrInkblots wow, replying to a comment from months ago ... I don't even remember what this video was a bout BRO ... on that note, fuck off, BRO
this comment thread made me chuckle
+stvsueoka1 CNN after FOX is worse. BBC is a fraud faking ts way as people in UK having many freedoms taken away like US and not even see it.
In Japan it is open and obvious. Make No mistake and make no mistakes there. Simple.
I really enjoyed this video it gave me an insight to what Being in Japan is all about. I’ve always had a great interest in Japan and was lucky to travel to Europe with some Japanese college friends who were kind, considerate and very friendly towards me. I have only good experiences about the Japanese. I love their customs culture and Japanese hospitality. They are an awesome people and I wish I could travel and see Japan up close because I would love to be able to walk down a Japanese street and drink tea in a authentic Japanese cafe. God bless Japan 🇯🇵 greetings from New York City
Thank you so much for making this. It's great to hear the pros and cons from people who've lived there for a long time.
I'm currently thinking about going to Japan for a couple months or even years. I haven't been there before, but I've always been attracted to the country and would love to experience living there. At the moment I'm living in the UK, but I'm from Germany, so I already know what it's like to live abroad, but of course there's not a big cultural difference really.
When I'm in Japan and they ask what is my purpose here. I would tell them, "I want to learn the way of the Samurai, and at night wearing Ninja costume jumping from rooftop to rooftop, and also I hope to marry a Geisha."
Honestly, they'd probably find that funny as hell, and laugh with you. xD
Hahahahaha!
Idiot
I am going to Japan through the WWOOFing program (a farming network). At least in the beginning of this documentary, it seems to focus more on city life than rural life. Do you know of the rural life in Japan? What are some regions that I should consider visiting? I definitely want to see Hokkaido and Kyoto :)
I'm American. black*, white, hispanic, middle eastern, african, european, asian, south american...we all have closed minded racists ideas of others. Civil disputes against our governments. For the people like me who want nothing more than to travel and learn and experience new life! new culture! and learn to appreciate man kind. share this video please.
Great. An usual way to know Japan from "our" point of view
Have some friends who moved there permanently.
They said that it was like any other country, you just have to learn the difference.
Of course, like almost everywhere else, if you look different, some people will always treat you different, although not in a negative sense.
They have some close friends, some of them have even gotten married.
I'm a bit of a loner (not antisocial though, i just enjoy alone times more than most people), and all of my friends said that Japan is literally the perfect country for people like me.
Well, i am planning on moving there anyways, as soon as my duties to my family is finished.
Anyways, thanks for posting, bro!
Would it be a major problem for someone to go to Japan who only knows a few Japanese words. Do they speak/understand a good deal of english in Japan? My dream is to leave new york and go to Japan for a vacation
Thomas Joseph Pellegrini since we have occupied Japan after ww2!! there is a lot of dual language signs and foods packaging! BUT ENGLISH-LANGUAGE IS NOT READILY SPOKEN!! IT'S NOT LIKE EUROPE!
Watch the entire doc for your answer.
the guy's reason why he moved to japan (the one with hat and glasses) came over like a flippin creep....