I’m Singaporean and my wife’s Japanese. Honestly, if it weren’t for the fact that I would find it difficult to eke out a living as an EFL teacher in Japan, I would choose Japan, hands down.
Life is just more colourful and vibrant there. I think the greatest minus point is that the Japanese economy is experiencing the pits, so forging a career as an expat is fraught with difficulties. But let’s say you speak fluent Japanese and boast a skill set that is in demand, Japan will wow you because:
  • it’s largely an agricultural country and farmers and fishermen take great pains to make their produce
  • it has four seasons, and its sublime scenery juxtaposed against historic landmarks will satiate your wanderlust
  • people are generally honest and sincere, which makes them easy to live and work with. And let me tell you, let the Japanese have a couple of drinks and soon, you will be karaoking with them at the top of your lungs
  • its cultural festivals are boisterous and fun
  • its thorough attention to detail, which will brighten up even the most mundane experience
  • its penchant for punctuality, which helps you know what to expect.
  • people are hardworking to a fault but are generally less money-minded than us Singaporeans. Their intrinsic motivation and adherence to ikigai are rather nice to witness.
Ya I love Japan ❤️
Interesting take about the less money-minded attitude of Japanese in a country so indebted and an economy struggling for 30 years. Maybe the fact that Singaporeans are money conscious because they have to, the country would collapse if it was following the monetary policies (i.e., endless deficits) of so-called developed countries who get away with everything. Stark contrast of living in these post-colonial countries versus everybody else having to produce in the real world
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Yes you are right. We have to be shrewd about money because we are so small and have zero natural resources
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Interesting take
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