Japan isn’t Paradise | Saddest Comment I’ve Received
I thought I’d share this because many people feel this way when moving here, but there’s some truth in this and also a lot of mistakes, here’s my take, for better or for worse …
#japan #movingtojapan
49 Comments
He who comment in the video should find his Natsuki or his Ryotaro in Japan
Yes John, I do appreciate every country I visited for what they are.
The Japanese are not not-skees, at least I don't think so! History class was along time ago
My Japanese host sister has come back online on Facebook after being separated for 14 years. I fell away from my other Japanese friends over time. But she came back. I'm so glad.
It turns out she was my pen pal from when I was 6 years old. And may have been the granddaughter of my grandpa's childhood friend.
Good message. Tough love. Convinced me to become a paid member.
Gotta say, there is a marked difference between the random interactions you'll get in Tokyo vs in the countryside. EVERYONE says hi in the countryside, if you're a foreigner.
Rocky Balboa.
Thanks you're right John.
Yes, that's just how it is there. Learn to love or leave – it's that simple. I disagree with the comments about the US. The US is not the utopia it was made to sound like, neither is Japan. You have to make the best of your situation or move on.
I’ve been living in Japan for eleven years and I’ve never made a single friend. It really isn’t easy living here. Every time I try and find a job it is much more difficult than the last time. I’ve been unemployed here for six months and every single time I apply or interview with someone I am rejected. All my time and effort here is not taken into consideration. Life is quite depressing living in a society where foreigners are severely under appreciated in Japan. As for not making friends, I’ve tried and the other people always seem to be closed off and unaccepting to new friendship. It’s a very depressing society
Last Year. I went to Tokyo. Feb-April. When I arrived at the airport. Got on the bus to my hotel in Ikebukuro. I made a crucial mistake. I never screen shot the route. I didn’t have any WiFi yet. Got off the bus. At the train station. I knew. The hotel was near. About a 10 minute walk. 90 minutes later. Of being LOST. I finally went to a 7-11. Asked the employee probably in their 40’s and 50’s. Stopped what they were doing. Went to look at a map. I didn’t know why he didn’t use his phone and google maps. He has internet. A minute or two goes by. Says. Follow me. I understand some Japanese. He points NORTH. And starts talking. He’s talking for a while. Oh..that’s quite far away. Because I walked in the opposite direction. I was like. Okay I give up. Taxi please. Oh taxi…he says. Up 3 blocks. And then take a left. Keep walking. There’s the taxi. ありがとうございます、10 minutes later. I’m at the hotel. Should have just grabbed a taxi. And NOT been stubborn.
I know that it was just an attempt at connecting to an issue for someone in the US might know and not meant to be nuanced. But the US does not have an official language. So knowing english is not a necessity for any immigrant.
It's why it's American culture to smile to strangers you pass. A smile transcends language.
But if you hear someone here complaining about immigrants not speaking english, most of us look at them ascance now. Some people still agree with that. But more people now see it as only something someone rude or worse would say.
Imagine going to another country with a very different culture and expecting everything to revolve around you. How very western of you, I’m Canadian by the way.
❤
Tip top video , super on point .
The person sounds like they were the majority of an area or raised in an area of mixed groups here in the states. If you are a minority or a minority within the area, you will quickly see, just how much unconforming or non, compromising the locals can be towards you, where they're coming down to. Accents or way of cooking or dressing America can be quite judgmental, and it has always been that way for all of my years way before the current political system, the current political chit-chat is just mirrored. Observation of what's has been going on since the beginning. Second point is that in the states, we've made it a law to be illegal to discriminate against people. Where's Japan? That still is not a thing. But I figure if it becomes part of law, it then becomes a public persona and perhaps to not lose face. The Japanese will comply or find other ways to do the same filtering.
There is no paradise on earth but there are countries which project polite, civilized and of high integrity image, and Japan is one of these countries.
The subjective feelings are strictly a personal viewpoint.
I will simply look at this with an open mind.
Most of the points on that comment can be applied to a lot of European and other countries across the world. Every country has its own culture and people behave differently and have different values. If you move to another country, it's on you to make friends and get to know people. No country is perfect and every country has its issues. I am from Europe and have lived most of my life in the USA, the people in the USA today feel entitled and expect others to confirm to them and not the other way around. Japan definitely has a totally different culture to the USA so it will be more difficult and take more effort on the person moving there to make friends and adjust. It's not easy to change your thinking and behavior you had your entire life but you have to have an open mind when moving to a different country no matter which one it is. For some people that is easier and for some it is harder.
I love Japan and been there so many times I lost count. I like the way Japan is and I hope it stays that way.
The Philippines is very welcoming. You are a friend or a friendly acquaintance at the least until you behave otherwise. The Japan is the reverse I think, you are an outsider until you prove that you are a good person that they can be friends with.
Love Japan
This is the best video ever produced on YouTube for this very important topic. Mad props to you John. From a Canadian living in Tokyo 15 years.
My comment on the email writer:
The writer has so much to learn it’s baffling such conclusions are thrown around in a classic contemporary extreme viewpoint that we all know
I read the message to the end- it gets unbearable the victimology (indoctrinated at best) is so violent. To this writer: I hope your next two years will HUMBLE you. Otherwise please don’t stay here in Japan I must beg
Comparisons are always desired but should seldom be carried out, especially between countries. I can compare a Tesla to a Toyota if I am planning to buy a car but once I drive it home my neighbor should probably not say "You made a mistake." The expression, "One man's meat is another one's poison," may apply. And travel is a natural way of checking out the grass on the other side. For me it is comforting to know people can survive in most places no matter the trade-offs. I am not a traveller but I go to Japan once a year to visit family. While I dread the 9 to 11 hours of flight time, I am perfectly content to tool around while I am there. I love the hardware stores, Mr Donut, Lawson's, and the little French bakeries with 3 stories having a different view out the windows at each level. Is it Utopia? Is it paradise? I don't know. All I do know is that it is a different country.
Japan is country to visit and travel as a tourist I think. But will be very hard place to live in, survive in or retire in.
I find it a bit sad that he hasn't found the right Japanese friends. Yes Japan has a rich homogenic culture but there are still people who will fit with what you are looking for. It's a bit the same for every country you migrate to, you have to find the people you will enjoy hanging out else it'll be a miserable stay.
Great video John. I lived in Japan for three years from 2000 to 2003. I met many Japanese people and still have many friends over there. I found that Japanese people were very interested in where I was from (Canada). I met my wife over there and, because she knew that I would not be able to live in Japan long term because of the “rules” that I did not know, we moved back to Canada. We have been back many times and I cannot wait to retire over there
Quickest way to make friend in Japan is through shared hobbies. A result of the brutal work culture, free time is very valuable to Japanese because of this hobbies usually are not a past time activity but a passion. From high school Japanese join clubs whether its music, dance, photography, fishing, hiking, cycling, baseball, etc, that is where most people make friends. In adulthood most join similar clubs either in person or via internet like Facebook Pages. I do not live in Japan but I visit often. I have several Japanese friends and I don't speak any Japanese except the extremely basic. How did met these people? I found a English language fly fishing blog and I emailed the writer about info regarding fly fishing in Japan. This was almost 20 years ago. We are now great friends. He has visited me several times to fish in the US before I even had a chance to visit Japan. He introduced me to other anglers. One of which is taking me to his second home in Hakodate to fish when I visit next month. Most of these guys are all in the import/export business so they travel, lived abroad and speak very good English. There are many like these guys who if you can just get your foot in the door with them will become your friends but you need to seek them out. They will not make an effort to find you. You just need to share a bond. Seek out clubs, blogs, internet pages etc. of your interests and you will find friends in Japan. That one friend if he likes you will introduce you to more people. Good luck for those seeking friendship in Japan. It's harder than the US but it's not impossible. EDIT: I wrote the above before finishing the video. Looks like John already addressed this and agrees.
Every country is gonna have their own set of culture and social mindset. This emailer sounds like a liberal with a preconceived mentality. I get the frustration of the lack of socializing with others especially when you're an outsider, but that's just the way it is sometimes because it works for them. I want Japan's culture to be preserved. It was rather disturbing how much the westernization is culture jamming the country. While it was great seeing English translation more common in the country, seeing stuff like vegan menus and DEI/ESG/woke infiltration is poisoning Japan.
My cousin worked in Japan for 1 year and said the same thing. It's the Japanese way or the highway, especially if you are trying to fit in / assimilate into the community. But you need to consider the other side of the equation, living in the USA is not perfect either, people look out for themselves and their careers, there is a lot of selfishness that drives decisions and choices. This topic has a lot of layers and variables and in the end, everyone's opinion will be different.
I live in the United States and I want out! I use to love it here, but it has changed from the country I know as a child it is morphing into a Technofeudal dystopian nightmare I'm the US. Want to buy a house? No your forced to rent for life now. Need urgent medical care? Looks like your bankrupt and losing everything and will be penniless. Worried about crime? Be careful not to get robbed, shot or worse! Don't have money for a over priced car? Too bad no public transportation here but we will give you a high interest loan on a depreciating liability! I could keep going on but you got the point. Japan has a MUCH BETTER quality of life. I will take Japan any day bit will visit the United States on short vacations for fun for 2 weeks at one time.
I think it´s the same when you are introduced to another friends friend group or in general join another group of people. You don´t impose your way of doing things on them. It´s a matter of respect
100% true.
I feel most Japanese are nice because they are groomed to be nice.
They love visitors but not if I move there.
It is sooo hard to make new friends in Japan.
But I have to also say that language is a huge barrier.
The person who sent that I have seen similar albeit not to that extreme before. I have never been to Japan and cannot comment on how accurate it is but I would probably agree with John overall. Everyone will have different experiences though. My friend who grew up in Brooklyn NY now lives in Chicago told me the people there are more friendlier than in NY and he likes that part of living there
When I was in Japan many Japanese people went out of there way to help me with so many random things. They are very friendly and helpful to everyone. There are jerks too of course like everywhere. For those who are unaware you can buy a house in Japan for less then $50,000 too but it won't give you the visa to live there that is totally separate.
Yeah, you can't judge all of Japan as all the same. Yeah there WILL be cultural differences and they aren't going to go changing that for one person, but in the end everyone are individuals. It really is the ice breaker that is going to be an effort. I get what you're saying, John. I think your openness made it easier for you to adapt. You really can't take a lot of it personally.
It seems like you go to Japan to enjoy the nice food and the scenery and the order just don't hope to have any meaningful social interaction with the Japanese . I would be cheaper to just go to disney world . Lol.
Thanks for the stream John. I always enjoy hearing about your experiences
Spot on John. Great video and thoughts.
its not a paradise but more about the quality of life and how people being treated regardless of who they are. No country is perfect. Japan = Quality
still in the process of watching this video, but man don't you feel old saying that when you first moved to japan you didn't have internet?! crazy how time flies!! i'm sure you've talked about this before, but i'm curious what made you want to move to japan when there weren't a million japanese videos to watch on youtube and stuff.
I heard German is very strict too. Usually and Generally, best of all they try to accomdate only to those share the same values. It's sutstainable to live in the unique control manner because the lack of space and resource for a huge populaiton.
I've had a couple people from Japan come into my work a few times and I can't stress enough: If you're making an effort to compliment or talk to someone IN JAPANESE they will be so much more friendlier to you especially if you know that they're also nervous about talking to someone who is from a different country. It's not as much they're against you, it's the fact that Japanese people tend to be more timid when it comes to interacting with people who're foreign.
This is a great video. And we got a chance to see a side of your thought process that is rare to see. You really showed your mental fortitude here. Life is about how hard you can take a punch.
John, you had me right up until "what a great country the United States is". Have you paid any attention recently to what is going on there with just how polarized the country has become? You either belong to one tribe or the other and the two tribes are very much at war with each other. Many expect violence after the November election just as there was on January 6th 4 years ago and that may come from either side depending on the result. Would I want to live in Japan? Probably not, for the reasons expressed in that email you read out. Would I want to live in the USA the way it is at the moment? Absolutely not.
People need to grow up. Until the 1990s Japan was known as something similar to today's China. So, why Japan SUDDENLY became a paradise since the 2010s?? I don't know. As someone said in YT:
Japan is a country not a fantasy.
there are two types of people ….1- freedom people 2- rules people, Japan is for people who likes to follow rules, the USA is for people who like freedom, know who you are before moving into a country. also you need to know that no place on this earth is perfect, struggles is always a factor no matter where you live.
I love Japan, I think people who never traveled there before or thinking about moving there should first learn the culture and history besides the language. When traveling to foreign countries things to keep in mind both the culture and laws may be different than what someone is used to doing in a state, and learn to adjust to the laws.
Need a gf