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Living in Japan

Is there anyone who's been in Japan and could tell me a bit about it?

I'd like to know things such as:

Living expenses:
-residential fees
-foods

How fast can one learn Japanese to speak at least very basic conversation?

If I were to live in a big city, can I expect most of the people to speak English?

What kind of profession is in demand? Is computer one such profession?

What's the average starting salary of most IT profession?

How stressful/competitive is the environment in general? I know Singapore is highly stressful and competitive, coz I've lived there too.

How easy is it to get a working permit? What about some sort of permanent residence (not necessarily citizenship)

Are most Japanese sensitive? I've lived with a Japanese rm and had Japanese friends. Most of the time we couldn't get along too well, because well I'm too blunt for them... it's not that I'm rude or have a habit of swearing, because I really don't. Rather I tend to be a bit direct to ppl whom I know... Hey I live in US ^^

As a chinese, how conspicuous would I be? I don't look extremely Chinese, a bit taller than most, bigger eyes, sharper nose and such...

What do ppl do on weekends? What sort of entertainment is popular?

Where or how do ppl (around 25yr old) over there usually make friends? ie. bar, or office, or religous communities etc?

Why am I asking this? 0_o I'm bored living in US, tired of the smog and the traffic in LA, ^^; Japan looks like a very nice, relaxing romantic, nostalgic place in comparison, much like Seattle, WA though I could be wrong.

Thx in adv

- Malchiel
Thursday, February 3, 2005

Howdy,

>foods

Yummy, if you can get over any food predjudices regarding dead, cold things. I love Japanese food. Tempura! Sushi! Soba! Ramen! Yum!

>How fast can one learn Japanese to speak at least very basic conversation?

Depends on how hard you work and what you consider basic. Japanese is regarded as a fairly hard language. But for a different take, read this essay I wrote here:

http://www.allanime.de/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=1450&sid=877059d28104f01a17aae929cf55bd9c

>If I were to live in a big city, can I expect most of the people to speak English?

No. In Japan, the English language is beaten with sticks and it cowers, shivering, in the corner.

>What kind of profession is in demand? Is computer one such profession? What's the average starting salary of most IT profession?

Try checking job boards. You'll likely need to be proficient in reading business Japanese.

>How stressful/competitive is the environment in general?

As a foreigner, you will be exempt from a lot of the job politics, but depending on your tolerence for Japanese culture, it can be stressful. It can be a lot of fun too.

>How easy is it to get a working permit? What about some sort of permanent residence (not necessarily citizenship)

You'll likely need an offer of employment before you arrive.

>Are most Japanese sensitive?

Yes and no. Japanese culture as a whole is much more reserved and polite than the US, and is based on strict hierarchies. If you are uncomfortable restraining yourself, it's not the best culture to try to fit into.

>What do ppl do on weekends? What sort of entertainment is popular?

Japan's a modern nation. They do much the same as we do in the US.

>Where or how do ppl (around 25yr old) over there usually make friends? ie. bar, or office, or religous communities etc?

work, activity groups and previous schoolmate's circles.

>Japan looks like a very nice, relaxing romantic, nostalgic place in comparison, much like Seattle, WA though I could be wrong.

You are wrong, unless you get out in the sticks.

Best,

Dave

- dDave
Thursday, February 3, 2005

I think what I saw in and around Tokyo was just marvelous. And the ride in from Narita made it clear that the rest of the country was much nicer.

But I'd have to live in Fukuoka or some such place to afford a place big enough for all my stuff (even the essentials).

- seaweb
Sunday, February 6, 2005

Depending on your academic background you might get a Japanese scholarship. That would take care both of living expenses, accommodation, permits, work (academic work for the scholarship) and even language course. At least that is what it did fo rme. Scholars were in demand back then, I guess it still is today.

I spent 2 years, 2 classes a week, 2 hours each class plus another 2 hours preparation on language classes. That was sufficient for me to pass nihongonoryokushiken level 4 and 3 (level 1 is the most advanced) and that is sufficient for simple conversation but NOT anywhere near proficient.

Not that many speak English, or rather many feel so unsure that they won't speak it. There are of course variations, medium well dressed women in the age bracket 25 - 35 is more likely to speak English than most others. Some places, like the city of Tsukuba, has a lot of people speaking English. Still, you are better off learning some Japanese quickly.

- C_P
Monday, February 7, 2005

Thank you for the replies :)

Whew... I really wanna go and check out Japan asap. It just sounds like such a nice place to be in. Time will tell I guess.

- Malchiel
Monday, February 7, 2005

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