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アフィリエイト広告 Relocation

Expat's Journey: Share Your Adventure Life in Japan

It is truly valuable for us to listen to the experiences of expats who have chosen to make Japan their new home.

TechJourney Japan has had the privilege of interviewing individuals who have successfully immigrated to Japan and sharing their stories with others contemplating a similar journey.

Given that approximately 90% of our blog's readers are foreigners, we believe this article will be exceptionally helpful.

Our blog is dedicated to providing valuable information about life in Japan for those contemplating a move to this country. We encourage you to bookmark this page and visit us regularly.

[ Interview Session 1] Ms. Rein : Her Journey of Studying in Japan

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In this interview, we had the pleasure of speaking with Ms. Rein, who not only studied abroad in Japan but also secured a job and made Japan her new home.

At the age of 20, she decided to come to Japan to pursue a degree in business administration at a Japanese university.

During our conversation, we had the opportunity to ask her about her past experiences and her current life in Japan.

Q1. Why Did You Choose to Study at a Japanese University?

Ms. Rein: "I chose to study at a Japanese university because I wanted to immerse myself in Japanese culture. My fascination with the world of anime dates back to my childhood, and I was determined to ensure that the vibrant scenes depicted in anime were not mere fantasies, but tangible realities in this world."

--What did you think when you came to Japan in the first place?

Ms. Rein: "I was captivated by the landscapes that were unlike anything I had ever seen in my hometown. It was a peculiar sensation as if I had been born into the world I had always yearned to explore."

--What did you do while studying abroad?

Ms. Rein: "I was studying business administration and working part-time to make ends meet. During the initial months in Japan, I could only manage to explore as a tourist. I do have some regrets about that, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Those regrets eventually transformed into my motivation and played a pivotal role in my decision to relocate to Japan."

Q2. What inspired your decision to pursue work in Japan?

Ms. Rein: "As I mentioned earlier, my initial enthusiasm for Japan was primarily focused on sightseeing during my study abroad. However, once I completed my studies, the majority of my time was dedicated to studying and working part-time. When the time came to search for employment, I contemplated whether to return to my hometown or seek work in Japan. It soon became clear to me that returning home held little purpose; I would essentially be doing the same things in Japan that I could have done back in my hometown. In light of this realization, I decided to pursue a job in Japan and live in the country I had always dreamed of."

--Did you have any concerns?

Ms. Rein: "Thanks to four years of university-level language studies, I can now speak Japanese fluently enough to live here comfortably without any inconvenience."

--Did you find the Japanese language difficult?

Ms. Rein: "I still find it quite challenging, especially when it comes to the finer details, like kanji. While I can hold conversations, writing and reading remain particularly tough for me."

--You mentioned that you have been working in Japan for 2 years, how is the work you do in Japan?

Rein: "I'm a manufacturer-type person, but I honestly feel that I'm not stimulated enough. My father was busy working every day, but I worked quite comfortably. I feel that this is both a good and a bad thing about Japanese companies."


Q3. How do you spend your holidays?

--What do you do on your days off?

Ms. Rein: "I travel once every two months. I took a job in Japan because I wanted to explore, something I couldn't do when I was a student. Now, I visit places I admire and work towards my goal of increasing the number of site visits."

--Apart from travel?

Ms. Rein: "I have a side hustle, and I'm also into running. There are running teams all over Japan, and on my days off, I enjoy running with my buddies."

--What do you do on the side business?

Ms. Rein: "I have it more of a side job, where I assist my father with his business. He's the president of a system integrator company. I can work remotely, and my role involves supporting his sales team."

--Did your father influence you to study business administration?

Ms. Rein: "Yes, he's my role model. I aspire to start my own business once I reach the age of 35."

--Is Japan the place to start a business?

Ms. Rein: "Yes, I'm considering starting a business in Japan."

--What would be the reason?

Ms. Rein: "My hometown is known for its thriving startup ecosystem. However, it's quite competitive there, with numerous rivals. On the other hand, in Japan, there are relatively few startups, resulting in less competition."

Q4. Were there any aspects of finding a job or relocating to Japan that you wish had gone differently or that you regret?

Ms. Rein: "One of my regrets about finding a job in Japan is dealing with the crowded trains. The daily commute on packed trains can be incredibly stressful."

--is there anything else?

Ms. Rein: "Another issue I've encountered is the less-than-ideal relationship between superiors and subordinates. I find it disheartening that there's often a tendency for subordinates to unquestionably follow their bosses. Sometimes, a subordinate might have a highly creative idea with the potential to become a multi-million yen business, but it often goes unappreciated by the boss. It's a very 'Japanese' phenomenon."

--Do you have any regrets in your life?

Ms. Rein: "Regarding the quality of life, there's nothing in particular to complain about. If anything, it's even better than back home; living here is truly enjoyable."

--Have you ever regretted moving here?

Ms. Rein: "One thing that's certain is that I don't get to see my family, and I lack close friends, which leads to feelings of loneliness every day."


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[ Interview Session 2] Discovering Mark's Journey: A Native of Los Angeles Finds a New Home in Japan

Mark, now 30, embarked on his journey to Japan at the age of 27. What prompted this decision at such a young age?

Q1. What motivated your decision to move to Japan?

Mark shared, "I have always admired the safety and culture of Japan. During a college graduation trip, I visited Japan, and something about the experience struck a chord with me. It made me think, 'I could live here and die happy.'"

Q2. Tell us about your first experience in Japan.

Mark shared, "I was amazed by the cityscape. The first time I went to Japan, I visited Kyoto and Kobe, and the scenery resembled what I had seen in anime. It felt like I was living in a dream or an anime world. The most surprising aspect was the scenery in Kobe. Despite being an urban city, there were mountains rising nearby—a sight unimaginable in my hometown."

Q3. What factors ultimately influenced your decision to relocate to Japan?

Mark explained, "After graduating from college, I was working as an IT engineer in my hometown when I came across an ad that caught my eye: 'IT engineer wanted in Japan with English skills! English Speaking IT Engineers Wanted.' I thought, 'If I'm going to immigrate, this is the time to do it!' I went through an interview process and passed easily. Now, I'm working as an IT engineer in Japan for a global company, and I occasionally go on sales calls where I have to use English."

Q4. Why did you choose Kobe as your place of residence?

Mark shared, "I enjoy mountain climbing. In my hometown, I had to drive about 2 hours to reach the mountains. However, in Kobe, you can access the mountains within a few minutes on foot. That is the primary reason. Thanks to this, I can now take a walk in the mountains before work or go climbing whenever I want on the weekends."

Q5. How has your experience been since moving to Japan?

Mark expressed, "It's great. Every day, I feel grateful that I chose to immigrate at a young age. If you move when you're older, the language barrier might be challenging, but by relocating while you're young, you can pick up Japanese quickly. Now, in my third year in Japan, I can speak Japanese well enough to navigate daily life."

Q6. Do you have any advice for individuals contemplating a move to Japan?

Mark advised, "If you have a strong desire for a place, make the decision as soon as possible. Delaying your longing and decision might lead you to give up on emigrating due to age or job position. I recommend moving while you are young and have little to lose."



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