Got thinking about this recently. I’m UK born and came to Japan 20 years ago, at a somewhat older age than many people when they first “do” Japan for work. OK, let’s be specific: I was in my late 20s, so now I’m in my late 40s.
Before I came to Japan, I had a pretty normal life, worked in a call centre for a particular financial company, had a fairly enjoyable hobby, didn’t know that many people but was rarely bored. But I wouldn’t say I had a “direction”. I was just sort of *there*.
Now, I have permanent residence and a definite direction in terms of work and relationships, etc. Had I not come to Japan? I have no idea. I might have moved up the company ladder a bit, or I might not have. May have met someone and got married, etc; may not have. I liked where I lived, so I’d imagine I’d still be there, or in the general area. But I can say that coming to Japan has, overall, been a step up. Outside of family matters, I have no reason to go back to the UK now; even if I had a highly marketable skill there, I probably wouldn’t go back. While the grass is always greener, etc., the UK really does seem to have had a rough few years.
What about everyone else? What do you think you’d be doing had you not made the jump?
40 comments
I actually think late 20 or early 30 is the best age to move!
You gained enough experience in your home country in regards of work, dating, social circle etc.
If you move young after college you cant really tell why you want to move etc..
Just my opinion
Changed jobs to the NSA. I turned down the offer to move here. I’d still be a bored mess, probably. Japan has been great for my mental health (terrible for my wallet)
when my company put the carrot-on-a-stick to relocate in the future, there was no question that I would pick Asia. my options were Hong Kong and Tokyo.
if I had picked HK, I would probably be either in Glasgow or Singapore now. after the unrest in Hong Kong, most expats in my team at the time went to either of those two locations. (Our Singapore office only had gotten large after the whole ordeal so it would not have been a first destination choice either way.)
realistically though, Hong Kong would have never been a viable long-term option for me. learning Cantonese is super hard and not (only) because of the language itself – there are barely any language schools that teach it, especially abroad; and the locals will simply not talk to you if your Cantonese isn’t good enough. so maybe in another life where I grew up close to a Cantonese speaking community instead of an English speaking one.
I arrived when I was 19 and have been here for almost 15 years.
If I had not made the choice to come here, I would probably either had chosen to move to a different country to study (maybe the US or some other English speaking country) or would have stayed in my home country and had been probably forced into a low paying job and the same routine I had when I was 18.
This would probably had had a better effect on my mental health and social relationships, but probably would have meant less professional advancement and less financial stability, which I got here. Overall I am satisfied, but I have left a big chunk of myself back in the past…
I’d have a better paying job, in a much higher cost of living country. Regardless, I’m happy with my career, I don’t loathe the thought of working everyday – that’s a win. Life in Japan is very comfy.
I don’t miss sitting about in shit UK pubs, pretending I like football. I do miss the amazing parks in London, nice produce in shops, the excellent variety of restaurants, and all the random people out and about.
I dropped out of college at 18 and had even my first ever work experience here!
Ended up staying here, now applying for PR after almost 6 years.
I’m glad I took that decision I would still be in college or just finishing it with little experience now I have more experience in IT and better salary than some friends that finished the degree
Japan wasn’t my first country to reside in. I lived in 4 other countries and travelled through many others. So I had left my home country long before coming to japan. Japan was Just the next on the list.
A few months Before coming to Japan, I purchased a working holiday visa for New Zealand so that was my back up plan if my first year in Japan didn’t work out, as I would have had 1 year from date of purchase to enter New Zealand to trigger the WHV.
So if I didn’t come to Japan/Japan didn’t work out for me in, I was kind of ready to settle in a place I liked, I think I probably would have worked hard to remain in NZ and eventually naturalized there… as they allow dual nationality via naturalization unlike japan (yes, I know apart from Article 5 paragraph 2 of Japan’s nationality act). Could imagine I would have enjoyed living NZ too, geographically amazing country.
But alas wouldn’t change it for the world. Japan (equally as geographically amazing as NZ) has worked out surprisingly well for me (granted it did take a lot of hard work, so wasn’t easy) and now I consider it home.
Who knows, probably still just doing some corporate job in London still but not really going anywhere in life because of the cost of everything. It wouldn’t have been possible for me to ever get my own place there and just the general rudeness of people had been getting me down for years anyway.
I do miss the sheer amount of vegetables and fruits that are available though, I think I can count on one hand the amount of packets of raspberries that I’ve seen available for sale here. Also the banter I had with friends, we’re still friends of course but the whole time difference thing makes it difficult and I’m not really up with the latest stuff that’s happening there any more.
I came to teach in Japan because i couldn’t get a job in England. I had no idea what I wanted to do in life and couldn’t escape the menial job/benefits cycle/ trap which I hated. If I hadn’t have come here I probably would have carried on living with my mum and tried to make something of a YouTube channel. Haha
If I hadn’t moved to Japan, I would have had so much more time and opportunities to pursure hobbies.
I wouldn’t have wasted ten years of my life.
I’d still be in another country. My goal was always the expat life via international teaching and Japan was one of my want-to-go destinations. It just so happened to be the first one I got an offer for.
I still plan to move again. Maybe 2025 when my contract ends. Maybe later if I can land one of the few other schools I’m eyeing here. Probably won’t stay past 2028 though. I love Japan but there’s too many other countries I also want to live in and I’m still young.
I might have finished the Ed part of the Music Ed degree I was working instead of dropping it so I could study abroad as I had intended to in the first place, so it’s conceivable that I would have become some kind of music teacher, or possibly something to do with music production and performance. And if none of that was working out, I’d probably have gone into programming.
I’m waaay at other end of experience. I’m early 60s and been here 8 years. When I was young the opportunities simply didn’t exist for people from my background. Got a bit older, saw what the young folk could do these days and figured “stuff it, try it”.
If I was in my home country I’d be freaking out about retirement, getting wasted and hating the job I’d always hated. Also I’d be stuck in family politics, my friends’d be in the same boat as me or dying and adventure non-existent.
Life took a big step up. I’m often grumpy here, but I know now what’s my own baggage and what’s validly Japan whinge.
This gave me so much to think about. All too personal to share but-The introspection made me all the more thankful I am here instead of where I was.
Just when I was feeling a bit down about my personal growth and progress too, this came at a wonderful time and you did for me something you didn’t intend to do but thank you 😂
Similar for me. I was originally planing to move to the US or Canada, but I met my wife in my early 20’s and I ended up moving to Japan. Been here 20 plus years and we pretty much settled here, buying a house and all that jazz. PR holder too. But this doesnt have to be it. Once the kids are out of the house we can try moving somewhere else.
I arrived here in my late 20s and now 17 years in, PR as well, so, a bit like your case.
If I hadn’t hmmm… actually I have no idea, it was pretty clear in my mind since I was 12 that I would not stay in my country. Did not see any future there and at the time I left, I wasn’t working and I just lost 2 family members, so the mood was definitely “gotta get the F out of this country”.
If I hadn’t make the move to Japan I would probably have done it in another country.
I’m from the UK and have been living here since 2005. Now 45.
I’m currently in the UK for two weeks on holiday, and would actually like to move back here for good (Devon/Dorset). However, I would need 80,000 quid per year to make it work, and that ain’t gonna happen!
Japan is okay and everything, but the working culture is just so much more pleasant in the UK.
Also, I miss competent doctors, and the wonderful British supermarkets. I am realizing on this trip home how much Japanese supermarkets seriously suck. The choice here is fantastic; cold meats, ales, cheeses, different cuts of meats, fruits and veggies…!
Moved to Japan for a year during uni because it was basically my only option if I wanted to study abroad for a year and still graduate on time.
So I guess I would have just moved to a different country around the same age anyways? ¯_(ツ)_/¯
Life would be a bit easier, but a lot less interesting. Japan is a net positive for my mental health, I wake up every day with a “let’s get this shit done” attitude instead of the “what day is it again?” haze in America
I would have a steady software dev job at my previous company right after graduation, instead I decided to come here and ended up being unemployed, but still worth the life experience
I know it sounds grim but if I’m to be honest I probably would have killed myself. I wasn’t in a good place (mentally) in the few years before moving here, and coming to Japan was a major help in straightening me out and setting me on a better path in life. A lot of things have happened in my country of origin that certainly would have contributed to making me want to end it. I used to wish for death but was too scared to end my life on my own, and my assumption is that – had I stayed – the deteriorating quality of life in that country would have driven me over the edge. But who knows, maybe I would have figured something out and had a good life there.
Running from your (metaphorical) demons doesn’t always fix your problems, but thankfully in my case it did. I don’t like to think too much about the “what if’s”, I’m just thankful my life turned out the way it did and I’m thankful for every last breath.
I’d probably have gone into an easy, unhelpful grad program and gotten into more debt just to keep the family housing stable. Working at my same part-time job until maybe making the jump to teach English in Korea and then hopefully improve my Korean enough to change industries, while being saddled with a bunch of grad school debt.
Moving out of the US to Japan or Korea would have been my goal and then just find some kind of job to get by. It’s easier to live here on a lower income than the US. At least I’d have access to medical insurance, low cost and tasty food, and walkable cities.
I’m a visible minority, so I get the same foreigner treatment in the US.
I didn’t have any vision in the US. I still don’t really have one in Japan, either. A lot sucks in Japan, but at least I can play at having a middle class life, which I wouldn’t be able to do in the US. Probably. I’m not extremely extroverted and was never interested in being married with kids, climbing the corporate ladder, or many of the other superficial decorations of “success.” Just need a job where I am paid fairly, with coworkers who aren’t cutthroat, and time after work to chill and pursue hobbies.
[removed]
I would be single and a US contractor making 6 figures in the Middle East. Literally had a job offer. Instead I’m a stay at home husband.
Same job. But in the UK. Living in Brighton.
Had absolutely no direction in life before moving here. I might have found something anyways, but I had a very strong desire to uproot myself and go somewhere far away to try and shake myself out of my listless life.
Looking back, it was a pretty good move.
I would have a lot more money, that’s for sure. I moved to Japan 13 years ago and last year was the first time I passed my old income. I don’t think I would have enjoyed my old life as much, but as one Weird Al Yankovic stated, “So if money can’t buy happiness I guess I’ll have to rent it”
I would probably be incredibly overweight and mentally unhealthy, as a middle manager in a predatory in a race-to-bottom American company.
Instead I’m healthy and happy and working for a company that values employee retention.
My birthday is coming up this week.. actually I am curious as to how my life would have turned out had I stayed in my home country. I came to Asia (Korea first) in 2012 and now I have been in japan almost 10 years. So I have spent my entire adult life in Asia and in japan most of the years. I wonder what would have happened if I had stuck it out in usa
If I worked in the same industry as now, I would be making at least double my current salary.. and in USD. Living here is fun and there’s a lot to do compared to where I grew up. However, as the yen weakens, and my student loans become increasingly difficult to pay down… I find myself a bit lost?
I know if I went back home, I’d make more money and work less hours, but everything back there would be more expensive as well. I don’t feel particularly happy or unhappy to be honest.
Exactly the same as me. Came in my late 20s, was comfortable back home but maybe without a lot of direction.
Now I’m here and happily married with kids and my own little company.
I think if I’d stayed I’d either have kept working as a research assistant or I’d have ended up in the family business. Either would have been pretty satisfying I think, but I think I’m happier here.
I couldn’t go back either though. Mostly because I’m in the same boat as you and am in my late 40s, and because I have no marketable skills whatsoever.
I could probably be a tour guide for Japanese visitors to Niagara Falls or something.
Coming up on four years now. I would’ve been happy in the UK; I had a good job, a decent group of friends, and a good life. Financially it would’ve been better. But I’m happier here, especially since meeting my wife. So no regrets.
My job prospects and connections weren’t great in the countries where I could legally work, so I’d probably have trouble finding stable, decent paying work. I don’t say that lightly, I have a friend in a similar situation to me who is just a bit older and she’s always had trouble finding work that didn’t pay pennies or treat her like trash. And she has more connections than me and can speak the local language better. (I grew up a banana in a bubble. If you know, you know.)
Japan isn’t where I expected to be at all, but it’s treating me alright. I have a decent office job that gets the neighbors back in the inaka asking if I’m single and looking to marry their sons, make enough money to support myself and some without needing family to step in, don’t live too far from family and friends who coincidentally moved to Japan a couple years after me, and know the language well enough to do absolutely everything on my own and get around.
Still don’t have a solid direction and my lifestyle habits could use some work, but I’m a very simple person. If my needs are taken care of, I can indulge in some of my wants, and life around me is stable, I’m happy. The only goals I currently have in life are improving my health, owning my own home, getting a pet, building a nice retirement fund, and making sure I can settle my family once the problems of old age really hit them. Everything else is a bonus! (Really hoping to find a way to retire from full-time work, because gosh, I’m just not career oriented enough for it.)
Also from UK. I was basically successful in the UK before I left.
Now I’m firmly in 1% in terms of income, charging at early retirement and happily married for many of the 25 years I’ve been with my wife..
Had I stayed in the UK. I’d be earning good money but would not be chasing it in London. As a serial monogamist I’d be divorced at least once by now and either some fat slob with bad relationships with his exe(s) and our kids or some super healthy and awesome version of myself but far more likely something in between.
Whilst their horizons are limited I do find myself envious of the simple lives my school mates lead. Work is just a job for them. We chat online and catch up each time I’m back. I genuinely enjoy a whole evening talking about mundane shit about the town or which resurrected bands from our youth they should to go and see.
I try to avoid this “what if” thinking as it’s tempting to just pick the best outcomes. Either way. Japan hasn’t made me or resigned me to a live lived small.
oh. I’m not going back. From Japan the UK looks like a war zone/post apocalyptic dystopian hellspace. I notice my mates are now actually scared of “youths”..
I have no idea because I was always set on staying at least a few years here. A combination of factors kept me here longer than I probably should have stayed though.
I will say that my life in Japan would have been very different if my experience at my first job wasn’t so bad and / or the job hunt aftewards wasn’t so brutal and demoralizing. I’ve been dealing with depression on and off for years and my experiences in my first year led to me being in pretty rough shape for a few years after that. Then I lost my 2nd job and COVID came a couple years after that, so….yeah. I haven’t had any stability here, and am mainly just staying because I can work as a self-employed person on a standard work visa.
I can’t imagine my life would be better if I was still in the US, especially as crazy as it is there these days. I originally came here to meet someone in person that I had originally met online. That ended up being great and the reason why I stayed here. I also joined a local temple after I started living here and they have always been very helpful and supportive. The first few years here were really rough for me, though, because of the language and cultural differences but once I got past those I was able to settle into a very comfortable and satisfying life.
People should understand Japan is a great place to visit not to live there. Living there sucks compared to USA or Europe!
Moving back to Japan in 8/24. This will be a permanent move and I couldn’t be more happy about it. Spent 5 years in my early 30s, got married and moved back to the US for work. Now that we can, the family and I are ready to return to the place we’ve always wanted to be.
I came to Japan in my early 20s. Met my American wife here. Followed her to the US. Came back again recently for work. I actually thought about “what if I stayed in Japan” a lot.
I probably would have met and married another western girl.
I would not have made much career advancement. I worked for some big Japanese companies. Notoriously difficult for foreigners to move up the career ladder. A lot less money too. Met some of my former coworkers/friends since I came back. I’m paid in US salary. A lot more than what they are making now even consider the high cost of living in the US.
I would be very stressed and probably would have had some mental health issues because of the work environment at my old work place. I’ve had quite a few unpleasant experiences because of where I’m from.
I was able to go to school in the US to continue my education which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was a much better educational experience than the school I attended in Japan.
Had my wife stayed in Japan, I don’t think she would have enjoyed the working culture here towards women. She’s a lot smarter than I am. She thrived in her field back in the US. No way she’d be anywhere close to where she is now if she chose to stay and work here.
I also think my kids are much better off growing up in the US than here. Being halfies I would have worried how other kids treated them because I had other family members went through the challenges. US always had racial problems but at least where we lived there are kids from all over the world and they don’t have to worry about being different(at least not yet).
There are a lot of things I know I missed about living here now I’m back again but all in all, I think I made good decision leaving years ago.