Living and Working in Japan Q&A

[@Curiouscrazy]

Hey Chris, not sure if you will ever see this but watching this in 2023, 8 years later, you've done everything you've set out to do and more. You visited all the places you wanted, you've grown a huge channel and even have a book out now. It's beyond inspiring. Thanks for being a cool human being and showcasing Japan in such a fun way. You are a big part of what makes me think japan is so interesting, went there a few years ago, but visiting again in a few months. Keep making amazing content. love this time capsule interview.

[@halflucan]

You and Natsuki are like Batman and Robin

[@AbroadinJapan]

Haha - But which one's which!?

[@halflucan]

This made my morning

[@courtz1ace]

Abroadin Japan Love the videos, found them funny & very informative at the same time, hoping to visit Japan either later this year or early next year, also Natsuki is the best! need him in more videos :D Peace from a fellow londoner!!!

[@user-nn2hp6jg2w]

brotp 😍

[@Etainx3Midir]

Natsuki is definitely Batman.. because he "has a money"

[@TravellingTom]

21:19 "Well I look forward to going in 2020!" Erm...

[@jakubwdowinski1991]

Wonder if he went there or not.

[@RanchOwnzU]

I usually have a tendency to say what's on my mind whether good or bad, but your KZbin channel and your personality is quite possibly my favorite channel overall. (And a deep interest for Japan)... but IMO, you've already hit 100k subs and the word will spread as it grows. Keep up the amazing work. I'll be heading to Japan in a year from now, and you keep the inspiration going! Thanks for what you're doing. Domo arigato gozaimasu!

[@AbroadinJapan]

Many thanks mate, much appreciated. Best of luck in your Japan preparations

[@RanchOwnzU]

didn't actually expect to get so many likes haha, just wanted the KZbinr Abroadin Japan to see this comment! Life mission fulfilled :P nah JK, next comes college VISA... Japan, Y U so difficult?! LOL, their immigration laws are really rape and 3/4ths.

[@RanchOwnzU]

TexasReppin210 i second this motion, you must make natsuki eat colorado rocky mountain oysters a.k.a. fried buffalo testicles.

[@RanchOwnzU]

where is natsuki?! haven't seen him lately

[@ChriSaito]

+A b r o a d I have to ask. hahaha You said you'd be in Japan in a year, and this comment is now a year old. Did you end up making it to Japan?

[@mandrias87]

"My advice, just have a fucking good day." Literally best advice ever. It works in almost every situation.

[@aydenyoung8339]

The main reason Chris became fluent in Japanese *"I couldn't speak to this pretty girl because I didn't know Japanese and she didn't know English."*

[@wenjiun88]

i sincerely hope Chris find a Japanese GF in Japan and the GF's parents not afraid of Chris like he gonna bite them.

[@dacracking5768]

As good as any reason 😂😂

[@randomaccount-dq1jq]

He would hopefully be too busy biting their daughter instead 🤣

[@Kabra2012]

His aversion to marriage would likely get in the way. Mind you, he has a solid track record of finding non-typical Japanese people

[@Assassin0]

Hehe

[@fartzinwind]

I'm at work... 43 minutes pausing on and off... should get me 2-3 hours of entertainment between stuffs.

[@NINABONEnohuman]

fartzinwind bruh your trogdor pic has me crying

[@zoikles1]

You already have the best Japan-related youtube channel in my opinion. Keep it up!

[@DeionSpeaks]

Abroadin Japan That was really awesome. I've always been interested in Japan and Japanese culture since I was about nine. My dream is to visit and hopefully live there. Similarly I'm in that position where I don't really know what I want to do outside of college. I do need to make a living but I'm conflicted about jobs, especially when I always see this distraught and stressed face on almost every working person I know. I've watched your videos for nearly a year now, and it's been a blast so far. Not only that, it's an inspiration. An encouragement to do what would make me happy. I'm going to take that opportunity.

[@MrHuss]

I'm happy to tell you that you already have the best channel about japan and I'm sure it's gonna get even better. Thanks for the videos!

[@MintPicker_]

Well,you've made it,Chris! The best channel about Japan !

[@mikeymoose7253]

Became a film maker and the number one channel! Good work.

[@blacksheep806]

This was very interesting video to watch. Especially 22:51 where you talked about how you ended up moving to Japan. That story was really inspirational and resonated with me very much. Since I'm currently in kinda same situation as you were back then. Getting that inspiration from the conversation with the couple in that plane and actually taking the step to make such a big life change happen is really amazing, I really envy your courage! (in a positive way!)

[@TelekineticKhai]

Agreed :) Had it not been for that helpful couple, there wouldn't be Abroadin Japan haha~ Such destiny! (Plot twist: what if that couple were time travelers lol)

[@MatthewNJDavis]

blacksheep806 Do the thing you won't regret. Inaction is the enemy of most, and leaves people resentful and with mid-life crises. Consider what you'd miss in your country, realise it's negligible, then make the massive move, as it's an amazing experience, even if you leave after a few months. You won't have lost anything. Honestly. Go do it. Research it now, and apply with a thought of not getting the job. You'll regret not doing it.

[@123456wei]

You're already the number 1 channel about japan in my list thanks for being awesome!

[@syproductions456]

You are by far my favorite youtuber. The fact that you take time to edit and create entertaining content in the first place is what I like the most. Also thanks for the GTO anime recommendation, first episode looks fun.

[@eveningrice]

I think you'll definitely be the number one channel about Japan. You are rising really quickly already.

[@EvocativeKitsune]

Thanks to you, I'm now learning basic japanese with memrise. Thank you for suggesting it. Great fun. Keep up the videos man. You're awesome.

[@Derekuma]

As an ex "teacher in 日本 " , I often sift thru KZbin for anything to remind me of my 7 years in 日本. Last night we just happened upon your " My 日本 apartment " video & then spent the next 2 hours watching you grow as a presenter, go thru exactly what I went thru & loved every minute. My 10 old , 1/2 日本人 daughter nearly wet herself watching the QUILL" episode . KUDOS. I hope your realise you will never ever get 日本 out of your system ... & a word of advise, when / if you think " I have had enough, I need a good meat pie .." & want to go home,.. do it so you can get yourself back in to 日本 life if need be , because you will probably get home & realise you are more comfortable & happy back in 日本 . ... and coming back is not as easy as coming in fresh,.. it is the 日本人　"prefer new & fresh " things.

[@andilawrence4625]

I watched the whole 43 mins video and it wasn't boring at all , same as all your videos. Keep it up man! Ur doing a great job.

[@Eisenschnell]

Please make a video about Japanese music and Natsuki. That sounds incredibly interesting and I would honestly love to hear about it.

[@andrewb.7917]

Watching you talk about that whole life crisis on the plane thing really motivated me to do something with my life interesting. I was so focused about letting others down that I was scared to try and Major in Japanese. I am interested in programming as well but hate the theoretical math side of it in Uni. Decided to finally do what I want and enjoy uni, hopefully teach in Japan for a while, and maybe pick up programming through books and Visit Australia and such as well. I finally feel like I have tangible goals that aren’t being influenced by others for once. Thanks for your great content Chris.

[@Dracardoe]

I really respect your ambition to pursue your childhood goals, Chris. You have my full support in future endeavors!

[@TheSpiderVision]

Awesome Chris! The 43 minutes was like big treat, loved watching it. Keep the videos going!

[@digidrago]

Glad to hear your comments about Akita, I'm applying there for a summer school.

[@tominnocenti5767]

I live in Akita so its nice to hear someone bigging it up! Cheers man!

[@JessRaverPanda]

literally painting a horse for someone while listening to this xD

[@randomcast9368]

Don't talk about me like that

[@PadreigEire]

The interesting thing about this conversation is... That I had similar experience when I moved to Ireland... I am happy for you that you enjoy Japan as I do Ireland.

[@LauraVanV]

So sad I missed this live. I'll be sure to catch the one in February!

[@oliviacerio6786]

Hi Chris! I'd just like to say that your videos have really inspired me. I've decided to enter the JET program myself as soon as I graduate college. I also started studying Japanese this year, thanks to your videos, which make the language seem a lot less scary than when I had tried to tackle it before. I can't wait for more videos and hope you have a great New Year. And thanks again for all of your amazing videos!

[@jidhindharanm.p9351]

Did u succeed?

[@oliverseddon7950]

Honestly that question about being gay in Japan is comforting. It was a point of nervousness for me.

[@charlesroennfeldt4749]

Hey man, you are a bloody legend. Love your videos, love your work, and you make my day better every time I watch! Keep up the great work!

[@MeatNinja]

Hey Chris, I discovered your channel today, ended up binge watching all of your videos... I justed wanted to say thanks for the videos and for reinforcing my thoughts that Japan is awesome and I need to go there. And btw, if you loved Death Note you absolutely need to watch Death Parade! I don't know how much of an anime fan you are so you might have already watched it but whatever...

[@DanzQueen]

These are awesome, I'm psyched for the one on your channel. I hope to be able to get there live. I have so many questions. Funny ones, not serious.

[@michaelortiz5219]

I just found your channel today and I think that your content is wonderful. Very interesting stuff and you are hilarious!

Yeah this was awesome! I've always been fascinated with Japanese culture, but this stream made me want to work and live in Japan. Not entirely sure what jobs I should look into but I'm hoping I'll make it over :D Thanks for all your great videos!

[@kyleapevan8725]

Hope you realize your goal after you finish teaching, all your videos have been really fun and I must say your my favorite Japanese 'vlogger'.

[@PettyBlue1]

I'm really glad you are staying in Japan. In my eyes, you are already the nr.1 youtube channel about Japanese culture. Best of luck, I know you can make it! :-) //This video inspired me to do things a bit differently today.

[@charlotte6335]

Hi Chris! I've been watching you for a while now but I came back to your channel today to watch a few videos whilst I was feeling down. Listening to you talk and have a laugh has really made me feel at ease, so thank you! God bless your dry British humour :')

[@NeonGreenT]

Great Video M8! I love it. It was like a magic!

[@jammydoughnuts]

"Just have a fucking good day" Good advice! I may just print out that quote and stick it in my wall as a reminder to always have a fucking good day haha. But I think you're right, it's best not to fret over the odd bad thing that happens as it's not worth getting stressed out over nothing, especially if you have bigger problems to deal with.

[@HondaED7JDM]

I really love all of your videos. You should finally get your own TV Show !!!! Your humor remembers me on Karl Pilkington and that is sooooo fuc*in awsome. Sometimes I wish I could live a life like that in Japan too. Keep going you're awsome !!!

[@scarlettnotjohansson]

I love that mug... so much. I'd totally buy one!

[@nikhilgirish7314]

Currently this is 2020,....yeah, definitely visit the robot restaurant, perfect time to visit

[@elliott1311]

I have the highest respect for those who speak fluent Japanese as I can't do it but greatly admire it. Good luck to those who are learning!

[@AlexGT230]

The story about how you and Natsuki met is just adorable. A true bromance you have there.

[@brandon7295]

awesome interview! It was very informative would love to see more videos like this

[@shortfusedynamite5166]

Omg Anki is amazing for memorization I never knew you could learn that much in one day

[@keiran110]

Aw man I can so relate to the cider thing. After two years in Japan, I was returning to Ireland with a transit through Heathrow. I tried some Stella Cidre and it was like drinking the nectar of the Gods. I was so delighted I turned to the guy beside and chatting about how amazing cider is. I never even liked the stuff before - you just miss something when it's taken away from you.

[@SeeminglyContentPatrick]

Really appreciate a video like this, thanks chris

[@michaelrobertalexanderclar7926]

I've applied to the JET programme, and just did the interview last week, hope I'll be able to experience this is real life soon!

[@Yeoldyperson]

How'd it go?

[@m.s.flores]

Thank GOODNESS you put up the list on where to find answers! Thank you!

[@kendraa_______9981]

You would make a great director! Your editing is on point. Don't give up.

[@DigitalMalpractice]

I will watch this as soon as I get back from class!

[@noasthings]

19:00 Eternal recurrence, it reminds me of Nietzsche's amor fati 26:00 So you do have some interest in filmmmaking! I noticed how your videos were so well constructed and clean cut all the time. It looks really professional. 28:00 About sarcasm in language. It's interesting you bring that up because sarcasm in Arabic is also very rare, it's almost non-existent. 36:30 me too, I would like to see a video with Natski talking about music! (sorry if I mispelled his name) This has been a great talk, it's always fascinationg to hear your views and little anecdotes. You have a way of telling interesting stories. And Regan has been a marvelous host as well!

[@FlavourOfGames]

Sweet, been looking forward to a video from you. Gonna wait for the rendering to get it to 1080p before watching though.

[@TrueDeathless]

Wish we got to hear more from Regan!:( but it was nonetheless entertaining and informational.Haha thanks!

[@ramalama246]

I love your videos. I'm living vicariously through you, and It's goooooD!

[@silverstitch28]

Abroadin Japan Gday! Great watching your videos. Jvloggers are so inspirational, especially with learning japanese and understanding culture. Im going to Tokyo April2-8 then Kyoto april9-12. Im scared as i wont know anyone but i hope to vlog my adventure and also create a resource for future students in my course. Having the jvloggers make these vids are inspirational to me and i truly appreciate what you guys do. Cheers. Dan

[@retsuza]

woah its like a podcast, will listen to this in the background while I do my boring software engineering project

[@1770jordan]

Just saying, you inspired me to learn Japanese more, too bad I have no one to teach me. Great videos, keep it up!

[@kayk3834]

You don't always need a teacher to start learning, though! I'm currently learning Japanese using japanesepod101.com

[@tsgillespiejr]

When you were talking about why things work in Japan whereas only half of the things work in UK: I think it's the CBA mentality that's endemic to England. Dunno about the rest of the UK, but English people certainly *seem* to have this passive hostility about them.

[@11ty9]

I like the phrase make the most out of everyday. If it starts off seeming like a shitty day, constantly make the rest of the day an effort to counter act it and try to do as much as you can to make it harder for you to compete with the day before.

[@BTHEINFINITE]

YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME CANT WAIT TO VISIT!!!!

[@Mapachonista]

Duuuude I seriously love your channel. your videos can make me smile even in the crappiest days :)

[@jameswhitwell9156]

Love the work you're putting into your channel mate. Keep it up chap :-D

[@paulsneeze]

very cool video, keep it up mate. Been learning japanese since december 2013 with a major pause mid 2014. Just picked it up again recently. I also wrote you a message some time ago (asking about the Genki + Heisig, it's working quite well actually). I am also planning on going to Japan (maybe study a year abroad) and learn the language. I've made some Japanese friends during my stay in Australia so I'm trying to get them to skype with me in order to practice some reading. But I think to really learn Japanese I will need to live there for a while. Anyways, thanks a lot, your videos are very inspirational!

[@PANAGIOTISAMPATZIS]

Wow I enjoyed this way too much! Thanks mate!

[@norb4152]

You'll do very well as a filmmaker and with your youtube channel. Definitely the highest quality out there. That being said. I'll be coming this year planning to do the same, so get ready :D (I'm shit at everything about making videos BUT I'll get there)

[@jadehendricks2368]

Awesome video :) It was very informative!

[@Mightyrockyman]

Great video thanks guys!

[@ASZzztoluca]

Great video, enjoyed it very much.

[@Cyanice]

Finally the origins of Natsuki... You don't find Natsuki Natsuki finds you He was, and is, and always will be Natsuki is love Natsuki is life Long may he reign

[@mrcateyes]

And then he became one of the biggest KZbinr's in Japan

[@chloerayn]

Thank you for sharing your wisdom Chris senpai ^w^

[@BRAVEvesperia1928]

this was actually so useful, thank you! should be applying for the J.E.T programme after uni :)

[@ricardosilva8317]

Well, did you?

[@shanweeboy]

My favorite part was about how everything 'works' in japan...That would be great here.

[@KleioChronicles]

I'm a first year anthropology student from Scotland and my dream is to be able to go to Japan to do research, possibly doing a PhD in the process. The one obstacle is that I have asperger syndrome which makes it harder for me to communicate with people and adapt to change. I've been watching you since like your second video and you have totally boosted my confidence. You've also given me ideas for future work and I can say that compared to before I'm far more determined to follow my dream to go to Japan rather than stay in Scotland and do work here in a "safer" environment that I know. Thanks and I'm looking forward to future videos

[@patton34]

Why major in anthropology? My older sister has a PhD in in anthropology and women studies and know she teaches English to foreigners.

[@Azmoslam]

If you have Aspergers, the best you can do is practice and by practice I mean throw yourself into social situations.

[@KleioChronicles]

Why anthropology? Why not? I find it fascinating. Sociology too. Anthropology has no definite career path but I want to go into research so going for a PhD after I've finished this four year MA course seems to be the best thing to do. The PhD itself would involve fieldwork though so that's why I'm saying I want to do it in Japan since that's what I'm most interested in. The only obstacle is obtaining funding through a scholarship (as I have right now for my undergrad studies) since I come from a fairly poor background and working up the courage to go abroad by myself. I've literally thrown myself into fundraising for charity which will take me to China in August so hopefully that'll help. If all else fails I suppose I can fall back on becoming an armchair anthropology and/or study the digital society which is equally interesting.

[@llamalord2758]

It's 2:36am but I'm still going to watch it

[@chapachuu]

I think you would make a brilliant entertainer, Chris! I'm 27 and still dream of being a writer, and am slowly taking steps toward that. It's never too late!

[@Zoot101]

Your plan to become a filmmaker after JET sounds like the coolest thing. If in a few years you fancy having a fresh Animation graduate help you out with it, please give me a call! :)

[@sayantanmazumdar3]

He is making bangers now.

[@flyermay]

What about the video of your Japanese friends in the UK? I'm really looking forward to that one.

[@KaidaMizu]

I really wanted to go on exchange to Japan after I finished High school but I needed to be a citizen of my country of residence (I moved to Australia 6 years ago) and you have to have lived in Australia for 5 years before you can become a citizen and it took a year for it to start getting processed so I missed out on going, but then I found out about the JET program and I'm determined to go after university. Australia is close to Asia and does a lot of business and there's a lot of foreign liaisons and correspondence so being able to speak an Asian language in Australia opens up huge opportunities.

[@patrycjawrobel5444]

Hahaha. Omg the ciders story got me laugh so much! 😂 I would also cry without a cider for so long...

[@newvegasify1]

Abroad I applaud your choice in anime i love GTO

[@PeteLeong]

Awesome vids as always! I have plenty of tats but never had a problem going to onsen. I only go to the ones out in the mountains and not in town. Maybe thats the trick. Most of the onsen I`ve been to don`t have any no tats signs so no problem. I was in Fukushima for 10 years. Not too far from you in Sendai. Then Okinawa for 9 years (no onsen here) Moving to Mie ken this Wednesday for a new chapter. Cant wait!! Hope to have a beer with you some day mate!

[@julieegan6501]

Oh good idea about trying to visit Fukuoka, I’m hoping to live there and am visiting August 2018

[@will2777]

Congrats on 100k subscribers!!!!

[@natehawthorne4828]

what happened to the losing weight in japan series?

[@AbroadinJapan]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpSchpqhnN99m7Mm34s

[@natehawthorne4828]

Abroadin Japan should have waited to ask....still watching srry lolol

[@RodasTadeu]

I am a foreigner living in london, and yeah, that is prety much london right there.

[@saltkujo]

seeing google plus hangouts in 2022 feels like I'm a 100 years old.

[@KalieJ]

The sounds you make at 38:51 sounds like a character from the Legend of Zelda haha!

[@Cyanice]

Sounds exactly like the Elder Kikwi from Skyward Sword!

[@erikasuzumedskis3377]

Love your videos Chris :D Really really hope to meet you some day Either here in the UK or Japan :P

[@plipplop1769]

For me my impression of learning the japanese language is completely different. The parts I hate the most are pronunciation of characters and grammar, however this is most likely because I am learning chinese as well. When just comparing japanese and chinese the hard part about chinese is the huge abundance of characters so japanese seems easy in comparison, then when comparing speaking japanese is much harder since it is not common in chinese for one character to have vastly different pronunciations so usually when you learn the pronunciation for a character that's it. Also chinese grammar is an absolute landslide so even though japanese grammar isn't as hard as english to me at least it's much harder than chinese.

[@SonicPhantom89]

This video was really interesting and helpful! Would love to go to Japan through JET someday, although I'm a year into a 4 year PhD so I've kinda screwed myself over in that regard for the next 3 years by tying myself down.

[@WraxTV]

Ah ha ha, the work party thing. The last week that I was in Japan, I and some friends went to a Shabu Shabu restaurant. Was absolutely amazing food, but I was really confused by just how loud and crazy this one group was being and my native friend explained that it's a work party and that "that's just a thing in Japan, it was weird to me at first too."

[@fudgeymoss]

omg that was 45 minutes, it went by so fast!!

[@AmazingPunch]

"My favorite anime is GTO" 39:08 FUCK YES DUDE That's my favorite too! Damn, you got great taste.

[@dilly7551]

I read the manga first which made me not like the anime so much. They cut stuff out. they came out with three more GTO mangas btw. One when he was a teen, another being a side story from the main one, and lastly one taking place a few years after the main story (which is still ongoing)

[@dorkypocky3845]

GTO is such a great manga! (and the anime is good too!) Did I hear that you watched the live action movie (or was it a drama?)

[@dacracking5768]

GTO IS THE BEST THING

[@nicholasmarroulis2466]

Just found your channel and I love it. Subbed! Look forward to watching more of the videos you make and hope you have success with your plans as a content creator! Subbed!

[@bikkiikun]

And drinks from the vending machine are soo much cheaper than in Europe. And the prices are fairly constant accross all of Japan, no matter where... even at the airport, even in the security area.