12 Reasons NOT to Move to Japan 

NOTIFICATION SQUAD: Get ready for "Brett Maverick" - the name you wish you had. 🍿🍿🍿Keep an eye out for Journey Across Japan: The Lost Islands which starts later this week! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-SEN6v1ZFlJ0.html AS FOR THIS VIDEO, I've made over 200 videos in Japan over the years that've been rather positive about the country and I'd like to think my love for this country, the people and the culture are beyond question. But of course, the country isn't perfect (nowhere is). I've always held off of this video as I know it'll open a pandoras box of people telling me to "go home", but I think all of the criticism I've levelled at Japan in this video is pretty fair. Time will tell! But keep an eye out for angry racist comments. Hopefully we can bundle them into a future hate mail video...

Started learning japanese to study in japan. Chris Broad: “Fuck off, don't move here” Well that's just great

It's hilarious to see someone use the words "overly positive" when referring to Chris.

I lived in Japan for 25 years before recently returning to Canada.. while some of his comments may seem humorous or quirky, he's pretty much spot on. This is quality commentary if you're looking for it. Japan is an incredible place, but it certainly comes with some baggage for foreigners. How you deal with that, is the trick.

I lived in Japan in 1986 for a year as an exchange student (high school) and for 3 months in 1992 as a college student. It was one of the best experiences of my life without question. There were times of immense loneliness - like Christmas day as I sat in class and knew my family was back home in New York celebrating together. There was incredible kindness toward me and hatred as well. I had a huge guy try to assault me as I walked with a Japanese girl (not my girlfriend). Luckily I knew enough karate to escape the situation. However, most of the time I was treated with respect and curiosity. In my "town", Fukui ken, Ono shi there were only a handful of non Japanese. Wherever I went I felt like the Japanese flag - a red dot in a field of white. The language was tough to learn but the culture was harder. Riding my bike to school in 10" of snow with no delay, no snow days, was brutal. Going to school 6 days a week was unpleasant too. None of the kids I went to school with had ever dated, drank or done really anything. I was way, way more mature and they were way better at math. You didn't mention weather in your video which is interesting as the rainy season was depressing. Otherwise your video nailed it. I love Japan and have returned 5 times briefly and can't wait to go back. Living there long term though......not so much.

"The world's smallest beer" "No no no no no, I'm so big" I love this man already and it's the first time I've seen him

Japanese boss: "It's come to our attention you have a life outside the office."

After 15 years in Japan, I’m also getting ready to leave, partially for the same reasons as listed in this video. I ticked all the boxes: I learned the language, found a good job, got married, had kids, built a house. But in the end, I just can’t take it anymore. There are some truly heartbreaking stories in the comments and my heart goes out to each one of you. I could add my own but it’s too painful to spell out here.

I met an awesome Japanese dude called Sho when I was living in Australia. He was a Pro surfer, we went to watch him at some competitions and he was awesome, getting sponsorships and everything. He was looking at moving to Australia permenatly and I asked him if he ever wanted to go home. He laughed and said "man, no-one in Japan thinks surfing is a job".

"hey Natsuki how are you?" "Fucking hell" thank you so much for reminding me of this absolute GEM.

I like it. I'm usually very cautious when something is sold to me as overly positive, and especially about Japan it's like people just CANNOT criticize it for some reason, despite it having numerous problems - from sexual harassment, to severe depression and xenophobia. So I'm glad this isn't one of those clickbait titles where they say "12 reasons not to" and then just proceed to list positives in a sarcastic manner.

When you mentioned the neighbor leaving and coming back shutting the door I felt bad because I have family that suffers from OCD and this is a typical compulsion/ritual to push away a thought that's extremely terrifying. And can get worse. Makes me wonder if this is common in Japan but people don't get proper treatment. Either way I love your insight on this because my family has been thinking about moving there or buying a home there to spend part of the year there. And I tend to want the negative aspects of life to be presented 1st. I don't seem bothered by your list thanks again

All issues you have mentioned are meaningless in the face of convenience store friend chicken.

I can imagine Chris' child who grew up in Japan starting a channel "Abroad in Britain"

Makes perfect sense why the Isekai genre is so strong in Japan. They all dream of a fantasy world they would rather be in than having to do all of the things in this video.

The honesty is much appreciated!

It’s all part of your journey, including producing this informative , eye opening video, with a good sense of humour. Thank you.

Getting called overly positive as a British person must be considered a grave insult

One minute you're accused of being too negative. And now you're being accused of being too positive. You can't win sometimes, man.

Thanks for sharing your experiences and your objective as a foreigner. Very helpful information.

I remember staying in Japan for a month twice, once when I was in high school as a foreign exchange student and again as I was going into my undergrad. I LOVED my time in Japan and am going back. But I've always said I love traveling to Japan but don't think I'd ever want to live there. I didn't mind standing out or being treated different so much because I expected it, but the rules are the biggest issue for me. There was one time my friends and I were having a conversation in the hall since girls and guys couldn't be in the same room, and we were told the hotel manager that even though we weren't actually in the way, Japanese people wouldn't go through because they'd feel they were interrupting, so we couldn't talk out there. At that point I realized, no matter how polite I thought I was, the societal rules of Japan would probably be too much for me to not rebel against.

As a Japanese, living in Japan is also difficult. A lot of the same things apply to many Japanese. This mind culture like hard work, being patient, and peer pressure makes us suicidal or depression. I always wanted to be free, playful, so I couldn't stand so much restriction for my most of life 18 years, that's why I decided to study abroad and live in the UK now. It's very interesting, that a foreign country more fits you than living in your original country. Despite totally different cultures, facing a lot of issues that you've never experienced, but you could live a greater life.

Oh, and if you have a full sleeve tattoo as I do, get ready for some bizarre responses in public. I nearly gave an old lady a heart attack in the vegetable department of a rural mountain supermarket while buying onions... I felt terrible as I did not get a tattoo to wreak havoc on the elderly...

I’m a native american or “american indian” and i plan on moving to japan. Low key, some of these culture expectations in japan are similar in my culture, which is kinda surprising. But even so I’m not going to expect to just blend in, im 18 in college planning to become a teacher overseas. I’m still young so let’s see if any of my plans change, but i can’t wait to move to japan and have the whole experience.

I didn't watch the video yet, but when I heard your first reason and then looked at the list, I would say you have hit all of them on the head! Nice. I'm impressed.

You hit every nail on the head. Lived in Japan for 10 years, was married to a Japanese person, and had two kids. It took at least 3 or 4 years for me to get over most of that stuff, but some of it I never got over completely. Like, For example, I thought I was pretty comfortable and had gotten over things until I tried to enroll my daughter in youchien. She was turned away because I am a foreigner. I struggled with severe depression and anxiety the entire time I lived there and after that situation I became suicidal, because I felt my kids were better off without a crappy gaijin mom who would always make things harder for them and embarrass them.. because I knew no matter how much I had learned in the past I was always going to encounter something new, make mistakes, and look like an idiot. Whether it’s a new school, a new PTA duty, some unspoken rule I never knew until 7 years into doing something, a naraigoto, a ceremony, a neighborhood association meeting, …anything. I hated myself and I truly felt sorry for my kids that they couldn’t have a normal mom like everyone else. My ex husband beat me down the entire time I was there and refused to help me with anything at all, he just kicked me to the wolves. In addition to all that though, bad things do happen to foreigners for standing out sometimes. My very first week in japan, I was accused of stealing from Uniqlo at Granduo mall in Kamata station in Tokyo. I looked at a few tshirts, put them back where they were, realized I had to leave because I was staying with my ex husbands grandparents and they wanted me home by a certain time, and left (in a bit of a hurry I guess). Two security guards grabbed me physically on the street outside of the mall and shouted at me, ripped my jacket off, dumped the contents of my bag all over the ground, and flat out accused me of stealing. When they saw I had nothing, they left without apology. Obviously everyone was staring at the ruckus. Not one person stopped to help me pick up all my things. I was bawling my eyes out. One of the only times my ex husband ever actually did help me, he contacted the mall manager, Uniqlo manager, and security manager, and he and I had to go meet with them. He threatened them with legal action and voice recorded everything. They admitted that it was in fact because I’m a foreigner. I got my first ever dogeza apology which was almost as humiliating to be involved with as the initial situation as well as 2man in JCB gift money. In addition to that I then had to meet with the two security guards who stopped me and the manager of security again at Tully’s coffee where they also apologized to me and gave me 2man JCB gift money. I just wanted the whole thing to end. The only thing I could say was that I just hope this doesn’t happen to another foreigner by you guys again in the future… Don’t even get me started on hospitals and doctors… I’ve got plenty of stories such as when I was locked in my labor room alone in pitch black over night while in labor with my eldest, terrified, isolated, and in excruciating pain (and that’s only the start of that horror story) or the time I got a root canal without Novocain by a dentist who refused to wear gloves and got mad at me because I couldn’t gaman through it. There are some things I truly loved about my life in Japan and I am proud of that era of my life but truly and honestly I can tell you some dark stories.

Serious Question: if you didn't have this RU-vid channel with the ability to connect with people (and make some income) do you still think you would have lived in Japan as long?

Japan seems like a cool place to have a vacation home that you visit once a year for about a month or so. Then rent out for the rest of the year. However, i could never imagine actually living there. It seems to be simply too different and strict.

Thank you for your honest, unbiased review!👍👏

Doc: "You should be more happy" Chris: "I'm Britsh" Doc" Ahh, alright then. Carry on"

Absolutely loved watching this. Really interesting. As much as I love Japan as a destination I definitely couldn’t live there.

Chris, I love your video how many of them just stand and get views forever, in march I started your first uploaded video and have been nickel and diming my way through, always surprises me when I go to the comments and see comments from 2-3 weeks ago from a year+ old video! great topics and content! just wanted to say keep up the good work!

Someone once told me, especially when I went to Japan for a semester study abroad program in collage, it’s all about your perspective and you decide to go about your situation. No matter where you are you can either take things in stride and try to have a good time if that’s what you want to do. Idk it really helped open me up a bit and make me realize even when I’m traditionally boring or difficult situations I can either mope about it or try and make the best of it that I can. So I guess that’s what I try to do is make the best of my situation. I recently had a work opportunity that took me to New Jersey and I’ve honestly heard nothing but terrible things about the state (I’m from Texas); just there’s nothing to do there. But I made the best of it that I could and actually had a nice time.

I genuinely expected one of the reasons to be, "Ryotaro lives here!"

“This is a pen” is still wreaking havoc. Wow.

This is a great video. Thank you for your honesty!

An excellent informative video whilst at the same time being extremely entertaining.

A cousin worked over there for 2 years as a medical translator and he's a 6'4" redhead. You can just imagine how much he stood out and got stared at. Children would often ask if he was a viking 🤣🤣 Apearantly there was some cartoon about Vikings that was popular at the time.

You know you have a great friend group when you introduce them like a bank heist team.

Thanks! Great vlog! Keep it up👍

Cracking video. Looking like I'll be moving out there in two months, and this is the kind of stuff I need to hear. Great job, Chris 👏👏👏

My dear man, wonderful summary of the life of an alien in Japan. I live on a small island, been here 15 years total, and everything mentioned applies... Boom! Job well done. Keep up the good work...

Hi Chris! Long-time subscriber here. One thing to expand on is it's very widely viewed in the western world that Japan is extraordinarily safe to visit, BUT there is a tendency to push crimes in Japan under the rug and make them un-noticed. In a lot of the Japanese crime cases I cover I'm corrected on Japan's *actual* crime rates versus reported crime rates. This actually perpetuates the problem for foreigners. Anyway wanted to comment under your invite, I love your channel and can't wait for your new Journey Across Japan!

Very enlightening video, not just on moving to Japan but really moving to any country where the culture and language is different.

Just found your channel. I think you’re brilliant! Keep up the good work. Thank you for all the insight .

The guy who would close his door 25 times definitely had OCD.

Incoming "Chris hates Japan" comments 😀

Nice video, you have very good story telling skills

Thank you so much for your channel and this video.

The Japanese RU-vid reactors are going have a field day with this one Chris have fun with those videos

''People won't sit next to you even if it's crowded.'' Me,a finn: '' I see this as an absolute win!''

I’m an expat living in Spain, ( US), there are many subtle similarities, I’ve been here since 1994, but never going back. Anyway, great channel, been watching you for years with my son, you always put me in a good mood. Big hugs from Spain.

Your sense of humor is as great like the Queen's in Black Adder comedy series. You reserve totaly the massive amount subscribers. Entertainment 100%

The “my neighbour ryotoro” poster had me on the floor laughing 😂😂

"My Neighbour Ryotaro" is my favorite film.

Your so amazing, made my day thank you keep being you

Thank you for the informative video, so interesting and in some parts shocking.

Ryotaro: He's gonna die. The pinnacle of true friendship there.

Not gonna lie, A FRAUD in Japan is a channel that I would subscribe to.

I just moved to Japan and I LOVE IT. Every second of it. The only real complaint is that I can't just go to a Home Depot and look for housing supplies. I have to actually look around stores I never even heard of and they do not have their own websites so you cannot view before going in. My favorite store so far has been Nitori or Don Quijote

Hi Chris, I've been looking through your videos and enjoying your sarcastic flare. I'm a Brit who had a mid-life crisis and left the UK when Gordon Brown was PM. I knew life in Kazakhstan would be better! I then lived in China for 6 years in Shanghai but mostly in Chengdu (where the pandas come from). In Chengdu, I was stared at every day, staring in China is not rude. Yes, it was difficult making friends and having a relationship with a girl plus my Chinese wasn't good. But like you, I taught English and Business English in several businesses but NEVER in a state school. It was very fulfilling and after 6 years I felt a change was in order. I moved to Bangkok, Thailand which is "pretty much perfect" and have been here ever since. I'm not going home! I am keen to visit Japan to see the cherry blossom in Osaka perhaps in 2024? I have a long list of countries to explore with both TIME and MONEY as the obstacles which need to be overcome! Also you must travel, before you get too old or ill or demotivated. Covid tried this but failed. Keep up the good work. Best wishes from Bangkok.

The guy in the bathtub is the ultimate calling card.

Mental health is a massive issue in Japan. It's not that they don't understand it, it's that they DON'T WANT to understand it. Even the doctors are mostly unwilling to try. There is a lot of depression in Japan which is VERY treatable, but because it's so taboo and no one is willing to acknowledge it, people don't have anyone to turn to for help, and many times it will lead to suicide. It's very sad to see such an advanced society to have such a treatable and preventable problem.

Thank you for this video.

I think you’re hilarious and I love your videos. My wife told me about you and showed me some, and now I’m hooked. 😊 Keep up the good work.

When are we getting a "My Neighbour Ryotaro" that movie cover was just beautiful

Working as a recruiter, meeting endless of people who wish to work in japan while not considering the reality of actually living here, this video makes my job 1000time easier.. thank you lol

Good job, i enjoyed watching this.

Recently just came back from Japan after a 3 week trip and it was a pretty easy adjustment, being Canadian I feel like a lot of our cultural behaviours are pretty similar . Don’t be overly loud in public places like trains, we enjoy drinking after work and are very polite and accommodating as a whole. That said it was just a tourist experience and living there is likely a very different experience.

I’m Japanese. Do not work in Japan. I woke up 4 in the morning, then came back 9pm usually. This video has a lot of sense for me at least. Sometimes traditional is pain in my ass.

I lived in Japan twice, three years as a high school student and later 6 years as an executive at a subsidiary of a company headquartered in silicon valley. The points made in the video are quite accurate and anyone considering a move to Japan would benefit from taking them to heart.

Great video. Thanks for the info.

rewatching these why NOT to x videos... My application to JET was declined back in 2019 and I was really torn up about it. I still dream about what could've been, but I find these videos weirdly comforting. Like your other one where you chatted with Pete about teaching, and how it finally broke down my unrealistic daydreams. I'll still visit Japan someday, but as a tourist, where my whole life and mindset won't have to turn on a dime just to not-quite-fit-in.

Having lived here for over 16 years now, married to a Japanese wife, having kids, working in Tokyo, even built a house here, I can only say I agree with all points you bring up. Especially the last one your friend mentioned about never expecting to become Japanese. I know quite some people who struggled with that and never felt they fit in. Love the channel by the way, even though I live here and watch it from my house in Tokyo, it always gives me some new ideas, a new set of eyes sometimes, and even some cool travel ideas. I also love driving, haven't been to Sendai by car yet, but certainly plan to in the near future. Keep up the great work & cheers!

I’m 100% Japanese and grew up there, but because of those reasons I left Japan. What he says here are all right 😂 Especially the endless rules! My friend recommended this channel and I enjoy your vids!

Loved your video and your british sense of humour...love from Italy 🙏💖❤🧡💛💚💙💜🤎

I am a Japanese living in countryside in UK. I learn a lot about Japan from your video. Your video summarise up about Japan really well and hilarious 🤣

"You should be more happy" *The number of depressed people drops to zero*

Who else is waiting on the Japan VS Narnia video now? 🤔

glad I watched this video and discovered you!

I just returned from my first visit to Japan and I could to relate to many of these points as a tourist there. Very candid video😊

I can't believe Chris nearly, genuinely put Risottero on that list without a bad word....almost

Thats why for me, Japan is a wonderful place to travel to as a visitor, but not so much as a place to live.

@AbroadinJapan I've been hosting Japanese exchange students here in the US for about 12 years, and they're ALWAYS opening/closing doors 20-30 times in the span of like 10 minutes in the morning (while others in the house are still sleeping...or trying to), and they can never seem to do so quietly! I've always wondered if this is just a normal thing in Japan...apparently it is

I do enjoy your work!😎😎😎

I enjoyed my 12 years in Japan. Something I found is that foreigners aren't held to the same standards as Japanese so there wasn't the pressure to work late, observe all the rules, etc. One thing that got to me a bit was point #12. I could live in Japan for 30 years and I would still be referred to as "the foreigner". Also the inevitable "_________ jouzu desune!" comments. That killed me a little inside every time.

"You should be more happy" Is this the same guy suggesting to homeless people they should "just buy a house"?

Wonderful video....THANK YOU SO MUCH I have subscribed.

i am from singapore which is hot and humid year round. I found my paradise in japan because except for summer, the rest of the year are very comfortable plus the four seasons scenery and landscape are fantastic. thus i don't mind the negative part of living in japan. ten years living in japan now and I can live forever here.

"Sad trumpet" will forever be the most iconic Abroad in Japan sound effect

I... I can’t believe they PRINTED off picture results and it wasn’t on a computer 💀

Thank You Chris! You created this Vlog platform.. I mean.. You made it Enjoyable to watch English/Japan videos! You made it less intimidating! Thank You again..now that I said that... You better put a ring on it..

Very enlightening thank You

I lived in Japan many years ago. I agree with all of these points. As a single female, I encountered an additional irritant that was probably the biggest factor in my decision to move back to the US. I turned 30. Horror of horrors, I just kept getting older. And, as I mentioned, I was single. I had a good job with a great salary, my Japanese language skills were progressing nicely and I had a nice place to live. More than once, I overheard the term “Christmas Cake” (クリスマスケーキ). The Christmas Cake looks fine but no one wants it after Christmas. I had surpassed my expiration date. I was even told that I should quit my job so that I could spend more time to find a husband or that I should focus on finding a widower or a divorced man who already had children. WHAT？

I read a book from the 1980s intended for business people going to Japan, and all of these points are familiar. It noted especially how as a temporary guest to their country you would be treated with great reference and patience, but dare to try to live there and it is a very different story. The author was a long time (30 year +) resident of Japan and fluent in the language and customs, and said he finally understood that he would never be Japanese and therefore never fully accepted no matter how hard he tried.

#12 reminds me of how we got warned that US military personnel had been judged as at fault in a traffic accident in court on the basis that "if the foreigner wasn't here, the accident wouldn't have happened". Kinda important to me at the time since I had a license to drive humvee's and did so regularly. Side note, Japanese streets are tiny and humvee's are pretty big even by US street standards.

Good video.Very informative. My French friend went to Kyoto, Japan during the Spring Festival in 2019 and was very offended by the sign in restaurants about not welcoming foreigners to dine.

"The train is quieter than the library." Me an introvert: _That sounds like paradise._

Chris' Comment Reading Voice is basically his best voice.

Your 3 friends look amazing!!!