Hello everybody! My deepest apologize for not posting so long!
I am here with a new entry! I have recently made interviews with foreigners already living in Japan inquiring about how they see Japan and what it takes to make a living in Japan. This way I hope to help people planning to come to Japan for a long term. Please note, that I keep some of the names confidential to protect their privacy. Please see the inteviews below:
#1 Mr. Rick Cogley
CEO
eSolia Inc.
Linkedin profile: Mr. Rick Cogley profile
Company website: eSolia Inc.
"How long have you been living in Japan?
Right after graduating from college, since 1987 non-stop.
What brought you to Japan?
What brought you to Japan?
I was a research student in the masters program, Tokyo University Pharmacokinetics dept. I came here to do that and had a home-stay at the same time.
What concerns did you have before coming to Japan?
What concerns did you have before coming to Japan?
The cost, which gratefully was offset by my generous homestay parents.
What was the biggest challenge you faced in Japan?
What was the biggest challenge you faced in Japan?
Transitioning from homestay to "real world" living, and having to go it alone without a support network.
What do you miss from your home country?
What do you miss from your home country?
Space.
What is your overall opinion about Japan?
What is your overall opinion about Japan?
Japan is my home now, and I mostly love it here, "warts and all". Generally, Japan is a peaceful place, and I have been fortunate to have very few negative experiences."
#2
"How long have you been living in Japan?
14 years.
What brought you to Japan?
Business opportunities.
What concerns did you have before coming to Japan?
Language concerns.
What was the biggest challenge you faced in Japan?
Adjusting to small apartments.
What do you miss from your home country?
I miss family first of foremost and also the open spaces.
What is your overall opinion about Japan?
I think Japan is a very safe and easy place to live. It is very orderly which makes for ease of living in such a crowed country. Overall I am very happy and hold Japan in high respect."
This gentleman is working in the staffing and recruiting field as a director. If you are interested in contacting him, please ask me first so I can confirm with him whether is it okay to release his contact information. Thank you for your understanding.
#3
"How long have you been living in Japan?
I have been in Japan already more than 3 years.
What brought you to Japan?
I came here first because I wanted to see the country where all of my childhood animations are made.
What concerns did you have before coming to Japan?
My main concern was the language , not related to any of those I knew already.
What was the biggest challenge you faced in Japan?
I am facing it these days by facing a new field of activities.
What do you miss from your home country?
I miss my home food and the straight talk of my own people.
What is your overall opinion about Japan?
Japan is not bad in the overall: pretty safe, quite clean, outside Tokyo people are quite nice."
This gentleman is working in the financial services. If you are interested in contacting him, please ask me first so I can confirm with him whether is it okay to release his contact information. Thank you for your understanding.
#4
"I've been here 28 + years, so I can't really look at things and offer constructive advice from a position of what to do when you first get here. I came first during high school, then again for university on exchange, and began working. I can't remember my biggest concerns and there is nothing I miss from my home country. I enjoy its differences to Japan when I visit it. Japan is a very safe and comfortable country to live in, but no longer the
economic dynamo that I knew when I first arrived."
#5
"How long have you been living in Japan?
23 years.
What brought you to Japan?
I first came as a student in 1990, then returned after graduating from university to work.
What concerns did you have before coming to Japan?
I think I was too naive to have many concerns. I spoke a reasonable amount of Japanese, so figured I could make it work.
What was the biggest challenge you faced in Japan?
Getting used to the time it often takes for decisions to make, or for changes to happen. In business, this can be particularly frustrating, but if you learn the necessary patience, you can get used to it.
What do you miss from your home country?
The ease of the short, relaxing vacation a short distance away from home. Sitting outside during the summer after a long day at work with family and friends, enjoying a cocktail.
What is your overall opinion about Japan?
I love Japan. Sure, it might have it's moments of frustration, but I think anywhere does. Tokyo is an amazing city to work and raise a family."
23 years.
What brought you to Japan?
I first came as a student in 1990, then returned after graduating from university to work.
What concerns did you have before coming to Japan?
I think I was too naive to have many concerns. I spoke a reasonable amount of Japanese, so figured I could make it work.
What was the biggest challenge you faced in Japan?
Getting used to the time it often takes for decisions to make, or for changes to happen. In business, this can be particularly frustrating, but if you learn the necessary patience, you can get used to it.
What do you miss from your home country?
The ease of the short, relaxing vacation a short distance away from home. Sitting outside during the summer after a long day at work with family and friends, enjoying a cocktail.
What is your overall opinion about Japan?
I love Japan. Sure, it might have it's moments of frustration, but I think anywhere does. Tokyo is an amazing city to work and raise a family."
This gentleman is working in the IT services as a country manager. If you are interested in contacting him, please ask me first so I can confirm with him whether is it okay to release his contact information. Thank you for your understanding.
I would like to add my personal opinion as well:
Everything depends on your ability to adopt to a new culture and your language skills. Japan has many opportunities for you if your are willing to blend in and integrate. This does not apply only to Japan, but any other countries in the world. If you plan to live or work abroad you need to accept the rules and culture of that country.
In my first eight months in Japan I lived in a women dormitory with five other girls, sleeping on bunk beds. It was indeed small but it was also fun meeting and talking to other foreigner girls building their lives in Japan. I also accepted that it is prohibited to talk on the phone while on train or bus here in Japan. Yes, you might see Japanese people doing that, but please note that they are causing trouble for themselves. It is not easy to start a new life in a foreign country, but if you are determined and flexible, you will be okay.
I hope this post could somewhat help you to prepare before moving to Japan. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to drop me a line!
Also, if you can already speak Japanese and interested in internships at Japanese companies, I might be able to help.
Thank you very much for reading and seeya soon :*
Also, if you can already speak Japanese and interested in internships at Japanese companies, I might be able to help.
Thank you very much for reading and seeya soon :*
