Living in Japan

[Kyuketsuki]

I have low opinions on the Independant party; but the Green Party, despite what you feel about Ralph Nader (he was a cool guy after his car safety book and various other good causes), is also gaining more acceptance... of course, that's what I just see in my crazy liberal college town.

I don't really care for politics at all, myself. I just got a kick out of perot and the time because he had big ears at talked funny. (mentality of a 4 yr. old. XD )

 

[Elec]

I don't really care for politics at all, myself.

That's a shame; I love it.

I just got a kick out of perot and the time because he had big ears at talked funny. (mentality of a 4 yr. old. XD )

That's okay; while he did support some very good ideas (balanced budget, which Clinton got to; internet playing a role in elections, etc); he was kind of a shady dude who hired private investigators to check out his business opponents. And he was visibly irritated by the press.
...and the ears. :-*

 

[Romanticide]

I have to change the flow of conversation here but Cheatsy, beside from the other problems confronted about Japan, how are you gonna get a job?

Through my limited understanding, I think you need a degree or something to even secure a visa longer than 3 months. Even after doing that, I've read that it's hard for gaikokujin to land a job.

Also I've read that most foreigners who stay there eventually get fed up with Japan and beg to leave, even though some eventually get over it and accept Japan for what it is. Personally, I don't think if I'd be able to accept the 'gaijin mentality' becuase I'm a big advocate of tolerance and such. However, but if it be, then I'd have to trudge through the shit. Yet, I don't know if I want to be spitted on, though :/


And about the police force in Japan, I've heard many disturbing things. One of which is the way the Japanese see the news. It's like, the complete opposite of the news in the US where the top stories have to deal with crime and Iraq. I've read that there are certain words that broadcasters cannot say during the broadcasts. I gotta admit, it seems to make for a less depressive broadcast, but it's still just seems strange to me.

To anyone: Please correct me if I'm wrong about some stuff!

 

[Midori]

Back on TOPIC here....I live in Japan and I ain't NEVER goin' back to America, yo!

No, it's not easy. BUT it's not bad either. I dont worry about the police stuff because I dont make trouble. Simple as that. If you're a troublemaker, dont come. I dont think the police look at me and think "threat" (white female) - in fact, they will be nicer to me than to a Japanese person asking for help!

Things I like (since everything that's been said by most posters so far has been negative):
-Public transportation: Clean, safe, on time. And I dont have to drive! This also has lead to some weight loss since I walk more than I would in the US.

-General safety: crime happens everywhere, but cities in Japan are much safer than cities of comparable size in the US. I can go out at night and not be afraid someone is going to kill me or rape me or try to rob me.

-My JOB: yes, I love my job. I teach English to 1st-6th graders in elementary school. I play games and sing songs and have a really good time in general - AND I get paid for it. I get kisses and hugs from the little ones too. Though, I have to admit that I did get sexually assaulted by a gang of 1st grade girls yesterday and that was rather unpleasant...

-Speaking Japanese: I like that I can function in a second language. It makes me feel a bit more intelligent than the average American who wonders "why cant all them dang foriegners just speak English?!". And it's a challenge.

My main reason for being in Japan is cuz I like the men. I married a Japanese guy and am in the process of divorcing him. He cheated...which is kinda common here, but can happen anywhere (case in point, my own father). So, I'm looking for husband number 2.....which is why I'm still here!

 

[Elec]

Thanks, Midori, for bringing up why I loved it there the first time around. You can't "miss a train" because they show up every 5 minutes. I was never in harm's way (except when I got lost in Shinjuku and got followed by a guy who wanted me to come see his Russian ladies), and my job is going to be way cooler than almost anyone here except midori because it sounds like we have the same job.

 

[Aiko Valentine]

-Public transportation: Clean, safe, on time. And I dont have to drive! This also has lead to some weight loss since I walk more than I would in the US.

-General safety: crime happens everywhere, but cities in Japan are much safer than cities of comparable size in the US. I can go out at night and not be afraid someone is going to kill me or rape me or try to rob me.

Yes!! I love it! I really like the fact I could run around all night and day and not worry that much about all kinds of horrible things happening. Too bad the trains stop at midnight

I like the fact I can go to a convenience store and don't have only garbage as a choice. I miss onigiri and conbini bread!

Thanks, Midori, for bringing up why I loved it there the first time around. You can't "miss a train" because they show up every 5 minutes.

I lived in the Inaka, and if I missed a train it was a half hour wait for the next one

 

[Suspended Ideal]

Ahhh, Midori has the job which i want in a few years time. *__* Are you working through the JET program? I'm trying to find someone who's been working through the TEFL degree, who'd tell me what kinda process i'm looking at to work in Japan for a while.

 

[Kyuketsuki]

About the safty issue, I knew a guy who owned the cafe at my work who grew up there, and he said it was virtually crime-free. If you robbed someone, it would be like 'stealing from your brother', and there's cop boxes on almost every corner there to help you out, and that some people even leave their doors unlocked.

I had also read about how when a tourist had gone there, they got a kick out of the fact that the biggest headline at the time had been a string of kids spray-painting mailboxes or something to that degree.

 

[Cheatsy]

First of all, if I leave this country it won't be for another 5 years or so. 10 max, 3 minimum. So I have plenty of time to worry about all the technicalities. OK, after hearing the positives, there is still a chance. I like the low crime (its dangerous to walk around by yourself during the day around here) and the public transportation is a BIIIIG positive. Only times I have been late for work have been because of transportation problems.

I have been studying the Japanese language and am finding it somewhat easier than I thought, but still difficult. And I don't have too much trouble with pronunciation. I guess after hearing Japanese music and subtitled animes for about 8 years, helps you understand pronunciation quite well.

Thanks to everyone for helping me with information. Please keep it coming. I appreciate it greatly.

 

[shinzo]

This is kinda ontopic (mainly @ Midori's comment about general safety) But from what ive heard (albeit a mixture of farily unrelaible sources -_-) dosent Japan have a higher rape figure than alot of other countries? (i.e Europe and the majority of states in the US)

 

[Elec]

Ahhh, Midori has the job which i want in a few years time. *__* Are you working through the JET program? I'm trying to find someone who's been working through the TEFL degree, who'd tell me what kinda process i'm looking at to work in Japan for a while.

I'm currently doing JET right now; I leave in early August. I'm doing a TEFL seminar tomorrow afternoon, actually. I'll let scapers know how it went. :-P

Aiko: Haha; sorry, I didn't take inaka into effect... where were you, by the by? I was in Saitama (and will be again).

 

[Orunitier]

This is kinda ontopic (mainly @ Midori's comment about general safety) But from what ive heard (albeit a mixture of farily unrelaible sources -_-) dosent Japan have a higher rape figure than alot of other countries? (i.e Europe and the majority of states in the US)

No.
NationMaster.com has America at #1. With Japan at #18. Based on reported rapes and with countries that publish the stats. The rate is 20 times higher in the U.S. than in Japan.
http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~ad361896/anne/cease/rapestatisticspage.html

 

[sailorKa]

NationMaster.com

Kind of on-topic...

Murders (per capita) (guess who got #4 ^_^ )

...I'd move to Japan, USA, France, ANYWHERE!

As for moving to Japan, I recommend visiting other places in your own country meanwhile! ^^
Like, despite what everyone says, USA haves pretty cool stuff.
Like Poptarts, Disney, New York and Barnes & Nobles.

...And yeah, go first to Japan for a short while (one year or so) and see if you like it, but don't get a, uh, 5-year contract to work somewhere and then get tired of Japan during the middle of your stay. ^^;;

That's all I can say for now I guess. XD

--k

 

[flowersofnight]

Keep in mind that that's reported rapes, and I think there's probably quite a bit of difference between the USA and Japan as regards women's willingness to come forward and report. I'd take it with a grain of salt. America's rates of rape are indeed high compared with other Western nations, but I'd hesitate to compare directly with Japan.

 

[Eresjkigal]

i think when it comes to crime it's the other way round, it's the u.s. that has a high crime rate compared to other countries (unless perhaps poor countries). could be because i live in a small country, but here when someone spraypaints on something it could be headline news too... depending on what exactly it is though, and where they sprayed it on. i think japan isn't any safer or less safe then any other country, there are people living there (and loads of them too) and people can commit crimes no matter how much police there is. then again i can't judge because i haven't been there, nor do i have the desire to go there, but that's just what i think.
just wondering, what makes japan so special that people want to move there?

 

[sailorKa]

Keep in mind that that's reported rapes, and I think there's probably quite a bit of difference between the USA and Japan as regards women's willingness to come forward and report. I'd take it with a grain of salt. America's rates of rape are indeed high compared with other Western nations, but I'd hesitate to compare directly with Japan.

I guess it doesn't matter much to this topic since Cheatsy is a guy but...
There are many ways one can feel raped. >_<
Maybe USA has higher rates than Japan, but no one(?) in the US will steal your wife's underwear from your window() or buy used panties from a vending machine...or will sell themselves for a Prada handbag. >_<

My point originally was, Venezuela is not even on those charts but just the fact that you are female makes people(specially workers, poor people & truck drivers who stare at you while you wait for the bus ;.;) will suggest horrible things to you and make signs and lick their fingers...
...in USA that could count as Sexual harrasment.
Do people in Japan are like that? or in the USA?
There are many cultural things that don't get noticed by stadistics.

..and I think I didn't make the point clear. >_<; sorry.

--k

 

[rizumu]

Thanks, Midori, for bringing up why I loved it there the first time around. You can't "miss a train" because they show up every 5 minutes.

I lived in the Inaka, and if I missed a train it was a half hour wait for the next one

You can also miss the last train of the night. >< I was dangerously close to doing that when I couldn't figure out how the hell to get back to Bakurochou in Tokyo after a concert. The hotel I was staying at cheap and nice but NO TRAIN WENT THERE. I was like 5 minutes away from staying out all night.

But the transportation system is amazing. I miss being able to hop on a train and go anywhere. Japan gets so many points from me for that.

 

[Cheatsy]

I would definitely like that, because I personally HATE driving! Maybe it comes from years of being the one with the car, or the one with the working car. Who ends up driving everywhere for everyone. Driving has gotten annoying to me. So good public transportation is a major plus.

 

[Aiko Valentine]

Aiko: Haha; sorry, I didn't take inaka into effect... where were you, by the by? I was in Saitama (and will be again).

I was in Aichi-ken, close to the second biggest city (Toyohashi) but still rice-paddy heaven ::kisaki:: I like it better than the big city though. Our station wasn't even big enough to have an automatic ticket gate, the guy had to stamp them for us XD still had the ticket vending things though.

You can also miss the last train of the night. ><

I had a curfew though, but I did miss the last train in Osaka this year and had to crash at my friend's apartment (and slept in my sex pot clothes HAHAHA! it was fun).

Rape in Japan is tricky. If a woman goes into a man's apartment, then the police will ask the woman why the hell she went to his apartment. That's like automatically letting the man assume you want sex. :/ The police won't even report it then. If you are a female, the best way to not get raped is to never go to a man's apartment. I actually read a thread of loser foreign guys talking about how they could get away with rape if the girl goes into their apartment, because if the girl actually tried to report it, nobody would believe it was really rape.

*EDIT* I think this also applies to if a man goes into a woman's apartment, and he rapes her. Best to just be friends with gay men XD

 

[RedPanda]

Maybe the best advice would be, as people already said, staying there for about a year before you can decide anything. In that time you'll be able to understand how is it to work there, to be seen as a foreigner there, etc.
Some people seem to adapt well to that, while others seem to be more sensitive on this kind of stuff...