I came to Japan in 2009 and have only been back to the U.S. three times since then. I’m conversationally fluent in Japanese and am married to a Japanese woman.
There’s nothing especially interesting about me otherwise, but I know how many Redditors seem to love the idea of living here, so I thought it might be worth it to answer a few questions. So, what do you want to know?
Edit: Thanks for all the questions, everyone! Hope I could offer some useful insights, and sorry when I couldn’t. Was a fun first time AMA experience!
Comments
What‘s your job and would you say you’re fully integrated (meaning hanging out with mostly japanese people, speaking mostly japanese etc.)?
You telling me a shrimp fried that rice?
Over there in Japan times, what have you found that you most can’t the least?
How hard it is to find a job I have been living in the states for about 25 years and I have some good amount of money saved out I do have my masters in business analytics, would really appreciate your advice thanks 🙏?
Do you have to deal with any racism as a foreigner marrying someone local?
What’s your favorite thing about living in Japan? Also, what do you miss about living in the U.S?
How many hours do you work in Japan as a teacher? And what do you in your spare time?
Do women like American men in Japan?
Are there really talking toilets in Japan?
Was it always a life goal of yours to live abroad, whether in Japan specifically or in another non-Anglo country? What were the events that led to the current trajectory for you? Has life worked out how you thought it probably would?
And, what’s a cross cultural marriage been like for you? What are the successes and what have been the challenges?
Does living predictably give you peace of mind ? Or do you feel constrained ?
Have you experienced racism whilst in Japan? Is racism commonplace in Japanese culture?
why did you choose to stay in japan? what stands out? is the quality of life better here than back home?
But are you white or asian?
Does your wife work as well? How expensive do you find the cost of living?
Experiences with/impressions of Japanese spirituality?
I’ve been living here for just over 3 years! (2 in Fukushima, the rest in Chiba and then Tokyo!) What do you think has changed the most over the past 16 years? Even in the last 3 years I’ve felt the cost of living getting higher and higher, I can’t imagine what it was like 16 years ago!
Do you think Japan is going to be more strict on allowing American tourists in? Do you ever get blocked from going into restaurants because they think you’re a tourist?
How is it dating over there? Is it easy to meet women, and close the deal? Not meaning this question in any disrespectful way, just curious since you were a local and I’m sure speaking the language
Does there seem to be a decent path to visiting as a tourist? I know almost nothing about Japan except the social and night life scene looks kind of fun, and I see all kinds of Japanese food posts on YouTube that intrigue me. Knowing zero of the language is kind of intimidating.
In your opinion how true is it that they are somewhat xenophobic, sorry couldn’t think how else to word it.
I’m in my late 40s looking to move from USA to Japan. Can I still get a long term visa to move there as an English teacher? I went to a good college if that means anything.
How long did it take you to be fluent in Japanese and what was the most effective way you learned it?
Did you know Japanese before you relocated there?
How are Japanese sporting events (I’m thinking more along the lines of how spectators behave) compared to the US?
What race are you? I noticed that you said they don’t show their racism, and was curious if it’s because you are either Asian or white.
What’s the main reason of declining birthrates in Japan (in your opinion)?
What’s something about Japan that still surprises or frustrates you even after all these years?
Would you consider yourself Japanese even though you weren’t born there?
一般的に、日本人が微妙だ！と 適当だ！っていうと、英語でどのような表現に通訳するの？
If username checks out what’s your favorite fish to catch? Best conbini in your area? Any tips for learning Japanese?
Why did you move there in 2009?
Hey need, I’ve almost spent my entire adult life out here, since 2007, only went back once. I tried to do an AMA about naturalization and people accused me of lying lmao you’re getting a lot better responses than I did.
Have you applied for citizenship? My brother also lives in Japan , and is trying to get citizenship.
How do your rights differ? For example, is there a first amendment equivalent?
Do extremely tall people attract as much attention as some people say? I am 2m tall and my friend who lived there said I would be stared at a lot.
Has your American accent slipped at all? And do you find yourself thinking in Japanese?
How long did it take for you to be fluent in Japanese? I assume you work in Japan. Is it really grueling, as most people say? Are you able to tolerate it, or is it just a minor thing for you.
Is it true about the machines with private clothes or the establishments catering for adult experiences or is it just prejudice against Japanese culture regarding sexual activities?
Unagi. Yes or no?
How accessible was it before you had become more practiced in the language? I’ve always wanted to visit but not be super touristy, but I know the non tourist spots probably don’t have a lot of English around
How difficult did you find the Japanese language learning process and how long did it take you roughly to get fluent in it?
Also despite living there for 16 years, do you still get treated like a foreigner visiting sometimes rather than a regular local?
Heeey same boat since 2006! Also recommend getting a masters of education online and go into uni teaching. It’s the only way out of eikawa or ALT, you might not be so energetic for in 10 years… I can’t do eikaiwa anymore…
Are you at citizen of Japan? Did you revoke your us citizenship?
You mentioned you go out on the weekends. What’s that like? Do you go to clubs or bars and how is the general atmosphere? Are natives more approachable when going out at night?
Is it common to own traditional wooden furniture with all that fancy Japanese joinery? Or does everyone just shop at a Japanese equivalent to Ikea.
Ikea is king in Canada
What are some aspects of Japanese culture that has taken you 16 years to understand and appreciate?
What are things you liked when you first arrived, but you now changed your opinion about?
How is dating in Japan?
Do you know of any people who had criminal records/DWI in their home country but were able to obtain student visas (to study Japanese) or visas to teach English?
Why are you cheating on your wife, seeing that you are on dating apps less than one year ago?
What would recommend for someone who wants to learn the language and potentially do graduate school there? My university doesn’t offer any courses, so it’ll have to be through different methods.
Where were you born and raised?
How much do you earn per month post taxes?
This is a very loaded question so don’t feel pressured to answer this!
What are the bad parts about living in Japan? I already know about the red light districts and all of that but in your personal experiences, what are some things you can’t stand or seem to understand?
In your three Stateside trips, what sort of reverse culture shock did you experience?
Have you gotten into any aspects of traditional Japanese culture? If so, what did you learn from it?
How much do you earn in your position in Japan?
And what is your plan for retirement? Here in Germany a lot of people need to save up to cover their pension gap, due to aging society (I guess similiar to Japan)?
Are there still Popeye hamburgers around Japan? It’s been a few decades since I’ve been there.
What made you decide to move there and stay on for good?,
Is it true when you quit a job in Japan, as sign of respect you most apologize to your bosses and colleagues. Heard horror stories of jobs in Japan mistreating their employees and under paying wages?
Is it true sex dies with kids in general with japanese woman and then they have affairs? How does this work?
Apologies if this has already been asked – what kind of jobs are most in-demand for foreigners in Japan asides from English education? Are companies generally open to hiring foreigners for all kinds of positions?
How spicy is Japanese food compared to western food?
I’ve heard finances are a big Gen Z concern. And they are skipping kids to stay stable? Is that a current trend?
I married my Japanese wife recently and she’s moving with me to the states. How hard would it have been for us if I had moved to Japan? Was here moving to the states the better option? In my mind it’s the whole grass is not always greener. I have gone several times to visit but I know that doesn’t fully paint the pros and cons.
Thank you in advanced
How many of your daily meals is sushi? When Japanese pick sushi when sashimi
Konnichiwa! What’s your favorite part of living in Japan? And your least favorite part? Domo arigato!
What’s your residency status in Japan? I guess since you have a Japanese wife, you are considered a permanent resident there?
Can you pass as Japanese?
I see a lot of street interview videos where Japanese people say that cheating is normal in Japan. Is it true?? Even in the comment section of those videos people say that cheating isn’t a big deal over there
Four questions:
Mike? Is that you
Do you think are there any Foreigner working in Japanese bank? I’m currently working at Japanese bank in my country and considering the probability to move to the head office
How hard is it to meet Japanese woman who are open to dating you?
How did you manage to get the right to move and work there?
It seems like Anime and Manga are getting a reputation in the states and online about the depictions and usages of high schooler or minors in scenarios that could be deemed by others, in non-Japan areas, as ‘sexualization.’
So much so, that Texas has a passed a bill that would banned anime/manga if they deem the material as CSAM, for the sake of ‘protecting the kids.’
My question is as teacher, does your student care about any depictions of high schoolers in any anime or manga that smutty or raunchy with nudity? Or is this a situation of a western culture not understand Japanese’s method of storytelling?
Does your wife still work? Is she very transitional? I know japanese wives will cook and even bathe they husbands
Are you white, Asian, or black? That can make huge difference on your experience
Would you be willing to help me find and buy a Toyota chaser jzx100 there and have it shipped over to Pennsylvania?😬
Is Japan what you expected (based on prior knowledge)? If not, what surprised you?
Is Japan pretty dog friendly?
Have you been to the ice festival in Sapporo? If not, I def recommend
Only a handful of years ago I learned that where I live in Canada we shockingly exported almost all Japanese people during WW2 and put the rest into work camps. Yet, today, there are some young Japanese people around, just as many as any other nationality. It surprises me they aren’t uncomfortable about it given the recent history. Do you notice any racism against North Americans around you?