Comments by "XSportSeeker" (@XSpImmaLion) on "What's It Like Being A Foreign Worker In Japan | ASIAN BOSS" video.

  1. I think it's good to reinforce, even though it is on the description of the video already, that this is about foreign workers IN TOKYO. Specially because the video is talking about wages and living expenses. Much like any other capital in other countries in the world, the ratio between living expenses and wages in Tokyo are far more strict - rents are higher, wages are lower and food is more expensive. Not as absurdly as in some other countries I might add, but still. In exchange, there's far more convenience, the general bustling big city life, more opportunities and whatnot. This interview would've gonne very different if it was in a smaller city... but Hiroko would have a far more difficult time finding them too. xD I should say though, that given the size and population density of Tokyo, and how it's the economic and political center of Japan, it is far far faaaar more reasonable in comparison to most capitals of the same size in the world, particularly in developed countries. You'd think that at this point Tokyo would be almost like living in Manhattan or something, but it isn't. I have lots of relatives who went to work in Japan a few decades ago... during the peak era of brazilian migration. None of them went to Tokyo. They were mostly in Aichi prefecture, or cities like Kobe. Most of them worked very hard, lived in very basic conditions in factory lodgings, had to get pretty smart around not being exploited, but they came back with a whole lot of money... apart from one or another uncle/cousin who had horrible spending habits (wasting money on expensive cars, sound systems and a bunch of other crap). Enough to pay for big houses plus real estate, cars, and open their own business here. Some were pretty bad with money, borrowed it away, and lost it all. Which just goes to show that having more money doesn't mean you'll automatically learn how to spend it better, but that's a whole other discussion. Of course, this also has to do with stuff like currency exchange rates and whatnot... our currency is very devalued in comparison to US dollars and japanese yen, but still. So, it ends up being that if you are going to work in low skill jobs, Tokyo is a pretty bad place to do it in terms of return and savings - because the living expenses in Tokyo are high. But of course, it's also the city where you'll have most job openings. On the countryside you'll probably pay half the price of rent and things are gonna be cheaper, but you will have a harder time finding a job, and you'll probably be left even more estranged specially if you don't speak japanese. Another thing to consider is that most foreign workers are already in a particularly difficult situation. Not only on cultural difference, not knowing much of the way of the land to save as much as they could, but also most foreign workers will be sending money back to support family, pay debt, and have extra trip and communication expenses. Having family, relatives, friends with similar backgrounds and whatnot to support you locally is an invaluable thing. In any case, this is a great interview that I feel is missing in general from YouTube, thanks Hiroko and Asian Boss. Here's the thing - I love a lot and am very grateful for several channels telling how it is to be a foreigner in Japan, but the absolute vast majority of it comes from current or former interchange students coming mainly from US, UK, Australia and few other countries. It's definitely better than nothing, but it's still a very particular view of foreigners working or living in Japan. It isn't a very good representation of what most people are looking for. Most importantly though, it doesn't accurately reflect the reality that people should know about for the workers Japan mostly need from other countries. Japan is opening up to get more foreign workers into the country, but it's not about english teachers and interchange students - it's heavy labor, low skilled work, and everyday life jobs. Of course, it's the exact type of work that leaves no time to make a YouTube channel, so interviews is the only real way to go.
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