People who complain about being in Japan, what keeps you here?

There are times I feel fed up with this place, but I have family here and it’s not even a choice for me. I do miss home sometimes, but what can you do.

25 comments
  1. Playing and coaching table tennis.
    It’s a pretty good country for this.

    That and the hiking in Iwate and the general low stress levels of living there.

  2. People who have no complaints about where they live, what drugs are you on?

    And can I have some?

  3. I genuinely like Japan, but that doesn’t mean its without problems. People who immigrate to Japan are allowed to complain about the things they don’t like.

    To be honest, I think saying “then you should leave” to people who complain about Japan is really weird and counterproductive. And it irks me that seem to be a lot of people who want to pretend or genuinely think of Japan as some sort of utopian country that can do no wrong.

  4. I hadn’t been home due to corona for a couple of years, and got really homesick at one point. While I had a great time when I did go back home eventually, so much had changed in the meantime, I realized Japan feels more like home than my own country at this point. I’ve also completely embraced the peacefulness and how polite people are here in comparison. Had almost forgotten how much it sucks not being able to walk around with a laptop, smartphone, and whatnot without having to be on high alert all the time.

    Also helps when there’s something about Japanese culture you thoroughly enjoy and are only capable of experiencing here.

  5. Working on the process now, but the greencard process for my husband is likely going to take up to two years.

    I think after Corona in Japan I got tired of the theatre of supposed rules for safety, and while back home didn’t handle it at well either, home is the devil I know so to speak. Better wages compared to here, too.

  6. Home country is a third world country that is being lead by a dictator’s son.

  7. I stay in Japan so I can post on this subreddit.
    The second you pass that immigration barrier at the airport, I heard the mods ban you.

  8. I know for a few 40+ guys the answer is because their responsibilities (kids, exes, etc…) are back home

  9. I have British heritage, so a genetic predisposition to complain about everything – especially where I live.

  10. Family, healthcare, work opportunities that I find enjoyable, safety and tranquility. Perhaps in that order.

    I’ve complained about what I dislike in each of the four countries I’ve lived in. It’s what I do. And I have a special love for all four countries at the same time. It’s just what I do. A healthy dose of criticism never hurt anyone, right…?

  11. One thing only and it’s kind of strange, even: I had the thunderbolt (“The Godfather” book reference)/fell in love at first sight (?) with a Japanese guy and him with me from the look on his face, but we were both too shy to talk to each other. I haven’t been able to find him again, though, and when I think about leaving without talking to him I get incredibly sad and it’s like something stops me. I don’t know what I’ll do.

  12. The fact that thanks to the Conservatives and Brexiteers, the UK has become much much worse.

  13. I think spaces like this is fine to moan – arguably healthy. However, constantly hating on the country in everyday life around friends, family or colleagues is crap for everyone and a sign you really need to move out.

  14. * not becoming homeless because my health issues can’t bankrupt me here

    * permanent job contracts so I can relax and not poke above health issues with the stress of having to be a constant overachiever just to survive

    * people don’t judge me for not being fat like them, men don’t try to push me around because I’m smaller, and women don’t turn their noses up at me because I lack big masculine muscles.

  15. The people who seem to have nothing nice to say about Japan but remain here confuse/annoy me.

    I remember years back having the misfortune of knowing an unpleasant American (friend of a friend of a friend?) who’d just throw things out like “Tokyo is a shithole” all mater of factly and chime in with criticism on a lot of my FB posts before I unfriended and blocked him. I feel sorry for his Japanese wife having to put up with that.

  16. I don’t think I complain too much, but I stay here because it is much better than being back home. Back home, if you aren’t working for Google or Apple, or didn’t inherit a house that your parents bought before 1990, you are living in poverty conditions.

Leave a Reply
You May Also Like