I’ve been planning a move to Japan. As a Japanese person who was born and raised outside the country, I am most concerned about how I would fit in.
I have visited Japan twice now, but I feel worried that I wouldn’t know Japanese etiquette, especially among the lesser known. In contrast, I do feel hopeful and optimistic that once I settle more comfortably that I would fit in naturally. Physically I fit in, and although I am opinionated at times, I am very reserved and quiet as a person. Bottom line I ‘d say, I wanted to do this to better know my Identity as “Japanese” person.
Moving on from the context and background story, I’ll list my questions below:
1. I’ve mentioned etiquette already but I want to make sure I’m not missing anything here. I’ve done some research but I don’t want to disrupt anything unknowingly.
2. I want to ask–as a remote worker–how difficult would it be to find housings that provide ample sound-proofing? Is this a question I would need to ask directly? I also need help to visualize the budget range with that in mind as well. If it helps, I plan to live around Fukuoka.
3. How different is networking or forming social connections like? I want to start by going in foreigner circles in Japan as I am not confident with my Japanese yet.
Is there anything else I need to know? I hope my questions are sensible anyway. If not then feel free to say I’m overthinking things. Thank you for giving your time to read my post.
2 comments
This is a copy of your post for archive/search purposes.
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**20yo — need advice moving to Japan.**
I’ve been planning a move to Japan. As a Japanese person who was born and raised outside the country, I am most concerned about how I would fit in.
I have visited Japan twice now, but I feel worried that I wouldn’t know Japanese etiquette, especially among the lesser known. In contrast, I do feel hopeful and optimistic that once I settle more comfortably that I would fit in naturally. Physically I fit in, and although I am opinionated at times, I am very reserved and quiet as a person. Bottom line I ‘d say, I wanted to do this to better know my Identity as “Japanese” person.
Moving on from the context and background story, I’ll list my questions below:
1. I’ve mentioned etiquette already but I want to make sure I’m not missing anything here. I’ve done some research but I don’t want to disrupt anything unknowingly.
2. I want to ask–as a remote worker–how difficult would it be to find housings that provide ample sound-proofing? Is this a question I would need to ask directly? I also need help to visualize the budget range with that in mind as well. If it helps, I plan to live around Fukuoka.
3. How different is networking or forming social connections like? I want to start by going in foreigner circles in Japan as I am not confident with my Japanese yet.
Is there anything else I need to know? I hope my questions are sensible anyway. If not then feel free to say I’m overthinking things. Thank you for giving your time to read my post.
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Do you hold Japanese citizenship? Or you are Japanese ethnically, and want to live in Japan for a bit? If you hold citizenship, carry on. If not, get a degree as that is what immigration needs.
As for etiquette, you are over-thinking. This idea that Japan is oh so strange and “only in Japan” and it is impossible for anyone to understand, is plain wrong. Act like a reasonable human, with courtesy, nice manners, don’t throw your litter on the ground; you are fine. As far as other things, just watch and observe, and pick up on things. (Also, there are a million YouTube videos on the “to do” in Japan, although take them with a grain of salt.)
Most housing isn’t well sound-proofed. But standard office work from home wouldn’t be a problem. As for budget, Google “rent in Fukuoka.” It’s a range. Pick your budget.
As for making connections: easier in the foreign community. Japanese people do tend to form their relationships in compartmentalized ways: elementary school friends, junior high friends, senior high friends, uni friends, work friends. Not to say they don’t make friends outside that, but do be prepared for people only being able to hang out 1 time every 6 weeks because they are busy, not giving much personal info until you know them a long time.