I have been in japan for 9 months and have been trying to find a job as an illustrator or any job to be honest. But since I couldn’t find anything I’m going back to Spain in a few days to get the working holiday visa.
However what I realized was the social pressure of [If you have no job you are lazy] constantly in japan either by seeing people living in burnt out, or putting in a pedestal working themselves and not allowing to enjoy their holidays even in golden week.
Added to that I have depression and a really hard time getting out of the bed since I’m more an owl person and more productive from noon to night.
It was discouraging that even my Japanese boyfriend at the beginning of the relationship told me he thought I was lazy because I have a hard time getting out the bed. Now he understands my illness however, I still keep thinking If I will ever find a job here who understands my condition and wonder how are japanese people with autism, ADHD, or depression like me living fulfilling lives and get a bit sad everytime.
In Spain I also kinda had this kinda pressure as well specially due to my toxic family but not to a social level like this here.
I want to ask here to foreigners in japan living with any kind of mental illness how they are managing their lives here and their experiences!
It would help a lot thank you so much.
6 comments
Japanese are groomed from childhood by societal and educational standards to be relentlessly positive, to see critical thinking as “complaining” and to not question authority. Hence the acceptance of such poor work conditions and pay. When I had troubles with my employment many years ago, my GF just labelled me as weak and split.
Where I am staying there are a lot of retired people and they look broken and lost as they shuffle around having been thrown on the national garbage heap after expending their entire lives slaving away at their job. The “Gambatte!” incitement is a hollow battle cry that’s thankfully losing its pernicious influence in Japan.
That’s not just Japan. In any country if you just sit unemployed people are going to consider you to be lazy
The reality is- Most people in this subreddit NEED a job in order to live here. That’s non negotiable due to mental health or otherwise. If their mental health prevents them from having a job they generally need to return back home. Most people in this reddit don’t really have the luxury to not have a job for so long because they’re depressed. They literally lose their visa. That’s a luxury they literally can’t afford and need to to get help and treatment in order to manage or return to a place they can properly get support. That’s just the reality.
Mental health, depression or not. Jobs are pretty much a requirement for most people and I don’t really think society is wrong for that. You need a job to get money. It’s hard on your bf/gf/husband/wife/mom/dad whoever to constantly have to financially support themselves and you when you aren’t working. And this is just talking in regards to having a job not overworking or burnout once you have that job. Overworking is something I think Japan struggles with more as a country where-as the need to have a job is a bit more worldwide.
In your situation have you tried reaching out to therapy and mental health professionals in regards to your illness or are you just out here in a new country with no job untreated? Getting a job here as an illustrator is frankly a very challenging dream that is almost unrealistic unless you get suuuuper lucky so that kind of job hunt is going to be incredibly hard to produce results and for the common English teaching route you’d be TESL which is a bit harder as well since most want first language. In spain I definitely think you should talk to a professional before returning and again if/when you do return. Maybe have a different job strategy too. I think continuing to look for a job as an illustrator is going to leave you with nothing but disappointment once your WHV expires.
Hang in there. Your current unlucky situation wont last forever. Stay healthy by eating well, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep. You have talent.
You might have to consider if Japan is really the right country for you. Because the issues you describe, views on mental health, importance of work etc. are part of the fabric of Japanese society which are not going to change quickly. Some people might have romantic views of Japan, but it’s a complete package. Few people can “pick and choose” which parts of Japan they want to experience in the country, it’s either all or nothing.
It’s probably not helped that you are working in the art field which is fiercely competitive. If you were foreign IT staff with strong skills there’d probably be a couple of companies willing to accommodate you but there is a lot of domestic art talent available in Japan.
Personally, I see two possibilities for you: marry your bf, get a spouse visa and use that as a starting point or use your time in Spain to talk with a therapist and see what’s available to help you manage your condition. Because ultimately even if you find a job that was willing to accommodate you, if your condition rears its head and you find yourself unable to come to work etc. I feel that most Japanese companies might run out of patience pretty quick.
The Japan reporter has some videos about being Neurodivergent in Japan, check them out.