My Challenges and Struggles of Living in Japan as a Foreigner.
I’ve been reflecting on my life in Japan and wanted to share some of the challenges I’ve faced as a foreigner living here. In my previous article, I discussed the convenience of living in Japan, but this time, I want to focus on the struggles.
I arrived in Japan in 2019 on the Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship to pursue a master’s degree in Environmental Science, with a focus on Remote Sensing Imagery and Earthquake Management. It was my first time traveling abroad, and I was filled with enthusiasm, positivity, and joy.
I didn’t take the time to consider what life in Japan would be like, how people would interact, how things function, and what would be required to live here as an exchange student, worker, or foreigner. In other words, I didn’t anticipate the struggles I would face.
I was so excited that I only informed my UNDP colleagues, family, and friends a few days before my departure. I packed just one bag and left for Japan.
Like many from Papua New Guinea, I tend to take things as they come and find my path along the way, even if it means facing challenges. Taking risks has always been my strength.
As of 2025, I have been living in Japan for five years, first as an exchange student and now as a working adult. Here are some of the struggles I’ve faced during my time here:
1. Language Barrier
The language barrier tops my list of struggles. Before coming to Japan, I assumed that many people would speak English. However, I was completely wrong. Around 90% of Japanese people do not speak English. This is an important fact to remember if you plan to come to Japan.
While you may see many signs and company names in English, don’t be fooled. English is often used for aesthetic purposes, and many people do not speak it. This makes it challenging to get directions, make appointments, or handle official matters without a translator or basic knowledge of Japanese.
Although English is taught in elementary schools, the majority of people still cannot speak it fluently. Therefore, I strongly recommend learning some basic Japanese before coming here. Without knowing the language, life can be quite difficult.
2. Making Native Friends
In my five years in Japan, I had made only a Japanese friends. This may sound surprising compared to other countries where making friends is relatively easy. Almost all foreigners in Japan find it challenging to make Japanese friends.
Many Japanese people also find it difficult to make friends among their own ethnic group. Japan is known for its “hikikomori” individuals who live in complete isolation. It’s hard to believe such people exist, but it’s a reality here.
Friendship in Japan can be expensive. To spend time with friends, you often need to hang out at cafes, restaurants, or entertainment areas, which can be costly. In contrast, back home, friends could be family, neighbors, or school buddies, and you can hang out at local markets or at home without spending much. Everyone is satisfied and happy without trying to impress each other.
3. Shallow Conversations
Another struggle is having deep conversations on important subjects like research, medical consultations, and other significant topics. It is very difficult to have in-depth discussions in English with Japanese people at an elite level.
I experienced this issue with my professor. I was unable to have meaningful conversations with my supervisor regarding my research. It was incredibly frustrating. In my two years of master’s study, I had less than five conversations with him, each lasting less than five minutes and very shallow.
I also faced this issue during my knee surgery consultations. If you cannot speak Japanese fluently, every conversation with professionals will be shallow. This is one of the biggest struggles I face.
4. Public Transport Discrimination
Another challenge is the so-called “gaijin seat” on Japanese public transportation. Many foreigners in Japan have experienced this form of discrimination. If you are a foreigner on public transport, especially trains, you may notice that no Japanese person will sit next to you, even if the train is fully packed.
There are various theories about why this happens, such as body odor or size differences, but these are just assumptions. For me, it seems to be due to a lack of understanding and a discriminatory attitude.
It is important to note that many Japanese people are kind and respectful.
5. Learning the Japanese Language
Finally, learning the Japanese language is a significant challenge. According to a study by the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) from the U.S. Department of State, Japanese is considered a super-difficult language. Learning Japanese is especially challenging if you are not from an Asian region with similar language structures.
There are a few aspects that make learning Japanese difficult:
1. Sentence structure.
The sentence structure is the complete opposite of English. In English, the action part of the sentence comes in the middle, but in Japanese, it comes at the end. This requires a lot of time to understand the sentence’s meaning.
You need to learn Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji. These are three separate sets of characters. As a beginner, you may be taught Hiragana and Katakana, but in reality, most official documents and signs are written in Kanji.
3. Sound and pronunciation.
4. Memorization.
Learning the Japanese language often involves a lot of memorization, including repetition and pronunciation practice. While this method helps in memorizing sentences, it can be challenging for new learners to understand how to use these sentences in real-life situations.
5. Ambiguity.
6. Work and Business.
I'm currently encountering significant challenges as a foreigner living in Japan due to the country's strict visa and immigration policies. Japan is known for having some of the strictest visa processes among developed nations. While finding a job in Japan is somewhat difficult, the real challenge is securing a job that aligns with my experience and field of study. Although my current job is great, the pay is inadequate. Even workers in the service industry earn more than I do. My salary covers my basic living expenses, but it hinders my ability to pursue my long-term goals and plans. Additionally, finding a job in Japan after graduation is particularly challenging for foreigners, and the process is quite complicated.
One of the biggest challenges I faced here was due to the strict visa rules. I can't engage in any business activities or anything other than what my visa specifically allows. Japan is a country with numerous business opportunities, but it is very difficult to start a business due to the extremely strict visa regulations. To have the right to start a business in Japan, one has to live in Japan for 10 years and work for 5 years, which is quite challenging. Even more challenging is the requirement to live in the country continuously for 10 years. It's mind-blowing!
By Joshua
The Author
