Like anything, there are pros and cons. It may work for you or someone else, but there are many trade-offs that don’t become apparent until you’re on the other side. If you’ve got the time and...
Like anything, there are pros and cons. It may work for you or someone else, but there are many trade-offs that don’t become apparent until you’re on the other side. If you’ve got the time and resources to try, though, you might as well. Japan makes it easy to come, to stay, and easiest of all to go.
As an American who’s lived in Japan in the past and visited several times since, there’s a good chance I’ll end up moving there in the coming years and potentially live there long term. It’s...
As an American who’s lived in Japan in the past and visited several times since, there’s a good chance I’ll end up moving there in the coming years and potentially live there long term.
It’s difficult to properly convey, but I feel at peace there to a degree that I haven’t anywhere in the US. There’s this weird ambient sense of unease and antagonism in the US, the small chance of getting shot while out at the mall lurking in the back of one’s head, etc that grind you down more than may be possible to realize until you’ve lived without that. Japan’s generally higher level of cleanliness, organization, and access to livable neighborhoods and transportation help too, and for me personally the way society there skews more introverted gels with my own personality better than the overwhelming extraversion of American society.
It’s not a utopia and has its own share of problems, but as a whole I think it’s a better fit for me than the US is.
I left the United States for Japan after Columbine but before Sandy Hook (and Trumpism). Would you say the uneasiness you’ve described above is what it’s like for most people in the U.S. these...
There’s this weird ambient sense of unease and antagonism in the US, the small chance of getting shot while out at the mall lurking in the back of one’s head, etc that grind you down more than may be possible to realize until you’ve lived without that.
I left the United States for Japan after Columbine but before Sandy Hook (and Trumpism). Would you say the uneasiness you’ve described above is what it’s like for most people in the U.S. these days? I’d really like to hope not…
It's difficult to say. I think many people feel it to some degree, but I don't consider myself particularly representative of the average person so I don't know how capable I am of gauging that in...
It's difficult to say. I think many people feel it to some degree, but I don't consider myself particularly representative of the average person so I don't know how capable I am of gauging that in the larger population, and in my experience it's not the kind of thing that comes up in discussion all that often. It may be that the majority perceives no uneasiness or antagonism at all and I'm the oddball (it wouldn't surprise me).
As noted in the last post though, I believe that living outside the US for a significant period of time lends perspective that one otherwise wouldn't have. Sometimes issues with one's situation/environment aren't fully evident until they're no longer in the midst of it.
EDIT: Just for clarity, the feeling I'm describing is less of an active doom and gloom kind of thing and more like a set of invisible weights dragging you down a bit and a slight tint of worry imperceptibly tinting everything. It's difficult to describe.
I moved to Europe in 2018 (and am young enough that Columbine happened when I was 2 years old) and I don't feel that same sense of unease here or in the US, but I've definitely noticed it from...
I moved to Europe in 2018 (and am young enough that Columbine happened when I was 2 years old) and I don't feel that same sense of unease here or in the US, but I've definitely noticed it from some friends and extended family when I visit. It's definitely not ubiquitous, but it's something that has been increasing over time for those who feel it, I think.
I find Japan fascinating. I have never been, but I have watched countless documentaries, travel vlogs, food videos, and other cultural tidbits about Japan. I know plenty of people who went there...
I find Japan fascinating. I have never been, but I have watched countless documentaries, travel vlogs, food videos, and other cultural tidbits about Japan. I know plenty of people who went there for travel, both work and recreation, and I hope I will be able to visit myself someday. But even so, the country feels lonely and awkward. It's a weird feeling I can't seem to shake. Does anyone feel the same?
A good friend of mine lived there for a number of years, and I would visit him often from Korea. Living there really wore on him. The lifestyle was nice for a while, but then it became very...
A good friend of mine lived there for a number of years, and I would visit him often from Korea. Living there really wore on him. The lifestyle was nice for a while, but then it became very monotonous and bleak over time. He does say he would move back if he could get a place and make a living in the country. I think it depends on who you are and what you are doing there. Hard to generalize, but that form of culture stress is not uncommon, especially if you work in an office, or perhaps also if you are not from a densely populated city.
I always enjoy visiting Japan, but it has always felt kind of uptight to me. I was baffled the first time I visited, wondering where the party was at. In that sense, I feel like I maybe know what you mean about it feeling lonely and awkward. One thing that always bothered me about Japan (which is true of Korea too) is the way sexism and gender norms are so inflexible. That is true of anywhere I suppose, but the pater familias type mentality manifests in awkward ways. Sexuality is just a difficult topic in East Asia generally, I guess.
Honestly I think a lot of this is less of a particular issue with Korea or Japan and more of a general issue many people confront when moving abroad. Korea and Japan do have particular problems (I...
The lifestyle was nice for a while, but then it became very monotonous and bleak over time. He does say he would move back if he could get a place and make a living in the country. I think it depends on who you are and what you are doing there. Hard to generalize, but that form of culture stress is not uncommon, especially if you work in an office, or perhaps also if you are not from a densely populated city.
Honestly I think a lot of this is less of a particular issue with Korea or Japan and more of a general issue many people confront when moving abroad. Korea and Japan do have particular problems (I wouldn't move to either country bc of the work culture issues, personally), but a lot of this is similar to what I felt after moving to Germany, which is much better on that front (the better work-life balance was a big motivator to moving here tbqh). Once the honeymoon period wears off, you're in a place where you lack a support network and struggle with things that were easy back home.
You don't notice how smoothly you glide through daily life in your native language until you experience the constant friction of living somewhere where you don't speak the language well. And unless you're very purposeful about developing connections with people (even if it's all other foreigners due to shared experiences and often less of a language barrier), it's very easy to become isolated. These problems are all surmountable, but they're also non-trivial.
Been living in Japan for 2 years now. As a European, don't really feel the easiness in Japan. Life back in Europe was a lot easier and more relaxed. I work in Tokyo, and working culture is hell....
Been living in Japan for 2 years now.
As a European, don't really feel the easiness in Japan. Life back in Europe was a lot easier and more relaxed.
I work in Tokyo, and working culture is hell.
Everything except work (Food, games, anime etc.) balances it out..sometimes.
Work culture is probably going to be one of the bigger sticking points for most moving in from Europe or North America. I imagine that someone who's working for the Japan branch of a foreign...
Work culture is probably going to be one of the bigger sticking points for most moving in from Europe or North America. I imagine that someone who's working for the Japan branch of a foreign company or is working remotely would have a much more positive experience.
I remember seeing a Tumblr post about the Japanese "window-sitters" phenomenon where someone just replied "a few italians could bring this country's labor system to its knees" lmao
I remember seeing a Tumblr post about the Japanese "window-sitters" phenomenon where someone just replied "a few italians could bring this country's labor system to its knees" lmao
The phrase is, "Japan has been in the 2000's for the past 40 years" Some might argue it's the effect of globalization, much like what you see in the US: a really neat thing is created in one...
The phrase is, "Japan has been in the 2000's for the past 40 years"
Some might argue it's the effect of globalization, much like what you see in the US: a really neat thing is created in one country, and the corporations quickly find ways to outsource it to other countries for cheaper, causing the original country to lose its edge. Japan had a lot of great technology 20 years ago, but now that technology is not only kinda common, it's cheaper to make in other Asian countries.
And then you have the age demographics. Having the largest population of people over 70... well, the youngsters that could push for new technology no longer exist. And of course, as you get older, your mindset turns to "Why change? I'm used to this thing and that's how I want it."
I'd take life in Japan over life in any western country personally.
Like anything, there are pros and cons. It may work for you or someone else, but there are many trade-offs that don’t become apparent until you’re on the other side. If you’ve got the time and resources to try, though, you might as well. Japan makes it easy to come, to stay, and easiest of all to go.
As an American who’s lived in Japan in the past and visited several times since, there’s a good chance I’ll end up moving there in the coming years and potentially live there long term.
It’s difficult to properly convey, but I feel at peace there to a degree that I haven’t anywhere in the US. There’s this weird ambient sense of unease and antagonism in the US, the small chance of getting shot while out at the mall lurking in the back of one’s head, etc that grind you down more than may be possible to realize until you’ve lived without that. Japan’s generally higher level of cleanliness, organization, and access to livable neighborhoods and transportation help too, and for me personally the way society there skews more introverted gels with my own personality better than the overwhelming extraversion of American society.
It’s not a utopia and has its own share of problems, but as a whole I think it’s a better fit for me than the US is.
I left the United States for Japan after Columbine but before Sandy Hook (and Trumpism). Would you say the uneasiness you’ve described above is what it’s like for most people in the U.S. these days? I’d really like to hope not…
It's difficult to say. I think many people feel it to some degree, but I don't consider myself particularly representative of the average person so I don't know how capable I am of gauging that in the larger population, and in my experience it's not the kind of thing that comes up in discussion all that often. It may be that the majority perceives no uneasiness or antagonism at all and I'm the oddball (it wouldn't surprise me).
As noted in the last post though, I believe that living outside the US for a significant period of time lends perspective that one otherwise wouldn't have. Sometimes issues with one's situation/environment aren't fully evident until they're no longer in the midst of it.
EDIT: Just for clarity, the feeling I'm describing is less of an active doom and gloom kind of thing and more like a set of invisible weights dragging you down a bit and a slight tint of worry imperceptibly tinting everything. It's difficult to describe.
I moved to Europe in 2018 (and am young enough that Columbine happened when I was 2 years old) and I don't feel that same sense of unease here or in the US, but I've definitely noticed it from some friends and extended family when I visit. It's definitely not ubiquitous, but it's something that has been increasing over time for those who feel it, I think.
I find Japan fascinating. I have never been, but I have watched countless documentaries, travel vlogs, food videos, and other cultural tidbits about Japan. I know plenty of people who went there for travel, both work and recreation, and I hope I will be able to visit myself someday. But even so, the country feels lonely and awkward. It's a weird feeling I can't seem to shake. Does anyone feel the same?
A good friend of mine lived there for a number of years, and I would visit him often from Korea. Living there really wore on him. The lifestyle was nice for a while, but then it became very monotonous and bleak over time. He does say he would move back if he could get a place and make a living in the country. I think it depends on who you are and what you are doing there. Hard to generalize, but that form of culture stress is not uncommon, especially if you work in an office, or perhaps also if you are not from a densely populated city.
I always enjoy visiting Japan, but it has always felt kind of uptight to me. I was baffled the first time I visited, wondering where the party was at. In that sense, I feel like I maybe know what you mean about it feeling lonely and awkward. One thing that always bothered me about Japan (which is true of Korea too) is the way sexism and gender norms are so inflexible. That is true of anywhere I suppose, but the pater familias type mentality manifests in awkward ways. Sexuality is just a difficult topic in East Asia generally, I guess.
Honestly I think a lot of this is less of a particular issue with Korea or Japan and more of a general issue many people confront when moving abroad. Korea and Japan do have particular problems (I wouldn't move to either country bc of the work culture issues, personally), but a lot of this is similar to what I felt after moving to Germany, which is much better on that front (the better work-life balance was a big motivator to moving here tbqh). Once the honeymoon period wears off, you're in a place where you lack a support network and struggle with things that were easy back home.
You don't notice how smoothly you glide through daily life in your native language until you experience the constant friction of living somewhere where you don't speak the language well. And unless you're very purposeful about developing connections with people (even if it's all other foreigners due to shared experiences and often less of a language barrier), it's very easy to become isolated. These problems are all surmountable, but they're also non-trivial.
Been living in Japan for 2 years now.
As a European, don't really feel the easiness in Japan. Life back in Europe was a lot easier and more relaxed.
I work in Tokyo, and working culture is hell.
Everything except work (Food, games, anime etc.) balances it out..sometimes.
Work culture is probably going to be one of the bigger sticking points for most moving in from Europe or North America. I imagine that someone who's working for the Japan branch of a foreign company or is working remotely would have a much more positive experience.
I remember seeing a Tumblr post about the Japanese "window-sitters" phenomenon where someone just replied "a few italians could bring this country's labor system to its knees" lmao
The phrase is, "Japan has been in the 2000's for the past 40 years"
Some might argue it's the effect of globalization, much like what you see in the US: a really neat thing is created in one country, and the corporations quickly find ways to outsource it to other countries for cheaper, causing the original country to lose its edge. Japan had a lot of great technology 20 years ago, but now that technology is not only kinda common, it's cheaper to make in other Asian countries.
And then you have the age demographics. Having the largest population of people over 70... well, the youngsters that could push for new technology no longer exist. And of course, as you get older, your mindset turns to "Why change? I'm used to this thing and that's how I want it."