The reason both women AND men are suffering is the decisions of Japanese MEN. White Canadian man 12 years in Japan, completely fluent in Japanese and currently applying for the citizenship. And Japan is one of the few countries where some of the individual freedom is expected to be compromised in order to ensure comfort for everyone involved, not just one. Ask Japanese. Its like a counter thats been wiped down by a rag and looks spotless but is actually teeming with bacteria. But there is no way that Japan is known for gross inefficiency and I feel offended and I dont know why you thought that way. (I will receive a small commission on anything you book through them. Actually you are Japanese, arent you ? However, I seem to understand that at different ages Japan is great and bad for different people. Everyone is entitled to feeling uncomfortable, as long as they dont attack you. 1. Corporate lobbying that calls for war so that they can move the stock market with their insider knowledge and gain control of the worlds resources (90% of stock profits go to the top 5% of investors) I 100% disagree with every single thing you said. I find Japan and Britain to be actually very similar to me much more similar than the UK and USA. The cultural sunglasses we each wear provide a very different perspective on the world around us. I know this is 5 years later :) but this reminded me of a bizarre experience in Tokyo. I think it really depends on where in Japan you want to live and what your career is. Youre going to let one book put you off a country? Furthermore you are a male and thus might not be as privy with sexual harassment as women are.not least but last if you miss on the amount of prostitutes in Japan then obviously you are probably yet another jap that only see what it only affect them. I felt like my personal values just dont mesh well with Japanese culture values. As a result, you will be able to handle various procedures and emergencies smoothly. Hi Diana, WebTokyo has so much to offer and InterNations made it much easier to become acclimated to life in this bustling city. Im not on an endless vacation. Companies can get away with anything and government does nothing. So as far as Im concerned, its not the same. EXCELLENT point, Sarah. I agree with what her American (that should imply that they were born and/or raised in America) friend said because I live in Houston, Texas and some areas are not well off. There is a huge difference. So, I find it hard to make an educated judgement unless I knew the Japanese language and was truly bi-cultural. I appreciate it. Sapporo is distinctly pleasant. if you want to have a break just pick up a clipboard and walk around the office so it looks like you arent taking a break. There is a uniquely Japanese term for working yourself to death. Hello Nora, a very interesting post about the negative side of Japan. For my part, I had several little accident in the japanese street or subway and never had the slightest help, even when I felt in the middle of a road with cars coming fast. The thing is if you dont like Japan, you are more than welcome to leave, instead of projecting your distorted frustrations on some strangers on the internet. I dont like the way they treat people. 1. All physical characteristics, and pretty judgemental and superficial ones if you ask me. Wow. Lies. One person described this as inertia and said that they ultimately want to leave Japan and imagine their This is the barrier many face getting their work line online. Hi Sam, In this regard, foreigners who live in Japan, since they are people who already stand out in Japanese society and are seen as different people, the social standards to which they have to submit are much lighter and less demanding. Its like you arrived on a friendly island and then found out they were cannibals. Yes there are nice aspects of Japan but sexism and xenophobia are real, as well as hypocrisy. What you are observing are a mix of Japans culture which has been changed due to foreign influences over the years including their Work culture. You make a very interesting point about not trying to be Japanese and instead to simply embrace your cultural differences. Yes, Malaysians do NOT pay cash at tolls! Like the UK, Japanese companies can be obsessed with employees spending long time periods at work for the sake of it. I can not say the same for the last 3 things since I returned to the US. And the decisive dislike is its lacking of logic and emotion and common sense, incapability and reluctance of communication and poor language expression and etc. Aside from that Japan specifically is very uptight and people are on robot mode work wise. Girl Power means something completely different in Japan. I just returned from my second trip to Tokyo and I am conflicted about my feelings. I assume that people from other countries would find it difficult to adopt this culture and society. Ah! We came here with the best intentions, but the culture here is toxic and unhealthy and we witnessed firsthand several of my wifes friends become hikikimori. There were good moments though I am glad I got to see some of the countryside and spent some time hiking near Fuji and Kyoto but the big city life sure wasnt for me. Kirkland said expats planning to move to Tokyo should only consider the city centre. And in the article, I directly link this culture of exploitation to the outrageous number of assaults on women on trains, the current favourite tactics of men being to grab (or at least take pictures) underneath womens skirts. I spent a month there for work and absolutely hated it. Everything is new! Beyond silly mistakes like wearing toilet slippers on tatami or forgetting to add san to someones name, what other things do foreigners unknowingly do to reduce their chances of living happily in And repulsive areas do exist in many smaller Western cities, including the U.S. The problem is rampant, comparative consumerism and when they ignore it their lives take on a whole new meaning. 3 Reasons Japanese Landlords Won't Are you serious about it? As more foreigners move to Tokyo, why are many Japanese Do you have any thoughts regarding the biggest differences that someone from the U.S. would need to consider before making a decision about relocating to Japan? Amen. If Britain had been anything as severe as that, my family would never have stuck around (my birthplace is a not-that-poor tropical paradise). It doesnt affect your price, and I stand by my recommendations. Very interesting observation! Russia-Ukraine latest: 'Criminal acts' of rebels tried to split and On approaching the two-month mark (and the end of my time) of living in Japan (near Tokyo), Ive experienced a full range of emotions here. Anyway, thank you for your very interesting posts. The 11 Best Places to Live in Tokyo - MoveHub UK In addition, a tourists self-determined itinerary helps them avoid the aspects of a culture that repel them. In response to this event, Japan invoked Premium Fridays; a policy allowing people to leave work early.at 4:30. Then you would really be isolated just like you like it. No matter where Westeners go, they complain about the life style and how they would improve it. Whats next youre gonna become a Westerner who is a self-proclaimed on Japan? And your reasons are all absolutely right and mine is much more deep. Why wont Japanese landlords rent to foreign tenants? Ill also be thinking about thinking of contrasting ideologies in terms of superiority/inferiority, thanks. Do you think youll stay? The paintings of the seasons are mesmerising but not even real (they miss out the ubiquitous vending machines and mandatory etiquette instructions). Expensive colleges that are very little about learning and all about showing that you are willing to do anything to keep your teachers happy; degree inflation has been growing and growing and its been shown that people who dropout their Senior year have no advantages over people who dropout their Freshmen year meaning colleges its the peace of paper that counts So, if our rape rate is 27x that of Japan, perhaps there is more to comparing and contrasting the two cultures than meets the surface. Do you know Japanese women hold a purse string in a household? Perhaps I just notice these culture/value clashes more when I travel, since my eyes are open to everything and Im generally more observant. We dont want to be part of your backwards society but you cant stop us from speaking about how inbreed Japan really is. With the tax money of Japanese. I have friends who grew up in the ghettos who have other friends are still live there. They feature wealthy women who are running their own businesses which is great but then focus on the womens clothes and plastic surgerys. I have seen it in Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America, East Asia, Caribbean, Polynesia, etc. Shinjuku - The most international area in the metropolis 5. existence of such places, in my opinion, is an important part of freedom. foreigners The reasons you gave as to why you wouldnt live in Japan resonate with me also. and for most realise the stereotype you have, pathetic suicidal asian work for live, is politically correct racism and you are not treating them like real human being since you are such worst of people. No restrictions on ownership. Then, I started to realize these slogans arent actually the unintentional mistakes I originally thought them to be. Sure, they cant do much that the scenery doesnt compare to NZ, Europe, USA, Canada, India or China. And like you, despite my beefs, I still like the place! I wish you live in Japan and express more opinions. Trust me I have learned not to expect every country and culture to be western. We get it, you wanted attention and the best way you could do it was through negatively criticizing someone elses culture or nation to seek validation or confirmation (even if its negative) on your low self-esteem needs without having to feel any repercussion so the best way was to criticize people of other culture, nationality or race. Its actually kind of a relief, because I caught some heat for this article! You said it well when you wrote that its a good place to visit and observe but not somewhere you could live your best life. So no, were not like America. I figure everyone is entitled to their opinion. However, Tokyo is the largest metropolis in the world, so one would expect to see things there that would only exist on a much smaller scale in other cities. 15. Ive been told that an essential traditional Japanese cultural experience is visiting the onsen (hot springs) and/or sento (public baths). Unhealthy food is cheap, healthy food is expensive thanks to farm subsidies and lobbying Well said. The poster you show Ive seen worst than those in America and Europe where the rape and women killing rate is much higher than in Japan. But to be honest, theyre either too subjective or not worth mentioning. I might have taken you seriously until that last paragraph. Japanese-foreigner marriage (very) often break. Anyway, thank you your post was enjoyable reading! Japan is a wonderful country, and if you base your judgment on it because of ONE BOOK, then its not Japan, its you. I think Japan gets a free pass because most White people are too afraid or embarrassed to admit theyve experienced racism or they think its a PC tit-for-tat white privilege thing. Its not a white thing, Japanese hate Asians too Koreans (ex-colony), Filipinos, Thai, Chinese (the most?). Irksome values clashes are everywhere, home or abroad. Foreign interns are actually the problems. Now their population is in a nosedive. I had a difficult time there, partially due to a long distance relationship, but lately Ive been wondering if I should give it another go. I have lived in Japan for close to a decade at this point, and I wont pretend it isnt hard sometimes. A study also showed that while British people worked the longest hours in Europe, they got far less done during that time compared to employees in Germany who work, say, only 6 hours a day and those 6 hours are put to better use than making people spend 12 hours doing less. In continental Europe it is more widely recognised that being flexible, allowing people to work at home, or letting employees have much more freedom as to how they do their job *provided they produce a good outcome*. Safe travels . Its not you, Nora. The police and their justice system is what scares me the most! If you really are fanatical about safety and transport (! I have quite often seen some westerners say things like I actually read a book about Japanese culture so I can understand how to deal with Japanese businesses.. To this I always feel like wow, do you think you can understand completely about another culture just by reading a book? We work a lot, which doesnt mean we are inefficient. I think possibly there are different ideas about what inefficiency means. . While many netizens had a specific reason they came to and remained in Japan, many could not come to a single answer. The capital city offers a wealth of opportunities, both in terms of work and leisure. So now people stress that they are not US citizen. Japanese a few decades ago could ensure only working for one employer their entire live and then retiring. I want to live there forever. I spent three months in Japan stayed with 23 different families a day or two with each office workers, farmers, a member of parliament, teachers. But young Japanese still have ample respect for their elders so their criticism will be muted at best. Its time for Yankee to go home! Apparently Westerners need to complain about every culture or country they visit. You may be right about them. You will be the minority of women around my circle of friends in the US and Japan that you dont even shave your legs? Weird country! Im envious that you could leave. This is my number one reason to NOT So a lot of the work hours of Japanese arent being counted. So Im glad you didnt try! Its almost as if the attitude is we know this is weird, but as long we are polite about the weirdness and not act out on it, then its better than keeping is completely undercover.. For many people, the best part of Japan to move to is Tokyo. They break because of cultural gaps as they say but as your wife seems to have a brain of her own: good for her, good for you, you saved you raison dtre on this planet ! Oh, my ! Thanks for sharing your views on a country that more often than not only generates sugar coated reviews and platitudes. Bieis stripped flower fields consist of ONE field next to a carpark). This is my observation. I am from Britain (Scotland specifically) but I spend 2/3 months a year in Japan, and have spent a lot of work time based in Shinjuku. Hi Holly, Japan is great if you are willing to accept and become the culture. Love the life of an American and dont try to be Japanese on any way. It feels that this also applies to the happy in my makeup scenario you talk about. Professional speaker. Hubby responds England. The man then bursts out laughing, points at another man and says Hes Korean. Their entire group of 4-5 adult (40sish) men burst out laughing, including the Korean man who was clearly embarrassed. 2 Osaka, Popular Cities In Japan No. I think a system and policies should be established so that people can rent an apartment as Japanese do when they go to other kind countries. Japan is in fact known for its gross inefficiency?? Some might say soulless. You feel the need to throw dirt on others but not realize how messed up your own country is, do you know the amount of porn USA churns out every year, its a number most other countries can never match. Throw in a requirement to stay at your first job out of school for at least three years (so as not to brand yourself as an unreliable employee), and you get suicides. Its part of a whole cultural movement encouraging Japanese women to be pretty, and feminine in the most delicate (and labourious) of ways. Its why Im always loath to answer the question what is your favourite place in the world. ive been to akihabara and i know what youre talking about but, not that im totally indifferent, it just doesnt bother me this much there certainly are places like this in europe and america too. Anyways your article is just being a 2000s era Bushite Republican about a culture you only almost fully understood, just replace anime with drugs and you could become a sexually and physically violent and racist DEA agent and make mad stacks by stealing from the evidence locker instead of writing boring articles that feel like they were written by a 13 year old girl on tumblr who visited japan for the first time in 2005. Humanitarian or Significant Public Benefit Parole for - USCIS So in some ways, you cant blame the Japanese for having a very strong, unique, and stubborn culture. Just thought I should give some perspective from the other side. All the Reasons You Need to Move Thats frankly the opposite ! There is no doubting at all that Japan is one of (if not *the* most in some cases) economically developed/successful country with a very strong economy backed up by very high levels of professional talent/hi-technology / very hard working people. So apparently, both locals and tourists alike find it easier than I to simply dismiss this aspect of the culture as a quirk that is, as you say, uniquely Japan. This is my opinion. This, on the packaging for a whole line of makeup accessories: Good make-up goods will make you happier and cute.. Considering I sold everything I owned to escape the rat race in the first place and embrace my lifestyle dreams, it would be all too ironic (and even hypocritical) if I chose to create a home base in Japan with a culture such as this. They each mean something very dear to me, and (I think) theyre pretty to look at. Inertia. and cafes with wifi, are like gold. 2009 - 2023 TheProfessionalHobo.com. and so many rules! Im really shocked by what you wrote here and pls never use Japan to make money with a video and a blog or whatever. Its refreshing to see someone write about the complex layers that for the Japanese society. (the famous scene Samantha dressed up herself with sushi naked! WebThe majority of expats working for international companies, as well as foreign diplomats residing in Japan, live in Central Tokyomostly in the neighborhoods around Minato-ku Which brings me on to THE THREE GREAT JAPANESE ILLUSIONS: 1. 95% of court cases are solved by Plea bargains where Prosecutors threaten people with a 10 year sentence and people plead guilty to a 2 year sentence even if they arent Guilty MODERN TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED no credit/debit cards accepted (not working at the International airport); perpetually diverting to find a 7-11/Lawsons that even takes international cards. Ive been living here since 2002. If Id made time to see Kyoto as well, Id have been berated for not also seeing the north. Moreover the Japanese government has been found guilty of funding an agency to scan and erase bad comments and web pages that could damage the Japans image. There are plenty of good things (public transport, food, safety, cheap medical care, lots of great hiking) but the attitudes toward work, women and people who are different in any way can really wear down on you. This site is part travel tales, and part lifestyle travel tips. Im literally about to leave Japan in a few hours, and have had some time to reflect on these positive characteristics of the place, which obviously werent showcased in this article. I just took in the bizarreness of people giving me shady looks for the horror of my lapse in etiquette, but quite oblivious to the extreme hard core essentially CSA material publicly displayed next to/behind me. I shudder at the thought of that graphic novel. I do think there is a distinction, even though we were both there for similar periods of time. Do you know the exploitation of women in the states? LiterallyIm still shuddering. it doesnt mean it has to be accepted its just one persons opinion. Akihabara is known as the weirdest city of Otaku culture and sexual desire even by Japanese. There are many foreigners in Japan in random areas and if you have those foreign friends and speak to them in Japanese and Japanese friends on the side to hang out with you then many of the problems of Japan are solved, along with working remotely or at a international company to avoid the Japanese work culture. Its very simple no one is telling you to not indulge yourself in individuality but if youre going to do things to stand out (in the wrong ways) and on top of that you are a foreigner what more could you expect!! But Ill bet there isnt a whole anime culture showing young boys in tight bulging underwear, and women certainly are not being arrested every year by the thousands for grabbing mens crotches on trains., Thats actually kind of unfortunate as this reversal of roles would solve so many problems . Indias Northern Himalayas has better coverage as does almost anywhere in Instagram-crazy Indonesia (the poor unbanked use Gojek to catch rides) etc. I think people who will have a different , more sugar coated view of Japan than yours, are those who are more of superficial visitors who dont see beyond the cute surface, and they lack attention to details and critical thinking. The educations no1 globally and the multi-racial people are much happier, welcoming and worldly too. The table above tells us that the foreign population of Tokyo dropped by 8,670 people in March 2021, but it doesnt tell us where they went. Streets were clean, and the countryside was beautiful. Simply, police is used to dismiss too complex cases, to quickly qualify strange deaths as suicide, while judges dont take a case to its end if they consider they wont be able to prove fast and easily that the suspect is guilty. Living in Japan: What You Need to Know Before You Move Thats usually the sort of thing I see discussed where Japan is described as inefficient. Overtime is simply an expectation, and part of the Japanese business culture. So true. At the pool I got told off on my jewelery managed to hide the tat but was still frustrating! Also because you speak Japanese (and have a Japanese wife), youll be at an advantage socially. That is not at all the case at all! You absolutely nailed so many things so many people think they notice but discount because the polite and reserved nature of Japanese culture contrasts with this so. Now, Im all for some racy content in the right context, but this stuff was everywhere, for adults and children, women and men to see and use like its just another day. Whats the matter with being a raging feminist, or a feminist? Hi Jant, This little ditty above (Feeling happy and pretty thanks to my favourite makeup and my best little friend) is on a pair of underwear. Apparently most people still continue to stay late. Those that do not make it got to experience all of it and then some with the tax money with free scholarships, but unfortunately not all make it and not all are cut out and be smart enough to survive, just as not all will graduate from university in the US even if you could get in. Former shaman's apprentice. foreigners This article was written in 2017? People were unbelievably honest, and crime was very rare. Best Tokyo neighbourhoods for nature lovers Some other movements like the LGBT movement are also contributing to changes happening to remove the massive misogyny that is plaguing Japan. I know how they are, and dont need them to build my own little private paradise. When searching for accommodation deals, I turn to Booking.com. A cosmetics commercial message is at its right place in a department store, while in Japan the injunction to be pretty and young and sexy and submissive is ubiquitous. By Evie Lund, RocketNews24 TOKYO. I guess you live in a really nice country in many levels, but I can see your point of view regarding Japan is not really wide: 1) girl power: in my male beauty products I can read the same style of slogans also for men; Japan may seem kind of childish approach in advertisement and culture. Browse below for inspiration: Interesting read on so many levels. First, when the agent found out that I am a foreigner, their attitude completely changed. And although I still stand by what I wrote here as being dealbreakers for me to want to call Japan home in any kind of permanent manner, I do expect that Ill return, and before I cap off this Japanese chapter of my website, Ill be writing about some of these lovely aspects that you mentioned here. Guns Btw, even the Japanese who dont even live in Tokyo dont go to Akihabara and think Maid Cafe is the norm or somehow it is ok. This is her opinion. In America, theyd say the liberated views are the cause of this but Japan is more conservative yet experiencing the same. We asked Japanese on the streets of Tokyo to tell us Westerners often see it as being all about cuteness and fun but really, its designed to infantilise and oppress women. As Im about to do from Japan very shortly. Japanese feel that they are better than other cultures because of this pretentious behavior. It was very upsetting. Right or wrong? Ethical laws? Japan fell off my list after I discovered a graphic novel hero who rapes and sexually humiliates women who have started to take the power in girl power too literally. The photo-shopping is incredible (e.g. Yeah the garbage disposal here is a joke. Suicide is very high among the non-religious I am not saying that the sexualized content is a good thing (I myself feel DISGUSTED), but my disgusting feeling doesnt authorize me to claim my sense of justice superior to other people. Indeed, the plastic packaging matter is also a big problem for me, especially now that I have made a commitment to myself to reduce/eliminate my consumption of all single-use plastics. (Bit like online dating! We are escaping with our sanity and our marriage intact. I assume the prevalence of girl power would apply there as well. Then I think about why I was unhappy there. Oh well. If you are not willing to follow their very reasonable and ethical rules then Japan isnt for you and the locals will make sure that you know that. ); shes feeling happy because of her favourite makeup??? Well done! However, Western main stream media continues to romanticize and to praise Japanese people and turns a blind eye on all the dark side of this place. Healthcare is expensive for what you get, they even voted that we cant import cheaper drugs from overseas I know many hot springs let you cover them with Band-Aids, but the place I tried to bathe in flat out refused me. Web226K. I was shocked seeing Tokyo apartment blocks right underneath the motorway. Another miserable Wokester, virtue-signaling by bashing their home culture. Japanese tend to ignore their problems and like to fantasize about what a wonderful country it is (especially the media) and there is no debate or protest occurring for tribulations facing the country, which I find very disturbing and unusual. Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: "Sixteen months after Putin's invasion, Ukraine has been left with mass graves, cities turned to rubble and vital infrastructure destroyed. Even Hokkaido has tonnes of land yet they live in little rusting prefabs. . You say youve never been to an onsen but then you seem so sure that youll be kicked out of one. this fad of political collect racism and clickbait will never stop. I am a Japanese male and have two points. Hi Nur, Even if this exploitation isnt an accurate depiction of the overall attitude towards women in Japan, the fact that it exists to even this extent is horrifying to me. I have also been working with Japanese people for over a decade, so was exposed to their culture and mentality quite a lot. Interesting. !, You Might Also be Interested In:I Visited the Robot Restaurant (cuz Anthony Bourdain Told me To)Visiting Tsukiji Fish MarketHarmonica Alley in Kichijoji: A Slice of the Past 12 Truths About Traveland Life (as Gleaned from 12 Years on the Road). Its really creepy. So what? There are so many foreigners in Tokyo that you will easily be able to find someone to hang out with and speak in English. Thanks for the recommendation! Young good looking foreigners like Japan because they are worshipped and dont have to deal with the job culture. In the West, we define Girl Power as that of a womans independence, empowerment, control of her life, and expression of femininity in a courageous and still flirtatious way. . I had a wonderful time and look forward to visiting again. That is a difference of 40%! Good luck. I sometimes have impressions that people from very liberal countries kind of expect every country to accept everything. Otaku culture and also places like harajuku(which have almost nothing to do with otaku culture) are things that Japanese seek after university to escape the work at the same company out of university until you die and get married before 30 societal/often parental expectation.
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