Why You Shouldn’t Move to Japan (And Conditions for Those Who Should)

I often receive comments and messages saying “My dream is to live in Japan.” As a Japanese living in Japan, on one hand, I am happy and honored about it, but on the other hand, I have mixed feelings too. It’s because I actually hope to leave Japan in the near future. But how did a Japanese man like me end up thinking this way?

So today, I will talk about the three main reasons why I personally cannot recommend you to live in Japan. The three reasons will get more and more important towards the end, so I hope you can stay with me until the end. Lastly, I will also like to list the kind of people who ARE suited to live in Japan.

Before I move on, I need to make it clear to you that the purpose of making this video is not to lessen the number of people living in Japan. My life's goal is to try to make as many people happy as possible, so I wish that the information I share will be useful for anyone trying to plan their future. If there’s anything else you’d like to know more about living in Japan, please let me know in the comments!

In this channel, you can take a closer look at Japanese traditional culture, tips on traveling to Kyoto, and social problems in Japan. So learners and lovers of Japanese language and culture, be sure to subscribe to enjoy more content!

*The content is based on personal studies and experience
There is no intention of denying other theories and cultural aspects

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▼Related videos in this channel▼
-Why Japan is the Most Difficult Country to Have Children | The Shrinking Population
-Why Japanese are the Most Unwilling to Help Others in the World
-5 Most Annoying OUTDATED Business Rules in Japan

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“To make every Japan lovers’ dream come true, by making Japan a more secure, comfortable, and safer place for everyone to visit, study, and live in”

I will be using the profit I gain from this channel at restaurants, hotels, and cultural facilities in Kyoto to introduce them. The more you watch the videos on this channel, Kyoto and Japan will become a more exciting place, and you can support your own and others’ dreams in the future even more.

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[Timecodes]
0:00 Let's START!

♪Music♪
おとわび
トーマス大森音楽工房
ぽるぽるMusic
しゃろう Sharou
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♪Sound effects♪
効果音ラボ

♪Pictures♪
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#japan #japanesesociety #movingtojapan #livinginjapan

[LetsaskShogo]

▼Please support me through Ko-fi (a donation platform like Patreon)▼

▼Let's ask Shogo Merchandise Shop▼
Where you can buy t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, stickers, etc. of cute Ukiyoe animal characters and logos of Let’s ask Shogo:

▼The BEST online katana shop for decorations and cosplay: Mini Katana▼
*Get 15% OFF off all their products by purchasing through my affiliate link

▼Where you can meet me in Kyoto, Japan | Yushinkan Samurai Experience with Modern-day Musashi▼
A 90 minute experience in Japan where beginners can learn how to wield, draw, sheath, and swing the katana from the modern-day Musashi! I, Shogo, will be your interperter to lead you into the wonderful world of samurai martial arts!

▼Who is Shogo? What is this channel about?▼

▼Related videos in this channel▼
-Why Japan is the Most Difficult Country to Have Children | The Shrinking Population
-Why Japanese are the Most Unwilling to Help Others in the World
-5 Most Annoying OUTDATED Business Rules in Japan

▼MY DREAM▼

“To make every Japan lovers’ dream come true, by making Japan a more secure, comfortable, and safer place for everyone to visit, study, and live in”

I will be using the profit I gain from this channel at restaurants, hotels, and cultural facilities in Kyoto to introduce them. The more you watch the videos on this channel, Kyoto and Japan will become a more exciting place, and you can support your own and others’ dreams in the future even more.

▼Join our Membership▼
The ticket to the front row seats to Shogo's rapid adventure to make his dream come true! Through the videos, lives, and zoom chats your ideas and opinions will be adopted for Shogo to make the right decisions for his challenges!

●Membership benefits
-Limited behind-the-scene videos
-Weekly Zoom call or live stream
-Priority reply to comments

▼Sub-channel: “Shogo’s Podcast”▼

▼Instagram▼
*Please ask me questions through the DM here!（⚠I do not use e-mail）

[Hashiriya]

Visiting a foreign country for vacation for one week, 2 weeks, or a month versus working and living in a foreign country long term wise or permanently are two vast completely different experiences.

[sirbagelsworth]

When I took Japanese classes in college about a decade ago, my teacher (who was a 70 year old Japanese woman at the time) said she hated how Japan's Educational System worked since it didn't excite or engage students and encourage them to learn. She occasionally returns to Japan to teach English and her methods are seen as radical and extreme by those in charge but her Japanese students love it.

[kiyukikinjo]

My Japanese parents left Japan because of many of the social and economic problems. I am grateful! Now in university, I work to talk about these things because in America, there is such a strong sense of Japanophilia that I want people to understand is misguided. No country is perfect. This is an awesome video! Not enough Japanese speak about these things I have found…

[Sam-czbz]

I have to admit, this man's brutal honesty is very admirable. This man is a breath of fresh a air.

[crazymike]

My friend who teaches English in Japan, and had been there for almost 10 years now. Has struggles with the hierarchical system Japan has professionally. At one of the previous schools he worked at the lead English teacher (English director?) Didn't even know any English he just happened to be the oldest teacher there.. so my friend left and went to where he is currently working and was actually promoted in this school to running the English teaching program. But the owner of the school lived abroad for many years and brought what he learned back to Japan with him.

[cdanielh]

As a 40+ year old who traveled for over a decade before settling down, I think the romanticisms of a new life and new country and culture can be very intoxicating. The reality is that life's problems will never be far behind and you must feel comfortable with yourself where you are if you are to truly be happy. Happiness is not a place but a lifestyle. It took me years to find this out and I will spend my life learning to follow it.

[sofjanmustopoh]

You are honest, direct and outspoken .
Many older Japanese would be aghast.
But this is what Japan needed now.
The writing in the wall is very clear .

I sincerely hope you succeed wherever you landed . And Japan succeeded in averting the decline .

[igorilienko]

I lived in Japan for half a year. Faced pressure from older people who forbade me to lead an independent lifestyle. Lots of restrictions and rules. I left for Spain. it's a huge difference. Here I can feel free and do what I love without violating the laws of the country.

[marywenzel]

I lived in Japan for six years in the 1990s and it was the most meaningful experience of my life. However I eventually decided to return home because I knew at as a gaijin, I could never progress to being more than a curiosity. For someone such as yourself who is very dynamic and enjoys interacting with international people, I think Japanese society is too repressive for maximizing happiness or personal impact. I’m glad to hear that you do not want to abandon your country altogether. A life as a “roving ambassador“ for Japanese culture that allows you to make frequent visits home is probably your best bet. You are a refreshing paradox: a young man who is so deeply invested in traditional Japanese culture of the historic past while at the same time being so modern in your outlook. I commend you on your English, which is the best I have heard from a Japanese speaker who was not raised in an English speaking country. As for where you should go, the world is your oyster! Canada, Brazil and the west coast of the United States all have large communities of Japanese expats, and might have the greatest opportunities for making contacts with Westerners interested in your classes. There is a great deal of interest in Japanese language and culture at the university level and it’s a real challenge to find enough Japanese professors. If you could become a visiting lecturer that would be an excellent way to travel to different regions and get your message out. Gambatte! I hope your dream comes true and you have a new subscriber.

[checkdestroy]

Forward thinking individuals are often silenced or kept down in East Asia. Hope you stay and help make Japan a more tolerant and open-minded place.

[Geoplanetjane]

After being in Japan as a foreign official, I tried working there as a civilian. As a woman, I was treated horribly, all promises made verbally were conveniently forgotten. I lasted less than a year. So if you go, have enough passive income to support yourself before going there, and if you want to do something online, have the gig arranged and working before you go. There are official exchange programs in which you work as an official English teacher or in a local or prefectural government office. It’s called JET.

[apollodomingo]

I currently live in Japan and I plan to retire here in the future, I really hope Japan stays a bustling country, so videos like this need to get around so more Japanese people can realize what’s going on.

[ChollieD]

Fuji is a basalt volcano, which means that its lava runs hot and fast (low viscosity). However, it is very UNlikely to explode like Mt. Saint Helens in the U.S. for exactly the same reason. The earthquakes are far more likely to cause mass casualties and property destruction.

[imizamonster]

I know many foreigners here in Japan that came on the dream of living here... they suffer with depression & anxiety but feel stuck here in one way or another. Some people will also thrive here though so every experience is different. I have to admit, I'm terrified of the natural disasters & it feels like there's been a lot of earthquakes recently near Tokyo area 😖

[vagabond]

I live in the DC area in the USA and have known a small community of young Japanese aupairs and staff from the embassy who are in their early/mid 20s. After having lived here for about a year or two, a common theme I had been noticing is that a number of them have had a lot of anxieties about returning back to Japan and living there again. I never pry too much, but when the common response was being socially “trapped in a box” (particularly in relation to elders), your video definitely sheds some light on that sentiment.

[michaeledwards]

I remember when I was younger I wanted to live in Japan. After learning more about it, I'm glad I didn't pursue it. I would however, strongly recommend it to visit Japan, as it was one of the most amazing and unique place I've ever been. I can't wait until next time!

Thanks for the videos! Your honest information is second to none!

[brianc]

I lived in Japan for a couple years and I have a fiance there. The worst part for me was the work culture, but still, I preferred to live in Japan way more than the U.S. In Japan, my lifestyle was healthier, people were more friendly and helpful, the environments were quiet and clean and safe, also all the nerdy stuff you could want. I'm planning to move back ASAP.

[cleffa]

i think is easy to say that "I want to live in xxx". But once you get to really know the country, the environment, the culture, it is only then you would know the pros and cons of a country.

Like for example, the work life balance is not really seen in Japan. When I was in Japan, staying a hotel that is opposite a office building, you could see people still working at night on weekend and weekdays. Also, like is mentioned in video, the hierarchy in workplace is strong.

Not that i dont love Japan. I love every countries but I think the sentence of "I want to live in xxx" should not be said easily not knowing what you are getting yourselves into.

[tobyevans]

Shogo, you should teach traditional Japanese culture in Brazil. There are a lot of Brazilians of Japanese descent who would be interested in learning Japanese traditions. Also, in Peru, which is close to Brazil.