8 Reasons why you shouldn't move to Japan. | Indian in Japan.

Summary

This video highlights the challenges and realities of living in Japan, focusing on key aspects like language barriers, food difficulties, housing, job opportunities, and transportation. It emphasizes the struggles faced by foreigners, particularly regarding language, where lack of Japanese proficiency can lead to dependency on others for basic tasks. The video also explores issues like expensive housing, the complexity of obtaining permanent residency, and the high cost of maintaining a car. Medical emergencies, job market expectations, and the importance of adjusting one’s expectations when moving to Japan are also discussed, giving viewers a comprehensive view of life in the country.

Takeaways

• 😀 Learning Japanese is essential for living in Japan, as it can be difficult to navigate daily life without language skills.
• 🍔 Vegetarian options in Japan are extremely limited, even at places like McDonald's, which may cook food with animal fats like pork or beef tallow.
• 🥘 Cooking for yourself is necessary in Japan, as eating out every day can be difficult, and food options can be limiting, especially for vegetarians.
• 🛠️ Doing everything yourself, such as cooking and washing clothes, becomes a challenge, especially after a full workday.
• 🌍 Job opportunities in Japan require a good understanding of Japanese, even for English-based jobs, and higher proficiency can be a significant advantage in landing a job.
• 🏠 Obtaining permanent residency in Japan can take a long time, often requiring 10+ years, and is difficult without a good command of the Japanese language.
• 💸 Housing in Japan is expensive, especially in cities like Tokyo, where rent for a one-room apartment can cost around 80,000 yen. Living further from the city center may reduce costs but increase commuting time.
• 🚗 Owning a car in Japan can be very costly, with expenses like insurance, parking fees, and maintenance adding up, even if the car is not driven frequently.
• 🅿️ Parking in Japan is not included in rent, and an additional fee for parking can range from 7,000 to 30,000 yen per month, depending on the area.
• 🏥 Medical care in Japan requires going to a hospital for prescriptions, as over-the-counter medications like painkillers are not readily available. Additionally, prescriptions cannot be adjusted to exclude unwanted medications.

Q & A

Why is it important to learn Japanese before coming to Japan?

Learning Japanese is crucial because, without it, you may feel like a child when interacting with others, especially for basic tasks like asking for help or navigating daily activities. It can become a significant barrier in the long run.

What challenges do vegetarians face in Japan?

Vegetarians face difficulties because many food options, including those at popular fast-food chains like McDonald's, use animal products, such as animal fats or oils. This makes it challenging to find vegetarian-friendly meals.

What is the biggest issue related to food in Japan for newcomers?

The biggest issue is that food options may not match your expectations, especially if you're vegetarian. Additionally, cooking for yourself after a long workday can be exhausting, leaving you with limited options for dining out.

Is it easy to find a job in Japan with a basic level of Japanese?

No, it's quite challenging. Even with an N3 or N4 level of Japanese, many companies still require fluency in both English and Japanese at a business level, which can limit job opportunities for non-fluent speakers.

What are the challenges in obtaining permanent residency in Japan?

Obtaining permanent residency in Japan is difficult due to stringent guidelines. You need to have a solid connection to the country, speak Japanese fluently, and meet other requirements, which can take over 10 years, especially if you're not in a prestigious company.

How expensive is housing in Japan compared to India?

Housing in Japan is much more expensive than in India. Apartments in cities like Tokyo are smaller and cost significantly more. Additionally, housing quality may not be as high, with Japanese apartments typically being smaller and built with lighter materials like wood.

What are the hidden costs of renting a house in Japan?

Apart from high rent, you'll face additional non-refundable fees like key money, initial deposits, and maintenance costs. Parking spaces are also not included in the rent and must be rented separately, adding extra expenses.

How does public transportation in Japan compare to owning a car?

Public transportation in Japan is efficient and widely used, but there are situations where owning a car is necessary, especially for shopping or other specific needs. However, the cost of owning a car in Japan, including parking, insurance, and maintenance, can be high.

What are the challenges of getting a driving license in Japan as a foreigner?

Getting a driving license in Japan as a foreigner can be difficult. Although you can translate your Indian driving license to Japanese, you still have to pass a written and practical test. The process is time-consuming and costly, with driving schools and tests requiring a significant financial and time investment.

What is the medical system like in Japan for foreigners?

In Japan, you cannot easily access over-the-counter medicines like in other countries. If you have a minor illness like a fever, you'll need to visit a doctor, get a prescription, and then go to a pharmacy. Additionally, some prescribed medications cannot be excluded from the prescription, which can add to your costs.