The Reason You Moved to Japan?

[TAG Manager]

What were the circumstances that brought you to Japan?

This question is more for those of us who live here in Japan either temporarily or permanently.

I will start with mine!

Many people come to Japan to teach English or just to work on a Working Holiday Visa or a temporary work program. Overall, I have met more foreigners who used English teaching as a "foot in the door" to get into Japan. A lot of people went on to other jobs or simply kept on teaching English.

For me; I was brought over through the current company I work for. It was originally a temporary work thing, originally set for 2 or 3 years but now it has turned into a permanent thing and I'm now locally based.

I stayed in Japan because I love it here. I love the history, culture, transportation and even the wild and wacky things that Japan has that make the rest of the world go Hmmmmmmmmm? lol.

What annoys me is the people that come to Japan and complain about it's style, function and history. SO WHAT? You came here, you didn't have to, you can always go back to where you came from. The Japanese people are not going to change their country for a bunch of self-serving gaijin. Wait... I don't mean to rant, so I'll stop there.

Yes, I love Japan - even if somethings that go on here don't make any sense to outsiders, I still love it here.

I think on average, these are the reason people come to Japan:

1) History/Culture
2) Anime/Manga/Games
3) Women (or men)
4) Work
5) Food

Well, that's my experience anyway. How about you?

 

[Kias]

There's no story behind mine, I simply got carried here by wind.

I do plan on returning home in a few years. While I don't mind living in Japan, for long term purposes, I don't think living here would be a good idea. It's mainly a lack of communication on my part. I'm no where near being fluent in Japanese and it's a real headache to get anything done. Especially when it comes to government forms or legal documents you have to read and deal with. No, I don't expect them to have forms in English, I just simply choose to go back home instead of embedding myself further in this society. There are many things about Japan I love and a few other things I dislike.

Probably, ten or so years ago, I had no idea I would be where I am today. Nevertheless, this has been a fun experience and I wouldn't change a thing.

 

[Karen]

For my field of work, I needed to be in Asia somewhere to get some experience working in the Asia-Pacific realm. I found this opportunity through a friend and as Kias said, "I was carried by the wind" after that. I've been here for a few years, arrived before the downturn in the economy. Luckily, the company I am working for didn't experience a large decrease in the amount of available work.

Future plans? I really love Japan but don't know if I could endure living here for an extended period of time.

A couple of friends are teaching English at various places and they are here just having fun really. I'm kind of envious, in a way. Well, I'm doing what I want to do and I'm getting the experience I needed, so I'm not complaining.

I'd really prefer working for myself, probably not possible here in Japan.

 

[Chodi]

I moved to Japan for the Job. It really takes some getting used too. I grew up in mostly rural areas and now live on the outskirts of Tokyo. I sometimes miss the open roads in the States and the ease of getting things I want. Overall this place is what you make of it. I bought a house here and plan on staying here for some time.

 

[Karen]

I moved to Japan for the Job. It really takes some getting used too. I grew up in mostly rural areas and now live on the outskirts of Tokyo. I sometimes miss the open roads in the States and the ease of getting things I want. Overall this place is what you make of it. I bought a house here and plan on staying here for some time.

Congratulations on the house! That is a big accomplishment I think!

What you make of it, that's how I feel about it. I consider myself to be very happy here even though I miss random things from home. I don't think I would buy a place here unless I had the excess cash to do so.

Chodi, do you have PR (Eijuuken) status here? I have heard it's much easier to buy a place with that status vs. a temporary status (1-3 year visa, etc).

For the time being, I am staying here in central Tokyo. I may move out a little further if I decide to stay longer and save a little more cash.

<3

 

[Chodi]

Yea, I have PR status here so I was able to get a house loan through Shinseibank. My company pays me for housing so I figured why not make good use of the money instead of giving it away to someone else for rent.

I miss small things too. Like Fox-news, being able to read the ingredients on food. Going to the auto mechanic is really fun here. Try looking up those words in a Japanese dictionary

 

[Karen]

Very nice!

I do miss turning on the TV and hearing English as a default language, lol. Agreed on the food ingredients though, that's a hard one sometimes. I know I've bought a number of things just try and see if I like the taste or could figure out how to cook it. Luckily, we do have the National Azabu Market which does sell a number of western food items with details written in English.

I can compare the car experience to my bicycle! I had a fund time trying to explain to the bike shop near my place what the problem was. I literally put on a demonstration show, step by step to get them to understand what I was trying to say. In the end, 30 minutes later, we all agreed that each person knew what the problem was and how to go about fixing it! In that case, the bike mechanic guy was too busy staring at my chest although I don't even think he realized that I noticed what he was doing. Good times...