The following riff started in reply to a post by someone called Teddy O who i don’t know at all. The post is now deleted so context is lost but… to which i added (in varying sequence), so anyhow:
{snipped} Adding to the mix:
You don't live need to live in Tokyo/Osaka to make biz work, with stellar infrastructure, many smaller cities (I live in Okayama a "minor provincial capital") are eager for growth, opportunities abound.
And yes, "lifestyle businesses" can be awesome. If youve dreamt of quitting your cubicle/office 8 till 7 *hustle culture* job & want to do something quirky/artisan, but growable, Japan is awesome, esp outside of the big city.
Basics of existence (housing, health care, transportation, food) can be enjoyable and affordable if you're willing to be different than what you're used to in 'whatever your current home' is. Yes, Japan is different from everywhere else - but wow, quality in all of the above.
I've done a solid of (mostly successful) Internet-centric / start-uppy companies (several exits) and have a handful of passports (not a Japanese one) & I'm here forever.
Figuring out all the systems takes a minute (pension, insurance, language etc.) but all totally doable.
All of the jibber jabber about:
* foreigners can't rent housing (but can buy easy and cheap)
* is culturally/ethnically homogeneous (which really gives you an advantage from a certain point of view)
* unsustainably aging (hooray! people get old)
Are all opportunities & pluses imo.
So much more to say but noting a segment of people worldwide (and my heavens, in Japan) see everything as an insurmountable obstacle (coupled with dated tropes and clichés) whereas i see a country with interesting present and cool future.
So after a coffee, i kept going… sheeeeesh
I am saying this all the time: cash in your chips and move to a minor provincial city in Japan and start that artisan/niche growable, global business you've always dreamed of. Everything is possible with a little capital and some creativity + a good network of pro helpers.
i.e.:
Okayama
Nagasaki
Toyama
Kanazawa
Sendai
Tottori
Matsue
Kagoshima
+++
So many more!
I am partial to these "minor provincial cities" because, you're much more welcome as a newcomer because there are eager for new residents and businesses + CoL way less than the "big three"
And while Japan is famous for exceptional train network, don't forget about regional domestic flights which get you to/ from any of these cities to Haneda (not Narita which is really nowhere near Tokyo) in a hot minute for biz as needed + cheap.
Then someone asked a question, and since i have things to say and am incapable of brevity, i blabbed on unnecessarily, ergo:
My Japanese is conversational and i 'onboard' vocabulary as needed (e.g.: visa stuff, pregnancy stuff, house renovation stuff, hospital stuff, boar trapping) *but* everything is colloquial and I don't read and write well. But for business, you bring in helpers as needed.
Keep in mind, medium to large biz with whom you might collaborate have dealt with translation before, there are tax/legal pros to help, and in city/prefectural offices, can often get assistance for some stuff. Everything's a puzzle but solvable.
The magic of:
Administrative Scrivener (行政書士 gyoseishoshi)
&
Notary (公証人 koshonin)
Are key relationships to build
+ worth noting: more talk about "post bubble implosion days" than about "how Japan developed into 2nd biggest economy so rapidly and, during that time, corps leaned heavy into language / cultural communication to build relationships (& now know those skills are important again)
[Above statement leaves me open to critical opinions from curmudgeons in the big city but I don't share these opinions lightly, nor for their benefit.]
Then various background & unneeded disclaimers:
Also, for the record (for anyone that's actually reading) I don't really "work" right now. I deal with a chronic and complex illness, make / sell art, have investments, and support my wife's small business + household.
But, to my credit, my last job at a well-known social media company, I opened up Japanese market, formed strategic partnerships with large corps, media and agencies all remotely from Vancouver + localized the tool/dashboard, helpdesk, channels for Japan & dozens of other markets.
Plus (realizing I should've put this in a proper thread) I formed/managed LLC, LLP, S-Corp, C-Corp in USA, did more sole proprietorship / small biz projects than I can count, plus was hired gun for a *significant* roster of successful dot-coms in BC, Canada. #NotARookie
I used to talk about this stuff on my "other channel" @daveostories plus loads of artifacts and evidence at my website daveostory.com
Questions accepted within reason #IllegalAdvice
A sidebar about kid-life:
It's a great place to travel around with kids for starters as they're always safe* + will be amazed at how diligent the Japanese school kids are (long weeks, rigorous study, uniforms), lots of castles to romp around as well as all kinds of futurey stuff + games & rallies
And a practical annotation:
Japan was cripplingly expensive the first time I came here in the early 90s (end of the notorious bubble era) but, right now, especially compared to Vancouver, it's rather inexpensive aside from flights.
If you really have a notion to make a jump, and happen to have a bit of capital (or equity in a house etc), and passion for some sort of business you want to do, it's all possible. I get it sounds *a bit absurd* to uproot and go to Japan but I feel lots of opportunity.
There are visas for start-ups and entrepreneurs as well as highly skilled workers.
Plus, on your upcoming trip, you could meet with some immigration legal specialists & other smart folks (many of which on Xwtr) who are making a go of it doing something other than teaching.
Of course, teaching can be a good way to get a foothold but I put many caveats on this as you can get "trapped" with your visa situation controlled by a school – many of which can be exploitive. But, if can do it for starters, and figure out a new inaka (or other) path.
