Would you rather live in America or Japan?

United States of America or Greater Nippon?

  • Total voters
    323
Hmm, I can't decide on that one... I'd have to pick both, because I'd want to go between them every year or so :P
 
ArmandV said:
Pach, ol' buddy, the problem with those items you posted is that while it's true manufacturing has been in a downward sprial for years, those workers who have been affected (before the current mess) went into something else through retraining and moving to other areas.
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Maybe some have done some retraining, but the majority have found much lesser paying jobs or have just given up altogether and they are not included in the unemployment stats. Also, those whose benefits have run out are not included either. Therefore there are tens of thousands who are included.

Todays (November 20th) unemployment rate is the highest 4 week moving average in 25 years and now they are saying on the media that unemployment could reach 9 or 10% and some are even mentioning those that have not found new, similar employment and have given up. You watch, the true figures will eventually be let out and many will be shocked to find unemployment double what the government says it is.

If they aren't showing up in the unemployment stats, what do you suppose they are doing? Sitting and collecting welfare? No, they are doing something else.
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Does, "Would you like fries with that?" or "Cheese or Pepperoni, sir?" or "Do you need odd jobs done?" sound familiar?

Let me give you an example. I recently hired a layed off union assembly line worker of 25 years with the Peterbuilt Corporation. (Peterbuilt manufactures big trucks). The company went on strike 6 months ago and the company locked them out and has not re-opened. His unemployment benefits ran out as well as his savings. Previously he was making more than $30/hr. He resurfaced my deck and stained it and did some needed painting around the house.

He is begging for "handyman" jobs at $12/hr and HE IS NO LONGER INCLUDED AS UNEMPLOYED and is not part of the statistic that the government puts out as he is "working off the books" so to speak and his benefits have run out! Therefore, he is not included any longer.

I believe there are tens of thousands like him and yes, some are living off of welfare as recent news in the Nashville/national area has reported on. It is bad and getting worse and the true statistics are not being reported for those that have given up and whse benefits have run out.
 
Pach, you don't need to tell me about being "underemployed." I am normally an insurance claims examiner and due to the economic mess, I am working as a security field supervisor. It was either that or starve.

Still, we haven't reached the Carter levels yet.
 
I don't want you to change your mind, but hard times are coming for everyone.

Japanese situation is not so much better than american or european one.
 
I do not know the whole of the US and Japan, but if I have to compare the places I experiences, Tokyo, Kyoto and Atlanta, I certainly would rather live in Japan. I believe some of the things I need as a european (old buildings, very good food, narrow streets) are more present in Japan. I feel Japan is a more creative place.

I found America a quite easy place to live in, and the people are very friendly and welcoming. Though I must say I may miss some "flavour" living in suburban America. Maybe my opinion would be different if I experienced downtown New York or San Francisco.
 
uchimizu said:
I found America a quite easy place to live in, and the people are very friendly and welcoming. Though I must say I may miss some "flavour" living in suburban America. Maybe my opinion would be different if I experienced downtown New York or San Francisco.
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I used to live in both the small town and large metro area (NYC) for many years. The NYC metro region (which includes some parts of NJ and CT) has a totally different atmosphere compared to the country side. It's a tough work environment there; but, I find it more suitable to my characteristics and personalities there.

Two of the things I don't like are the road rages and lack of respect to the personal properties. I cannot remember how many times I flipped the finger each day back then. Also, I was so paranoid about getting a nice car as I was afraid some low-life parks his old beater next to me to leave a dent or scratch on my car. I had a garage; so, I avoided parking my personal car in the crowded parking area.

I am moving back my adopted home state NJ (about 5 miles from GWB) early next month. Good to be back where I belong.

Also, I have a condo here in Tokyo, which I am going to turn into a rental unit. So, I can keep building the equity in Tokyo. In an event I need to come back to Tokyo again, at least I can have a place of my own to live.
 
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i thinks i prefer to city area,better is the rural village area

i thinks i prefer to city area,better is the rural village area,will alote of space,for the personal using...


icarus5
 
If I would be able to find a job and to learn japanese, I'd rather like to live in Japan than in US. Actually I'd rather like to live everywhere except in US.
 
yan

yan,to speak with some one from australia this is nice,to enter and live there,that is not so easy...lol

and thank you for answer me,not many did that for my last posting...again lol
icarus5
 
I always admired Japan for the beautiful places, and i also admired the U.S. becouse of the great casinos that can be found lol =))
If i have to choose i choose Japan;)
 
I prefer Japon. USA is not liked by me...
More correting life & more high culture :)
 
Yan said:
If I would be able to find a job and to learn japanese, I'd rather like to live in Japan than in US. Actually I'd rather like to live everywhere except in US.
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:p I totally agree with Yan on this one! If it was something like canada and japan, I would go for both lol ahaha but seeing its the US... no offence I dont think I would, anyway my opinion plus BC is practically beside Japan :-) Anyway I plan on visiting Japan and then perhaps working there.. I would enjoy the exotic experience lol.:win:
 
I've never lived in America, but I think some parts of America could be nice places for living. Some of my relatives have moved to Canada and life, so far, have been great for them.
But for me, I think I'd prefer Japan. I've lived there for a while and I think Japan is still an Asian country, not too much of a cultural shock for me (asian). Nonetheless, I'd really like to live in America for a while, just to try out the life in America.
 
Thuglife said:
After 7 years in Japan I'm about ready to head back to Hawaii.

Hawaii >Japan
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Hawaii rules, man!. When I decide to invest in the vacation home, Hawaii would be my top choice. I really enjoyed my stay in O'ahu, Kauaʻi, and Big Island. The beaches were beautiful.
 
This is a tough question as there are things that I love/hate about both. I wish that I could combine all the good elements of the two countries and then live in the one that had the most to offer in the combination.
 
Best place in America: Washington.
Or as a continent, not meaning the US, Canada.

But I think I would appreciate Japan the most. It being so much harder to gain acceptance and appreciation of any kind would make me appreciate it more. Whereas in my own country I take it for granted.

Also, I doubt people over here are going to be any nicer to me for being a Japanophile.
 

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