should i move to japan?

Question

hi i might go to tokyo for two or a year to study at an American university. i love tokyo and i am an Japanese- Korean, but was raised in America. i love both countries, but i dont know which country to chose from. tokyo is so great and i use to live there for a little bit, but i just dont know because Japan is all the way across the world. i know ill miss American culture and my good friends here, but i really love Japan as well. and another good thing about moving to Japan is the fact that i can visit my mother more often since she lives in Hong Kong right now. i just dont know....please help! thanks

Answer 1

I'm in the same situation as you but the countries are otherway around.

I'm Japanese by birth but I also have US citizenship. I was raised in the US up until my mid teens and moved to Tokyo Japan and stayed there for 12 years straight. Now I'm back in the US and I miss Japan like crazy!!
But while I was in Japan I missed the US like crazy so it's a two way street. I guess that's how it goes for people like us who have a mixed cultural background....We are who we are and we can't just choose one or the other. But think of it this way, you have 2 homes! While most people only have 1. Consider yourself lucky! I know I am. And I take it you'll be going to Temple Univ in Tokyo?
If so, (I'm sure you already know) most of the student body and faculty there are American so you'll have plenty of American culture and you'll have a chance to make new friends AND live in a different country / experience a different culture.

Right now my goal is to build my career so I can find a position where I will be doing lots of traveling back and forth between Japan and the US. And later on hopefully starting my own business so I can decide when and for how long I can go and not have my boss tell me my schedule.

My advise to you is go ahead and go study in Japan for a year or two and see how you like it. Trust me you will see things you don't like about Japan and you'll also start to become bothered with things that you never noticed about the US while living there.
Both countries are wonderful, but you won't be able to make a decision before you actually live in both countries. And don't forget neither of these countries are a utopia. There is no such place in this world......ok except for maybe Hawaii...
You've lived in the US for awhile now, it's a great time to give Japan a try. When you think about it the world is quite tiny. If you wanted to you can always hop on a plane in the AM and arrive into the US by night time. So basically your home is only 12 hours away which means you can only watch that long-a** movie "Titanic" 4 times and you'll be at your destination before that darn ship sinks for the fifth.

And you never know, you might end up living in...I dunno... Australia in a few years. The whole not knowing is what life's all about! Many people don't have a choice but to live where they were born and raised. You have a choice. Own it and enjoy it!
Good luck!

Oh and I just read one of your other questions about post highschool years. You can always love your friends but you don't have to stay with them. Seeing new things and experiencing new stuff is always good. And afterwards, you can always share with your friends so they get a taste of what you experienced as well. Life gets better after highschool. I know it's hard to believe but it really does. So don't be afraid of new things or change.
(Wow I feel old all of a sudden!)


And as a response to hotwheels mentioning the racial issues between Korean and Japanese. Yes there is somewhat of a racial issue among Japanese and Koreans. Many older Japanese discriminate against Koreans (not openly as she mentioned) and also those that live in rural areas but the younger generation is alot more open and I'm guessing those are the people who you'll be hanging out with anyways?
And let's not forget the fact that there's racism everywhere.
Some guy called me by a racial slurr about a week ago and I live in LA. Some people call you by racial slurrs on this website so no matter where you go there's racism. Just wanted to point that out, although I'm sure you aware of that.....

Hotwheels I'm not trying to disagreeing with you or anything. No offense. I actually agree that many old fashioned Japanese have a problem with cross racial issues. My parents as well. Very hard headed at times. A vice that many asian cultures share.

Answer 2

You'd better move to Korea or HK. Living in Japan is not very comfortable, even for Japanese. Tokyo is like NYC, so coldblood. Why don't you try staying at Tokyo for a month and find an answer by yourself, It's not too late.

Answer 3

Why yes, you should move to Japan. IT's a cool place depending on where you live. TOkyo I hear people are cold, but sence it's the capital, There will be ppl from all over JApan. And the Technoglly advance stuff they have there is a plus.

Answer 4

You should totally move to japan for a while. It's not like your going to stay there forever you can always com back to the USA. I'm sure your friends wont mind & with all of todays tecnoligy you can talk to your friends every day , besides you can hang out with your mom more often.

Answer 5

To be honest with you, I know for a fact that some Japanese people discriminate against Koreans. If you are Japanese Korean, chances are...some people will not always treat you in a good way. They don't tell you face to face but they'll be talking about you behind your back etc... I'm Japanese and my bf is Korean American. My parents are not too happy about us dating.

Answer 6

there is a community for hapas (hawaian "halfs") filled with lots of half japanese - half something people, to make live easier for half foreigners. People are lovely there, partying together, barbecue in the summer, etc. so yes its lovely here.

Answer 7

i think if you're up for an adventure, you should definately study abroad. It would also be nice to see your mom. but if you think you'll be too homesick then probably don't. it's a matter of how far you think you can push your comfort zone.