Would you rather live in America or Japan?

[KirinMan]

I'd say the US. Japan is more of a vacation place. Just that fact that it's an entirely different culture with ideals and philosophies that, in some cases, are the exact opposite of the 'west'. It would be to hard to settle down and make a life when your basically a fish out of water

For me it is the direct opposite, the US is more of a vacation place, it's a completely different culture with ideals and philosphies, that in some cases, are the exact opposite of here in Japan.

I'd feel like a fish out of water there in the US.


Oh and btw I was born and raised in the good old US of A.

 

[JerseyBoy]

I think I am leaning toward Japan. Since I had to get the work visa in USA, my career opportunity has been restricted and I simply could not take it any more and abandoned the pending green card petition and the relatively good paying job (for a foreigner in USA with a visa sponsorship by the employer). I could have got a green card in 4 to 5 years. But, I chose the full citizenship (which is in Japan) and the full rights (i.e.. I can go after any job opportunity in Japan without any visa and immigration restriction whatsoever) in Japan. I made a right decision (even as a hindsight) as I found the better career and no concern about the immigration issue. I am doubtful I will ever immigrate to USA in the future.

 

[KirinMan]

I think I am leaning toward Japan. Since I had to get the work visa in USA, my career opportunity has been restricted and I simply could not take it any more and abandoned the pending green card petition and the relatively good paying job (for a foreigner in USA with a visa sponsorship by the employer). I could have got a green card in 4 to 5 years. But, I chose the full citizenship (which is in Japan) and the full rights (i.e.. I can go after any job opportunity in Japan without any visa and immigration restriction whatsoever) in Japan. I made a right decision (even as a hindsight) as I found the better career and no concern about the immigration issue. I am doubtful I will ever immigrate to USA in the future.

Might I say here that because of your experiences that you had in the USA, not the least being able to fluently communicate in English you have made yourself into a more marketable commodity here in Japan.

For whatever the reasons, I give you credit for making the life change that you did. Best of luck to you! In a manner of speaking I am envious that you had the freedom to make the choice!

 

[JerseyBoy]

Might I say here that because of your experiences that you had in the USA, not the least being able to fluently communicate in English you have made yourself into a more marketable commodity here in Japan.
For whatever the reasons, I give you credit for making the life change that you did. Best of luck to you! In a manner of speaking I am envious that you had the freedom to make the choice!

Your comment hit the nail on its head. I admit my education and work experience in USA made myself marketable to many kinds of career opportunities in Japan. I want to emphasize I am not doing a trash-talking about USA in my previous comment; I am rather saying I had to make a decision for my long-term goal. The outcome was I chose to leave USA for Japan for better opportunities. Ironically, I went to USA for better opportunities when I left Japan. Life is full of twists and turns. Looking back, I think I was lucky to experience what I experienced and use that experience for my career advancement in my home country.

 

[KirinMan]

I want to emphasize I am not doing a trash-talking about USA in my previous comment;

Never took it that way. One never knows what cards life is going to deal, sounds like you pretty much hit at least a straight flush.

More power to you!

 

[hezaa913]

I have been in america all my life, and have had nothing but hardships. And at the rate and direction this conutry is heading i would love to get out of here and go to Japan. I know that each country has it's own set of issues. But for me america has become nothing better than a hell hole.

 

[Thuglife]

God Bless America.......and me please!

Hawaii is second to none. But... for making cake Japan takes the cake

 

[tohno-kun]

Well for me I'd live in USA for now. I speak a handful of Japanese and read even less Kanji so I have never felt so lost and stressed when just walking out the door. But it comes to me that even if I am fluent in the language my interactions with the locals are even less. It would be a pretty lonely existence in a strange land...not my cup of tea as it is.

 

[Amenat]

I say Japan all the way! I love Japan, it's my favorite place in the world!
The following reasons: I went there and came back. After I went there I figured out why I was lonely and why I had some other bad habits that I didn't practice there. I can't stand living in the US. I get sick when I smell fast food, American guys aren't attractive, I speak Japanese a lot (mostly to myslef though), I am extremely lonely in the US, I lost my American pride and respect for this country long ago. I am more Japanese minded then American minded. Finally, I have a Japanese family. ^-^

 

[maushan3]

I say Japan all the way! I love Japan, it's my favorite place in the world!
The following reasons: I went there and came back. After I went there I figured out why I was lonely and why I had some other bad habits that I didn't practice there. I can't stand living in the US. I get sick when I smell fast food, American guys aren't attractive, I speak Japanese a lot (mostly to myslef though), I am extremely lonely in the US, I lost my American pride and respect for this country long ago. I am more Japanese minded then American minded. Finally, I have a Japanese family. ^-^

It's good you finally found your place, however, I would like to know how much time you spent in Japan, because being there for a couple weeks (or months) is not the same as spending one year or more living in the country.

There are both attractive and unattractive people everywhere, no matter the nationality.

You might want to consider why you are so lonely and then see if Japan is really the answer.

Mauricio

 

[basuotoko]

I have been in america all my life, and have had nothing but hardships. And at the rate and direction this conutry is heading i would love to get out of here and go to Japan. I know that each country has it's own set of issues. But for me america has become nothing better than a hell hole.

You sound a lot like Joe Dresnok, the American soldier who abandoned his post and defected to North Korea during the Korean War. I just watched a documentary about him a few days ago.

The US is a "hell hole" -- that's a pretty bold statement. I wonder if you've ever actually spent time abroad in another country? It can be really eye opening -- not just to the culture of your host country, but to your own.

I have a feeling that most of the posters who choose Japan have never even left their own countries, let alone spent some serious time in Japan. In my case, when I was in high school I thought Japan was a really cool place. But then I came here to study, and as my Japanese improved, so did my understanding of the culture and mentality of Japanese people. I still enjoy my life here at times (mostly the drinking parties!) but I've also learned to appreciate how great my home is.

 

[Calchas]

I prefer America. I have seen the way the Japanese live and work.
I'll take my home in the USA over anything I would find in Japan.

 

[SouthernBelle82]

On your comment with Bush and "1984" I would say he's learning more from his dear old grandpa (Prescott Bush) who was a Nazi and supported the Nazi's financially. However on the original topic I'm interested in Japan and living there and I think it would be cool to live in a different place. Whenever I've read of someone moving from the US to Japan and they've always been positive reviews.

It may depend on how stable my work is (and what kind of career), and which specific part of the US or Japan. If it could be anywhere, I'd love to (not have to work and) live in Kyoto.
I've already lived in the US but haven't tried living in Japan (but I look Japanese, except for being slightly overweight). The US doesn't appeal to me much due to it seeming to become quite fascist of late (is Dubya reading a Cliff Notes version of 1984 as a training guide?) but I also realize that I'd have different sources of stress if in Japan.
Though I'd live in Japan just for the food.

 

[SushiShin]

Japan to live, but for work in America i like Japan more then America but i can't deny that the both countries are 'VERY GOOD' but i like japan because of the houses (big houses) and for the old way of live.

 

[SouthernBelle82]

However I chose not to vote simply because I still love my country and want to stay here and whatnot but I would also love to live in Japan just to say I did it.

 

[Geostigma]

Yes, it was hard to vote for this because I have no problems with living in America, and have no plans to live in Japan. I have no doubt it would be an amazing experience though and one day it might be a worthwhile venture to after years of hard work towards it. I have most of my life ahead of me after all. =/

 

[Nuala]

I'm hearing about college graduates in Japan being homeless, so I'd rather live in Canada or another English-speaking country, but definitely not the USA.

 

[maushan3]

Japan to live, but for work in America i like Japan more then America but i can't deny that the both countries are 'VERY GOOD' but i like japan because of the houses (big houses) and for the old way of live.

I am finding Japan to be a very nice country, however I have find that the people here work extremely hard and no wonder there are so many suicides, poor host dad, he gets home from the office at 11 pm, I asked him how was Izakaya and he burst out laughing saying that he was working and that he wishes he could go drinking after work more often: Japanese style, he said.

Mauricio

 

[Jose Lardizabal]

I didn't read all the replies (I just got here), but I prefer living in the USA. Japan might be a safer place to raise a family, but I find that the USA is much, much more interesting.

Both countries have their merits and flaws. I like the casual environment of the USA. I find the inherent politeness and indirectness of Nihongo quite strange. It feels forced, pretentious even, to my American ears.

On the other hand, Japan is a very successful country despite very small. Its education system is superior to the USA's, and its electronics are some of the best. And it's safe! There isn't a lot of crime, and the place is really clean!

P.S.

Most Americans, including Republicans, hate Bush, for those of you who didn't know. We would really love to impeach him, but if we did, we'd end up with President Cheney, who is far, far worse. On the bright side, we only have a little over a year left of putting up with his nonsense.

 

[jmwintenn]

Its education system is superior to the USA's

You might want to do some research on that.


I havent lived in Japan,but I've thought about living there since I was 12,I'm about to be 19. I can't see this country lasting more than a few more years before we go belly up, and the crime is getting pretty bad in the south where I live.

I saw someones post earlier about if they moved they'd feel lonely and what not, but I wouldn't. I've moved a bunch so I just never feel lonely,I get more bored,but when I have a job I'm fine.

 

[Moniek]

The greater Nippon! ^.^

 

[kireikoori]

Hmm...I'd rather be starving in Japan than living in luxury in America.

However, if I end up getting married to a Japanese girl, I'll live wherever she wants to live.

 

[Clawn]

I once voted in this poll that I would like to live in Japan. That is no longer the case. If I had to choose now, I'd stay in America, simply because that's where my family is, I know the language, and there are certain opportunities here that I believe would be much harder to find and take advantage of, as a foreigner, in Japan. However, if I'm able to learn enough of the language to do more than ask where the bathroom is and if I could get a job over there, I might reconsider. But for now, America's the place for me.

 

[yuuto]

to US it is more easy to find a excellant job ...
To Japan,to find a good job is a big problem for my japanese friends.
I think an excellant job is very very difficult for a foreigner, excepted for foreigners working in European or US companies to Japan, and excepted for english teachers (so as you read I cannot)

 

[Donnie901]

My dream is to live in Japan so i guess you know what i voted