Japan Changed My Life

Here's an excerpt from my new book now on Amazon worldwide. One of the chapters is on decision-making. I always use the start-stop-keep format when I have to decide something, although sometimes decisions are more emotional, like my decisions to pursue a life in Japan.

People have always asked me if I will ever return to the US. The answer has always been no. Especially now with the coronavirus and with the terrible political situation.

I tell people that Japan changed my life and it’s true.

It was when I came to Japan, that I found happiness. I first came to Japan more than 30 years ago as a contractor for the U.S. Government and worked at military bases here and around Asia.

It was in Japan that I met my life partner, Hitoshi Ohashi. I quit my job with the U.S. Government after I decided to stay in Japan with Hitoshi. I had no other job when I quit that job, I didn't know anything about Japan--only the military bases--and I hardly knew Hitoshi.

We had only been together for 3 or 4 months. But I had a feeling that I had met someone special and I figured it was a good time to give this relationship a shot. We didn't speak each others languages but we had a strong bond between us and somehow we could communicate. I knew that I wanted to stay in Japan and I wanted to be with Mr H. If it didn't work out I always could go back to California.

I shared a six mat room with Hitoshi during the first year we were together, but it didn’t matter.

It was in Japan that I found the work that gave me great satsifaction. I taught at Keio University for almost 25 years and consulted with many interesting people and companies. Hitoshi and I started an art gallery and met so many wonderful people and made great friends.

Eventually, I sold the car and the house in California, cut all my ties with California, and made a new life in Japan.

In Japan, I was learning, I was contributing to society, I was working hard, I was living, I was having fun, I was experiencing something that I never had before in my life-happiness. I was and still am very happy. And Hitoshi and I have forged a relationship that is always loving and never boring.

People ask me what made the difference, and the best answer I can give is that I it wasn’t just one thing. It is Tokyo and Okinawa. It’s Hitoshi. It’s the work I do. It’s the food I eat. It's the life Hitoshi and I have created together.

This is an excerpt from my new book. NO REGRETS: How to Kickstart You Career and Your life. Now on Amazon worldwide. https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4799382675