20 Years in Japan! Am I American? Have I become Japanese?

[@sandflakes007]

日本の安全面: Dr. Paul, happy Holidays. I always enjoy your grounded opinions of cultural comparisons between Japan and the States, from your Japanized American perspective largely because I’ve been in a backward situation for a few decades coming from Japan to the States. I’m backward of yours. ポ−ル先生と同年代です。I can VERY relate when you say things on your KZbin channel. BTW I’m from your area, 鎌倉 . I used to often visit 葉山マリ−ナ as a child. この前　ハロウィンの時、 極楽寺のお化けトンネルに行ってくれて　ありがとうございました。懐かしかったです。 Because Japan is such relatively a safe environment, the Japanese ppl generally lack safety awareness comparatively speaking. My Japanese relative, born & raised in Japan, traveled to Spain with her friend. Her friend got robbed as a motorcyclist was passing while the dude grabbed onto her bag. She held onto the purse and kept it from being taken away. In retrospect my Japanese relative (she’s in her 40s) told me the Japanese ppl need to be more aware of the surroundings for safety once stepped outside of Japan. I feel Americanized when my situational awareness unconsciously gets raised when I arrive in the States from Japan, typically at LAX. I automatically start paying attentions to the surrounding ppl/environment for safety concerns. The same goes without saying as I use the public transportation. When I arrive in Japan from the States, the opposite subconsciously occurs (my guards get lowered). As u said one thing I quickly miss when I visit Japan is the Mexican food. I'm in the SW USA, a Mexican food capital. I don’t know why but the Mexican foods are somehow not as popular in Japan as the other cuisines like the Italian, Chinese, French. I have wondered it's possibly because of the spiciness, but then Japanese ppl eat the spicy Korean foods, don’t they? So I don’t know why the Mexican food isn’t popular there. All I know is that Japanese foods aren’t generally spicy. Aren't u lucky you don't get as much snow in 葉山マリ−ナ as in the Twin Cities like there's no tomorrow? No snow shoveling in Zushi/Kamakura. Or maybe you miss the real white Xmas sometimes. メリ−クリスマス Best wishes.

[@Cargo_Bay]

Agreed on seperation of bathrooms. Of course, its fine for a small guest bathroom on first floor, but the main one should be on second floor or further away from a common area, hah.

[@ClefairyFairySnowflake]

A part 2/ sequel of this video would be muchly appreciated! 😊

[@Exjapter]

Ok, will start brainstorming.

[@mhm879]

Paul ! I love your videos and the way you explain things in details . I’ve been living in Tokyo for 10 years now.

[@Exjapter]

Thanks for the comment. Any topic suggestions you would like to hear about?

[@ゲンスルー-g2q]

THX upload. I listen to weekly for English practice.

[@Exjapter]

I hope my videos are helpful!

[@yamamoto-g9o]

Growing up in rural Canada we always took our shoes off before entering the house and never took morning showers only evening baths. This was true for many of my friends who also had European backgrounds. My father was Hungarian and "all you know what" would break loose if we wore our shoes in the house....he also loved baths as Hungary is famous for its many Hot Springs. In fact, I never saw him take a shower in the many decades that I shared life with him.

[@Exjapter]

Yes, it does depend on the family and background when it comes to shoes. But in Japan it's 100%!

[@metalsloth7387]

Nothing wrong with seeing things, a most common safety issue for oneself .... Be aware of your surroundings , know what's going on around you, in your space . If people would look once in a while there might be less walking collisions and near misses , lolol. I remember the phrase " keep your head on a swivel" ....not over doing it , but just be aware for all possibilities . Great vid , thanks .

[@Exjapter]

Can't break the habit, and don't really want to. Japan isn't 100% safe!

[@metalsloth7387]

Nope , I also will not lose that habit . You have to be aware . Like you said , Japan isn't 100% safe , safer than most , but every country has their own brand of nuts , it just pays to be aware for your own or your family's safety . Danger or disaster can come in many forms , not just people , so ...PAY ATTENTION PEOPLE.!!! Lolol. Take care .

[@musiclover88888]

I love taking a bath in the evenings so, that part of Japan life sounds perfect for me.

[@Exjapter]

And nothing beats the Japanese style bath units!

[@OnlyOneNights]

We should absolutely all be taking our shoes off when inside our homes. I don't even want to think about what I've stepped on when I'm out and about.

[@southcoastinventors6583]

Feet are generally not any cleaner the main reason is dirt or some other detritus stuck to your shoes

[@Exjapter]

Depends what they're dirty with - dog poop isn't the same as house dust....

[@OnlyOneNights]

@@Exjapter Haha!

[@etherdog]

Hey, Paul, I haven't yet experienced Japan but I've lived about 5 years in Europe (as an adult) and for me, the exposure to different ways of being and different ways of doing things is more striking than the thing itself. Certain things make logical sense, like taking off your shoes inside, or bathing before bed (especially if there is an intimate interlude in the offing), and that varies almost as much by household in the US. It is good to be aware of what the "normal" behavior is so you are not a transgressor, and there is something to be said for adapting to local customs (e.g., breakfast) so you are synched with the people around you. For instance, in Berlin and northern Europe I very much enjoyed meat, cheese, yogurt, and brotchen for breakfast, but in Paris and Bologna I quickly adapted to a standing croissant/cornetto and coffee at my regular cafe before starting my day, but I wouldn't think of going for a "full English". Anyway, we really enjoy your conversational observations, and are grateful that you stop at every corner to look deliberately that your way is clear to walk on. Stay safe!

[@Exjapter]

I really am completely no picky when it comes to eating. I am easy to please, foodwise.

[@SpacecourtplanetFujitsu]

we don't have public bathrooms in NL; not even in Bloemendaal-nh where I live. Dunes / Walking routes.

[@clydefugami544]

High praises, again, Paul for your observations of Japan life!! Your observations of 'floor life' in Japan is stunning. I would say that most Japanese-Americans follow that in their homes when entering another's home. However, that is fast disappearing to some extent. Your take on becoming more aware of 'predictable' social interactions and how you have learned to maneuver them is insightful; however, you might want to give some concrete examples. In my case, I do notice a difference when in a group of JA friends versus being out with non-JA friends. I am born and bred American and yet that kind of difference exist. And I do relish the difference! One final thing you may have overlooked. How much is your outlook been changed by your relationship with your spouse. What if she were British or Canadian or Ghanian? I think spousal connections are crucial in attempting to take to another country. Keep up the great wqrk, Paul! You are a true ambassador!

[@TheShrededward]

Yeah, that would be a good video. The problem is that if he's like me, he has nothing to compare a Japanese wife to.

[@Exjapter]

More concrete examples is a very good suggestion. I will try to do that in future videos.

[@Exjapter]

I have zero doubt my spouse has influenced me greatly. How could it be otherwise?!

[@HaiTomVlog]

I really miss sour cream and burritos! 😂 I’ve only found one store in all of Japan that had sour cream… as for shoes off, I’ve always done that in America, so it was normal for me. But I do feel like I’ve become more “quiet” in the last few years - it’s so normal to say hello or have small talk with a stranger in the US. I do miss that. I think there’s a lot of attention put on trying to fit in, but I don’t know if I’ll ever feel that - I just try to be considerate in public and not worry about it too much…

[@TheShrededward]

Every supermarket where I live has sour cream.

[@HaiTomVlog]

@@TheShrededward you’re making me sad 😂

[@katecobb9278]

I discovered back in the ‘80’s in Japan when there were hardly any western foods available and certainly no internet, that I could make sour cream by just adding some white wine vinegar to regular cream. It was perfect for things such as beef stroganoff that needs sour cream. Please search online for the recipe if you are interested. Cheers.

[@TheShrededward]

@@katecobb9278 I got here in 1990, and it was a wasteland. These newbs like Paul don't know how good they have it.

[@cooliipie]

Costco in Taiwan has sour cream, maybe you can try there?

[@Peekingduck]

Happy 20:th Anniversary

[@Zante_on_google]

As an Italian, I have lived in London for about 10 years, and moved back to Italy. Now I'm about to move to Japan. While I was in London, I mostly missed human interaction past that of colleagues. Never saw the neighbours even if I lived in a block of flats. That was the major reason I moved back to Italy, to the village I grew up in. I think that is a big city thing, not necessarily a London thing though. Also I missed good coffee, until I found an Italian bar near my job, when the office moved to near Camden Town. What I expect of Japan? I'm not sure. I will miss Italian food, but up to a point. I have always enjoyed non Italian food, and I've been the one doing most of the cooking at home, so I'm moderately skilled at cooking Italian, Japanese, Indian and a few other random dishes from other places. My Japanese wife though says that she will mostly miss the Italian food and the quality of ingredients. When we go out to eat she insists that she won't eat restaurant pasta because I can make it just as good if not better. Not sure where that puts me :D We won't be moving to Tokyo or other big city, where I can find Italian ingredients more easily (albeit quite expensive), but I suppose there's always Rakuten. In the meantime I'm experimenting with my favourite recipes (like tiramisu) using ingredients I can easily find in the local Japanese supermarkets to see if the variation works out. In any case I can make my own like fresh pasta and mascarpone. I like to learn how to make even things that usually people just pick up in the supermarket, I even learnt how to brew shoyu, and I'm looking forward to trying to make miso and umeboshi (if I have the time...). Mostly, I think, I will miss having a baking oven.

[@Exjapter]

I also miss having a real oven. Thats a point about the cooking I forgot.

[@Zante_on_google]

@@Exjapter On the other hand, even never having lived in Japan, I dearly miss sento and onsen, especially onsen. Every time we go and visit the in-laws there are at least a couple of onsen visits a week. I'm really looking forward to having them more available once we've moved.

[@Jack-xc2ys]

Colorado is a madhouse, I hope to find a clear path to Japan.

[@steveseattle140]

Fun topic!

[@Exjapter]

Thanks!

[@Dutch1954]

Mexican food, hmm....if you're like me, we're really talking about an American/Santa Fe style even my Latin friends in the States eat. Been all over Europe, the Med, throughout Asia, SE Asia and never found it exactly as it is in the U.S. especially the Southwest. Need to go hardcore DIY, it's the only way, Chef Paul. Good video, thanks for posting, Best Wishes Always.

[@Exjapter]

Yes, its really hard to find something here that tastes...right.

I miss the Mexican food too! The restaurants I’ve found here have been like a Japanese style of Mexican food

[@Exjapter]

Yes, the flavors are so mild. Something is always missing.

[@MikeA.-ut5jf]

Hi Paul , I was considering the big move to Japan, but being as a senior , it would be difficult visa wise. You brought up the one deciding factor that swayed me against it, Mexican food lol. Being of Mexican ancestry in America, it was impossible to find any products in a Japanese supermarket. My extended stays in Japan probably total a year to date. And yes , I live differently when I come back to America each time. My little niche is Hiroshima prefecture, it has all the outdoor activities that interest me. Finally, if I can import corn tortillas,good salsa and chorizo, I’m moving😊😊

[@Exjapter]

It is hard to source ingredients, and they can be expensive. Its pretty much 200yen everywhere for tiny avocados, for example.

[@Owjdnskoakansbskk]

When I lived in Taiwan, after a year of danbing (蛋餅) and soy milk or iced tea I started searching for granola. I love granola and have been eating as my first breakfast (yes I eat two) for years. It was hard to find decent granola in Taiwan, especially since oatmeal, cereal and granola are all referred to by the same name: 麥片. So I just had to hunt for it. I never found anything comparable to American granola. And as usual, the cereals that came close enough and I enjoyed were Japanese!

[@Exjapter]

Granola is popular here for some reason. There are probably a total of 20 cereals on the shelves in supermarkets and half of them are granola.

[@dennisgiguere5166]

Hi Paul it;s Onami on your future video's can you tell us where you are walking around at. I'm looking forward to your language video's I'm hoping to move to Japan in the next couple of years, I want to buy a house there.

[@Exjapter]

This was filmed on Nojima Island in Yokohama's Kanazawa ward. I suppose putting a little tag on each video with the location isnt a bad idea.

[@gwenhie1]

Welcome back to Nojima, Kanazawa ward! Beautiful autumn!

[@Exjapter]

Yes, but it was very windy! I had to stop filming often, haha.

[@againagain4722]

Thx for a nice video ! Was quite interesting to listen ! P/s If its possible plz plz plz take it easy with spicy food, from what i know spicy food is popular in countries like Mexico or India, and they have 40 % more Stomach and Colon cancer cases Correlation does not imply causation buuuuuut, yeah

[@Exjapter]

Strangely Japan has very high stomach cancer rates too, and they screen for it at the annual healthchecks. Spice cant be the reason here though.

[@againagain4722]

@@Exjapter Japan has the longest life expectancy, thats why there is a lot of cencer cases, i guess, anyway u can just google about spicy food negative and possitive helth effects, stay helthy ! :D !

[@robertyoung2318]

Great, TY. Going back in February 👍

[@Exjapter]

What's on the itinerary?

[@Kognito72]

The "gaijin" nod is due to foreigners making eye contact. We watch people around us and no one really makes eye contact and we probably stare longer due to it. When we lock eyes with another foreigner, we have 2 options. Look away, which feels rude/awkward or nod.

[@Exjapter]

I call it 外拶 (^-^)/

[@900t16]

I was surprised to hear you say that Japanese only bathe in the evening. I was under the impression that they showered in the mornings and bathed in the evenings. Do you happen to have an idea of how common it is to have a routine both morning and night as opposed to only once per day?

[@Exjapter]

You are right, some also have a morning shower habit, but nighttime is the norm.

[@flookaraz]

Something I could never give up is italian food, including breakfast. gotta have that. food is a hard line in the sand for me! Absolutely with you on the shoes though, shoes come off in my house. SO unclean if you keep them on!

[@Exjapter]

No Napolitan for you then? hahaha

[@OldGreyWolf_おおかみ]

Really interesting. Even after just three weeks in Japan I really miss the spatial awareness that Japanese people seem to have that Australians, generally, don't seem to care about. As an example, walking down a pedestrian mall and people just amble about and seem oblivious to how their slow and random movements get in so many people's way.

[@Exjapter]

Depends where you are maybe? I think Japan has its fair share of random wanderers.

[@OldGreyWolf_おおかみ]

@Exjapter I'm generalising, of course and you're right; it might be very different in different areas. From a purely personal perspective, the difference between crowds at home and in Akihabara seemed a stark contrast.

[@zhen9907]

Been to japan and stayed ..during spring n autumn for few months each ..many years ago I enjoyed it but a bit bored...I just don't like the houses / apartment building toilet next to the entrance..

[@scruffy2629]

Wheres Osaka motorcycle tours???!! Now im worried.....;)

[@Exjapter]

Must be on tour!

[@SpacecourtplanetFujitsu]

Can you talk about the way Japanese People relate to the Constitution & Courts of Law?

[@Exjapter]

That's an interesting idea, but it's probably a little bit outside of my knowledge if I were to speak about it intelligently.

[@SpacecourtplanetFujitsu]

@@Exjapter Its about the way you - being a normal inhabitant with a daily life - think when you read the Constitution. Can you understand all parts of the text;/ all intentions? Ccan you take the Constitution in hands and discuss the content with fellow humans? You don't need to be a lawyer.

[@Jooartist]

I want to ask but it's a bit off topic, is it worth working in Japan as a designer or animator?

[@Exjapter]

What kind of designer? Animator... Japan seems like an obvious place, but I know that the competition is fierce and the industry is rampant with overwork and burnout.

[@Direwoof]

Only thing I changed is I dress slightly less like a slob, no more flops B ball shorts and a T shirt sadly. You just stand out too much unless you live in like a hokkaido suburb or maybe Okinawa. Everyone dresses quite business casual in Yamaguchi.

[@Exjapter]

Yeah, American casual style wont win you any points in Japan. "Room wear" my wife calls it. Not in public!

[@murray.altheim]

Ah, so you ended up in Nojima Park!

[@Exjapter]

When you mentioned it I realized I hadnt filmed ON the island before, just around it. Fixed!

[@kane2369]

I do believe The Vapors wondered the very same in 1980

[@Exjapter]

I really think so.

[@clearlisted]

taking shoes off at the front door should be common sense I'm dutch and I find it disgusting how people keep shoes on in their home even walk on carpet doesn't happen at my place

[@TheShrededward]

I'm trying to think of ways that I have become Japanese, but can't think of any. I don't bow while saying "hai... hai... hai" on the telephone. I also live in the countryside, so we all know each other. Also, there's no reason I can't eat just like an American here. Waiting on my cranberry sauce order from Amazon as I type (should arrive today). The Turkey will come from Costco, so my Christmas dinner is going to be no different from anybody who lives in the states. If I want to have a BBQ, I have a real American grill outside, although I do have to say that they have better steaks. It's been years since I've seen a t-bone steak or a rib eye. That said, I totally agree with you about shoes in the house. That's just gross! The only problem is that stubbing your toe is a lot more dangerous.

[@Exjapter]

Possible, but it does raise the cost of living a bit.

[@TheShrededward]

@@Exjapter Living in the country keeps things down a lot. For example, rice, vegetables, and fruit are free for most of the year. It's seasonal, so right now I have tons of daikon chinese cabbage, and spinach. Neigbors just leave it on my porch.

[@ThePulsinater]

You still seem American dude like you just work there doesnt mean you are Japanese. If you grew up there and went to school there its a different story.

[@Exjapter]

One thing you realize after living here is that the Japanese have adopted so many things not originally Japanese, there are really only a few things you can point to, most of them mental.

[@Hay8137g]

2 types of people who love japanes culture are either very clownish and silly really or serious and stern. Bi polar

[@Exjapter]

There certainly are those two extremes. And there is one more - the people who are just easy going and could probably live almost anywhere. They "like" Japanese culture, but mostly because they would like just about anything.

[@JovesJapanJams]

First off and because you don’t look like an Aderans customer to me, ever since Herbal Essence told us we could wash our hair every day, that’s why you take a shower in the morning so you don’t go to work with an itchy head. Second and since you said you watch KZbin, would it interest you to know there are various websites that provide live American news in real-time, up-to-date American TV shows as soon as they come out as well as live broadcasts of American sports----and all for free? Third, like you we have the American-style bathtub/shower room upstairs but be forewarned because someday if we are lucky to live until our late 80s or even into our 90s, you will need a stairlift or will have to learn how to descend the stairs like a spider. Lastly, I did a double-take meself when I saw you walking next to the ocean around the 18-minute mark and then noted other commenters mentioned Nojima Park in Kanazawa-ku. So as far as the crow flies (cough-cough, I mean as far as the tsunami will roll in), is your house within walking distance of the ocean, which is a great thing 99.9999999% of the time?

[@Exjapter]

We have no fear of tsunami where we live, unless it's even more massive than the Tohoku one. I dont' have time to watch television to be honest. I rarely sit down to watch something and mostly get my news from my phone during my commute. Unless the Packers make the playoffs, I don't watch more than the highlights of each game on a weekly basis. I don't have an itchy head...lol.

[@JovesJapanJams]

@@Exjapter Did you see my response to your “Buying/building a house in consideration of natural disasters” video which I posted in our conversation underneath your “Stereotypes” video? And if yes, then because I’m near a river and have my backyard up against a wall atop which sits a 3-story mansion apartment, from my glass house I threw a stone at you for living on flat Yokohama land that may or may not be one of many ground zeroes for the Mother Of All Tsunamis. So you’re a Packers fan, huh? Then it’s too bad you weren’t around to see the first Super Bowl when Bart Starr dismantled my (then) team led by Lenny Dawson when I was a kid living on an Army base in Kansas. But after all these years in Japan, decades ago I stopped having a favorite team while still following the NFL, NBA, MLB and other sports in English language hardcopy newspapers-----especially “Pacific Stars & Stripes.” It must have been around 2009~2010 that I discovered you could watch live sports in real-time on the internet-----and I say that because when it came to football which is doable with 1 game per week for 16 weeks and then 17 weeks compared to 82 games of basketball, I decided to follow the team that had the best “old man” QB. And the first QB’s team I followed was your boy, Brett Favre, when he was with the Vikings and missed the Super Bowl when he threw that pass across his body. After that it was Peyton Manning with the Broncos and when he retired, I switched to Tom Brady with the Pats and Bucs. And then when Tommy retired, I retired too because staying up until 2 or 3 AM to catch and then watch a whole game had taken its toll.

[@dioxviad]

Twenty years is so much. Do you have a mom and dad? I don't know if they passed, but while you're in Japan, they have probably forgotten about you by now. As they age, they will lose their faculties, and who will be there for them, the elderly home? Certainly, if you have siblings, and they end up sacrificing their lives to care for them, it might cause strife.

[@terrapinalive6192]

You have a way of rubbing salt over a wound

[@Dutch1954]

"dioxviad".....Are you for real? After all his effort to provide information, a lot of it personal.....you got a ton of living to do, that's for sure. Get over yourself.

[@thadtuiol1717]

It's a valid point/question. Too many western foreigners in Japan abandon their responsibilities back home and leave other siblings/people to pick up the slack.

[@Exjapter]

It is a fair question, and to be honest I have addressed it in at least 2 videos in the past. I suggest you take a look at those to get where I stand on that. But the TLDR is I have done the best I can whilst living abroad, but it isn't perfect I know. But having said that, I don't have any regrets and I know my life has been far more fulfilling here than if I'd stayed in the US. In another comment @dioxviad implied I would have a better career and more money if I had stayed in the US. But I would have been a teacher there too, so it wouldn't have been too different. @thadtuiol1717 I am not sure how valid that assessment is. I think it depends what you mean by "abandon", but I haven't known many people who just said "bye" to their family and washed their hands of them.

[@dioxviad]

@@Dutch1954 My mom and dad passed in the past 4 years. It happens to every one of us. The worst part isn't their passing, but the time before they pass when they need your help the most. you probably don't know any of this because you still have a mom and dad. I know what it's like to teach in Japan, I did it for just under a year because I couldn't get a good job in the US. I suggest you hug your mom and your dad while they're here because once you lose them, you will never have them again. And for your comment about getting over myself, I have done a lot of stuff, I think you have a lot of living to do.