Which English-speaking country would be the best for a Japanese to immigrate to?

[JerseyBoy]

Since many forum members are non-Japanese, I thought I would post this thread. I've been to the States for many years; so, I would like to exclude USA as the answer to this post.
I am interested in the following features in a country:
1. English is the primary language spoken by the majority of the legal residents.
2. Stable economic and social systems.
3. Democratic society (not communism nor totalitarian society).
4. Good banking system.
5. Not too crowded (easy to drive a car to get around).
6. Strong individualism and the personal liberty guaranteed under the law.
7. Good health care (or good health care available to the middle class and well-to-do people).
8. Reasonable tax rates (income, consumption, sales, VAT and etc) compared to the rest of the G8 industrialized nations.
9. Relatively open society which does not abhor immigrants.
In a few years, I would like to decide if I want to stay put in Japan or move out again. If I decide to stay, then, I would need to go for the condo or house.

 

[Davey]

I'm not sure, but I think Australia would be a nice place. I think it gives positive points on all your 9 features.

 

[pika la]

Canada seems to fit all those points. There is definately no problem with immigrant acceptance, at least in Vancouver, as over half the population is Asian and the remaining bit are of other nationality. But if I see anyone walking, of any nationality... it's just assumed they are Canadian..not visitors or tourists even when they don't speak English haha

Mind you Vancouver if beautiful, not too hot or cold, and voted the most livable city in the world numurous times... might wanna check it out ^^

There is also a fair sized Japanese community, with alot of Japanese stores and markets if you felt homesick or something.

 

[JerseyBoy]

Pika la, thanks for posting your comment. I also find Canada, Australia and New Zealand would be a good country to immigrate to. I find Europe to be a little too expensive because of its higher income tax rate and very high VAT rates (everything will be expensive). So, I am not considering UK. I am spoiled with my stay in USA and Japan.

 

[thedogcow]

I think you would enjoy Australia (I am Australian)! Matches all of your criteria quite nicely

 

[frostyg02uk]

England fits all of them except number 8. I think we are the most taxed people in the world....maybe lol. But you know if you take away the UK and america the only other english speaking countries are canada, Aus and NZL or Ireland. maybe even south africa but im sure they wouldnt fit in with your other points (south africa i mean). Really though you should research the facts you need, everyone is going to plug their own country especially considering they havnt lived in all of the other countries. Ill be different and say if your moving to England its got to be most likly London, which is expensive, is crowded and to mention one not on your wants, it IS dangerous. Although prices in the UK are just the same as Japan's even with our high VAT....
Id therefore say New Zealand. Alot of British people are moving to there to live these days for whatever reasons.

 

[FrustratedDave]

I'm not sure, but I think Australia would be a nice place. I think it gives positive points on all your 9 features.

Except maybe for the the first one, I heard that Americans can't understand Aussie English? Neither can anyone else!LOL

 

[frostyg02uk]

hey i take offense to that my mum and grandmother are aussies!!!

LOl but in truth alot of americans misunderstood me alot when i use to play Xbox live. (i have a manchester english accent)
Maybe it works both ways though. Like i cant always understand americans from the southern states but i can everytime with the northern states (probably due to TV like Friends and such haha) and i could never understand Japanese people who used american english.

Good point though.

 

[FrustratedDave]

hey i take offense to that my mum and grandmother are aussies!!!
LOl but in truth alot of americans misunderstood me alot when i use to play Xbox live. (i have a manchester english accent)
Maybe it works both ways though. Like i cant always understand americans from the southern states but i can everytime with the northern states (probably due to TV like Friends and such haha) and i could never understand Japanese people who used american english.
Good point though.

Thats even worse! Ha,Ha.....

 

[Sirius2B]

Canada... undoubtly.

Then the USA, specially California.

 

[frostyg02uk]

Thats even worse! Ha,Ha.....

Lol i know, i know. I got all sorts of questions asked. Like;
are you german? australian? south african? french? scotish? irish? new zealander? and finally swedish. Every single one asked by an american haha. When i said no im from manchester they'd asked.....where?
a few couldnt believe that i didnt speak like the queen they thought all british people did.

 

[Halewijn]

Why does it have to be a country where they speak english? Isn't interest in it's culture and history more important?

 

[JerseyBoy]

Why does it have to be a country where they speak english? Isn't interest in it's culture and history more important?

The reason I am interested in an English-speaking country is because I only speak English and Japanese. I know I could learn another language if I put mind to it. But, at this time, I am learning the computer graphics and Javascript and Java2 as my hobby (I hope I can turn that into a money making venture in the future).

Going back to your question, I thought I won't enjoy living in a country if I don't speak and understand the language its inhabitants use.

 

[maushan3]

The reason I am interested in an English-speaking country is because I only speak English and Japanese. I know I could learn another language if I put mind to it. But, at this time, I am learning the computer graphics and Javascript and Java2 as my hobby (I hope I can turn that into a money making venture in the future).
Going back to your question, I thought I won't enjoy living in a country if I don't speak and understand the language its inhabitants use.

Like Dutch Baka said, I would think Australia could fit perfectly that description. Never been there, but I heard the climate (overall) is pretty safe. Well, except for the riots a few years ago with Middle Easterns in Sydney. Heard it was quite tense.

Other than that, I would think Vancouver is a great place to emigrate to.

Mauricio

 

[JerseyBoy]

I appreciate the comments you've posted on this thread. It is apparent Australia or Canada would be the country I would consider immigrating to (if one of these countries is willing to accept me as an immigrant, that would be a totally another issue). Australia has the point system for a potential immigrant, which makes it easier for an applicant to find out if it is worth pursuing the permanent residency with that country.

 

[bakaKanadajin]

We have many Japanese folks here in Canada, generally they enjoy Vancouver and Toronto because of the multicultural aspect and the ability to network with their fellow Japanese. I think thats universal to many newcomers though. The cost of living in Toronto is slightly higher than the rest of Canada. Vancouver seems to have more 'asian' peoples simply because its the first stop after crossing the Pacific, but many continue inland and settle across the West and come into Toronto.

It's not as easy to settle here as some may believe though, I know of one Japanese friend who's facing deportation due to her inability to land a qualified job which designates her as 'necessary', similar to the American greencard system. Of course, there are ways around this but generally visitors from other first world countries don't do those kinds of things, that's more of a refugee thing. To legally stay in the country and gain a full working visa, a landed immigrant status, permanent residency and eventually citizenship, it takes time. If you're thinking long term I'd highly encourage you to invesitgate precisely what jobs qualify and what you hope to achieve over here, as many who just come on the working holday and hope to get lucky end up having to leave after their year is up.

 

[Serebi]

USA my border neightbord and also Canada.

Here in Mexico i know koreans, chinese but japanese nope i wonder why?

 

[Sirius2B]

Maushan & Serebi...

Three Mexicans in a Japanese forum converge in a thread were we give unathoritative and disparate answers to questions not addressed to us....

Oh boy!!

(but it is also funny )

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Well, at least I will (trying to promote more elaboration in this thread) my reasons to believe that Canada or California (USA) are from my (limited) point view a good option for a Japanese.

Certainly New Zealand, Australia and the U.K. are most beautiful countries with its own advantages. However I believe that in this three countries there is a high immigration preassure from people from Asia, East Asia & the Pacific...

In NZ and Australia, obviously for geographical reasons... and in the U.K. for historical ones.

On the contrary, in Canada & the USA, their immigration is "more eavenly distributed" from around the World and Asians are not particularily targeted with negative stereotypes of other immigrans. Quite the contrary, (East)Asians have a fame of law abiding, educated and hard working people. And off course, the Japanese are seen as one of the most endowed with these attributes. So they are particularily good wellcomed.

Regards.

 

[Sirius2B]

USA my border neightbord and also Canada. Here in Mexico i know koreans, chinese but japanese nope i wonder why?

日本メキシコ学院日本コース – 社団法人日本メキシコ学院
http://www.liceomexicanojapones.edu.mx/instalaciones.htm
Liceo Mexicano Japonés A.C.

 

[Chaotic]

I would like to exclude USA as the answer to this post.

As well you should, LOL. I've heard a lot of Japanese immigrate to either New Zealand or Australia. I've never looked into why, I've just heard there's a lot of Asians in New Zealand or Australia.

Actually, I had a really nice friend once upon a time (lost touch) from Australia. She was half-Japanese. Yes, half-Japanese. She told me that there are MANY half-Japanese people living there, as well as many other types of Asians. I hear it's a great country. In fact, my sister's boyfriend used to live there and he tells us many good things about it. I wouldn't know anything about New Zealand, though (other than the fact that it ... rains?).

 

[Dogen Z]

I've been to the States for many years; so, I would like to exclude USA as the answer to this post.
I am interested in the following features in a country:
QUOTE]

Your criteria sounds non-Japanese to me. If I had to guess, I would say you're gaijin (even if you look Japanese).

So, despite your admonition, I would include Los Angeles and Honolulu, USA. Maui might even be better.

 

[Geostigma]

I will gladly vouch for the suggestion of Vancouver. I've been there twice over the years with my parents (my father is from there), and it is definitely a fantastic city. Very multicultural, excellent climate, friendly people (from what I experienced).

 

[Murs]

London is an excellent city, though crime can be a problem. Live around the far north of London you wont have much to deal with. Avoid most of east (except shoreditch) London, south-east (cept Greenwich) and west London (bar edgeware) and you should be fine

But from those stated above, I think Canada is best, never been there but seems to fit the bill.