Tell me about Japan

Hi, I thought this forum might help to give me some insight. I've thought about studying in Japan, through a program we have here in California, through my university.

I like Japan, and Japanese culture.

I'm interested in learning to speak Japanese, and just to experience another culture.

A few questions:

1. Expense:
I've heard it's VERY expensive to live in Japan. How much money would you spend on a weeks worth of groceries?

2. Older Generation:
I've heard old people in Japan dislike Americans, is this true?

3. Gyms:
If you live in Japan, is it easy to find a gym, and a weight room to work out in?

4. School difficulty:
I have a friend who studied in England. He said it was VERY easy compared to USA. Has anyone here studied in America and Japan?

5. Japanese girls/women:
What are some differences (even if they're stereotypes) that you personally believe to exist between American girls, and Japanese girls? How are Japanese girls different? Socially? Sexually?

6. White people:
My old roommate was from Japan, he thinks I'll like it very much, and that I'd be well received, because "you are very social" and "in Japan, only we have Japanese people, so white people are different, and interesting".

Is that true? Of course personality is a big deal, but, are people more likely to be INTERESTED in me, because I'm white, or DISLIKE ME, because I'm white? I'm curious.

7. I'm sorry, I HAVE to ask this, I can't pretend I don't care. Penis size:

I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings (including mine). Here in the US, I'm somewhat bigger than most, but not a lot. Would I be considered quite big in Japan? I am 7 inches (17.75CM) long, and 5 inches (12.7cm) in circumference (distance around).

I try not to think about it, because maybe it's a little silly, but I can't help but wonder, would I be traveling to a place where I'd be "real big" instead of "kind of big"?

I don't know if there's a way to ask that without sounding like an idiot, but I did my best.

8. GMO's:

Does Japan use genetically modified orgamsims? Genetically engineered food? It's a big subject in American and Europe right now.

9. Recreation by age group:

I'm 24, what do people around my age like to do for fun? Also, if I were studying at a Japanese university, would I be rather old?


Thank you very much for your insight, friends.

1. Expense:
Consumer prices are roughly the same in the US, but certain things can be very expensive. Fresh produce is one of those things.

2. Older Generation:
Not necessarily, I've never met an older person that showed any sort of prejudice against me based on my appearance or nationality.

3. Gyms:
That's a tough one. There are gyms, but it's hard to find one that's very cheap.

4. School difficulty:
Your effort may vary, but in general international students complain that their classes in Japan are too easy. Getting into school in Japan is the hard part. Going on an exchange program is one way to circumvent that hurdle.

5. Japanese girls/women:
I try to avoid stereotypes, because they just give a preconceived notion of what one's interactions will be like. It's all hit or miss, you'll have to learn this on your own.

6. White people:
They're more likely to be disinterested or interested, rather than outright dislike you. Your foreignness might be a draw at first, but it's more of a novelty than a true source of interest

7. I'm sorry, I HAVE to ask this, I can't pretend I don't care. Penis size:
I wouldn't worry about it, no matter where you are. You can't change it, so why waste your energy trying to measure yourself against everyone else? Also, I probably wouldn't be so forthcoming with personal details in your first post here...

8. GMO's:
Not too sure about this, but I would hope that all that expensive produce is organic.

9. Recreation by age group:
What are YOUR hobbies? People do whatever pleases them, not necessarily what other people their age do. You would be old for a college student, so you might have some trouble relating to the Japanese students. It all depends on the people you surround yourself with.

Welcome to Jref. I hope you will find what you were searching for, and that you will enjoy your time being with us!

Because of all the questions you asked, I have moved this thread to the Practical section.

1. Expense:
I've heard it's VERY expensive to live in Japan. How much money would you spend on a weeks worth of groceries?
Depends on your appetite and lifestyle (carnivore vs. vegetarian). Average range would be 30,000 to 60,000 yen per month. Look up the exchange rate yourself, since it changes hourly.

2. Older Generation:
I've heard old people in Japan dislike Americans, is this true?
Some do. Some don't.

3. Gyms:
If you live in Japan, is it easy to find a gym, and a weight room to work out in?
Depends on where in Japan. Bigger cities,yes.

4. School difficulty:
I have a friend who studied in England. He said it was VERY easy compared to USA. Has anyone here studied in America and Japan?
Not me. I have been teaching here though. High school and university. What exactly was your friend's experience? A 6-month homestay? Elementary school or high school or university?

Essentially, Japanese high schoolers have lots of work to do in classes, which are largely teacher-centered lectures. They also have club activities until 7 or 8pm, often every day. They study their brains out to pass rigorous college entrance exams. Once in college, they ease up tremendously, though, and work is often obtained based on name of their university, not their grades.
Look here for more background. http://www.ed.gov/pubs/JapanCaseStudy/index.html
http://www1.doshisha.ac.jp/~kkitao/library/article/wca.htm

5. Japanese girls/women:
What are some differences (even if they're stereotypes) that you personally believe to exist between American girls, and Japanese girls? How are Japanese girls different? Socially? Sexually?
I assume you mean girls of dating age...?
Socially very close to each other. Shy around boys. Immature for their age (think 5 years younger mentally). Interested in fashion. Addicted to their cell phones.

6. White people:
My old roommate was from Japan, he thinks I'll like it very much, and that I'd be well received, because "you are very social" and "in Japan, only we have Japanese people, so white people are different, and interesting".
Your friend's remark about ONLY having Japanese people is pretty narrow-minded and racist, even if he doesn't know it. The population of Japan's foreigners is about 2.5% of the total. More than half of that group is Japan-born Koreans and Chinese. Next comes Brazilians. We caucasians fall far down the list. Some are "different". Some are "interesting". Depends on where you live.

7. I'm sorry, I HAVE to ask this, I can't pretend I don't care. Penis size
Don't care.
Think with your head and heart.

8. GMO's:
Does Japan use genetically modified orgamsims? Genetically engineered food? It's a big subject in American and Europe right now.
Japan is very careful about not using GMOs. That doesn't mean things don't slip by, but that can be said everywhere.
Japan's legislation on labeling of genetically engineered foods
There have been scams in Japan recently about NON-GMO products, so don't assume they are safe, either. Scams have included purposely mislabeling foods as to their content (certain meats instead of the meats they should have contained) or changing the expiration dates. With a few exceptions (like the Snow Brand food poisoning scandal), none of these have resulted in illness or death, but I think the Japanese peole are getting really ticked off (I know I am!) about all of these scams, many from reputable companies, some of which have been going on for years.

9. Recreation by age group:
I'm 24, what do people around my age like to do for fun? Also, if I were studying at a Japanese university, would I be rather old?
Again, think 3-5 years younger for mentality, and consider rural vs. urban environments. People in their early 20s will drink, go to karaoke, talk endlessly on their cell phones, spend endless hours at home playing computer games, eat out, skateboard, etc. Realize, too, that people 24 years old have just graduated from college, so they are probably heavily involved in work, which means they will feel an obligation to stay until the late-working (or late-staying) boss goes home, even if they have no work to do.

If you come here for university, yes, you will be older than most students, but that's the same thing if you started school now in your home country, isn't it?

Thank you very much. You guys are very friendly, and very helpful.

Another question: If I at any point wanted to live in Japan, how do Japanese companies generally feel about hiring Americans? I'm pretty good with languages, I could probably learn Japanese faster than most. Not miraculously though.

In general, you would be best off securing a job before you go to Japan, and it would benefit you to learn Japanese first (it'll help in getting a job that puts you in Japan)

Companies here are just like anywhere else in one respect -- they hire qualified people. It all depends on the job itself whether they "like" hiring a certain nationality. Think more along the lines of hiring foreigners, not just one nationality, though. We foreigners have to be one step higher on the ladder of qualifications than local people, in a sense.

What I mean is, why should a Japanese company hire a foreigner if a local Japanese person can do the same job?

You will usually have to speak fairly good Japanese and adapt to different business practices. Having some experience traveling or living abroad helps because it minimizes the amount of culture shock you might experience.

Please note that most companies will probably not hire you to do a job and to learn Japanese on the job. I suggest you look at www.daijob.com/en and in particular look at the link for Terrie's Job Tips to give you more background on what Japanese employers want.

You guys are so helpful, thanks, I'll take a look right now.