What's changed?

Following my article reflecting on 30 years in Japan, I've had a number of people reach out to me to ask more about the journey. I was particularly struck by a question from Alwin Tsui who saw parallels on his journey. He too is a Canadian with a Kinesiology degree, but pursuing work far from his major, and a journey that has already had him intersect with Japan and want more. His question was simple: What would he need to do to take a similar path today?

His question sparked an interesting reflection for me on all the factors that contributed to my current life in Japan and what that might be like if I were starting out today. In no particular order, here are the key changes that would make the journey so different today in my opinion:

• Harder to learn the language from scratch

Based on my conversation with Alwin, I was probably at a lower level of Japanese when I came to Japan. In order to communicate with people I met, most of whom didn't speak much English or were too nervous to try, I need to use a combination of my paper dictionary and language guide, pen and paper to try to draw things, lots of gestures and work on memorizing phrases and words to build up my vocabulary and language abilities.

At home, I had Japanese work books and a Kanji dictionary and took a Japanese lesson once a week. It took about 6 months to build up enough vocabulary and confidence to hold daily conversations and about a year to be relatively functional in the language. In a word, it was "hard".

If I were to start the journey today, it would take far more discipline to reach the same level of proficiency. With all the tools at hand: Google Translate, Duolingo, Google Lens, GenAI, etc., my life would unquestionably be easier, but that ease would also reduce the need to commit to learning the language.

To truly master the language, you need to use it and not just rely on tools to understand and communicate. You need to make the decision whether you want to live with ease, or invest to learn.

• Harder to "explore" areas

Tools such as Google Maps has truly revolutionized how we navigate and discover. However, the other side of that is an over-reliance on the "blue dot" to guide you from A to B. In my early years living in Japan, I needed to review maps, count streets, look for landmarks, and when in doubt, ask for directions along the way.

Tokyo has very few straight streets and just as few street names. I recall one of my first "quick walks around the block" when I moved to Tokyo. I took a left, another left and another left...and walked for nearly an hour in unfamiliar neighbourhoods before I found a police box and asked for directions back to my home...it was in the opposite direction...seriously, don't ask me how!

But this exploration was part of the adventure of learning neighbourhoods and the trial and error of shops and restaurants. There is no denying the amazing features and convenience modern navigation tools bring, but it is ever more important to lift you head and look around you from time to time and truly experience the neighbourhood.

• Fewer chance meetings with strangers

Besides the encounters I would have asking for directions, I remember the times sitting in the Mister Donut in Hiroshima, just milking my coffee and staring out and some stranger would come up and just talk to me. Yeah, it wasn't always the most welcome and more often than not, the topic was "can you teach me English", but it also was a time when not everyone was absorbed in their smart phone. People on the train would occasionally make eye contact and smile, which sometimes led to a conversation. It wasn't the start of a deep friendship, but it was a form of communication that is so lacking today.

Through those chance encounters, my daily Japanese improved, my understanding of the area improved, and my friendship circle actually improved (yes, I ended up befriending someone I met quite randomly and it led to my joining the squash club in my area that I so enjoyed for a number of years).

Those chance encounters can still be had, but it take more effort to make it happen.

• Easier to communicate globally

When I came to Japan, the cost of calling home was about 200 yen/minute, and would drop by about 50% after 11PM. English television consisted of Little House on the Prairie and the Sunday movie a couple of times a month. My mother would send me the Toronto Star once a week so I could keep up with local news, albeit a week late. Movies in the theatre would come out 6 months after release in the US to account for creating the necessary subtitles, and even longer to get on video.

But this also was a forcing factor to make friends more locally, if for no other reason than pure economics!

Now with WhatsApp, Netflix, Instagram, etc., there is no shortage of ways to stay in touch with your friends and family abroad, make new friends outside your area, and keep up on the latest trends and movies.

Summary

Don't get me wrong, the ability to get around so easily, to bridge the communication gap through technology, and to keep up with the latest news and entertainment are amazing advances that can definitely enhance the experience. This would have been so useful in my first 6 months as I struggled to do the most basic things.

It just means anyone who wants to truly get to know the language, culture and surrounding will have to push themselves to challenge avoid relying exclusively on these tools to truly immerse their life in Japan. These are all amazing tools, but at the end of the day, how you use them to enhance your experience is up to you.

Thank you Alwin for sparking this conversation and considering how my early days in Japan differ from present day. Your willingness to reach out and your ability to listen and process will serve you well!

All the best in your journey!