What do expats find most challenging?

We asked expats and digital nomads what they find the most challenging about the local culture in Japan. They wrote...

"Facing at all times discrimination as a foreigner, a woman and being single with a child at age 47," commented one expat who made the move to Tokyo, Japan.

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"Being constantly told that I am not allowed to do something or not allowed to go somewhere because I am a foreigner. Racism is rampant in Japan and there are some people who take it to an extreme. Dealing with the police for anything is a part of that as well since the police are the ultimate defenders of Japanese culture and unless you have a Japanese person with you there they will not give you any service whatsoever. Additionally, if a crime is committed against you, it isn't because you are the victim, it's because you invited the criminal to commit the act - in other words a foreigner cannot get a conviction against a native Japanese person based solely upon their race," remarked another expat in Tomobe, Japan.

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What do expats find most challenging?

If you live in Japan, newcomers to Japan would love to hear your answer to this question.

About the Author

Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.

Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.