Question:
Hey everyone, I'm a college student (BA in Marketing Major) and I've been seriously thinking of moving to Japan. I'm from the United States (Massachusetts). Well, I really want to get a job in Japan in either an IT company or a company in the automotive industry.
What I want to know is:
* What's it like living there? (I know it's crammed and all, I'm talking about the culture)
* How hard is it to get a job there? (Do they treat you different at work because you're an outsider? And do they promote foreigners within a company? How bad is the employment during tough economic conditions?)
* Language? (I know everyone speaks Japanese and I'm planning on learning it soon but, is it hard? I’ve heard that you also have to know kanji, how hard will that be?)
* People? (Are they friendly? or do the discriminate because I'm different and I'm not Japanese?)
* I've heard that you have to live in Japan for 5 years in order to become a citizen, is the process hard? (Is it possible for me to have a dual citizenship, as in keeping my American citizenship?)
* Is it hard to buy a house or rent an apartment? (Within a city or suburbs, I personally prefer suburbs)
* Neighbors/Friends (Are they hard to get along with or become friends with, do they respect you? and are they welcoming?)
I'd really appreciate it if anyone can answer my questions. To be honest, I think America is great (been here all my life) but, I tend to like the Japanese culture more, and I've heard their business morals are very perfected and they are also very honest. I also know that the crime rate there is lower than the U.S. One of my senior friends in college said that, his brother had been living and working in Tokyo for about a year and he loves it! I just want to hear more opinions in order to make my decision.
Answer:
1. Living experience here differs. And mostly depends on the city you're living and the job you have. Overall, it's a great experience to live here for Westerners. I'm a Japanese from a rural city in Aomori, and when I moved here in Tokyo. I was literally overwhelmed by how fast paced life here. I'm now a Tokyo resident for 4 years.
2. Job competition is tight. Usually, companies hire Japanese people first than foreigners. Except if the company you are applying is a foreign one. Many university grads here are unemployed. before even moving here, you should be able to have a job offer already or you'll live through hell.
3. Learning Japanese could be hard. I remember when I was in elementary I was so bad in memorizing and writing kanji. Working and studying japanese here at the same time could be very hard for u. but many Japanese knows English already, basic English to many.
4. Depends. From my experience, Tokyo people are snob. They don't really start conversations with people they don't know. Many people still stare at foreigners because they don't see them everyday. Unlike in USA, where Asians & blacks are common. Understand that Japan is almost 99% Japanese.
5. Obtaining Japanese citizenship is hard. Easiest way is to marry a Japanese local. They'll drop 10 years to maybe 3 to 5. And you must have a good income.
6. It's not hard to buy or rent. The question is, Is it cheap? no, it's expensive. I'm living in an apartment and sharing it with 3 other people so we can share the payment. But landlords do not easily let foreigners rent apartments. you must show them you have a job first.
7. Depends. usually neighbors just mind their own business. but again, that depends.
For a foreigner like u, it might be fun and really great to live in Japan because it's a new place. But please remember this is Japan not Las Vegas where you'll just do and behave to what you want. Learn to respect the culture, the people and follow the law.
