Quote:
Originally Posted by Sapporo Guy
Ok, gonna steal the thread.
I'm starting to think that my time has come to return home.
38 and have been here for 15 years.
Pretty fluent in the language (reading still needs work) and have a firm grasp on the culture, society and markets.
I have also thought about branching out into another line of work. Like importing from the states ... but ... thoughts stop when I think about focusing on what I have now.
Anybody have any thoughts?
How about complaints  |
Wow - Sapporo Man - you are going to have to call me one day. Send me a PM.
I did a few years in "Do-Nan" and yes the economy does stink. I went back after 10 years and it was like the land that time forgot. Really nothing had changed...
The fundamental truth is that the boom is over and has been over for 20 years. Those that got out a little ahead of me got great jobs with Honda in Ohio or Wall Street. But those days are over. There are thousands and thousands of Japanese kids graduating American colleges ever year (and would much rather stay here in the USA) and they a native born speakers with an American education, often an MBA. So companies(both Japanese and American) looking to recruit those with skills that you posses would rather hire these kids than you. (Or me.)
Also, working a Japanese company (even the biggest and best of them) is pretty crummy. You are always seconded guessed and rarely give much real authority. And they don't give a tinker's dam about your language skills or time in Japan.
As a student and then for a few extra months - I worked as a carpenter's apprentice and taught a little English to help pay the bills. I had a great time, but wanted to get to the big city and move forward with my career. I wound up in the offices of one of the top trading Japanese trading companies in New York. You would think top company, top overseas office, all grads of the best universities - but most of the Japanese expats I worked with were narrow minded, bigoted, boorish and unpleasant. Just an awful experience.
Making money at anything than language (or sometimes music) seems to be problematic for outsiders in Japan. They very much have a mercantilist attitude towards us, and making one's own way in Japan - or trading with Japan from this end is loaded with all kinds of disincentives. If you are an American on either end, here in the US or over in Japan, somebody will try and end run you or cut you out..
Basically, I have worked myself into a place where I have nothing to do with Japanese business. The place opened my eyes to a lot and helps me look at things differently. As an experince in my life - it is a net plus. But actually making a living while have some kind of relationship with Japan?, and a good living? Very, very difficult.
I am glad I got out and am making my way at home. I could not imagine being there till age 50 or 60 and having been an outsider (Gaijin) all my life with no real opportunities. And like most things and places - you are indulged while you are still young. I would not want to be a middle age guy in Japan, still chasing the OLs and looking to go out drinking and Karaoke with my friends.. Your Dad may be right... Good luck.
