After having read the diatribes on the current post of how difficult and unfair life is in Japan to the “poor” foreigners who come here “to make money,” I have to say, most need a reality check.
Japan is a feudalistic country with the appropriate attending social mores and lifestyle. It may seem to some to be a ”modern” western nation and powerful economic model to emulate. So, young people come here in droves to learn how to be a success (and perhaps not so young hoping for an easy life).
When they arrive they find life to be quite different than they expected. They become resentful and feel betrayed and drown their perceived misfortune in beer and the debasement of the local “awestruck” girls who have seldom if ever seen a foreigner.
Where is the disconnect?
1. The Japanese are no different than small town “anywhere.” They are proud of who they are; self-conscious around “strangers;” and none too happy to have their apple cart peaceful life upset by “bull in the china shop,” ignorant of social graces, foreign hooligans. You may say, “I’m not a hooligan!” Hmm, maybe. Do you package your trash properly? Do you walk on the correct side of the road? Do you observe the proper etiquette in all social encounters? Do you speak proper Japanese? “When in Rome …”
2. The foreigner comes to Japan to (choose any that fit): find a story book experience, make a lot of money, have a great time in the Disneyland of cultural playgrounds; impress the local indigenous people with their godhood.
I have traveled and lived in many parts of the world. My wife and I have been fortunate in that through our opportunities we have been able to live in many parts of the world over the past 20 years. We have found people to be wonderful everywhere. And success possible anywhere. At the same time, it is a universal constant that: people are nervous around strangers, especially those very different (whites are “intriguingly" different – thus and object of curiosity and envy, but if your black, you are in for scorn and ridicule; racism heavy in the air); people are uneasy about living next door to THEM! People don’t like to lose their jobs to anyone – especially strangers; people are hesitant to let their daughters date – strangers; and EVERYONE is out to make money and thus are quite competitive about doing so.
The Japanese are far from perfect, and have their foibles as do we all, no question, as has been pointed out. But let's be fair. What country with any length of history that has made any mark on the world worth remembering, could long live in a glass house?
So, you came to Japan, have a job in an “eikaiwa” English language school that doesn’t pay much and the students think you are an amusement toy? Now really, think about it. Do you speak business Japanese well enough to be hired into a decent paying job? Do you have the requisite skills and experience to be hired into anything but an entry level position in your own country? If the answer to either is yes, and you do work in an eikaiwa, then my next question would be, “Do you have the motivational drive to succeed in any country?”
Japanese workers work from dawn to late at night. They give their life to their company and are fully invested in the success of said company, so much so that, yes, as was said, if they are unable to fulfill those expectations, many commit suicide or drown themselves in liquor. You may not like that lifestyle. If not, enjoy your working holiday in the English schools, stay in Japan for two years, study hard to learn some real Japanese skills. Then go back home and market those skills and get a high paying job doing what will bring you success in life.
I fully recommend to any American college graduate (others as well) who wish either to pursue a career in business or continue with your education at the master's and doctoral level: come to Japan or China for two years. Teach in a language school, study the language and arts - especially social relations, and return to America and consider those skills as:
1. Background field experience for future advancement in your field
2. An excellent resource for understanding the dynamic of international social and business relations
3. Cultural enrichment very useful, perhaps even for class credit, in the pursuit of your higher level degree.
In addition, I suggest to anyone wishing to study for an MBA do so in China NOT the ivory towers of America or Europe. Why would I say that? If you cannot think of at least a half dozen reasons why, then perhaps you should just get a job and proceed to claw your way up to middle management. You don’t seem to have the skills – nor far sightedness required for a future in upper management. While studying you could make "entertainment and travel" money teaching at an “eikaiwa” in Shanghai.
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