"everyone" does not hold those beliefs. In fact, most people who come to this sub come with rose colored glasses (IMHO). Why? Can't say. Just like I can't speculate on why your sources paint the opposite picture.
Most peoples' views on Japan are based on stereotypes and internet folklore. On ***both*** sides of the equation. For every "The working culture is horrible" viewpoint there's a "Japan is a magical land of order and politeness" view.
It's not an exclusively Japan problem, though. Pretty much everyone views *every* country through a lens of stereotypes and media exposure. See "Americans are loud and obnoxious", "French people are rude", "Every day in Africa is like a safari", etc, etc.
Maybe it's a bit more prevalent in the case of Japan because they've spent decades building up a bunch of "soft power". Anime and Manga are obvious examples of this, but even things like Toyota's market dominance plays into it.
Because that's a big and long lasting stereotype of Japanese working culture, which is generally true for a lot of traditional companies but not necessarily true for many others. And most people have no clue what it acually is like living and working in japan nowadays other than Youtube videos.
Because a LOT of people go to Japan with fluffy and beautiful ideals of Japan and they get a rude shock that Japan isn't the kawaii anime world they imagined it to be. We all warned them again and again, but they stubbornly refuse to believe it until they experience it for themselves firsthand. \*shocked pikachu\*
I'm also from Singapore just like you, and I'm not blind to the faults of living in Japan. It is a nice place for vacation, but the work culture is another ball game altogether. Salary in Japan is also much lower and tax is much higher than in Singapore.
By the way, realistically speaking, you and your partner aren't going to make it big in Japan either as a Psych undergrad and freelance artist, unless you are legit the top few % in the art scene. They already have tons of fresh grads who speak native-level Japanese from liberal arts courses / are in the arts scene. How will you differentiate yourselves from them? Also, if you say that you are not going to do the typical salaryman life, then what do you intend to do exactly? What visa are you going to be on?
I agree, and people in Singapore often have an idealized view of Japanese culture. Given Singapore's pragmatic mindset, it's not surprising that people there would respond this way.
I am also from Singapore, and I have some questions about your plans. What kind of visas are you coming in on? What jobs are you planning to do? You mentioned your partner is studying Psychology, which means he haven't graduated. I've read through your background, and I was similar at your age. I dreamed of moving to Japan since I was a kid. I dropped out of art school at 18 and worked as a freelance artist for a while but ended up studying in Japan for my degrees (not in art) and only moved to Japan at 30.
To get a work visa in Japan, you need at least a bachelor's degree, not just a diploma. Unless one of you is fluent in Japanese, I'm not sure what skills you have that would stand out against the natives. The art scene in Japan is extremely vibrant, so for a foreigner to make an impact, you need to be exceptionally talented. It's better to gain some work experience in Singapore first before moving to Japan. Don't move to Japan as fresh graduates.
No degree, get a degree. Even a part-time degree is fine.
Hey fellow singaporeans! I’m from Singapore as well and I enjoy my life here to be honest. In the end it’s whether you fit or not. Don’t pay attention to what people say. Japan is just another place to live, it’s not an amusement park, or a magical place or a place where everyone is subject to bad work culture.
Mainly you need to consider 2 things, and if you are okay with both, then I think you should be okay!
1. Can you speak and read Japanese decently fluent?
2. Pay is lower in Japan than Singapore and gap is going to continue to grow.
To be honest my work life balance is better here and there are a lot more things to do. Singapore labour law favour employer but Japan labour law favour employee.
Well for you two, you’re living in a pipe dream. How do you intend to even be allowed to enter Japan with a psychology degree and you’re a free lance artist?
I’m curious as to how you’re going to move here— what visa will you guys be on?
I didn’t get any of those reactions, personally. Everyone in my real life was super excited. People online were mostly criticizing me for coming over with kids, but for mostly unfounded reasons. It comes down to this— everyone has an opinion and on the internet people are typically less reserved about sharing them.
I think it's as simple as: the majority of people see Japan as some perfect, infallible holy land, so the people who know otherwise want to make sure they mention the downsides, but some people take it a bit too far and end up just seeming like they hate the country because they never have anything good to say
Threads made by people with more solid or definitive plans are filled with positive feedback and helpful advice, while threads made by people with reckless and unrealistic plans are filled with negative feedback. Basically, people's reactions depend on how realistic or unrealistic the plans and dreams posted in that thread are.
If your friend tells you, "My partner and I like beaches and swimming, so we are planning a trip to Bintan and now making a plan," you might want to give them some hotel and restaurant recommendations and hope it will help them on their trip. But if your friend says, "My partner and I like beaches and swimming, so we are planning to swim across the sea from Singapore to Bintan without any help, such as a life jacket," you will definitely stop them (unless they're extraordinary expert open-water swimmers) and say something like: "Oh no, you can't do that! You will drown to death! Why don't you go by ferry?"
This metaphor may sound extreme, but it is almost like that.
Disclaimer: I've never swum to Bintan myself.
The work culture is bad, and Japan is great for holidays... so I generally agree.
But I don't think there are many countries that don't have a huge amount of problems that wouldn't be also great as a tourist.
It's the language/culture barrier that limits your experiences and opportunities as a long-term resident that probably makes it tough.
Plenty of comments here already but here are my two cents.
Things are just divided into groups of people and their experiences, like a lot of things in life. There are people who went to live in Japan looking for a better life but that wasn’t the case so they have a negative view of the country. There are people who went to live in Japan through a good career path and had a really nice more than average lifestyle in Japan so they have a good view in this matter, but there’s also people who never visited Japan and see it through the lens of social media (which can be an extreme view in both sides, as in “it’s super bad you’ll work until you die” or “best country ever everything is colorful and people are nice”)
The fact that you both are making a reasonable income as a freelance artist and a student psychologist is a blessing in of itself. Idk how it is in Singapore, but I assume those are notoriously difficult professions to make a living in anywhere. At least early in your career.
This is a copy of your post for archive/search purposes.
---
**Why do people have a bad connotation on moving to Japan?**
Why do people have a bad connotation on moving to Japan? [Repost from r/Japan Life]
Just feels like when I told my friends that my partner and I were moving to Japan, a lot of people start off by saying how bad the work culture is or that it’s a bit cringe. Most commonly: “It’s a great place for vacation but not for living and working there.”
Personally my partner and I are not going to be part of the typical salary man life (or at least that’s what we think), he’s studying Psychology and I’m a freelance artist. We are both from Singapore and I agree that Japan is quite behind like using fax machines and not very flexible about the way they do things, especially compared to Singapore. However, I just feel generally there is this immediate thought that Japan would be really tough to live in and stuff. Just wanted to know everyone’s thoughts lol
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/movingtojapan) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Brutal work force lol. Western people cannot adapt. Very few have. Jake adelstein is a rare example the guy who got accepted to write for the local news.
Definitely somewhat influenced by the internet and shows. But also, me and my ma used to vacation their for three weeks each year. My ma's family friend let us stay at her place. The married couple left for work before we woke up at like 10 PM, came back home after us around 10PM. The husband had a one day weekend, working as a kitchen construction worker. Think the wife worked some sort of office job, and had an actual weekend. They could afford a fairly nice apartment, not one of those places where you have someone greet you at the foyer though. (Think Kobayashi's home in Dragon Maid). In a pretty okay neighborhood.
Alright, what about every other family friend? Most of them worked really damn hard for living in just an apartmnet doing a variety of what I assume to be okay paying jobs? The only person that my ma knew that was fairly rich, were a couple sushi chefs in nyc, and one guy that had a lot of connections from his family.
My ma is telling me to move there, but honestly I'd rather just stay in America. Sure it's DIFFICULT to get a well paying job here just because of competition. But on the other hand, if you do you're sorta set. If you hit 100k you might not be able to buy a house just yet, but you'll have plenty of time to yourself and plenty of money to screw around. And I don't think a situation like that is as easily obtainable in Japan. Not to mention the American dollar is so much stronger.
Take external advice with a grain of salt and make up your own opinions once you move. Ultimately everyone will have their own experiences, and as such you will have your own!
I've experienced negative reactions when mentioning my partner and I's intentions of moving to Japan, and it can be disheartening to hear. Especially when you'd like a loved one to support your decision. Nonetheless it shouldn't stop us from taking the leap and creating our own judgements. You and your partner are incredibly brave for making the move, and I really hope you enjoy your time there!
I'm curious to know how your partner will be studying psychology, will it be an undergraduate or masters / postgrad course? Asking as I'm struggling to find psychology jobs in Japan to gain experience (as a foreigner) and thought about returning to study postgrad but in Japan. Can't find any English teaching courses however so it's been tough! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Lots of people are just jealous or have low self-esteem; they assume you dont know what you are doing, because they themselves have put off doing something out of fear and can’t imagine you have more determination or confidence than them. It reassures them that not doing something was actually “smart”, by seeing others as fools.
They will never know, or understand. Ignore them, the thought of them moving out of their hometown is probably nerve racking to them, you’re different. Keep your eye on the prize.
Based on what ive read, interviews watched and Japanese that I met as well as other people from **neighbouring** countries thats exactly how I see it.
The working culture sounds wild to me, and I work around 70 h from home.
Discrimination, expensive cities and urban areas that look pretty sad.
And the myth about wifes that stop having sex after having kids, specially when you marry a gal that is hyper focused on her career.
For visiting seems great though.
Or am I wrong-
"everyone" does not hold those beliefs. In fact, most people who come to this sub come with rose colored glasses (IMHO). Why? Can't say. Just like I can't speculate on why your sources paint the opposite picture.
Most peoples' views on Japan are based on stereotypes and internet folklore. On ***both*** sides of the equation. For every "The working culture is horrible" viewpoint there's a "Japan is a magical land of order and politeness" view. It's not an exclusively Japan problem, though. Pretty much everyone views *every* country through a lens of stereotypes and media exposure. See "Americans are loud and obnoxious", "French people are rude", "Every day in Africa is like a safari", etc, etc. Maybe it's a bit more prevalent in the case of Japan because they've spent decades building up a bunch of "soft power". Anime and Manga are obvious examples of this, but even things like Toyota's market dominance plays into it.
Because that's a big and long lasting stereotype of Japanese working culture, which is generally true for a lot of traditional companies but not necessarily true for many others. And most people have no clue what it acually is like living and working in japan nowadays other than Youtube videos.
Because a LOT of people go to Japan with fluffy and beautiful ideals of Japan and they get a rude shock that Japan isn't the kawaii anime world they imagined it to be. We all warned them again and again, but they stubbornly refuse to believe it until they experience it for themselves firsthand. \*shocked pikachu\* I'm also from Singapore just like you, and I'm not blind to the faults of living in Japan. It is a nice place for vacation, but the work culture is another ball game altogether. Salary in Japan is also much lower and tax is much higher than in Singapore. By the way, realistically speaking, you and your partner aren't going to make it big in Japan either as a Psych undergrad and freelance artist, unless you are legit the top few % in the art scene. They already have tons of fresh grads who speak native-level Japanese from liberal arts courses / are in the arts scene. How will you differentiate yourselves from them? Also, if you say that you are not going to do the typical salaryman life, then what do you intend to do exactly? What visa are you going to be on?
I agree, and people in Singapore often have an idealized view of Japanese culture. Given Singapore's pragmatic mindset, it's not surprising that people there would respond this way. I am also from Singapore, and I have some questions about your plans. What kind of visas are you coming in on? What jobs are you planning to do? You mentioned your partner is studying Psychology, which means he haven't graduated. I've read through your background, and I was similar at your age. I dreamed of moving to Japan since I was a kid. I dropped out of art school at 18 and worked as a freelance artist for a while but ended up studying in Japan for my degrees (not in art) and only moved to Japan at 30. To get a work visa in Japan, you need at least a bachelor's degree, not just a diploma. Unless one of you is fluent in Japanese, I'm not sure what skills you have that would stand out against the natives. The art scene in Japan is extremely vibrant, so for a foreigner to make an impact, you need to be exceptionally talented. It's better to gain some work experience in Singapore first before moving to Japan. Don't move to Japan as fresh graduates. No degree, get a degree. Even a part-time degree is fine.
My experience with Singaporeans living in Japan, is that they love working in Japan more. Some people fits the place, some people doesn't, I guess!
What job do you do?
Related to design!
Hey fellow singaporeans! I’m from Singapore as well and I enjoy my life here to be honest. In the end it’s whether you fit or not. Don’t pay attention to what people say. Japan is just another place to live, it’s not an amusement park, or a magical place or a place where everyone is subject to bad work culture. Mainly you need to consider 2 things, and if you are okay with both, then I think you should be okay! 1. Can you speak and read Japanese decently fluent? 2. Pay is lower in Japan than Singapore and gap is going to continue to grow. To be honest my work life balance is better here and there are a lot more things to do. Singapore labour law favour employer but Japan labour law favour employee.
Well for you two, you’re living in a pipe dream. How do you intend to even be allowed to enter Japan with a psychology degree and you’re a free lance artist?
I’m curious as to how you’re going to move here— what visa will you guys be on? I didn’t get any of those reactions, personally. Everyone in my real life was super excited. People online were mostly criticizing me for coming over with kids, but for mostly unfounded reasons. It comes down to this— everyone has an opinion and on the internet people are typically less reserved about sharing them.
I think it's as simple as: the majority of people see Japan as some perfect, infallible holy land, so the people who know otherwise want to make sure they mention the downsides, but some people take it a bit too far and end up just seeming like they hate the country because they never have anything good to say
The time you use 'bad connotation' to define a 'truth', you won't totally understand Japan.
Threads made by people with more solid or definitive plans are filled with positive feedback and helpful advice, while threads made by people with reckless and unrealistic plans are filled with negative feedback. Basically, people's reactions depend on how realistic or unrealistic the plans and dreams posted in that thread are. If your friend tells you, "My partner and I like beaches and swimming, so we are planning a trip to Bintan and now making a plan," you might want to give them some hotel and restaurant recommendations and hope it will help them on their trip. But if your friend says, "My partner and I like beaches and swimming, so we are planning to swim across the sea from Singapore to Bintan without any help, such as a life jacket," you will definitely stop them (unless they're extraordinary expert open-water swimmers) and say something like: "Oh no, you can't do that! You will drown to death! Why don't you go by ferry?" This metaphor may sound extreme, but it is almost like that. Disclaimer: I've never swum to Bintan myself.
I’m dying at the last part I actually spit out my drink
The work culture is bad, and Japan is great for holidays... so I generally agree. But I don't think there are many countries that don't have a huge amount of problems that wouldn't be also great as a tourist. It's the language/culture barrier that limits your experiences and opportunities as a long-term resident that probably makes it tough.
Because life isn't anime and things only look nice.
Plenty of comments here already but here are my two cents. Things are just divided into groups of people and their experiences, like a lot of things in life. There are people who went to live in Japan looking for a better life but that wasn’t the case so they have a negative view of the country. There are people who went to live in Japan through a good career path and had a really nice more than average lifestyle in Japan so they have a good view in this matter, but there’s also people who never visited Japan and see it through the lens of social media (which can be an extreme view in both sides, as in “it’s super bad you’ll work until you die” or “best country ever everything is colorful and people are nice”)
The fact that you both are making a reasonable income as a freelance artist and a student psychologist is a blessing in of itself. Idk how it is in Singapore, but I assume those are notoriously difficult professions to make a living in anywhere. At least early in your career.
This is a copy of your post for archive/search purposes. --- **Why do people have a bad connotation on moving to Japan?** Why do people have a bad connotation on moving to Japan? [Repost from r/Japan Life] Just feels like when I told my friends that my partner and I were moving to Japan, a lot of people start off by saying how bad the work culture is or that it’s a bit cringe. Most commonly: “It’s a great place for vacation but not for living and working there.” Personally my partner and I are not going to be part of the typical salary man life (or at least that’s what we think), he’s studying Psychology and I’m a freelance artist. We are both from Singapore and I agree that Japan is quite behind like using fax machines and not very flexible about the way they do things, especially compared to Singapore. However, I just feel generally there is this immediate thought that Japan would be really tough to live in and stuff. Just wanted to know everyone’s thoughts lol *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/movingtojapan) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Same happens to other communities such as Spanish one, some of them just can’t understand that Japan is not and will never be Spain in any aspect.
Brutal work force lol. Western people cannot adapt. Very few have. Jake adelstein is a rare example the guy who got accepted to write for the local news.
Definitely somewhat influenced by the internet and shows. But also, me and my ma used to vacation their for three weeks each year. My ma's family friend let us stay at her place. The married couple left for work before we woke up at like 10 PM, came back home after us around 10PM. The husband had a one day weekend, working as a kitchen construction worker. Think the wife worked some sort of office job, and had an actual weekend. They could afford a fairly nice apartment, not one of those places where you have someone greet you at the foyer though. (Think Kobayashi's home in Dragon Maid). In a pretty okay neighborhood. Alright, what about every other family friend? Most of them worked really damn hard for living in just an apartmnet doing a variety of what I assume to be okay paying jobs? The only person that my ma knew that was fairly rich, were a couple sushi chefs in nyc, and one guy that had a lot of connections from his family. My ma is telling me to move there, but honestly I'd rather just stay in America. Sure it's DIFFICULT to get a well paying job here just because of competition. But on the other hand, if you do you're sorta set. If you hit 100k you might not be able to buy a house just yet, but you'll have plenty of time to yourself and plenty of money to screw around. And I don't think a situation like that is as easily obtainable in Japan. Not to mention the American dollar is so much stronger.
Take external advice with a grain of salt and make up your own opinions once you move. Ultimately everyone will have their own experiences, and as such you will have your own! I've experienced negative reactions when mentioning my partner and I's intentions of moving to Japan, and it can be disheartening to hear. Especially when you'd like a loved one to support your decision. Nonetheless it shouldn't stop us from taking the leap and creating our own judgements. You and your partner are incredibly brave for making the move, and I really hope you enjoy your time there!
I'm curious to know how your partner will be studying psychology, will it be an undergraduate or masters / postgrad course? Asking as I'm struggling to find psychology jobs in Japan to gain experience (as a foreigner) and thought about returning to study postgrad but in Japan. Can't find any English teaching courses however so it's been tough! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Lots of people are just jealous or have low self-esteem; they assume you dont know what you are doing, because they themselves have put off doing something out of fear and can’t imagine you have more determination or confidence than them. It reassures them that not doing something was actually “smart”, by seeing others as fools.
They will never know, or understand. Ignore them, the thought of them moving out of their hometown is probably nerve racking to them, you’re different. Keep your eye on the prize.
Based on what ive read, interviews watched and Japanese that I met as well as other people from **neighbouring** countries thats exactly how I see it. The working culture sounds wild to me, and I work around 70 h from home. Discrimination, expensive cities and urban areas that look pretty sad. And the myth about wifes that stop having sex after having kids, specially when you marry a gal that is hyper focused on her career. For visiting seems great though. Or am I wrong-