The STRUGGLE is REAL 😫 🇯🇵// My Top 5 Challenges As A Foreigner Living in Japan //

[@shantiniketanbasicschool1805]

Thanks for information

[@shuya5533]

In Japan, we struggle with the language barrier, but for foreigners, it is a language barrier, and if you overcome it, it will be a great leap forward in your life and a unique career as multilingual speakers, everything should be positive.

[@kimberdesu140]

I hope i can learn japanese to the level that I can start to feel comfortable with everyday life here 😁

[@binchyaube7885]

Thanks. Super interesting. You are a very nice person❤

[@kimberdesu140]

That is sweet of you. Thank you!

[@CatsCatsCatsCatsCats]

I love how you pronounce your T's so clearly-it's refreshing! 😊 Is that a regional thing, or just your unique style? Really curious!

[@kimberdesu140]

I think it might be regional. I have heard that people on the west side of the US tend to enunciate more, and also valley people will draw out parts of the word. But i have never heard mention of Ts. That is interesting. I wonder if i do it because I am a teacher teaching English 😂

[@Joseph-ql6ly]

I am going to be studying abroad in Japan (Kansai Gaidai University) I will be there for 4 months and already am learning the language. Thanks for the video it was helpful.

[@kimberdesu140]

I love Kansai area! I hope you have a nice stay and goodluck with the Japanese. Japanese is difficult, but Kansai japanese is a whole new level to the language. Meet lots of people and speak as much as you can :)

[@marta9854]

That earthquake experience is wild! I’ve been to Japan 8 times and have yet to experience an earthquake. I think I would be scared just like you!

[@kimberdesu140]

OMG that is very lucky 😁 You never forget your first 😂

[@Mwoods2272]

The earthquake warning on my phone scares me more than the earthquake.

[@EricaInTokyo]

Do you live in Tokyo or another large city? I think videos like these need a disclaimer, “big city vs not a big city”. Just like you can’t say all Americans drive cars (plenty live in big cities and don’t have cars- I didn’t) or all American cities are one way or the other. Living in Tokyo I so rarely need to use Japanese that it’s severely hindered my learning the language. Also, living in Tokyo, there are rarely any “off peak” times at stores near me/my commute. It’s 10:20 and I just went to the grocery store and it’s still crowded.

[@garp9433]

I agree with nearly all of this except getting away with English in Tokyo. That’s a pipe dream tbh

[@EricaInTokyo]

@ well… I live in Tokyo and my Japanese is probably as good as a toddler and I’m doing just fine. In my day to day life I rarely have to use Japanese. Most things are automated (convenience stores, ticket machines, grocery stores, some shops like Daiso, Muji, IKEA, etc. all have self-checkout and if needed the language can be changed to English). Many restaurants have tablet menus that have an English function, or they have picture menus you can point to. Most shop, restaurant, and cafe staff I’ve encountered speak enough English to help me if I ever need it. Recently I had to go to a few different doctors’ offices and a hospital. The first two doctors spoke English. At the hospital they had an interpreter who was amazing. When I have to fill out paperwork, I snap a photo with google translate and fill it out. I’ve never had to write anything in Japanese except my name (in katakana). I wish I could speak Japanese but my work schedule currently doesn’t allow for many options as far as classes go, or they’re too expensive. And as I said, since I rarely ever encounter a problem, I don’t have as much motivation to learn.

[@kimberdesu140]

Hello. Big city vs small city. That is something I didn’t really think about. I think since I based the video off of my personal experience I just assumed that my subscribers would know that I am talking about Tokyo. My channel is small yet so sometimes I don’t think it is going to reach large populations. I will take this into consideration next time. Thank you. As far as the language, what I mean is that foreigners have to go the extra mile just to do a simple task. If I need medicine I have to do research to find the best medicine instead of simply walking into the store and reading “cough and cold” on the box and checking out the labels. You also mentioned that 10:3o is crowded but i think if you change your perspective a little, 10:30 is “off peak”. Take the train at 8am and take it at 12 pm and I think you will notice a major difference. I said off peak as a way to express a time that is “less crowded”. Thanks for watching and leaving you commentary 😁👍

[@kimberdesu140]

I have to say I do think it is possible up to a point. I know so many people who do it, but, their quality of life would be way better if they knew the language. so i think it is important to learn :)

[@missplainjane3905]

@@EricaInTokyo How long you are living there

[@gorwai]

I also thought removing shoes when entering people's home (or at least asking if you need to remove) and receiving name card with 2 hands are basic manners. didn't know it was different by geography.

[@kimberdesu140]

Could be, just speaking on my experience in the US. As far as the shoes, that is something that could be totally dependent on the family of the home.

[@Eriiiiiiiick]

FIRST

[@kimberdesu140]

You can do it!! 😂😁

[@Eriiiiiiiick]

@ did you ever experience racism?

[@kimberdesu140]

Thankfully I have not

[@Eriiiiiiiick]

@ that’s so fascinating. Tell me more.

[@jimwoodworth9130]

Hi. What about Japanese healthcare? I have heard horror stories about difficulty in getting specialty care. It seems that healthcare is all about getting you to come back to the hospital or clinic.

[@kimberdesu140]

Hello, and thanks for your question. I have used the health care here many times. I have mixed feelings about it but overall it is good. I think what you say is true in a sense. I think it depends on where you are in Japan. If you live in Tokyo it will be much easier to get specialty care than if you were in rural areas.

[@beebeejoo]

Can you do a video with your boyfriend about how you met?

[@kimberdesu140]

It might be possible 👍

[@edmundmoons3086]

nice video funny

[@kimberdesu140]

Thank you :)

[@jimwoodworth9130]

Another question. What about jobs in Japan and expectations? I have heard stories about people when people leave a job being required to cry to show their humility at leaving.

[@mister_bleeps]

What are they going to do if you don't cry? Fire you?

[@jimwoodworth9130]

My understanding is that they attempt to blackball you

[@IllDoItTomorrow53]

As a Japanese local, I think that large listed companies that emphasize on "compliance" tends to treat the employees well, or at least the HR department can be somewhat helpful if your boss is not treating you well. If any of "large", "listed", or "emphasis on compliance" is missing, it may turn into a gamble. Don't get me wrong, there are many companies with good working environment, it's just the tendency I feel working here. On the other hand, you will be expected to be competent and get your assigned job done, but that's not exclusive to Japan is it?

[@kimberdesu140]

Hello again 👋 I have only ever worked as an english teacher in japan so i am not sure what corporate jobs are like. But i highly doubt anyone is made to cry. That may have been an isolated situation i think. If you leave in good terms with proper notice then you will most likely receive well wishes. At least that is what i have experienced on the teaching side. Sorry i couldn’t answer this fully.

[@Christopher-pm3dy]

Im not japanese..... never look to the sky when you speak to people

[@kimberdesu140]

I find that when I make direct eye contact for long periods of time it makes some japanese people uncomfortable. Do you notice this as well?