I actually don't think that too much has changed in recent years, tbh (in relation to the foreigners' life in Japan). It has always been a utopian land, almost picture perfect...'til the moment you even slightly put a foot wrong as a foreigner (and then you'll be socially and / or legally "crucified" within the blink of an eye, no questions asked).
In my opinion, Japan is a ‘can’t do’, ultra-repressed, ultra-conservative, rule-based society. I’ve been a resident for going on 12 years. My plan was to apply for PR and stay long term. I no longer have that desire. I agree with you. I am not married with a family like you. I am no longer willing to accept a life of social isolation with severe working conditions and low pay. I’m renovating my house now in preparation to sell and return to Canada in 2023.
I e. This rule-based society is a high-trust, voluntary one that produces real prosperity and flourishing... albeit thanks to the allied occupation to a large degree
I know that leaving wouldn't be an option for your family, but I'm still very glad you're bringing up all these kind of severe issues with Japan. There are countries that have excellent Japanese schools. I lived in Bruxelles, Belgium for awhile, and both the International School of Brussels and the Japanese School there have excellent Japanese curricula. Buuuuuuuut yeah, not easy at all. Best of luck to you and your family
It’s true Japan prevented its foreign residents from re-entering the country for 5 months. It even did it for one day when the Omicron variant broke out but this time international pressure forced Japan to let them in. Before the pandemic I was an absolute fan of Japan. Today I am much much less enchanted after witnessing how Japan has been treating its foreign visitors.
You are not alone. A lot of disenchantment with Japan going around. A lot of my fellow foreign resident friends all sort of regard our existence here as now including a visible sword of Damocles where it once was invisible.
You are not alone disenchanted Sir. I've been here only 7 years and experienced many illogical unfair things Infront of me but I know very unlucky people, especially one Chinese woman who has been here 18 years and at this point you would she had a dark cloud over her head for many years because those bad things that happened to her could probably fit into a book. The real weird/bad things that Japanese talk about by themselves are unfolding layer by layer slowly over years as you live here. Not as a student, not as a wealthy person or a person who has been here around 1 or 2 years in my experience.
Yea I was shocked when I returned to Canada and only seeing about 10% masked up. After returning to Japan after 1 month, I couldn't believe how many people were still wearing it here in the peak heat ffs
As someone who teaches public speaking I cant wait until I wont get in trouble for requiring maskless presentations. Masked classrooms are dreadful in general.
The number of new daily infections is currently 2,5 X higher than it has ever been. So it should be quite obvious that they are going to wear masks during a time like this, given that they've constantly worn them since March 2020 (even when there were hardly any new daily infections across the nation). Common sense would exactly dictate a nation to act based on their own actual data, not based on the decisions of other countries (let alone because they've simply become fed up, lol). Yet that being said, I've felt this for a while already that the masks are here in Japan to stay. It's going to remain a masked-up nation for the foreseeable future, and the children who've been growing up during the pandemic will start viewing human face as a private part that should not be exposed in public, except while having a meal (which is obviously a dreadful, ghastly prospect).
I usually hate watching videos made by foreigners in Japan, but your video is the first that I’ve come across in 11 years that is mature and logical. Thank you for making such a good video, perhaps being a long-term resident of Japan, as well as being mature, contributed greatly to the quality of this video. Thank you again.
Every reason you brought up is completely understandable. A lot of people say that this whole thing has become political and stopped being about corona the moment Kishida walked back in nationals being able to travel abroad. I hope it will change and give you a more positive outlook soon, I know it’s difficult… 🤙🏼
This situation this past year has definitely taken out the veil over Japan supposed Halo I'm supposed Halo. Granted after being a fan for some years I was already becoming disenchanted way before this happened so I was not as shocked but still surprised that even to their own detriment Japan will make these types of rules and regulations that hurt their own people
Japan has always been a masked country (East Asian countries in general - Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, China), I'm from Hong Kong but living in Japan right now, and I can say masks have always been there, even before COVID Asian countries wore masks in both fashion and practicality, and culturally it's just decency to not get people sick/not get sick from people - the earliest major increase in mask usage I can think of was SARS in 2003
Measured and logical and clearly expressed as always. As someone who has lived in Japan for over three and half years but is looking to stay long term, your fears about the degree to which Japanese authority can suspend residents' rights seems very spot-on. It has definitely given me pause for thought too. Keep making these videos!
Hallo my friend (I hope you will allow me to call you this way), I watched your video because I wanted to hear your reasons and check if, by any chance, there could be similarities with my own personal experience. This is my first comment on UA-cam, and I decided to write this today, because I sympathise with you 200%, and this topic has been at the top of my list for years. I have been living outside of my own country since 1990: 26 years in Malaysia, now 6 in Thailand. I cannot claim to know that the whole of Asia is the same, but indications are there that Asian countries’ attitude is strikingly similar, including in supposedly modern and developed nations such as Japan. Except for their own citizens (and in some countries some citizens are more citizens than others, who has been living in S.E.A. knows what I am talking about), everybody else is not, and will not, ever be fully part of the society, and that is final (with very, very, few notable exceptions). We, and I mean all foreigners, white, black, yellow, or blue, will always be treated as a guest, a welcome guest maybe, but a guest nonetheless. This can be identified with only one word, which I know is a big one, but we need to call a spade a spade: racism. Asian societies are intrinsically racist. Some might argue racism is everywhere and that is true. We find expression of racism in just about every country in the world, but in this part of the world, and I refer to Southeast Asia, China, Japan, at least, as I said I cannot claim to know all countries in Asia, racism is "institutionalised", it is clearly within their own laws and regulations. It is not the prerogative of a bunch of ignorant, it is clearly expressed by their own rules, even though, they have the ability to justify these blatantly racist rules by claiming to be protecting the safety of the country and by finding thousands of excuses and sometimes less-than-plausible explanations why these laws are indeed necessary, despite the fact that the absolute majority of truly developed nations have a completely different approach which seems to be working just fine. It seems that other countries “good examples” are always ignored in favour of imitating other countries truly bad examples. Just to be clear, everyone reading should know that by and large people in Asia are incredibly welcoming, polite, and educated towards their guests, and I can reconfirm that thanks to my long time living in this part of the world. But here lies the problem, the word "guest". For them, that is what we are, no matter how long we stay, how many taxes we paid, how many children we have, maybe with a local partner, whether we speak the local language or not; we will be the "forever guests". And this brings about my final thought, which is what I understand being your present dilemma: shall I stay, or shall I go? Not an easy one considering the many, mostly sentimental but also very practical, reasons one might have. Ultimately though, the solution can be simple: we either learn to accept that this is the status quo and, admittedly there is very little we can do to change it or hope that it might change "naturally" (not in my lifetime for sure), or, sadly, we pack our bags and we migrate, again, to a country where there are laws, which at least try to treat people as equal, notwithstanding the opinion of hopefully few racist individuals who unfortunately are present, in almost equal percentage, just about everywhere. I wish you all the best, whichever decision you make.
Your observations contain a lot of things that resonate with my own experience. People who know you can perhaps accept that you live in their country indefinitely, but for society at large, foreign residents are still often seen as guests who just haven't left yet.
Maybe not point in commenting after so long, but perhaps you might read this... I can't imagine life in a country where folks can not speak my language . Anyone under 40 or so has had at least five years of compulsory English at school. They are desensitizing about our presence and don't give a rat's a...but many older folks are genuinely fearful of us, like shock and dread... it's only thanks to Hollywood that they don't flee with a scream!
Its interesting that post COVID, finding these reflective takes by others and likes of you and Victor of Gimmeabreakman. His observations not entirely similar, but plenty of crossover. This video officialdom, his recent on respect and acceptance. Ultimately how Japan and its citizens view and respect rights of foreign born residents. Its a tough one, and I'm still considering whether returning is a gd idea. Hope you choose what's best for you.
First off as a Japanese resident, I feel Japan should open up the border but I don't like people blaming the bad economy on not having international tourists. International tourism is a small percentage of Japan's GDP. People outside of Japan didn't know about the discouragement of domestic travel and staying at home at night or the bars and places closing at 8pm or not serving alcohol was promoted by the government which lead to a lot of businesses closing. On the issue of leaving Japan, I think a lot of foreigners are stuck in Japan. If most move back to their home country, they would have to start over again. Since most are English teachers in Japan, they don't have the skills to do anything else maybe teach Japanese if they were fluent. Even foreign Japanese UA-camrs might have a problem transitioning since their content is all Japan related. Good topic to talk about and another good video. Keep them coming, Paul.
And it is probably too much to hope that tour operators and the government have used this "time off" to put plans and ventures into place to give tourists and locals alike a better experience...
Tourism plays a huge role in the Japanese economy. How many Toyota's is Japan exporting these days? Because my local American dealerships don't seem to have much stock on hand. Japan needs the tourism money. But the government officials are scared to death of the hospitals overflowing with sick people. Japanese are risk averse. They will always take the safe way out, even if it means sacrificing the economy. And yes, the pandemic is totally political.
You are right about foreigners having to start all over again. I’m Canadian teaching English in the countryside of Shikoku for going on 12 years now. My goal was to marry and fully integrate into society here, but that proved to be impossible to the extent I desired. Primarily due to social isolation, poor working conditions and low salary, I’ve decided my 75-year old traditional, post and beam Japanese home and small farm with mountain view that would cost well over $2,000, 000 in Vancouver is no longer worth it to stay. I’m renovating in preparation to sell in the spring. I’ll indeed have to start over, but I’m willing to do it to get out.
@@ShikokuFoodForest Fellow Canadian here, I too am in the same position as you. Doing my best to get out of here after 11 years. Thankfully I have no kids, just the wife and I.
Found your channel recently, now going back and watching some of the older videos. I wonder how you are feeling now? Tourists are overwhelming Japan, which is frustrating my Japanese friends and family who live there. And the Yen is so weak 157, so if one is earning Yen, good luck with that, esp if the plan is to leave one day.
This is a great question, and one I intend to make into a video topic soon. It has reached a point where the tourist dynamic cannot be ignored, especially as someone who regularly spends time in the Mt Fuji area. Please watch out for that video! Thank you.
You say it is culture shock, but it seems to me what you are saying is better described as alienation, politically or at some points socially/culturally. And that seems to be in abundant supply in 2022, across the globe.
cut to one year later and they decide if you're permanent and late on a bill you're out. basically they retracted permanent residency and made it temporary forever residency. only reason to stay is if you choose citizenship. only safe way to stay.
Okay. What ever YOU say .. revoking yer citizenship is a great idea, too...then after you are thrown into a dark pit of a jail cell you can call yer embassy
Nothing to be scared of! Just questions to ask oneself if staying for the long term is a good idea or not. Please check out my other vids about life in Japan advice (like my video on what NOT to pack). I hope you enjoy life in Japan!
@@Exjapter In Zushi one of my cousin and my father’s cousin live. Zushi has hills and the ocean. We can enjoy the changes of the four seasons. This film was taken Kanazawa Yokohama. You started Susaki and walked around Machiya. This IS My home town. PEACE❣️
Re: Jackson Blatz (i dont know why your original comment disappeared) You wrote: "From what I am seeing from the outside perspective looking in, the Japanese government is catering to it’s voters, which are primarily the older population. If the younger generation in Japan were actually encouraged to take part in the political process and weren’t overworked, a lot of issues in Japan wouldn’t exist, including having one of the lowest birth rates in the G7 , which could easily be solved if Japan eased immigration. The issue seems to be pretty complex and the Japanese population seem to be embracing the “Shoganai” culture. Sorry for the long winded take, I’m sure Japan can change, it will be a lot slower than other developed countries however as Japan tends to have a firm foot in the past while looking into the future as I am interested in living there some day :)"
My reply is - pretty spot on that it is largely about pandering to the elderly voting demographic. "Let's Ask Shogo" channel did a good breakdown of this. What is interesting though is they seem to be successfully ignoring the business lobby, which is usually pretty powerful as well.
I agree 100% with your reason #1. That one really hurts. I'm trying my damndest to remain optimistic about #'s 2 and 3. Let's see where we're at in April with regards to masks. Virtually zero chance of them coming off before then. Probably 20% of the population will wear them forever. What about reasons 4 and 5, the yen collapsing and the coming heavy military build up?🤔
Some days I am optimistic, lol. As for the yen thing - we are entering a period of what will be real worldwide instability and all I can think is to become a bit of a prepper.
"Heavy military build-up" compared to whom exactly? There just happens to be a self-obsessed, reckless, and boundlessly arrogant Red Dragon sitting at their doorstep (and armed to the teeth).
@@martinusv7433 compared to Japan itself during the past several decades. My post does not refer in any way to the reasons for the coming heavy military build up. But yes, I agree with you, there is a nasty red dragon lurking
I can't imagine living with this constant fear of being "expelled" from the country where all your life is (wife, kids, career, etc.). Just out of curiosity, wouldn't obtaining the japanese citizenship ease this fear? Keep up the good work. P.S.: I know obtaining the citizenship shouldn't be a requirement for someone to live fully in a foreign country.
The reasons to obtain citizenship are certainly growing. Of course, that wont change the fact that I will never fully fit in for not looking like a citizen for people who dont know me, but at least I would have legal protections then.
I had lived in the US for 52 years now. If I contemplate about guns and police violence, homelessness and racism, medical service disparity, and political uncivility…I would try to move to Japan. During the Covid years million of Americans died of Covid, the majority of them are the elderly in nursing home and low income people. And we rarely saw any photos of them, just a new number day after day. All is quiet in the humane front. I still cling on to the good people and the Constitution of this nation. In the meantime I will try to be a tourist biking around Kyoto and having my lunch sitting by the Philosopher’s path as often as I can. 🌷
I understand what you are saying, especially about the mess that is US healthcare, but at the same time every time I visit the States it seems...normal. When my only connection to the USA is the media (meaning all bad news) it creates a bit of a distorted vision.
@@brontone one of my best memories ever. And with more world travel experience and knowledge in general, there is so much more about the UK that I want to experience that I didnt know back then.
Question, if your whole life is in Japan, how come you didn't go for citizenship? Or I guess since you don't want to abandon your US citizenship which I think you'd have to.
That's pretty much it. Being a US citizen abroad is a pain in the butt because the US government likes to make everything hard, but I am not ready to give it up.
@@Exjapter I don't think the Japanese realize the psychological damage this is going to have on the children. Japanese don't seem to question these things, or really question anything it seems. And living here with my soon to be 2 year old daughter is becoming very worrisome.
@@justinkrann7406 there is an interesting difference in Japan that may make it less of an issue. There is some scientific research that suggests Japanese in general suppress facial expression of emotion more than Westerners, and children here, even before mask wearing, were taught that watching the eyes of someone is how you catch their mood. This has in turn been suggested as a reason why Japanese are much more comfortable staying masked up while the rest of the world threw them away as soon as they possibly could. Since you read only the eyes anyways, the mask is less of an issue.
@@Exjapter I suppose you being a teacher would have the best knowledge. Do you find children's behaviours regarding their confidence have been effected since the Maskdemic?
Being a foreigner is hard. I think Japan makes it harder sometimes. But when you have a conservative country where almost everyone is culturally and racially the same but you’re not then it can make you question the wisdom of living there long term. At least Japan isn’t at war.
Because daily life is fine, and Japanese people are perfectly wonderful in interpersonal relations it is possible to go a long time without ever thinking about things like xenophobia and certain anti foreigner views, but then Corona policies and public reactions bring it back into focus. Kind of a downer. But I do need to remember that it doesn't really touch me directly on a daily basis.
I didn't feel no Corona shock... stupid bleedin useless masks aside ..just same ol' social isolation as usual, ha! As you know, via the media, the government kindly asked people to consider not travelling 'out of state'...cut to me in my car with my plate obviously from the neighbour ING prefecture... I had an issue getting medical attention at a major city hospital on that trip because of Covid concerns, but I was out of state. Still they eventually agreed and then within the hour I was inside the freaky bowels of an MRI ! Astounding you say? Bloody right! Think about this next personal crisis, etc. Most people around the globe can not fathom the medical coverage we got here. From Okinawa to Hokkaido and every clinic along the way, just show your health card. Okay, the MRI was quick, but I had to wait a couple hours for the doctors, but I think I paid 40 USD... Can you imagine if Japan had a land border? The wall would be so thick and high with snipers working overtime! I dare say Japan is better than Switzerland... maybe not, but most folks get the point, I'm sure . Japan is a gem!!
But watch yer mental health... being alone,i.e. social isolation in Japan... might as well be N Korea...under house arrest..you must have someone to love... Oh, and the coppers, well they all look the same in their squad cars and uniforms, But no. Every prefecture has a high degree of autonomy... maybe education is a notable exception, but that's a good thing. the Japanese are very very much alike thanks to the ' indoctrination', ha!
@@Exjapter from how your describe your experience in Japan. It seems as though you’re not real, residents don’t have the same privileges as an Asian born Japanese and you’re always going to be asked “where are you from?” no matter how many years you’ve been there. Not trying to make things more negative. But it just seems like living there is so hard for foreigners. For example I live in Colombia, im from the states. But now im a resident in Colombia, I never feel like I don’t belong here. Could be because it’s a mixed country. But I can’t imagine living in a country where every single day you’re a foreigner, and ppl are wondering when you’re going to leave. Like I said it just seems like foreigners there are invisible.
extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures because of all those painful restrictions only 41,000 people died in Japan vs over 1 ml people in the states from Covid and also for every country its native citizens come first before anybody else. working and paying your taxes is something you are supposed to do. getting expelled from the country is highly unlikely unless in a time of war. I think, overall you're better off living there than coming back here.
Corona spread completely through Japanese society just like everywhere else in the world. Therefore the number of deaths has nothing to do with keeping foreigners out, unless you are suggesting there would be more deaths from foreigners dying of Covid while in Japan? The far more likely explanation is that there are less comorbidities here, i.e. the Japanese are on average healthier than Americans.
I`m glad you made this video. I felt the same way when they did that to permanent residents. A female friend and her daughter was locked out of Japan for a year. It took a crisis to shine a spotlight on that. You forgot one very important point just prior to covid. ua-cam.com/video/im9iMxcVzhM/v-deo.html I think we cannot be naive here. We need to be realistic. Debito Arudou regretted switching to Japanese citizenship. That is something you should not do. Ever. Keep the PR but do plan for an exit. Because this issue is not going to change in our lifetime and we are wilfully putting in a strong future risk. What you are experiencing is not culture shock. It is reality shock and reality check. On one hand, things are okay. On the other hand, things can change very quickly when something happens. Your wife nor kids cannot do anything to help you then. A friend of mine, her father is Canadian Japanese and her mom is Japanese. She was given permanent residency even she was born here and lived here for 57 years. She is not considered Japanese even though both parents are of Japanese blood. Let that sink in awhile. Look at Ghosn, look at the locking out of PRs during Covid. In fact, foreigners were further locked out a second time. Wisdom entails that it`s no longer about the good outweighing the bad. It`s no longer about taking a calculated risk. It`s about taking the hard decision to do what is needed rather than leaving it to luck and rationalise it away as this cognitive dissonance will pop up again and again in the future. Acceptance is a cop-out for it does lead to real change. It is a quick fix attempt at consonance.
I agree, there's even video from a Japanese Visa lawyer strongly suggesting not to apply for "naturalization" and go max for PR. He even said in his own words same things you said and also said "Japan has no bright future" then he continued to explain why...
I actually don't think that too much has changed in recent years, tbh (in relation to the foreigners' life in Japan). It has always been a utopian land, almost picture perfect...'til the moment you even slightly put a foot wrong as a foreigner (and then you'll be socially and / or legally "crucified" within the blink of an eye, no questions asked).
Exactly. Of course you dont have to think of it under normal daily life circumstances, but then Corona shook all that up.
what do you think now?
Very true. My first hand experience in Japan.
In my opinion, Japan is a ‘can’t do’, ultra-repressed, ultra-conservative, rule-based society. I’ve been a resident for going on 12 years. My plan was to apply for PR and stay long term. I no longer have that desire. I agree with you. I am not married with a family like you. I am no longer willing to accept a life of social isolation with severe working conditions and low pay. I’m renovating my house now in preparation to sell and return to Canada in 2023.
Best of luck to you. I am sorry you no longer want to call Japan home.
I e. This rule-based society is a high-trust, voluntary one that produces real prosperity and flourishing... albeit thanks to the allied occupation to a large degree
@@Shakyaman Sure but at what cost?
I know that leaving wouldn't be an option for your family, but I'm still very glad you're bringing up all these kind of severe issues with Japan. There are countries that have excellent Japanese schools. I lived in Bruxelles, Belgium for awhile, and both the International School of Brussels and the Japanese School there have excellent Japanese curricula. Buuuuuuuut yeah, not easy at all.
Best of luck to you and your family
Yay! Thank you for a great vid and great honesty!
It’s true Japan prevented its foreign residents from re-entering the country for 5 months. It even did it for one day when the Omicron variant broke out but this time international pressure forced Japan to let them in. Before the pandemic I was an absolute fan of Japan. Today I am much much less enchanted after witnessing how Japan has been treating its foreign visitors.
You are not alone. A lot of disenchantment with Japan going around. A lot of my fellow foreign resident friends all sort of regard our existence here as now including a visible sword of Damocles where it once was invisible.
You are not alone disenchanted Sir. I've been here only 7 years and experienced many illogical unfair things Infront of me but I know very unlucky people, especially one Chinese woman who has been here 18 years and at this point you would she had a dark cloud over her head for many years because those bad things that happened to her could probably fit into a book.
The real weird/bad things that Japanese talk about by themselves are unfolding layer by layer slowly over years as you live here.
Not as a student, not as a wealthy person or a person who has been here around 1 or 2 years in my experience.
Yea I was shocked when I returned to Canada and only seeing about 10% masked up. After returning to Japan after 1 month, I couldn't believe how many people were still wearing it here in the peak heat ffs
As someone who teaches public speaking I cant wait until I wont get in trouble for requiring maskless presentations. Masked classrooms are dreadful in general.
The number of new daily infections is currently 2,5 X higher than it has ever been. So it should be quite obvious that they are going to wear masks during a time like this, given that they've constantly worn them since March 2020 (even when there were hardly any new daily infections across the nation).
Common sense would exactly dictate a nation to act based on their own actual data, not based on the decisions of other countries (let alone because they've simply become fed up, lol).
Yet that being said, I've felt this for a while already that the masks are here in Japan to stay. It's going to remain a masked-up nation for the foreseeable future, and the children who've been growing up during the pandemic will start viewing human face as a private part that should not be exposed in public, except while having a meal (which is obviously a dreadful, ghastly prospect).
I usually hate watching videos made by foreigners in Japan, but your video is the first that I’ve come across in 11 years that is mature and logical. Thank you for making such a good video, perhaps being a long-term resident of Japan, as well as being mature, contributed greatly to the quality of this video. Thank you again.
Thank you very much for watching, and your kind comment.
Every reason you brought up is completely understandable. A lot of people say that this whole thing has become political and stopped being about corona the moment Kishida walked back in nationals being able to travel abroad. I hope it will change and give you a more positive outlook soon, I know it’s difficult… 🤙🏼
This situation this past year has definitely taken out the veil over Japan supposed Halo I'm supposed Halo. Granted after being a fan for some years I was already becoming disenchanted way before this happened so I was not as shocked but still surprised that even to their own detriment Japan will make these types of rules and regulations that hurt their own people
Finally things are turning around... but the memory will linger.
Japan has always been a masked country (East Asian countries in general - Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, China),
I'm from Hong Kong but living in Japan right now, and I can say masks have always been there, even before COVID
Asian countries wore masks in both fashion and practicality, and culturally it's just decency to not get people sick/not get sick from people - the earliest major increase in mask usage I can think of was SARS in 2003
As you say, it has long been an etiquette thing in Japan, and many allergy sufferers swear by mask wearing as a way to help.
Measured and logical and clearly expressed as always. As someone who has lived in Japan for over three and half years but is looking to stay long term, your fears about the degree to which Japanese authority can suspend residents' rights seems very spot-on. It has definitely given me pause for thought too. Keep making these videos!
I will do so, and I hope you keep watching! Thank you.
Hallo my friend (I hope you will allow me to call you this way), I watched your video because I wanted to hear your reasons and check if, by any chance, there could be similarities with my own personal experience. This is my first comment on UA-cam, and I decided to write this today, because I sympathise with you 200%, and this topic has been at the top of my list for years.
I have been living outside of my own country since 1990: 26 years in Malaysia, now 6 in Thailand. I cannot claim to know that the whole of Asia is the same, but indications are there that Asian countries’ attitude is strikingly similar, including in supposedly modern and developed nations such as Japan. Except for their own citizens (and in some countries some citizens are more citizens than others, who has been living in S.E.A. knows what I am talking about), everybody else is not, and will not, ever be fully part of the society, and that is final (with very, very, few notable exceptions). We, and I mean all foreigners, white, black, yellow, or blue, will always be treated as a guest, a welcome guest maybe, but a guest nonetheless.
This can be identified with only one word, which I know is a big one, but we need to call a spade a spade: racism. Asian societies are intrinsically racist.
Some might argue racism is everywhere and that is true. We find expression of racism in just about every country in the world, but in this part of the world, and I refer to Southeast Asia, China, Japan, at least, as I said I cannot claim to know all countries in Asia, racism is "institutionalised", it is clearly within their own laws and regulations. It is not the prerogative of a bunch of ignorant, it is clearly expressed by their own rules, even though, they have the ability to justify these blatantly racist rules by claiming to be protecting the safety of the country and by finding thousands of excuses and sometimes less-than-plausible explanations why these laws are indeed necessary, despite the fact that the absolute majority of truly developed nations have a completely different approach which seems to be working just fine. It seems that other countries “good examples” are always ignored in favour of imitating other countries truly bad examples.
Just to be clear, everyone reading should know that by and large people in Asia are incredibly welcoming, polite, and educated towards their guests, and I can reconfirm that thanks to my long time living in this part of the world. But here lies the problem, the word "guest". For them, that is what we are, no matter how long we stay, how many taxes we paid, how many children we have, maybe with a local partner, whether we speak the local language or not; we will be the "forever guests". And this brings about my final thought, which is what I understand being your present dilemma: shall I stay, or shall I go? Not an easy one considering the many, mostly sentimental but also very practical, reasons one might have. Ultimately though, the solution can be simple: we either learn to accept that this is the status quo and, admittedly there is very little we can do to change it or hope that it might change "naturally" (not in my lifetime for sure), or, sadly, we pack our bags and we migrate, again, to a country where there are laws, which at least try to treat people as equal, notwithstanding the opinion of hopefully few racist individuals who unfortunately are present, in almost equal percentage, just about everywhere. I wish you all the best, whichever decision you make.
Your observations contain a lot of things that resonate with my own experience. People who know you can perhaps accept that you live in their country indefinitely, but for society at large, foreign residents are still often seen as guests who just haven't left yet.
Maybe not point in commenting after so long, but perhaps you might read this...
I can't imagine life in a country where folks can not speak my language . Anyone under 40 or so has had at least five years of compulsory English at school. They are desensitizing about our presence and don't give a rat's a...but many older folks are genuinely fearful of us, like shock and dread... it's only thanks to Hollywood that they don't flee with a scream!
Its interesting that post COVID, finding these reflective takes by others and likes of you and Victor of Gimmeabreakman. His observations not entirely similar, but plenty of crossover. This video officialdom, his recent on respect and acceptance. Ultimately how Japan and its citizens view and respect rights of foreign born residents. Its a tough one, and I'm still considering whether returning is a gd idea. Hope you choose what's best for you.
Me too. No actual plans to leave, but there is a thought in my mind now that wasn't there before.
Haha! These men are off their rockers saying whatever they feel like with half-baked information. Good on you man 👏
First off as a Japanese resident, I feel Japan should open up the border but I don't like people blaming the bad economy on not having international tourists. International tourism is a small percentage of Japan's GDP. People outside of Japan didn't know about the discouragement of domestic travel and staying at home at night or the bars and places closing at 8pm or not serving alcohol was promoted by the government which lead to a lot of businesses closing.
On the issue of leaving Japan, I think a lot of foreigners are stuck in Japan. If most move back to their home country, they would have to start over again. Since most are English teachers in Japan, they don't have the skills to do anything else maybe teach Japanese if they were fluent. Even foreign Japanese UA-camrs might have a problem transitioning since their content is all Japan related. Good topic to talk about and another good video. Keep them coming, Paul.
And it is probably too much to hope that tour operators and the government have used this "time off" to put plans and ventures into place to give tourists and locals alike a better experience...
@@Exjapter That's in one of the other universes in the multi verse, not this one but we can only hope.
Tourism plays a huge role in the Japanese economy. How many Toyota's is Japan exporting these days? Because my local American dealerships don't seem to have much stock on hand. Japan needs the tourism money. But the government officials are scared to death of the hospitals overflowing with sick people. Japanese are risk averse. They will always take the safe way out, even if it means sacrificing the economy. And yes, the pandemic is totally political.
You are right about foreigners having to start all over again. I’m Canadian teaching English in the countryside of Shikoku for going on 12 years now. My goal was to marry and fully integrate into society here, but that proved to be impossible to the extent I desired. Primarily due to social isolation, poor working conditions and low salary, I’ve decided my 75-year old traditional, post and beam Japanese home and small farm with mountain view that would cost well over $2,000, 000 in Vancouver is no longer worth it to stay. I’m renovating in preparation to sell in the spring. I’ll indeed have to start over, but I’m willing to do it to get out.
@@ShikokuFoodForest Fellow Canadian here, I too am in the same position as you. Doing my best to get out of here after 11 years. Thankfully I have no kids, just the wife and I.
Found your channel recently, now going back and watching some of the older videos. I wonder how you are feeling now? Tourists are overwhelming Japan, which is frustrating my Japanese friends and family who live there. And the Yen is so weak 157, so if one is earning Yen, good luck with that, esp if the plan is to leave one day.
This is a great question, and one I intend to make into a video topic soon. It has reached a point where the tourist dynamic cannot be ignored, especially as someone who regularly spends time in the Mt Fuji area. Please watch out for that video! Thank you.
You say it is culture shock, but it seems to me what you are saying is better described as alienation, politically or at some points socially/culturally. And that seems to be in abundant supply in 2022, across the globe.
Yes, feeling alienation is a good description.
ExJapTer- How ru?~ excellent vlog, =))
Thank you!
cut to one year later and they decide if you're permanent and late on a bill you're out. basically they retracted permanent residency and made it temporary forever residency. only reason to stay is if you choose citizenship. only safe way to stay.
Nonsense. They won't give PR in the first place to a person that didn't pay taxes and pension OR if you were caught dui
@@Shakyaman you don't understand the comment made. Jog on.
PR status cannot be revoked unless serious crime, Nike
@@Shakyaman wrong.
Okay. What ever YOU say .. revoking yer citizenship is a great idea, too...then after you are thrown into a dark pit of a jail cell you can call yer embassy
I’m a little scared now because I’m getting ready to move there in a week.
Nothing to be scared of! Just questions to ask oneself if staying for the long term is a good idea or not. Please check out my other vids about life in Japan advice (like my video on what NOT to pack). I hope you enjoy life in Japan!
You walk along in front of my house at last!
Now I’m sure you run into me! PEACE🎉
Interesting! I love the streets of Zushi, so I like filming there. They are often lively, but not too noisy.
@@Exjapter
In Zushi one of my cousin and my father’s cousin live. Zushi has hills and the ocean. We can enjoy the changes of the four seasons.
This film was taken Kanazawa Yokohama. You started Susaki and walked around Machiya. This IS My home town. PEACE❣️
Re: Jackson Blatz (i dont know why your original comment disappeared)
You wrote:
"From what I am seeing from the outside perspective looking in, the Japanese government is catering to it’s voters, which are primarily the older population. If the younger generation in Japan were actually encouraged to take part in the political process and weren’t overworked, a lot of issues in Japan wouldn’t exist, including having one of the lowest birth rates in the G7 , which could easily be solved if Japan eased immigration. The issue seems to be pretty complex and the Japanese population seem to be embracing the “Shoganai” culture. Sorry for the long winded take, I’m sure Japan can change, it will be a lot slower than other developed countries however as Japan tends to have a firm foot in the past while looking into the future as I am interested in living there some day :)"
My reply is - pretty spot on that it is largely about pandering to the elderly voting demographic. "Let's Ask Shogo" channel did a good breakdown of this. What is interesting though is they seem to be successfully ignoring the business lobby, which is usually pretty powerful as well.
In a past video, you said that your wife didn't particularly enjoy the states, right? Or did I completely imagine that? Haha.
When we lived there she said she didnt care where we lived either way, so staying was an option (although not really, career wise).
I agree 100% with your reason #1. That one really hurts.
I'm trying my damndest to remain optimistic about #'s 2 and 3. Let's see where we're at in April with regards to masks. Virtually zero chance of them coming off before then. Probably 20% of the population will wear them forever.
What about reasons 4 and 5, the yen collapsing and the coming heavy military build up?🤔
Some days I am optimistic, lol. As for the yen thing - we are entering a period of what will be real worldwide instability and all I can think is to become a bit of a prepper.
"Heavy military build-up" compared to whom exactly? There just happens to be a self-obsessed, reckless, and boundlessly arrogant Red Dragon sitting at their doorstep (and armed to the teeth).
@@martinusv7433 compared to Japan itself during the past several decades. My post does not refer in any way to the reasons for the coming heavy military build up. But yes, I agree with you, there is a nasty red dragon lurking
I can't imagine living with this constant fear of being "expelled" from the country where all your life is (wife, kids, career, etc.).
Just out of curiosity, wouldn't obtaining the japanese citizenship ease this fear?
Keep up the good work.
P.S.: I know obtaining the citizenship shouldn't be a requirement for someone to live fully in a foreign country.
The reasons to obtain citizenship are certainly growing. Of course, that wont change the fact that I will never fully fit in for not looking like a citizen for people who dont know me, but at least I would have legal protections then.
I had lived in the US for 52 years now. If I contemplate about guns and police violence, homelessness and racism, medical service disparity, and political uncivility…I would try to move to Japan.
During the Covid years million of Americans died of Covid, the majority of them are the elderly in nursing home and low income people. And we rarely saw any photos of them, just a new number day after day. All is quiet in the humane front.
I still cling on to the good people and the Constitution of this nation. In the meantime I will try to be a tourist biking around Kyoto and having my lunch sitting by the Philosopher’s path as often as I can. 🌷
I understand what you are saying, especially about the mess that is US healthcare, but at the same time every time I visit the States it seems...normal. When my only connection to the USA is the media (meaning all bad news) it creates a bit of a distorted vision.
Selfishly... you should go back to the USA so I have a vague chance of seeing you again ;) haha
I want to come there and have a full English Breakfast. Hold my place!
@@Exjapter you'd better! We have to take another wet and windy trip to Wales
@@brontone one of my best memories ever. And with more world travel experience and knowledge in general, there is so much more about the UK that I want to experience that I didnt know back then.
Question, if your whole life is in Japan, how come you didn't go for citizenship? Or I guess since you don't want to abandon your US citizenship which I think you'd have to.
That's pretty much it. Being a US citizen abroad is a pain in the butt because the US government likes to make everything hard, but I am not ready to give it up.
@@Exjapter That's fair. And PR is effectively citizenship anyways aside from a few significant things (voting, having a right to entry, etc.)
depends if you value seeing faces ever again or not lol
Lol, good point.
@@Exjapter I don't think the Japanese realize the psychological damage this is going to have on the children. Japanese don't seem to question these things, or really question anything it seems. And living here with my soon to be 2 year old daughter is becoming very worrisome.
@@justinkrann7406 there is an interesting difference in Japan that may make it less of an issue. There is some scientific research that suggests Japanese in general suppress facial expression of emotion more than Westerners, and children here, even before mask wearing, were taught that watching the eyes of someone is how you catch their mood. This has in turn been suggested as a reason why Japanese are much more comfortable staying masked up while the rest of the world threw them away as soon as they possibly could. Since you read only the eyes anyways, the mask is less of an issue.
@@justinkrann7406 of course, that may just be some nihonjinron...
@@Exjapter I suppose you being a teacher would have the best knowledge. Do you find children's behaviours regarding their confidence have been effected since the Maskdemic?
Greetings from korea 🇰🇷 💕
American living here 3 years and it feels more free here to be honest
Is Korea still masking and have certain covid regulations in place?
@@Exjapter yes just masking but people here are wearing them less
Koreans are a more relaxed culture
@@jonathansakura Japanese society is so ultra, ultra, ultra conservative.
Being a foreigner is hard. I think Japan makes it harder sometimes. But when you have a conservative country where almost everyone is culturally and racially the same but you’re not then it can make you question the wisdom of living there long term. At least Japan isn’t at war.
Because daily life is fine, and Japanese people are perfectly wonderful in interpersonal relations it is possible to go a long time without ever thinking about things like xenophobia and certain anti foreigner views, but then Corona policies and public reactions bring it back into focus. Kind of a downer. But I do need to remember that it doesn't really touch me directly on a daily basis.
@@Exjapter yeah as long as there’s no war or pandemic or anything too crazy it should be ok.
I didn't feel no Corona shock... stupid bleedin useless masks aside ..just same ol' social isolation as usual, ha!
As you know, via the media, the government kindly asked people to consider not travelling 'out of state'...cut to me in my car with my plate obviously from the neighbour ING prefecture...
I had an issue getting medical attention at a major city hospital on that trip because of Covid concerns, but I was out of state. Still they eventually agreed and then within the hour I was inside the freaky bowels of an MRI ! Astounding you say? Bloody right!
Think about this next personal crisis, etc. Most people around the globe can not fathom the medical coverage we got here. From Okinawa to Hokkaido and every clinic along the way, just show your health card. Okay, the MRI was quick, but I had to wait a couple hours for the doctors, but I think I paid 40 USD...
Can you imagine if Japan had a land border? The wall would be so thick and high with snipers working overtime! I dare say Japan is better than Switzerland... maybe not, but most folks get the point, I'm sure . Japan is a gem!!
But watch yer mental health... being alone,i.e. social isolation in Japan... might as well be N Korea...under house arrest..you must have someone to love...
Oh, and the coppers, well they all look the same in their squad cars and uniforms, But no. Every prefecture has a high degree of autonomy... maybe education is a notable exception, but that's a good thing. the Japanese are very very much alike thanks to the ' indoctrination', ha!
From all the foreigners I see living in Japan. It seems like you’re invisible.
I am not sure I understand your comment, sorry. I am invisible? How?
@@Exjapter from how your describe your experience in Japan. It seems as though you’re not real, residents don’t have the same privileges as an Asian born Japanese and you’re always going to be asked “where are you from?” no matter how many years you’ve been there. Not trying to make things more negative. But it just seems like living there is so hard for foreigners. For example I live in Colombia, im from the states. But now im a resident in Colombia, I never feel like I don’t belong here. Could be because it’s a mixed country. But I can’t imagine living in a country where every single day you’re a foreigner, and ppl are wondering when you’re going to leave. Like I said it just seems like foreigners there are invisible.
you dont have a problem with hostage justice and a 99% conviction rate and no extradition treaties? bruh civil rights are kind of essential
Yes, I certainly am not happy about that part of living here, either.
Over here it's not extradition, but extraction!! Ha The marines are all over the islands...
extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures because of all those painful restrictions only 41,000 people died in Japan vs over 1 ml people in the states from Covid and also for every country its native citizens come first before anybody else. working and paying your taxes is something you are supposed to do. getting expelled from the country is highly unlikely unless in a time of war. I think, overall you're better off living there than coming back here.
Corona spread completely through Japanese society just like everywhere else in the world. Therefore the number of deaths has nothing to do with keeping foreigners out, unless you are suggesting there would be more deaths from foreigners dying of Covid while in Japan?
The far more likely explanation is that there are less comorbidities here, i.e. the Japanese are on average healthier than Americans.
Getting expelled from a country during a time of war, officially or unofficially, is actually quite likely.
I`m glad you made this video. I felt the same way when they did that to permanent residents. A female friend and her daughter was locked out of Japan for a year. It took a crisis to shine a spotlight on that. You forgot one very important point just prior to covid. ua-cam.com/video/im9iMxcVzhM/v-deo.html
I think we cannot be naive here. We need to be realistic. Debito Arudou regretted switching to Japanese citizenship. That is something you should not do. Ever. Keep the PR but do plan for an exit. Because this issue is not going to change in our lifetime and we are wilfully putting in a strong future risk. What you are experiencing is not culture shock. It is reality shock and reality check. On one hand, things are okay. On the other hand, things can change very quickly when something happens. Your wife nor kids cannot do anything to help you then. A friend of mine, her father is Canadian Japanese and her mom is Japanese. She was given permanent residency even she was born here and lived here for 57 years. She is not considered Japanese even though both parents are of Japanese blood. Let that sink in awhile. Look at Ghosn, look at the locking out of PRs during Covid. In fact, foreigners were further locked out a second time. Wisdom entails that it`s no longer about the good outweighing the bad. It`s no longer about taking a calculated risk. It`s about taking the hard decision to do what is needed rather than leaving it to luck and rationalise it away as this cognitive dissonance will pop up again and again in the future. Acceptance is a cop-out for it does lead to real change. It is a quick fix attempt at consonance.
I agree, there's even video from a Japanese Visa lawyer strongly suggesting not to apply for "naturalization" and go max for PR.
He even said in his own words same things you said and also said "Japan has no bright future" then he continued to explain why...