Japanese Language

This is a significant deterrent. While it's manageable for tourism and basic living, deeper life needs become extremely inconvenient without Japanese.

After moving to Japan, you'll inevitably interact with Japanese society extensively, unlike in the US, where, for example, many Chinese people can spend their entire lives in Chinese districts without speaking English. This isn't the case in Japan

.

Shopping as a tourist without knowing Japanese is fine. However, visiting hospitals, tax offices, municipal offices, enrolling children in schools, and applying for loans without Japanese knowledge, though not impossible, will limit your options and likely lead to many misunderstandings, making the process arduous.

Unless you can afford a personal translator, it's essential to learn basic Japanese.

Learning the language of the country you're living in is normal. Without it, you're isolated from the surrounding world, losing the ability to explore, which contradicts the freedom sought by immigration.

Work Environment

This is subjective. For IT professionals accustomed to high income, challenging business targets, and flexible work environments in China or the US, adapting to the Japanese corporate environment might be challenging. For a laborer from China who couldn't afford to live in Shanghai, moving to Japan might allow them to become a Tokyo resident.

So, what issues with Japanese companies might deter you?

  1. Low Income: Compared to top companies in other countries, Japan's average IT salary is lower than in China and the US due to smaller income disparities, heavy taxation, and a closed IT industry development.
  2. Less Business Challenge: If working for a Japanese domestic company, you might find Japan's technology, product, and business levels about a decade or five years behind China and the US.
  3. Workplace Environment: The Japanese workplace is known to be oppressive, inflexible, and discriminatory against women. Although there have been improvements in recent years, with younger companies and teams gradually discarding some workplace cultures, my Japanese friends have advised that if you value freedom and meritocracy, it's best to choose international companies' branches in Japan.

Social Customs

Japan is known for its order and discipline, which generally offers an excellent living experience, such as clean streets, polite people, and exceptional service.

However, some Japanese social customs, combined with other issues (like language), can lead to less pleasant experiences. For example, domestic services in Japan are very detailed about what is included, such as specific cleaning areas, but might leave something on the floor because it's not part of the service.

Also, many places require advance reservations, often by phone, which is challenging if you don't speak Japanese well.

Speaking of phones, Japan lacks a unified internet service like WeChat, relying primarily on phone calls and emails for third-party communications. Without Japanese proficiency, dealing with banks, schools, service providers, and hospitals can be daunting.

High Cost of Living

Foreign immigrants are likely to choose cities like Tokyo, which have a higher cost of living.

Overall, the cost of living in Tokyo is comparable to Beijing and Shanghai. Housing, education, and healthcare might be cheaper, but labor-related costs are higher. For example, taxis and delivery services like UberEats are notoriously expensive in Japan.

In cities like Beijing and Shanghai, due to the influx of ordinary laborers supporting the service industry (often stigmatized as "low-end population"), labor costs remain very low. As a developed country with small income disparities, Japan's ordinary labor costs are high, resulting in expensive services.

Fruits are particularly pricey in Japan, with a watermelon costing around 2000 yen, a stark contrast to the few yuan it might cost in many places in China. No wonder many Japanese people love traveling to Southeast Asia.

The high cost is not just about prices but also reflects in service scope. While Japan has online platforms equivalent to Meituan, Taobao, and Tmall, their experience and quality may not match China's apps due to lower online service demand and fewer online users.

Small Living Spaces

This mainly applies to mega-cities like Tokyo. If moving from a non-first-tier city in China or a rural area in the US, you might need to adjust to Tokyo's small houses and narrow yards.

This "smallness" isn't something that spending more money can easily solve; it's more about the general availability of space.

For example, in a detached house, your window might touch your neighbor's wall; in an apartment, a single person's space might be similar to a hotel room's size.

Of course, if you don't live in Tokyo, these aren't issues... because in the countryside, you can live in a large house with a spacious yard, then use the money saved to buy a car...

In summary, the main issue is the Japanese language; proficiency can solve many problems. Acceptance of the work and living environment varies from person to person.

Renting a Place

Upon becoming a resident in Japan with a legal status, you'll need a "Residence Card," similar to a foreigner's ID in Japan. Companies and schools usually provide a temporary registration address, but many scenarios require a long-term address, typically your rental address. Thus, renting is essential.

Due to the presence of Chinese real estate agents in Japan, even those with limited Japanese can rent a place. You can ask friends or search on platforms like Xia

ohongshu.

There's not much to watch out for in renting, as Japan's rental market is relatively transparent. If you find a place you like on SUUMO, you can ask an agent to arrange a viewing.

The process usually involves scheduling a viewing, submitting a rental application, and if approved by the landlord and guarantor company, signing a contract. Rejection is possible, and those with higher income and Japanese proficiency tend to have an easier time getting approved.

After renting, you'll need to set up utilities like water, electricity, and gas. Some apartments offer free internet; you can ask the agent about available utility and internet providers and help set them up.

Getting a Phone Plan

Short-term tourist phone plans are available at the airport. For long-term plans, it's straightforward after you have an address. Just bring your Residence Card and passport to any operator of your choice.

Japan's three major operators are au, docomo, and Softbank, with Softbank and au offering budget brands Y Mobile and UQ Mobile, respectively. There's little difference between them, so choose based on preference.

Rakuten Mobile, launched by Rakuten in the past three years, is cheaper but has weaker signals, especially outside Tokyo. If this doesn't bother you, Rakuten Mobile is also an option.

You can find these operators' stores on Google Maps or similar platforms. Some staff might speak English or Chinese, which is convenient.

Opening a Bank Account

Opening a bank account can be slightly troublesome, especially for foreigners who don't speak Japanese.

Online banks like GMO Bank, Rakuten Bank, and AU Bank are easier to deal with than traditional banks since the application is online and forms can be filled out with translation software. Traditional banks require face-to-face interaction, which can lead to rejection if communication fails.

Japan Post Bank might be the easiest traditional bank for foreigners.

If possible, it's still better to open an account with a major offline bank, as some transactions aren't supported by smaller online banks.

Getting a credit card is nearly impossible for newly arrived foreigners. It's best to wait at least half a year before applying. If a bank rejects your credit card application, don't apply again soon after; it will likely be instantly rejected.

However, most expenses can be covered without a credit card. Cash and cryptocurrencies are also viable options. For more on cryptocurrency in Japan, see my previous article Crypto Life in Japan.

Buying a House?

Many people from Beijing and Shanghai, upon seeing Tokyo's housing prices, might think, "What a bargain," and feel compelled to buy. However, buying a house is a significant investment decision that should be made cautiously.

Firstly, regarding mortgages, Japan doesn't have a concept of "down payment" like in some countries. Applicants must undergo a bank's loan review, which will determine eligibility, approved loan amount, and interest rates based on factors like stable employment, income, family size, other debts, legal records, and for foreigners, duration of stay in Japan, Japanese proficiency, visa status, and permanent residency status.

Banks tend to favor those with stable income, stable jobs, several years of residence in Japan, and a long-term commitment to staying in the country. Different banks have different risk management strategies; for instance, major domestic banks are stricter and might not lend to non-permanent residents.

Interest rates vary significantly, with rates for Japanese nationals or permanent residents potentially as low as 0.5%, whereas others might face rates above 1% or 2%.

Loan amounts are generally related to annual income, possibly ranging from 2 to 8 times the annual income. For example, with an annual income of 8 million yen, one might qualify for a loan up to 50 million yen, effectively "zero down payment."

Regarding property costs, owning a house in Japan entails paying property taxes, management fees, and repair funds for apartments. These expenses can be significant, especially for apartments.

If considering a house as an investment, these costs must be factored in. The specific amount depends on the situation; generally, older houses have higher repair costs, which can be inquired about when viewing properties.

Additionally, property transfer, gifts, and inheritance all incur high taxes and fees, reducing actual returns, often overlooked by Chinese investors.

As for the added value of houses, aside from nearby living resources, Japanese houses don't offer much additional value. There are no policies like household registration restrictions or presale systems, making market demand the primary determinant of price increases. Given strong tenant protections in Japan, renters aren't forced to move due to rent increases or property transfers, making buying a house less of a "necessity."

In my opinion, buying a house in Japan is primarily for living, not for investment. If you're ineligible for a housing loan and have better investment channels, it might not be worth it

. Of course, investment needs are a different matter.

What Else is Less Desirable About Japan?

One of the biggest risks is natural disasters. Living in Japan, you might face earthquakes, typhoons, volcanoes (optional), tsunamis (in coastal cities), and landslides (in mountainous areas)...

Another risk could be, for example, if there were a need for military confrontation...

What's Good About Japan

Many friends, upon moving from Shanghai to Tokyo, might find Tokyo's facilities and buildings quite old and the procedures outdated, leading to the question, "Is this all?" even considering China superior.

However, modernization isn't just about the number of high-speed trains or skyscrapers but also the "software" behind them, such as public cultural facilities, medical resources, public services for disabled individuals, basic social welfare, product availability, and service quality. These aspects are closer to ordinary people's lives, with societal rules ideally stable and people-centered.

If a place allows arbitrary intrusion, detention, and property destruction, no matter how tall the buildings or fast the trains, it's hard to call it civilized.