Would you rather live in America or Japan?

[Thuglife]

Didn't you just say in another thread that you've been there for 6 years? Which is it?

I forgot it's 2009.

 

[Ukonkivi]

Washington state, or D.C.?

Washington state. For the temperate rainforests and Shinto shrines.

 

[gaijinalways]

I still find it odd that some people posting on this thread have lived in neither country. I'd find it diificult to comment on a place to live, especially one I'd never even visited. But I suppose people are entitled to different opinions, it's what makes life interesting.

That being said, I'm not sure which I'll pick for my retirement. Certainly if my wife were to pass away, I would probably leave Japan Since my employment opportunities here are much brighter at the moment, I won't be leaving any time soon.

 

[alexlovesrock]

thats easy the answer is japan. japan has better food! its expensive though, esp if u are paid in dollars... Us dollar is so weak now!!

 

[kusojiji]

I still find it odd that some people posting on this thread have lived in neither country.

Actually, that's kind of interesting to see what various preconceptions are out there.

 

[Echigo]

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.


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.

I've heard plenty of sad stories like this from the US where workers get the sack with little if any severance or assistance. This is the ultimate outcome though when a country decides to go from a manufacturing to a "service" economy though. Seems that $30/hr isn't really so much either and seems reasonable for that sort of work. When someone in China is making less than $10 per day to do the same work though, the corporations get greedy and move production abroad. They rarely if ever pass those savings along to the end customer though.

My heart goes out to the poor guy trying to make it as a handyman now. Beats working in fast food though I guess.

 

[gaijinalways]

Unfortunately, it's not just the US, it's also happening in Japan. All those workers being let go at Toyota, Nissan, and Honda are taking home big severance packages. Instead it's more like hello to 'Hello work'.

 

[melon]

i choose japan...

 

[xpid]

Akihabara is what identifies me as a thrill seeker, also the country, on my prespective, quiet enough and obedient, rather than the "MACETA" of Puerto Rico filled with abusive, disobedient, vague behaviours, infested with drugdealers swiping away lives on bystanders, self-corrupted government, even Puerto Rican television isn't fun anymore because of negligent administration of NBC(WKAQ-TV 2ch San Juan) and Univision(WLII-TV 11ch) Caguas, and they're willing to plug themselves off the air, all but WAPA-TV 4ch San Juan.




But my ideal life out there will be like this:

1. Everyone that recognises me by name
2. A decent, firm and non-corruptible government system
3. Affordable housing starting off in the countryside prior to Tokyo
4. Expertise in healthcare
5. Positively strict driving laws(Highway Code)
6. More decent postage system
And many other benefits that the country will offer me, but too much to post it here

 

[ahlee]

I wish to live in Hokkaido , lol

 

[JerseyBoy]

I wish to live in Hokkaido, lol

Be careful what you wish for. Hokkaido is like in the middle of the Adirondack all year long (and it's like Utica or Binghamton is the largest city).

 

[JerseyBoy]

Unfortunately, it's not just the US, it's also happening in Japan. All those workers being let go at Toyota, Nissan, and Honda are taking home big severance packages. Instead it's more like hello to 'Hello work'.

I don't think the temp workers laid from Toyota, Nissan, and others are not getting a robust severance package (I am not sure they are even getting any severance package except for a 30-day-worth of pay).

Hello Work is mainly for non skilled workers. So, if you were let go from the high paying job, there is nil chance you will find the position you look for at Hello Work.

 

[gaijinalways]

There are many workers, both temporary and used to be permanent, and they are going wherever they can once the severance, if any, runs out.

By the way, from what I understand, going to the Hello work center is a requirement if you're collecting unemployment benefits here in Japan (satisfies the looking for work clause).

 

[CaptainSpandex]

The U.S., for me. Visiting Japan for a few weeks was nice, but where I live, I can drive for less than an hour and see wide, open spaces, climb mountains, whatever.

Japan is a beautiful place, don't misunderstand me, it's just difficult finding a place that hasn't been paved over, and isn't an obvious tourist trap.

 

[kusojiji]

The U.S., for me. Visiting Japan for a few weeks was nice, but where I live, I can drive for less than an hour and see wide, open spaces, climb mountains, whatever.
Japan is a beautiful place, don't misunderstand me, it's just difficult finding a place that hasn't been paved over, and isn't an obvious tourist trap.

80% of Japan is forestland. You have to actually leave Tokyo to get to it though.

 

[CaptainSpandex]

80% of Japan is forestland. You have to actually leave Tokyo to get to it though.

I'm unsure where you're getting the 80% figure from, but in looking at satellite images of the island of Japan, it's fairly easy to see that your statement is incorrect. A good 60-70% of the mainland is gray, you can literally see how much is paved over and it's a little sad. Comparing this to my home state, where I can ride my motorcycle for hours and not see a telephone line, never mind a building, for hours, I hope you'll understand better what I was driving at.

Also, I've never been to Tokyo. I was in Japan on volunteer work, not as a tourist.

 

[kusojiji]

You need to study the topography, not just glance at a color chart.


In fact, only Finland and Sweden have similarly high percentages of forest cover as a percentage of overall territory.

 

[Thuglife]

I don't think the temp workers laid from Toyota, Nissan, and others are not getting a robust severance package (I am not sure they are even getting any severance package except for a 30-day-worth of pay).
.

My student (women 24yrs) has a brother 28yrs? who has worked for Suzuki for 5years and has recently been to India to train Indian workers. His week was just cut to 3 working days a week. He has no special money coming down the road for him. Japan is going to spiral down for another 2 years (best estimate) before it even begins to recover.

 

[Giostigma]

Although I have no experience in living in Japan. I would live there in a heart beat. From the hundreds of videos I've seen it looks like a cool place to live.

 

[JerseyBoy]

Finally, I think I am ready to leave Japan again. As soon as I set up the living arrangement in the States, I will be out.

After staying here in 1.5 years, I prefer the USA. Japan is too crowded, too insular, too conformist, too much bound by out-of-mode codes, and etc. Its economic future is in doubt as well (see the other thread on "Economy").

I have nothing against the country. I would still consider getting hardwares such as a Japanese sports car, a flat screen TV, consumer electronics, and etc in the USA, even though I may not consume its non hardware-based services, except for banking. I need that to collect rents from my property.

For people who are interested in Japan solely because of mass media, video games, and other indirect methods, I wanna suggest they test the water first before committing your time, careers, and lives on the long term basis. You could be disappointed after trying about 5 years or so.

 

[Ashikaga]

Finally, I think I am ready to leave Japan again. As soon as I set up the living arrangement in the States, I will be out.

Finally, indeed! It sounded to me like you've been mulling over wether to go to US or stay here for a while from reading your posts in the past year or so. I wish you a happy life in the good ol' US of A.

You could be disappointed after trying about 5 years or so.

or not. I've been loving every minute of my life in Japan. Apart from the stuff you mentioned ( video games, stuff you see in the mass media...), Japan has so much to offer. Chances are, people would come here expecting to find an Anime-Manga-J-Rock Wonderland, only to encounter a whole new country and fall in love with it.

I do agree with your advice, though, about visiting Japan first to "test the waters" before making a long-term commitment.

 

[anon]

I might go for JEP!!

 

[an0nymusBlu3]

I have wanted to live in Japan since I was very young I found the culture and the sights really interesting and as I grew older the want only got stronger but I know not a lot of japanese are so into foreigners so I want to learn all of the language and how to act etc before I think of making a long term move or anything like that
I like America and everything I just think Japan is a beautiful country and I would feel more at home there for some reason..I never really have here and I don't agree with Americas politics atm..haven't for a while

I agree with that one poster a lot of "weeabos" are wanting to go for the wrong reasons

 

[Giostigma]

I have wanted to live in Japan since I was very young I found the culture and the sights really interesting and as I grew older the want only got stronger but I know not a lot of japanese are so into foreigners so I want to learn all of the language and how to act etc before I think of making a long term move or anything like that
I like America and everything I just think Japan is a beautiful country and I would feel more at home there for some reason..I never really have here and I don't agree with Americas politics atm..haven't for a while

I agree with that one poster a lot of "weeabos" are wanting to go for the wrong reasons

I agree with every word you said. The only thing that I don't agree with is learning the custom's, ettiquite etc. before moving. Yes it would help alot and make you less silly but that's the fun of experiencing new countries.

 

[JerseyBoy]

Finally, indeed! It sounded to me like you've been mulling over wether to go to US or stay here for a while from reading your posts in the past year or so. I wish you a happy life in the good ol' US of A.
or not. I've been loving every minute of my life in Japan.

I have not yet pulled a trigger yet as I have one other career opportunity pending in Japan which let me work in both countries.