RACHEL – Work in Tokyo Japan – from Singapore

2024-05-04

Meet Rachel, a Singaporean HR Systems Trainer and Japanese language student in Tokyo. She also runs an online shop for Tamagotchi accessories and translates guides. Drawn to Japan by its culture and language, Rachel cherishes the city life and fashion freedom but struggles with the formal work culture and commuting distances.

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Interview – Work in Japan

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

Singapore

WHAT DO YOU DO IN JAPAN?

My corporate job is an HR Systems Trainer, but I am also enrolled to a Japanese Language School. I also own an online shop selling Tamagotchi-related handmade accessories, and I translate Tamagotchi guides from Japanese to English for the western audience so that they can also enjoy Tamagotchi.

WHY ARE YOU INTERESTED IN JAPAN?

I’ve always been interested in the culture and the language, ever since being introduced to anime about 20 years ago. I don’t watch anime that much now, but my love for the language has stuck with me ever since.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO STAY IN THIS CITY?

I actually don’t have much of a choice on where I stay in Japan, because my company’s Japan office branch is located in Tokyo. But other than that, I also love living in big cities. My home country Singapore is a city country, and I love it. I enjoy the countryside too, but only for vacations. I’d die of boredom if I lived in the countryside.

WHERE IS YOUR LOCAL RECOMMENDATION IN THIS CITY?

Seirinkan has the BEST PIZZA IN TOKYO. I love visiting Ikebukuro and Nakano for all things anime and video games. To be honest I don’t really have any good recommendations, except that I would say don’t be overly focused on the touristy things. Don’t stick to a travel itinerary; take the time to wander and get lost, and you might just discover hidden gems.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST WHILE STAYING ABROAD?

I enjoy learning about the culture and doing things differently. Everything is very orderly here, and everyone is very socially responsible. I also enjoy seeing the different fashions here. It is more acceptable to dress loudly here without getting stares. I am excited to experiment different fashion styles that would be perceived as weird, odd, or childish in Singapore.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE BEING IN JAPAN?

As compared to Singapore where there are trains and buses everywhere, the train & buses in Tokyo are further apart, and so I have been walking A LOT more than I would in Singapore. My biggest challenge is all the walking that I have to do. I actually enjoy walking if the weather is cool but I HATE IT when it is summer or when it rains! Also, it has been mentally stressful for me to always be on my toes about politeness at work, because in Singapore we treat each other pretty casually, even towards bosses.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN JAPAN AND YOUR COUNTRY?

The culture at work is totally different. Singapore is more casual and everyone calls each other by their first names, including bosses. But in Japan the corporate setting is more hierarchial and everyone calls each other by last names + san. In Japan corporate culture, everyone greets each other all the time such as ohayougozaimasu or otsukaresamadesu. In Singapore we do greet each other too sometimes, but even if you don’t it is perfectly fine and it won’t be perceived as being rude.

Both Singapore and Japan have strict laws and social etiquettes, but each country has their own strictness in different aspects. For example, in Singapore vape is illegal but in Japan it is available easily anywhere. On the other hand, in Japan it is socially unacceptable to talk loudly or play music on the train, but in Singapore you can hear people talking and playing music on the train.

People in Japan are also much more fashionable, especially in places like Shibuya, Harajuku, Roppongi, Omote-Sando, Ginza, etc. It might be because of the hot weather in Singapore, but even in the high-end shopping districts of Singapore you will see not many people dressed up fashionably, and it is normal to see people walking around in shorts and flip flops.

DID YOU EXPERIENCE ANY CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE AND FUTURE PROSPECTS?

My family is back home in Singapore and I came to Japan alone, so it was extremely lonely at first, especially without any friends. It is gradually getting better now, as I am slowly getting used to it. As for future prospects, I am not sure yet. I love Japan but I also have my family and my cats back home so I haven’t decided if I want to live in Japan longer or return home.

To be honest because of the difference in cost of living between Singapore and Japan, I actually took a significant pay cut when I transferred to Japan. From a financial point of view, working and living in my home country Singapore is much more preferable.

Because of these factors, I am really undecided about my future at the moment.

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM?

To be able to speak Japanese fluently so that I can assimilate into the culture even more. And to visit every single corner of Japan! I want to discover more hidden gems in Japan, especially spots that are unknown to tourists.

MESSAGE TO OUR FRIENDS WHO WILL GO TO JAPAN.

Japan is not a perfect country but it has so many beautiful sights and places to visit. Not to mention the food is SO DELICIOUS!!!! I would encourage everyone to travel to Japan at least once! Visit all the beautiful nature spots, experience city life, and remember to try ALL THE FOOD!

HOW DO YOU LEARN JAPANESE?

When I was in university about more than 10 years ago I took a Japanese language course as an elective. That was my first introduction to Japanese (learning the basics like hiragana, etc). After I graduated from university and started working, I continued self learning and eventually took classes with a Japanese teacher in Singapore. Right now in Japan, I am currently enrolled into a Japanese Language School.