Some questions about Japanese life...
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Some questions about Japanese life...
Hey guys-
I have some question concerning moving to/living in Japan (As in on my own; not with the military). I'm speaking of the mainland, but these questions pertain to all of the country, so those of you in Okinawa (Which it seems is most of you) still probably know.
1) How difficult/costly is it to obtain citizenship? Will they let me stay over there while it's pending, or do they make you go back to the US, and contact you when you're ready? I really have no clue as to how it works, so all my questions concerning it will just sound stupid before I get the basic idea.
2) I've heard living is extremely expensive, and parking space is very limited. I'd want to live in a moderately small city; about how much should I expect to pay in comparison to an American apartment? Will I most likely only have room for one vehicle?
3) I'd obviously do my best to learn the language before and while I'm there, but what kind of job could I expect with knowing little to no Japanese at first? Do a lot of people know enough English to help me get by at first, or am I going to be a fish out of water? How nice are the people in general to respectful (as in not loud, obnoxious) Americans?
4) It's also my understanding that getting a registered driving license (For manuals) is also lengthly and expensive. How much does it cost?
And now, for the fun questions...
5) It seems Japan's used car market is really cheap in comparison to here, but their inspection system won't let your drive your car past certain mileage. What's that number, and are the legends of $5,000 FD Type-R's and $3,000 Infini FC's true?
6) Do you need a license to buy the car? I know money can buy anything, but I'm not looking to pay people off.
7) Is the tuning community as active as it seems? Are they supportive and welcoming to gaijin racers, or are you always the loner who gets the cold reaction?
8) What about amatuer racing? Is there anything similar to the SCCA/NASA? Is there ever some kind of open track days that would let me run on Tsukuba, Fuji, Suzuka, Maze, etc?
9) Lastly, I know they're different, but how do you compare life in Japan to life in America? Do you enjoy it? Does it get old? Do you dread the day your stay is over, or are you looking forward to leaving ASAP?
Thanks very much for your time and any insight.
I have some question concerning moving to/living in Japan (As in on my own; not with the military). I'm speaking of the mainland, but these questions pertain to all of the country, so those of you in Okinawa (Which it seems is most of you) still probably know.
1) How difficult/costly is it to obtain citizenship? Will they let me stay over there while it's pending, or do they make you go back to the US, and contact you when you're ready? I really have no clue as to how it works, so all my questions concerning it will just sound stupid before I get the basic idea.
2) I've heard living is extremely expensive, and parking space is very limited. I'd want to live in a moderately small city; about how much should I expect to pay in comparison to an American apartment? Will I most likely only have room for one vehicle?
3) I'd obviously do my best to learn the language before and while I'm there, but what kind of job could I expect with knowing little to no Japanese at first? Do a lot of people know enough English to help me get by at first, or am I going to be a fish out of water? How nice are the people in general to respectful (as in not loud, obnoxious) Americans?
4) It's also my understanding that getting a registered driving license (For manuals) is also lengthly and expensive. How much does it cost?
And now, for the fun questions...
5) It seems Japan's used car market is really cheap in comparison to here, but their inspection system won't let your drive your car past certain mileage. What's that number, and are the legends of $5,000 FD Type-R's and $3,000 Infini FC's true?
6) Do you need a license to buy the car? I know money can buy anything, but I'm not looking to pay people off.
7) Is the tuning community as active as it seems? Are they supportive and welcoming to gaijin racers, or are you always the loner who gets the cold reaction?
8) What about amatuer racing? Is there anything similar to the SCCA/NASA? Is there ever some kind of open track days that would let me run on Tsukuba, Fuji, Suzuka, Maze, etc?
9) Lastly, I know they're different, but how do you compare life in Japan to life in America? Do you enjoy it? Does it get old? Do you dread the day your stay is over, or are you looking forward to leaving ASAP?
Thanks very much for your time and any insight.
always modding
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,667
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From: on a tiny island in the middle of a sea
I think ur #2 and #3 are going to clash.. chances of finding english speakers in the big city is high.. where there's alot of tourism and such.. but cost will be accordingly... and vice versa.. if u live out in the burbs... u'll be the only "round eye" and will probably have a hard time communicating... reading Kanji is far from easy.. many native japanese still can't get it down enough to read the newspaper... In general the japanese ppl are very quiet introverted and to them selves.. everyone minds their own business and doesn't wanna stick their noses where it doesn't belong incase it brings trouble..
just cuz u have a place to stay doesn't mean u have a place to park.. u have to rent that seperately.. and to rent it u gotta prove that u have a car.. and to have a car u need a license...
getting a license requires Lengthy and expensive instructor teaching behind the wheel.. by the time ur all said and done.. ur looking at a couple grand... perhaps u having an US license will exempt u from it and u can convert it over directly.. or just by taking the test and bypassing the instruction...
it is true.. u can get cars for dirt cheap.. but like u said the inspection process can cost 1000's of bux... and mods to ur car bump u into diff reg/tax brackets if u want to legalize them.. otherwise.. u fail.. they measure all kindsa stuff... width of the car (bye bye fender flares) the minimum height of the car.. if u have a roll cage, it must be properly padded.. etc
the registration process is soo detailed and lengthy.. they tell u to drop ur car off in the morning and come back in the late day/early evening...
so the reason some cars are soo cheap.. is that the cost of re-registering and renewing is not economically feasible... they would rather sell the car.. put some money on top and buy another one... a new car has X number of years of "grace period" where they don't have the scrupulous inspection stuff...
hope that helps a little... sorry i dunno anything about the other Q's...
just cuz u have a place to stay doesn't mean u have a place to park.. u have to rent that seperately.. and to rent it u gotta prove that u have a car.. and to have a car u need a license...
getting a license requires Lengthy and expensive instructor teaching behind the wheel.. by the time ur all said and done.. ur looking at a couple grand... perhaps u having an US license will exempt u from it and u can convert it over directly.. or just by taking the test and bypassing the instruction...
it is true.. u can get cars for dirt cheap.. but like u said the inspection process can cost 1000's of bux... and mods to ur car bump u into diff reg/tax brackets if u want to legalize them.. otherwise.. u fail.. they measure all kindsa stuff... width of the car (bye bye fender flares) the minimum height of the car.. if u have a roll cage, it must be properly padded.. etc
the registration process is soo detailed and lengthy.. they tell u to drop ur car off in the morning and come back in the late day/early evening...
so the reason some cars are soo cheap.. is that the cost of re-registering and renewing is not economically feasible... they would rather sell the car.. put some money on top and buy another one... a new car has X number of years of "grace period" where they don't have the scrupulous inspection stuff...
hope that helps a little... sorry i dunno anything about the other Q's...
You cant be a permenent resident until you have lived here for 12 years I believe.
Either way bring your BIG wallet or give up the way you live.
The cost of living prohibits you from living like an American. The food expencive, the $50 in toll roads to drive 20 miles. $4.50 a gallon for gas. The list goes on and on and on. You can spend your money on your car and be a hermit or go out and run out of money for your car.
On $100K last year I felt very FAR from rich and lived like a LOWER middle class american.
You will be making sacrifices. You will also be a roundeye which can wear on you after a while. Not all of them are racists but a great deal of them are. Non Japanese are regarded and treated as lower class laborers/criminals regaurdless of who or what you may be when you meet people most of the time. I often was treated as my wifes pet monkey. They will tell you that you cant come into some restruants and clubs. You cant buy property. It wore on me... I left and went back to Okinawa you can keep mainland. (not all are bad, I had some great friends up there, but the majority are as above)
On the bright side it is crazy easy to pick up badass perfect 10 chicks... Thats about the only thing that I found positive through the experience. But there are other countries that I concider much better for that sort of thing if that is what you are after.
Sorry I sound so negative but I say try the sampler platter before you jump in with both feet.
Either way bring your BIG wallet or give up the way you live.
The cost of living prohibits you from living like an American. The food expencive, the $50 in toll roads to drive 20 miles. $4.50 a gallon for gas. The list goes on and on and on. You can spend your money on your car and be a hermit or go out and run out of money for your car.
On $100K last year I felt very FAR from rich and lived like a LOWER middle class american.
You will be making sacrifices. You will also be a roundeye which can wear on you after a while. Not all of them are racists but a great deal of them are. Non Japanese are regarded and treated as lower class laborers/criminals regaurdless of who or what you may be when you meet people most of the time. I often was treated as my wifes pet monkey. They will tell you that you cant come into some restruants and clubs. You cant buy property. It wore on me... I left and went back to Okinawa you can keep mainland. (not all are bad, I had some great friends up there, but the majority are as above)
On the bright side it is crazy easy to pick up badass perfect 10 chicks... Thats about the only thing that I found positive through the experience. But there are other countries that I concider much better for that sort of thing if that is what you are after.
Sorry I sound so negative but I say try the sampler platter before you jump in with both feet.
Last edited by laujesse; May 28, 2006 at 08:46 AM.
Originally Posted by laujesse2
You cant be a permenent resident until you have lived here for 12 years I believe.
Either way bring your BIG wallet or give up the way you live.
The cost of living prohibits you from living like an American. The food expencive, the $50 in toll roads to drive 20 miles. $4.50 a gallon for gas. The list goes on and on and on. You can spend your money on your car and be a hermit or go out and run out of money for your car.
On $100K last year I felt very FAR from rich and lived like a LOWER middle class american.
You will be making sacrifices. You will also be a roundeye which can wear on you after a while. Not all of them are racists but a great deal of them are. Non Japanese are regarded and treated as lower class laborers/criminals regaurdless of who or what you may be when you meet people most of the time. I often was treated as my wifes pet monkey. They will tell you that you cant come into some restruants and clubs. You cant buy property. It wore on me... I left and went back to Okinawa you can keep mainland. (not all are bad, I had some great friends up there, but the majority are as above)
On the bright side it is crazy easy to pick up badass perfect 10 chicks... Thats about the only thing that I found positive through the experience. But there are other countries that I concider much better for that sort of thing if that is what you are after.
Sorry I sound so negative but I say try the sampler platter before you jump in with both feet.
Either way bring your BIG wallet or give up the way you live.
The cost of living prohibits you from living like an American. The food expencive, the $50 in toll roads to drive 20 miles. $4.50 a gallon for gas. The list goes on and on and on. You can spend your money on your car and be a hermit or go out and run out of money for your car.
On $100K last year I felt very FAR from rich and lived like a LOWER middle class american.
You will be making sacrifices. You will also be a roundeye which can wear on you after a while. Not all of them are racists but a great deal of them are. Non Japanese are regarded and treated as lower class laborers/criminals regaurdless of who or what you may be when you meet people most of the time. I often was treated as my wifes pet monkey. They will tell you that you cant come into some restruants and clubs. You cant buy property. It wore on me... I left and went back to Okinawa you can keep mainland. (not all are bad, I had some great friends up there, but the majority are as above)
On the bright side it is crazy easy to pick up badass perfect 10 chicks... Thats about the only thing that I found positive through the experience. But there are other countries that I concider much better for that sort of thing if that is what you are after.
Sorry I sound so negative but I say try the sampler platter before you jump in with both feet.
hmm your wife is japanese ... does she have a youger sister (18-23 yo) heheh
lets say job-wise ... if i have a Salesman diploma ( car seller ) will i be able to find a good & steady job ( i dont car about the way of living because even here im pretty tight , money & car -wise )
and im really interested in Okinawa ( for sure Tokyo is like the heavenly place to live , for me & some others.) but from what ive heard okinawa is like more liveable.
do you have pictures ???
you mind if i ask u ur msn??????
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,545
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From: Corpus Christi, TX
1.Mariage is the easiest way. IF you dont have a job before you come, good luck trying to stay here. If you do get far enough to get any type of visa, you can keep extending it while in country.
2.*****, you can pay $500 a month. It all depends on where you live $500 is about rock bottom no matter where or what condition the apartment. I pay $1100 a month with 2 car parking and in a nice neighborhood and my apartment was NEW the day I moved in.
3. You can speak any lang you want, but without a job it wont matter. With english you can get by in most places but japanese is easy to learn if you have to. So far out of all the places in the world americans are probably number 2 or 3 on my list of top 10 jackasses, but Japanese didnt make the list.
4.It helps if you get an international drivers license and ALSO have a valid statesside drivers licenses for the past 6 years approx (some type of proof). I only paid like $20 and had a license the same day with no test, just a picture and eye test.
5. Do more research, most of this question is B.S. But the sports car market is really dieing off right now. Its such a shame, I have been wondering if its because of the the gas prices or ??? Weird..
6. YES, and proof of parking.
7.Doesnt matter if your gaijin, if you can drive and have a good personality then you will be fine. Japanese dont like KNOW IT ALL ********* hehe
8.YES almost every weekend you can drive. NOW since your not military of government I would say you might have to get a JAF amauter racing license, but im not 100% on that. IF so you need to know Japanese for the test.
9. Life is life. Home is where you make it? Yeah ok well I can speak for my experience. Japanese business people IE typcial japanese are VERY racist people unless you old then it doesnt seem to bother or threaten them much. I was military over here in Japan for 9.5 years, I got out and worked at a big business in Tokyo, after speaking Japanese day in and out for 8 months I quit and got a job back on the base for the US. GOV. I tell ya, not being around your own type of people at least some of the time will really EAT AT YOU, believe me. Not racist at all, its just the way it is. I guess if you want to be around americans there are places you can go, but as much as I think a lot of americans especially military jackasses suck, its just apart of who I am.
In turn, if you have pipe dreams of seeing and racing sports cars no offense but you might want to just stay where you are. Even though there are alot of us over here alot of people on the forums have been sucking on the nipple of the government 100% of the time they have been here. I think there might be a few more responses on here but these questions come up about every month or two.
got_boost---Okinawa guys only know Okinawa and vise versa. Living down there would be like me living in Guam or Hawaii IT JUST WONT HAPPEN those places are nice for a week or two, but SUCK ***** in the long run. Ever though of visiting??????????
Ottoman---WOW, where do you come up with that *****? Have you done an inspection in Japan? If you have MAN O MAN you need to check into some of the rules, dont believe the BS that comes out of all the CRACKS of military pukes. Too much to get into, but you are partly right but WAY wrong.
2.*****, you can pay $500 a month. It all depends on where you live $500 is about rock bottom no matter where or what condition the apartment. I pay $1100 a month with 2 car parking and in a nice neighborhood and my apartment was NEW the day I moved in.
3. You can speak any lang you want, but without a job it wont matter. With english you can get by in most places but japanese is easy to learn if you have to. So far out of all the places in the world americans are probably number 2 or 3 on my list of top 10 jackasses, but Japanese didnt make the list.
4.It helps if you get an international drivers license and ALSO have a valid statesside drivers licenses for the past 6 years approx (some type of proof). I only paid like $20 and had a license the same day with no test, just a picture and eye test.
5. Do more research, most of this question is B.S. But the sports car market is really dieing off right now. Its such a shame, I have been wondering if its because of the the gas prices or ??? Weird..
6. YES, and proof of parking.
7.Doesnt matter if your gaijin, if you can drive and have a good personality then you will be fine. Japanese dont like KNOW IT ALL ********* hehe
8.YES almost every weekend you can drive. NOW since your not military of government I would say you might have to get a JAF amauter racing license, but im not 100% on that. IF so you need to know Japanese for the test.
9. Life is life. Home is where you make it? Yeah ok well I can speak for my experience. Japanese business people IE typcial japanese are VERY racist people unless you old then it doesnt seem to bother or threaten them much. I was military over here in Japan for 9.5 years, I got out and worked at a big business in Tokyo, after speaking Japanese day in and out for 8 months I quit and got a job back on the base for the US. GOV. I tell ya, not being around your own type of people at least some of the time will really EAT AT YOU, believe me. Not racist at all, its just the way it is. I guess if you want to be around americans there are places you can go, but as much as I think a lot of americans especially military jackasses suck, its just apart of who I am.
In turn, if you have pipe dreams of seeing and racing sports cars no offense but you might want to just stay where you are. Even though there are alot of us over here alot of people on the forums have been sucking on the nipple of the government 100% of the time they have been here. I think there might be a few more responses on here but these questions come up about every month or two.
got_boost---Okinawa guys only know Okinawa and vise versa. Living down there would be like me living in Guam or Hawaii IT JUST WONT HAPPEN those places are nice for a week or two, but SUCK ***** in the long run. Ever though of visiting??????????
Ottoman---WOW, where do you come up with that *****? Have you done an inspection in Japan? If you have MAN O MAN you need to check into some of the rules, dont believe the BS that comes out of all the CRACKS of military pukes. Too much to get into, but you are partly right but WAY wrong.
Last edited by user 9348703; May 29, 2006 at 06:02 PM.
Originally Posted by jt-imports
Doesnt matter if your gaijin, if you can drive and have a good personality then you will be fine. Japanese dont like KNOW IT ALL ********* hehe
Originally Posted by jt-imports
got_boost---Okinawa guys only know Okinawa and vise versa. Living down there would be like me living in Guam or Hawaii IT JUST WONT HAPPEN those places are nice for a week or two, but SUCK ***** in the long run. Ever though of visiting??????????
got_boost: "Salesman diploma ( car seller )" LOL Salesman diploma? Me, I have a U of Hard Knocks sales diploma printed in blood. You have to be an american citizen to get in on the base. If you are I can get you in touch with the them. There always looking for fresh meat, only a 80% washout percentage
. I dont use messangers.
Is that you John Wayne?
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 871
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From: Japan
Permanent alien regsitration can be obtained in as little as 5 years. A couple friends have done this but they were part Japanese.
I have visited more cities in Japan than most Japanese people and I have lived in both Tokyo and Okinawa so here is my input. The further south you go the more laidback people become. If you want a laidback atmosphere with big city living then Fukuoka is the place for you.
Okinawa is like Alabama, Tokyo is like New York and everything else is something in between. Actually the people in the northern part of Japan are cool as hell too.
I have visited more cities in Japan than most Japanese people and I have lived in both Tokyo and Okinawa so here is my input. The further south you go the more laidback people become. If you want a laidback atmosphere with big city living then Fukuoka is the place for you.
Okinawa is like Alabama, Tokyo is like New York and everything else is something in between. Actually the people in the northern part of Japan are cool as hell too.
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It's a Celebration!!!!!
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Orlando/Okinawa
Originally Posted by Rutt
Okinawa is like Alabama, Tokyo is like New York and everything else is something in between. Actually the people in the northern part of Japan are cool as hell too.
I was in your shoes about a year ago and i moved here without a visa. Ended up getting a job at an english school after the first week of being here and they got my visa all sorted out for me. I have now been living in Japan for a year and I do not think it is all that expensive unless you are going into tokyo everynight or even going drinking any where every night. The company I am working for at the moment supplies me with a car and an apartment and enough money for me to have some decent savings every month although I need to stop saving it and pay off my final school debts haha. Anyhow my school is looking for teachers preferably from America. The catch is you must have a college a degree in order to get work visa although I hear quite a few people get by with out one some how. Any how feel free to pm me if you want a job starting in i think July or September. not much time to prepare i know so ya might want to hold off but if you are ready to go let me know and I will set you up with some phone interviews and what not. The job is in Saitama about 45 minutes north of Tokyo.
Thanks
Tom
Thanks
Tom
dAracIngPhaRmaCist
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 877
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From: Fort Lauderdale
I went onto jobsinjapan.com and I see a few other jobs for teaching english that promise help getting a visa and relocation, etc. Is this common? Are there alot of jobs over there? Is 3500 yen an hour good? Its like $22USD/per hour... Is that reasonable over there?
Originally Posted by Circuit Theory
I was in your shoes about a year ago and i moved here without a visa. Ended up getting a job at an english school after the first week of being here and they got my visa all sorted out for me. I have now been living in Japan for a year and I do not think it is all that expensive unless you are going into tokyo everynight or even going drinking any where every night. The company I am working for at the moment supplies me with a car and an apartment and enough money for me to have some decent savings every month although I need to stop saving it and pay off my final school debts haha. Anyhow my school is looking for teachers preferably from America. The catch is you must have a college a degree in order to get work visa although I hear quite a few people get by with out one some how. Any how feel free to pm me if you want a job starting in i think July or September. not much time to prepare i know so ya might want to hold off but if you are ready to go let me know and I will set you up with some phone interviews and what not. The job is in Saitama about 45 minutes north of Tokyo.
Thanks
Tom
Thanks
Tom
I'm interested in this topic because i thought about moving in to japan. I know a lot of filipino's work there as maids or as caregivers. About the racisim towards americans, how about towards filipinos? Are we looked down upon? Anyways, i'm highly interested in moving. So yeah, thanks for everything!!
Jon
Jon
Sisu, sauna and Sibelius
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Sapporo, Japan
Part time job salary sucks, full time english teacher is OK. As for life here, it is just like in any other city in the world. Japanese culture, what is that?=go to an tea ceremony class. Living/working here=be prepared to be as an 12 years old again, can't read, can't speak, no responsibility given to you.
Yes, I was also interested in moving here, oh the daydreams about living here in the wonderland but now I want to leave back to my country as soon as possible! It is nice as everything is at first but then you start to notice how things really are.
If you want to buy a car, you need a parking space and it is not guaranteed to be near your apartment. I pay about 9000 yen/month in summer, 11000 yen/month in winter for parking and it is outside.
My suggestion is, stay out of Japan. Visiting is nice but living here is pain in the butt.
Yes, I was also interested in moving here, oh the daydreams about living here in the wonderland but now I want to leave back to my country as soon as possible! It is nice as everything is at first but then you start to notice how things really are.
If you want to buy a car, you need a parking space and it is not guaranteed to be near your apartment. I pay about 9000 yen/month in summer, 11000 yen/month in winter for parking and it is outside.
My suggestion is, stay out of Japan. Visiting is nice but living here is pain in the butt.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 14
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From: Elk Grove Village, IL
Whats up guys! I thought I can help you guys because I'm 100% Japanese. I go back to Japan every summer to visit my cousins/granparents. I'm not sure about if they're racist or not...
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,545
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From: Corpus Christi, TX
Mazdaspeed RX8 ver2----- Im not sure on the out look of Philipinos. I have a quite a few friends that are and they never said anything, but I never asked either.
samiralfey---Different city though. It all depends on where you live country (japanese like to say) or the City. I have 2 parking in front of my brand new apartment, well it was when I moved in. I live just outside of a rich city area about 15mins from Downtown Yokohama and pay only 89,000 yen a month. Just got to get lucky and know where your going.
RXinfini---Racists is a wide spread word, I think when I mentioned it above I said "Japanese business people IE typcial japanese are VERY racist people" If you dont think they are, try jumping on a train that you can sit down on. In the middle of rush hours say like 5-7 coming from Tokyo and you will see what I mean.
samiralfey---Different city though. It all depends on where you live country (japanese like to say) or the City. I have 2 parking in front of my brand new apartment, well it was when I moved in. I live just outside of a rich city area about 15mins from Downtown Yokohama and pay only 89,000 yen a month. Just got to get lucky and know where your going.
RXinfini---Racists is a wide spread word, I think when I mentioned it above I said "Japanese business people IE typcial japanese are VERY racist people" If you dont think they are, try jumping on a train that you can sit down on. In the middle of rush hours say like 5-7 coming from Tokyo and you will see what I mean.
Originally Posted by Mazdaspeed RX8 ver2
I'm interested in this topic because i thought about moving in to japan. I know a lot of filipino's work there as maids or as caregivers. About the racisim towards americans, how about towards filipinos? Are we looked down upon? Anyways, i'm highly interested in moving. So yeah, thanks for everything!!
Jon
Jon
Chinese, American, Russian, fillopinos all get the same.
The chinese and fillopinos ect... dont get it until they speak sometimes but they are equal opportunity for all non japanese.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 359
Likes: 1
From: nagano japan
ha ha was going to stay out of this but as it looks like a good bitch session i'll join in
part 1
1 Permanent Residence - any other country gives it to you pretty quickly, but not japan. the governm. recently said that they would be unable to quote with foreigners making up more than 3% of pop. some want to make that a cap.
the length of time before you can apply is not specified, each office has it's own recommendation. where i am it's 10 years on the same visa.....if you are married 5 is enough. if you have any japanese "blood" things can be much faster......look/act like a long haired, heavymetal loser on drugs and even if you are married for 12 years they'll never offer you a 3 year visa, case by case
2 expense of living here is pretty much the same as any other country, as long as you are spending yen you earned here.
if you can save in your own country you can save more here
if you max out your credit cards at home, look out around here
banks won't lend you money, nor even the legal load sharks
parking, a right pain. i live in the country on my wifes family land, plenty of space for our 5 bikes and 5 cars....but we still have to pay to apply for parking permission, wait for the guy come check out our parking spot etc.
3. language more people speak eng. in cities than country, but you can go a long way with only a few words and a nice attiude. japanese is 1 of the easier lang. to learn, unless you are braindead for lang. like me
eric e
find a hobby, you'll need it
part 1
1 Permanent Residence - any other country gives it to you pretty quickly, but not japan. the governm. recently said that they would be unable to quote with foreigners making up more than 3% of pop. some want to make that a cap.
the length of time before you can apply is not specified, each office has it's own recommendation. where i am it's 10 years on the same visa.....if you are married 5 is enough. if you have any japanese "blood" things can be much faster......look/act like a long haired, heavymetal loser on drugs and even if you are married for 12 years they'll never offer you a 3 year visa, case by case
2 expense of living here is pretty much the same as any other country, as long as you are spending yen you earned here.
if you can save in your own country you can save more here
if you max out your credit cards at home, look out around here
banks won't lend you money, nor even the legal load sharks
parking, a right pain. i live in the country on my wifes family land, plenty of space for our 5 bikes and 5 cars....but we still have to pay to apply for parking permission, wait for the guy come check out our parking spot etc.
3. language more people speak eng. in cities than country, but you can go a long way with only a few words and a nice attiude. japanese is 1 of the easier lang. to learn, unless you are braindead for lang. like me
eric e
find a hobby, you'll need it
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 359
Likes: 1
From: nagano japan
part 2
licence - a foreigner who has lived here most of his life once told me,
"you have to remember that in japan all tests only test 2 things, memory and obedience"
that's all any employer wants, someone who will remember what they are told and then do it, no creative stuff
how do you test someone for driving skill in japan? you give them a huge number of things and actions to remember during the driving test; memorise 5 courses etc. specify where they must put their hands at all times, how to move their heads, position the car approaching a corner etc
how do you test their obedience? make half the things they must do and remember obviously pointless. check under the car for small children in the middle of an empty driving school, looking left and right before opening the car door etc. most foreigners who attempt a japanese driving test fail before they even open the car door unless they have taken training. in testing facilities will specifiy how may times you must fail before they will pass you etc. UNLESS you pay for a month full-time tuition., ............so get your licence WELL before you come over here and proof that you have had and used it for 3 months before you land.......... but then it can also be....case by case....depending on where you go
car prices - 10-15 year old cars are cheap, or cars with over 100,000kms. if you have garage space, tools, skills and a japanese speaker you have everything you need for car paradise...except somewhere to drive. most peoples cars are plusher than their houses which is why they are quite happy to sit in traffic jams all day. aircon and heater, quality stereo,tv,dvd player, decent chair and even drinks and perfume holders,.....why rush to get home to the rabbit hutch
police/authority - the japanese police are one of the best educated and paid in the world. they have a HUGE amount of scope in deciding to charge you or let you off...make it easy for them, fess up quick, say you're sorry, bow a little and be on your way
act aggressive and they will call in 20 other cops to surround you but never act aggressive themselves.
the japanese system is like making a bit of iron a magnet, 20,000 light strokes, until everything is all nicely lined up
that goes for all authority in japan. it's alot like the catholic church, there are so many rules and we are all sinners, confess and take your drubbing and no grudges will be held. which is why ex-military types can fit in so well here, the ability to knuckle under and take moronic orders from idiots will happen, can be survived, won't kill you and can lead to rewards you won't find anywhere else
seen karate kid?, remember the "wax on, wax off" thing, it's all about kata, there is a form for everything and the form must be followed. only people who have mastered the "kata" will be listened to when it comes time to change the kata. don7t embarass japanese people who are supporting you by making suggestions about how to improve things as soon as you get here
becoming japanese? - forget it, unless you are born of japanese parents it will never happen. it's kind of like trying to be "black" when you are not. it just looks silly to them. just try to understand them and they'll try to understand you
if you do succeed in becoming almost japanese, 2 things will happen
1. half the population will try to avoid you as they now no longer know how to treat you. plus you are now attacking their very existence by showing there is nothing special about being japanese and anyone can do it
2. the other half will expect you to become japanese in all things, so kiss goodbye to your "gaijin licence" to get away with (almost) murder
racism - are the japanese racist? yes, but then every culture is. at least here it's generally not in your face, (if you are white)
they don't see it as racism, just that you don7t fit into their system, which has been proudly designed over thousands of years by japanese for japanese
remember that unless a japanese worker has been shown how to do something by his boss, it can't be done
not long ago a japanese member of parliment said, "how can we be racist, we've never kept black people as slaves?" and an ex-prime minister proudly said "i don7t beat my wife anymore"
but again, it's all "case by case" and if you are non-threatening, reasonable, respectful and jump through enough silly hoops to prove that you are a team player you will generally get what you want
eric e
still here because i'm enjoying it, but it will never be home, and that suits everyone
licence - a foreigner who has lived here most of his life once told me,
"you have to remember that in japan all tests only test 2 things, memory and obedience"
that's all any employer wants, someone who will remember what they are told and then do it, no creative stuff
how do you test someone for driving skill in japan? you give them a huge number of things and actions to remember during the driving test; memorise 5 courses etc. specify where they must put their hands at all times, how to move their heads, position the car approaching a corner etc
how do you test their obedience? make half the things they must do and remember obviously pointless. check under the car for small children in the middle of an empty driving school, looking left and right before opening the car door etc. most foreigners who attempt a japanese driving test fail before they even open the car door unless they have taken training. in testing facilities will specifiy how may times you must fail before they will pass you etc. UNLESS you pay for a month full-time tuition., ............so get your licence WELL before you come over here and proof that you have had and used it for 3 months before you land.......... but then it can also be....case by case....depending on where you go
car prices - 10-15 year old cars are cheap, or cars with over 100,000kms. if you have garage space, tools, skills and a japanese speaker you have everything you need for car paradise...except somewhere to drive. most peoples cars are plusher than their houses which is why they are quite happy to sit in traffic jams all day. aircon and heater, quality stereo,tv,dvd player, decent chair and even drinks and perfume holders,.....why rush to get home to the rabbit hutch
police/authority - the japanese police are one of the best educated and paid in the world. they have a HUGE amount of scope in deciding to charge you or let you off...make it easy for them, fess up quick, say you're sorry, bow a little and be on your way
act aggressive and they will call in 20 other cops to surround you but never act aggressive themselves.
the japanese system is like making a bit of iron a magnet, 20,000 light strokes, until everything is all nicely lined up
that goes for all authority in japan. it's alot like the catholic church, there are so many rules and we are all sinners, confess and take your drubbing and no grudges will be held. which is why ex-military types can fit in so well here, the ability to knuckle under and take moronic orders from idiots will happen, can be survived, won't kill you and can lead to rewards you won't find anywhere else
seen karate kid?, remember the "wax on, wax off" thing, it's all about kata, there is a form for everything and the form must be followed. only people who have mastered the "kata" will be listened to when it comes time to change the kata. don7t embarass japanese people who are supporting you by making suggestions about how to improve things as soon as you get here
becoming japanese? - forget it, unless you are born of japanese parents it will never happen. it's kind of like trying to be "black" when you are not. it just looks silly to them. just try to understand them and they'll try to understand you
if you do succeed in becoming almost japanese, 2 things will happen
1. half the population will try to avoid you as they now no longer know how to treat you. plus you are now attacking their very existence by showing there is nothing special about being japanese and anyone can do it
2. the other half will expect you to become japanese in all things, so kiss goodbye to your "gaijin licence" to get away with (almost) murder
racism - are the japanese racist? yes, but then every culture is. at least here it's generally not in your face, (if you are white)
they don't see it as racism, just that you don7t fit into their system, which has been proudly designed over thousands of years by japanese for japanese
remember that unless a japanese worker has been shown how to do something by his boss, it can't be done
not long ago a japanese member of parliment said, "how can we be racist, we've never kept black people as slaves?" and an ex-prime minister proudly said "i don7t beat my wife anymore"
but again, it's all "case by case" and if you are non-threatening, reasonable, respectful and jump through enough silly hoops to prove that you are a team player you will generally get what you want
eric e
still here because i'm enjoying it, but it will never be home, and that suits everyone
I have never been remotely capable of blind obedience even to American standards.
I don't know why I have to ask myself the reason or purpose for everything I do, but that is how I am. Maybe thats the source of my difficulties dealing with Japan. (and with being in the military)
Except for when it comes to family I am also largely money motivated, so maybe thats why it bothers me so bad that my electric bill has to be $300 a month since I chose to keep my house heated/ACed at all times. I grew up with central air, a garbage disposal, and a dryer for my clothes and I refuse to go with out these things I concider normal but are VERY RARE in Japan and I pay DEARLY for it.
Am I the only one who cant stand the freezing showers in the winter mournings in Kanto plains houses? Oh well.
I now have some money saved but...
I have to disagree with eric_e cost of living/saving part. Maybe you are far enough in the country and have enough support from your family that you are shielded from some of it as I am once again in Okinawa but you cant tell me that it costs the same as the US, Canada or Australia. The basic costs of living for housing, transportation(gas, toll gates, taxes, train tickets), utilities, and food are out of control here. You can save money anywhere but here you are required to drop alot of the things it is easy to take for granted elsewhere to maintain your overall cost of living at a managable level.
I don't know why I have to ask myself the reason or purpose for everything I do, but that is how I am. Maybe thats the source of my difficulties dealing with Japan. (and with being in the military)
Except for when it comes to family I am also largely money motivated, so maybe thats why it bothers me so bad that my electric bill has to be $300 a month since I chose to keep my house heated/ACed at all times. I grew up with central air, a garbage disposal, and a dryer for my clothes and I refuse to go with out these things I concider normal but are VERY RARE in Japan and I pay DEARLY for it.
Am I the only one who cant stand the freezing showers in the winter mournings in Kanto plains houses? Oh well.
I now have some money saved but...
I have to disagree with eric_e cost of living/saving part. Maybe you are far enough in the country and have enough support from your family that you are shielded from some of it as I am once again in Okinawa but you cant tell me that it costs the same as the US, Canada or Australia. The basic costs of living for housing, transportation(gas, toll gates, taxes, train tickets), utilities, and food are out of control here. You can save money anywhere but here you are required to drop alot of the things it is easy to take for granted elsewhere to maintain your overall cost of living at a managable level.
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,545
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From: Corpus Christi, TX
"laujesse2 Am I the only one who cant stand the freezing showers in the winter mournings in Kanto plains houses? Oh well."
HUH? you only get cold water? I may have misunderstood. Yokosuka is probably the shittiest place so far I have been to in Japan by far................................ I wont even take jobs there. I would rather go to ALASKA then Yokosuka haha....
HUH? you only get cold water? I may have misunderstood. Yokosuka is probably the shittiest place so far I have been to in Japan by far................................ I wont even take jobs there. I would rather go to ALASKA then Yokosuka haha....
I wasnt talking about the water. I was refering to the walk from the bed to the freezing *** bathroom and waiting for the hot water to heat the room while I tryed to brush my chatering teeth.
I never in my LONG search found a house with central air or a heater in the bathroom.
My solution was throwing heaps of money at the problem and spending $3K on a monster *** 200V heater/AC unit. That action brough my bill for leaving the heat on full time DOWN TO $300 a month from $500 for trying to let 2 little 6 tatomy ones try to do the job.
Yokohama is colder than Yokosuka I learned that living in the BOQ on that little base near Henedaicho for a couple months. Yes I will admit even with the drive, living up there was alot nicer.
Alaska at least the houses are heated. I dont mind being cold or hot outside but not in my damn house...
I never in my LONG search found a house with central air or a heater in the bathroom.
My solution was throwing heaps of money at the problem and spending $3K on a monster *** 200V heater/AC unit. That action brough my bill for leaving the heat on full time DOWN TO $300 a month from $500 for trying to let 2 little 6 tatomy ones try to do the job.
Yokohama is colder than Yokosuka I learned that living in the BOQ on that little base near Henedaicho for a couple months. Yes I will admit even with the drive, living up there was alot nicer.
Alaska at least the houses are heated. I dont mind being cold or hot outside but not in my damn house...
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 359
Likes: 1
From: nagano japan
i guess i do have it lucky living with the wife and kids in her family home
big house, big garden, (by japanese standards), small shed and a garage bigger than my friend's apartments
yes, i do struggle in winter too. the house is old enough that the mud/bamboo/plaster has shrunk and opened up gaps between the wooden posts and all the windows
as we live within an hour's drive of around 50? skifields i could do without the slightest breeze causing a complete airchange in the house
but perhaps because i didn't grow up in a climate controlled culture not having it here doesn't seem to be that big an issue, or maybe it's because i like biking and camping where changes of temp are the norm.
it would be, "oh so easy" to build a new house with floor heating, double glazing etc. but with the japanese population heading south i can't bring myself to take on a 20/30 year morgage when there are already too many houses in japan
better to take those hard saved pennies and take advantage of the 14? year slide in land prices to buy a small, rough, old holiday house by a lake. and then spend the weekends fixing it up while the kids play outside
everybodies situation is different
everybody does what they think they have to do to make their life tolerable
japan is not an easy country, not even for the people who were born here
but if you've got your **** together you can carve yourself a niche here where you won't have to work too hard for a nice life
eric e
your mileage may vary, esp. if you drive with the aircon on;o)
big house, big garden, (by japanese standards), small shed and a garage bigger than my friend's apartments
yes, i do struggle in winter too. the house is old enough that the mud/bamboo/plaster has shrunk and opened up gaps between the wooden posts and all the windows
as we live within an hour's drive of around 50? skifields i could do without the slightest breeze causing a complete airchange in the house
but perhaps because i didn't grow up in a climate controlled culture not having it here doesn't seem to be that big an issue, or maybe it's because i like biking and camping where changes of temp are the norm.
it would be, "oh so easy" to build a new house with floor heating, double glazing etc. but with the japanese population heading south i can't bring myself to take on a 20/30 year morgage when there are already too many houses in japan
better to take those hard saved pennies and take advantage of the 14? year slide in land prices to buy a small, rough, old holiday house by a lake. and then spend the weekends fixing it up while the kids play outside
everybodies situation is different
everybody does what they think they have to do to make their life tolerable
japan is not an easy country, not even for the people who were born here
but if you've got your **** together you can carve yourself a niche here where you won't have to work too hard for a nice life
eric e
your mileage may vary, esp. if you drive with the aircon on;o)
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 29
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From: Japan
Eric e is on the money on many points.
Regards, cost of living let me give you my example: In Japan I lived 35mins from one of the worlds largest cities (Osaka), in a town where I could find great variety of anything I required in normal life (shops, restaurants, bars, entertainment, parks, friends, ***** etc etc) within a 10 bicycle ride. I was also a 15-30min bike ride from ancient cultural ruins, a plethora of temples and shrines, countless awesome hikes, and some of the best mountain roads I've ever driven.
All this for about HALF THE LIVING COSTS of where I am now (central Melbourne, Aus). In Japan I ate out all the time, drank almost every day, was always active on weekends, very social during the week. I lived on around AUD$500 a week (thats all inclusive, including the odd bits for the FD now and then). Now I live on around AUD$600 a week, but thats eating at home almost every night, have a very quiet social life (Fri, Sat nights only), am far less active due to the "car-to-go-everywhere' culture of this country.
The next thing I want comment on is in reference to this:
"I have never been remotely capable of blind obedience even to American standards."
The biggest problem I am having being back in Australia is the ludicrous regulatory control there is on EVERYTHING. In Japan, if you make an honest mistake and explain yourself, (in my experience) you are let off. I found this with police, train staff, restaurant staff, work colleages, friends. Often laws/rules are not enforced in certain situations since people don't do it because its morally wrong, rather because its against the law. This common sense does not exist in Australia. I found that in Japan if you accept the system, you are basically free to act as you wish within the system as long as you follow the basic concepts of honesty and respect for others (and the follow-on of these such as not stealing, fighting etc). In Australia (and I assume The USA, too) merely following these basic concepts does not afford you the leniecies it does in Japan. Authority (and people generally) simply do not trust or respect others as they did in my experience in Japan (I was there 5 years).
I really miss the lack of regulatory control on my everyday life; I miss that I can't take the FD out on the freeway at night, check that a given stretch is clear, and see if I can crack 250kph on the return; I miss that every second person is not an armchair political expert; I miss that I don't have 20 friends within 10mins of my house, ready for a beer any night of the week; and I miss having the convenience of the city and the pristine peace of the mountains both at my doorstep (in Aus its one or the other).
What I don't miss is constantly being reminded that I am not Japanese, that no matter how many times I harvest my father-in-laws rice fields, I will never be a member of the local community rice board. I don't miss being excluded from company meetings because "I don't need to be there" even though the 80 year old coffee lady went to the meetings, and I don't miss that its always assumed that I can't speak Japanese, rather than assuming I can. These are the reasons I moved back to Australia.
Well that turned into a bit of a rant! Guess I needed to get it off my chest.
So Eric, I see you have that silver FD available? Did you end up using those extra parts I forgot about in the front aero box, or did you sell them? How much are you looking for the car? Since moving back I'm missing my FDs but can't justify the premium they go for here.
Regards, cost of living let me give you my example: In Japan I lived 35mins from one of the worlds largest cities (Osaka), in a town where I could find great variety of anything I required in normal life (shops, restaurants, bars, entertainment, parks, friends, ***** etc etc) within a 10 bicycle ride. I was also a 15-30min bike ride from ancient cultural ruins, a plethora of temples and shrines, countless awesome hikes, and some of the best mountain roads I've ever driven.
All this for about HALF THE LIVING COSTS of where I am now (central Melbourne, Aus). In Japan I ate out all the time, drank almost every day, was always active on weekends, very social during the week. I lived on around AUD$500 a week (thats all inclusive, including the odd bits for the FD now and then). Now I live on around AUD$600 a week, but thats eating at home almost every night, have a very quiet social life (Fri, Sat nights only), am far less active due to the "car-to-go-everywhere' culture of this country.
The next thing I want comment on is in reference to this:
"I have never been remotely capable of blind obedience even to American standards."
The biggest problem I am having being back in Australia is the ludicrous regulatory control there is on EVERYTHING. In Japan, if you make an honest mistake and explain yourself, (in my experience) you are let off. I found this with police, train staff, restaurant staff, work colleages, friends. Often laws/rules are not enforced in certain situations since people don't do it because its morally wrong, rather because its against the law. This common sense does not exist in Australia. I found that in Japan if you accept the system, you are basically free to act as you wish within the system as long as you follow the basic concepts of honesty and respect for others (and the follow-on of these such as not stealing, fighting etc). In Australia (and I assume The USA, too) merely following these basic concepts does not afford you the leniecies it does in Japan. Authority (and people generally) simply do not trust or respect others as they did in my experience in Japan (I was there 5 years).
I really miss the lack of regulatory control on my everyday life; I miss that I can't take the FD out on the freeway at night, check that a given stretch is clear, and see if I can crack 250kph on the return; I miss that every second person is not an armchair political expert; I miss that I don't have 20 friends within 10mins of my house, ready for a beer any night of the week; and I miss having the convenience of the city and the pristine peace of the mountains both at my doorstep (in Aus its one or the other).
What I don't miss is constantly being reminded that I am not Japanese, that no matter how many times I harvest my father-in-laws rice fields, I will never be a member of the local community rice board. I don't miss being excluded from company meetings because "I don't need to be there" even though the 80 year old coffee lady went to the meetings, and I don't miss that its always assumed that I can't speak Japanese, rather than assuming I can. These are the reasons I moved back to Australia.
Well that turned into a bit of a rant! Guess I needed to get it off my chest.
So Eric, I see you have that silver FD available? Did you end up using those extra parts I forgot about in the front aero box, or did you sell them? How much are you looking for the car? Since moving back I'm missing my FDs but can't justify the premium they go for here.
This might be slightly off topic, but how hard is it to find an automotive job in Japan. And also, I'm in the process of getting ASE certified in a 1.5 year program at Universal Technical Instute. Will that help the job hunting process over there? I assume there's more auto-related jobs in the big cities, right?
I did not get the same impression from the times I went to Australia.
I was on the other side in Perth most of the times I went. That I supose is much more country than your area. I found them to be the most laid back people on earth. Part of that impression I`m sure came from the fact that half the people I met were "zombies" or backpackers or both. I never spent that much money and partied like a rock star with my **** out at all times. I have had some fun nights out in Japan but Australia was better and cheaper.
Perth is like an alternate universe of the US where the hippies won in the 60`s.
I was on the other side in Perth most of the times I went. That I supose is much more country than your area. I found them to be the most laid back people on earth. Part of that impression I`m sure came from the fact that half the people I met were "zombies" or backpackers or both. I never spent that much money and partied like a rock star with my **** out at all times. I have had some fun nights out in Japan but Australia was better and cheaper.
Perth is like an alternate universe of the US where the hippies won in the 60`s.