アレックスの日本での生活
Lilico
Hi everyone, welcome to Japanese Point of View.
Japanese Point of View is a podcast that shares topics related to Japan. We are your hosts, Lilico and,
Maikou
Maikou.
Lilico
Okay, so we have a guest here today for the first time.
And he has been living in Japan for more than a decade now.
So we would like to dig in a little deeper about his life in Japan.
Please welcome Alex.
Alex
Hi everyone, it's nice to meet all of you.
Maikou
Hi.
Lilico
Hello, welcome.
Maikou
Welcome.
Alex
Yeah, thanks for having me here.
Lilico
Yeah, thanks for coming in.
So we wanted to hear about your experience in Japan.
Alex
Okay.
Lilico
So before we get in, can you introduce yourself for a little bit?
Alex
Sure. My name is Alexander, but please call me Alex.
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California.
Alex
And I moved to Japan for the first time in 2013.
And I have been here ever since.
Lilico
2013. So you've been living in Japan for about 11 years?
Alex
Yes.
Lilico
As of 2024?
Alex
Yep.
Lilico
Right. How is life living in Japan so far?
Alex
It's great. I mean, right now it's hot.
I can't stand the Japanese summer, but I'm still surviving.
Lilico
What made you to move to Japan?
Alex
Ah, good question.
I've been studying Japanese since I was 18.
And I always wanted to live here and work here one day.
But I never had the chance to.
I never had the courage.
But I was in a long distance relationship with a Japanese girl.
And after visiting her in Japan, I made up my mind to move there in 2013.
Yeah. And it was like a dream.
Like I always wanted to live and work here.
So I'm still happy, you know, like to this day.
Lilico
Wow.
Alex
I'm happy to be here.
Maikou
Wow, that makes me happy too, to hear like good points of Japan.
Alex
Yeah, I love Japan.
I love everything about this place.
Lilico
It must have been a big decision to move to Japan, right?
Alex
Right. Yeah.
Again, I didn't have the courage.
And back then, my Japanese friends in LA would tell me like,
Oh, I wouldn't survive there.
My Japanese is not good enough.
So I kept studying and studying and studying to the point I can talk normally in Japan now.
I didn't have any problem.
Maikou
That's amazing from my side.
Lilico
Yeah, it's really hard, right?
Alex
Yeah, but so originally I wanted to come here in my early 20s,
you know, so I could enjoy Tokyo life.
But I was 32, 33 when I first came here.
So yeah, not too many clubbing, more like touring, visiting temples, things like that.
Maikou
Right, more kind of grown up tourism.
Alex
Yeah, right.
Lilico
What made you take so long to come to Japan?
Actually, like 10 years.
Alex
I just didn't have the courage.
You know, I was too comfortable being around my friends.
And my parents, of course, they all live in America.
So that was one of the main reason.
But I think my younger brother, he visited Japan before me.
And hearing all his stories, it kind of made me want to live there more.
Lilico
Does your brother live in Japan as well?
Alex
Yep.
He actually lives in Niigata.
Lilico
Niigata, wow.
Yeah.
So do you have any Japanese background in your family?
Alex
Yep.
My parents are both Japanese, second generation.
So I'm a Japanese American.
But my mother has some French blood in her.
And I think that is the reason why me and my brothers are huge.
It's funny because I met my mother's brother and their kids.
And they were also big.
And I think it's probably because of the French blood.
Lilico
Right.
Alex
Yeah.
Lilico
So as from your experience, what's the difference in culture
between LA and where you currently live in Japan?
Alex
I see.
I have several.
Is that okay?
Lilico
Yeah, of course.
Alex
First is the pace of life.
LA is more known for its like laid back casual lifestyle.
But while in Japan, especially in the urban areas.
Lilico
Yeah, like Tokyo?
Alex
Yeah, especially in Tokyo.
The pace of life can be more fast paced and structured.
日本とLAの生活の違い
Lilico
Like in New York?
Alex
Yeah, exactly.
And people in Japan often follow too strict schedules and being on time.
So yeah, that's a huge difference I saw in the beginning.
And being on time, the next one I have is public transportation.
LA is more car centric.
You need a car to go anywhere.
And they rely on personal vehicles for transportation.
But in Japan, on the other hand, especially in cities,
they rely on public transportation, you know, such as trains and buses and even bicycles.
Like I haven't rode a bicycle for like over 20 years.
Yeah.
And even walking is so different.
Like you rarely walk in LA.
Like I used to drive my car to the supermarket behind my house.
You can run there.
But back then.
Lilico
Is that for safety reason?
Alex
Yeah, safety too.
But maybe lazy too.
Yeah, I think being lazy is probably a thing.
Yeah, safety also.
But yeah, even if it's the daytime, I would not walk.
Lilico
Yeah.
When do you work out then?
When do you burn calories?
Alex
Yeah, yeah.
See, you go to the gym.
Lilico
Oh, you go to the gym to do so.
Alex
Yeah, that's about it though.
But yeah, that is a difference.
Another is the food culture.
Lilico
Yeah, I bet it's huge, huh?
Alex
Yeah, because LA is like they offer a diverse range of international cuisines.
But Japan has like its own, you know, deeply rooted food culture.
So that was very interesting to me.
And what else?
Maybe the social etiquette.
Maikou
Yeah, yeah.
Alex
Because like in Japan, people are more polite, respectful and careful.
Lilico
And shy.
Alex
Yeah, and shy.
They bow, they use polite language and try to be humble.
But in LA, social interactions are usually more casual.
Lilico
Like you talk to strangers on the street.
Alex
Exactly, yeah.
It's completely different.
And people are more focused on expressing themselves freely.
So yeah, that's a big difference.
Like, you know, I remember when I first came here, I would be talking randomly to strangers.
And they would be looking at me funny.
Lilico
They're gonna call the police.
Alex
Yeah, exactly.
Maikou
Outside of Japan, it's kind of usual to say,
hello, or nice shoes or nice hair to strangers.
And it's kind of like usual.
Alex
And it looks like you're socialized.
Right.
Maikou
But in Japan, it's socialized to be like, not talk to strangers.
Alex
Yeah, which I totally understand now.
Lilico
Now.
Alex
Yeah, it took me a while for me to get used to.
Lilico
Yeah, because it's just a cultural difference.
And it's huge.
Right.
Any other difference in culture that you felt?
Alex
Difference?
日本の清潔さ
Alex
I mean, what I really like about Japan, I would say the cleanliness.
Lilico
Cleanliness.
Oh, my God.
Alex
Japan is so clean.
Maikou
Yeah.
Lilico
Hygiene.
Alex
Seriously, like, I don't see any trash on the street.
It's amazing.
Even the streets, like, it's all nicely done.
Maikou
Even if you throw anything away, you don't get fined or anything.
But no one ever throws away everything on the street.
Alex
Exactly.
Maikou
It's super clean.
Alex
Yeah.
Maikou
And the bathrooms are so clean.
The public bathrooms are super clean.
Yeah.
Alex
Yeah.
In LA, I would never use the restroom.
Maikou
I can imagine.
I don't really use the public restrooms when I'm on business trips.
Alex
It's so dirty.
Maikou
You need to even pay in some cases to use the bathrooms.
Alex
Yeah, you're right.
And it's still dirty.
Maikou
Yeah.
Lilico
Yeah, I understand.
Alex
But one thing that really surprised me was that they didn't have any trash cans.
Lilico
Yeah.
It's really hard.
Alex
Right?
I mean, now I understand why.
Because of the past incidents.
But when I first came here, I used to buy a lot of stuff at the conbini.
Maikou
Yeah.
Alex
Eat all the snacks and drinks.
And I'll be holding them for the rest of the day.
Maikou
Yeah.
日本のゴミ問題と安全性
Maikou
I'll be carrying garbage all around.
Alex
Yeah.
Lilico
Right.
Alex
So yeah, that's another thing I was surprised about.
Lilico
It's kind of a frustration to us, Japanese citizens, I guess.
Alex
Even to you guys too?
Lilico
Yeah.
Maikou
Yeah.
I'm like walking around holding some kind of trash inside my bag.
Lilico
Yeah, the whole day.
I mean, I wish I could see way more bins around in the street.
Maikou
Yeah.
Alex
You're right.
Lilico
I guess one of the reasons why there are not so many bins around in Japan is because to
prevent the terrorism.
Alex
Exactly.
Lilico
But how do other countries prevent terrorism?
By setting bins?
Alex
Yeah, I think in the US, when they think of trash and tourists, they still need a place
to throw away the trash.
So they really prioritize that.
Maikou
Yeah.
Alex
So they have bins outside everywhere.
But I do understand that terrorists can use...
But maybe in the States, there's like a lot more different ways terrorists can attack
the citizens.
So I think bins is not the main thing they worry.
Maikou
Ah, I see.
Alex
Yeah.
Maikou
In Japan, it's like we're watching out for 不審物.
Lilico
Suspicious stuff.
Maikou
Suspicious leftovers.
Alex
Yeah.
Like when there's a leftover bag in the train.
Maikou
Yeah.
Lilico
It might gonna explode.
Alex
Explode.
So yeah, that I understand.
Yeah.
Lilico
All right.
日本の公共交通と人々の礼儀
Lilico
So what do you like about Japan?
And what do you wish to be improved about Japan?
Alex
Like I said, safety is the main reason, you know, seriously.
I don't feel threatened living here.
Lilico
No guns.
Alex
Yeah, no guns.
And I like the public transportation always being on time.
Lilico
Right.
Maikou
Yeah.
Alex
In LA, sometimes the bus won't show up.
Lilico
Never?
Alex
You wonder where it went.
But in Japan, if you're even a minute late, they will do the announcement.
Lilico
Apologize.
Alex
Yeah, apologize.
And then we'll be like, no, it's okay.
It's only a minute, you know.
Maikou
Yeah.
Alex
So yeah, that's one thing, transportation.
And of course, the next is the politeness of the people.
For example, when you're walking in the rain, holding an umbrella, people move for you, you know.
Yeah, that, you don't see that in LA.
Lilico
Really?
Alex
Well, it's kind of different in LA because LA like, I don't know about now,
but back then, people hardly used umbrellas.
Lilico
Really?
Alex
None of my friends use umbrellas.
We just got wet.
Maikou
Yeah, I thought that was so Japanese to use umbrellas all the time.
Alex
Yeah.
So if you see people in LA holding umbrellas, you think like, oh, you know, that guy thinks he's cool.
Maikou
Yeah.
He has his style.
Alex
Yeah, yeah.
He's being stylish.
But no, no, he's smart.
You know, because we're the ones getting sick from the rain.
But I've been living in Japan for 10 years now, 11 years, and I still don't use the umbrella.
Yeah, my son has an umbrella.
And he always asks me why I'm getting wet.
Lilico
I mean, the weather, the climate is totally different in LA and in, at least in Tokyo.
So recently in summer, there are quite a few of the heavy rain.
Alex
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Lilico
So you better have your umbrella with you in case it rains heavily.
Alex
You're right.
The ゲリラ豪雨, right?
I never experienced that until I came here.
And it was like watching a cartoon.
Lilico
Yeah.
Alex
All of a sudden, it's pouring like crazy.
And the rain, it hurts.
Lilico
It does.
Maikou
Yeah, it's like so strong.
Alex
So strong.
And all of a sudden, it stops.
Lilico
And it rumbles as well.
Alex
You're right.
When that happens, it's rare.
But that's probably when I buy an umbrella from the konbini.
Lilico
Konbini, yeah.
Alex
Yeah.
Lilico
And you forget it in the public transport as well.
Yeah, exactly.
Alex
But improve.
I think about this sometimes, but I think it's getting better.
But for maybe work-wise, I wish there's a better balance between work and personal life.
働き方改革と職場文化
Maikou
Oh, yeah, right.
Lilico
So you overwork a bit too much.
Alex
Yeah, well, I mean, luckily, I work for foreign companies.
So I don't have a problem.
The work-life balance is great.
But yeah, I hear from my friends and ex-colleagues that, you know, working overtime, it's tough.
Maikou
Right.
Yeah, most Japanese people are like, in a way, too majime.
Too much, like, hard on themselves.
And they think, like, they need to finish this job right now.
But it can be tomorrow, the day after tomorrow.
Alex
Yeah.
I mean, if it's a huge project, and it needs to be done, I understand, you know.
But I never liked how my work would be finished, and I'm ready to go home.
But I can't leave until my boss does, and then he's the one staying.
Maikou
Oh, yeah.
Alex
And I don't know what he's doing, but he's, like, hitting the keyboard really loud, you know.
It's not necessary.
Lilico
No.
Maikou
No.
Alex
That, yeah, I never liked.
Lilico
If you have done your work, you just go back home.
That's it.
Alex
Exactly.
Like, I always think that people who cannot finish, they work overtime.
Then I understand.
But if you finish your work, why not go home, right?
But I think it's getting better, though, slowly.
Yeah.
Lilico
I think one of the reasons why that happened is because Japanese government announced about
働き方改革, which, if you directly translate it, it's, like, revolution of the way you work.
Alex
Right, right, right.
Lilico
Yeah, it sounds weird, but the government wants us to stop working too hard.
Alex
Right.
Lilico
And there are a bit of changes slowly, I guess.
It's happening, but...
Alex
Yeah, yeah.
Lilico
I don't know.
I can't imagine myself working in that kind of toxic environment.
Alex
Yeah, seriously.
Lilico
I've never done.
Alex
Oh, that's good.
That's good for you.
Alex
Another thing is that going out with your boss or your colleagues, like, drinking.
After work.
Lilico
Drinking culture.
Maikou
Yeah.
Alex
That too.
Lilico
飲み会。
Maikou
飲みニケーション。
Lilico
飲みニケーション。
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Alex
Like, it shouldn't be mandatory.
Lilico
No.
Alex
Yeah, I think only the people who wants to go should go.
Maikou
Yeah, for fun.
Lilico
And you shouldn't pay for it if it's for company.
Alex
Right.
So after COVID died down, I think a lot of the companies stopped doing that now.
外国人としての経験
Alex
So it's actually getting better.
Maikou
Yeah.
Alex
I always hear news that the younger generation, they don't even go drink.
Maikou
No.
Alex
Some of them don't even drink alcohol.
Maikou
No.
Alex
Yeah, things are changing.
Lilico
Yeah, younger generation prioritize their life more than their work communication.
Alex
Right.
Yep.
Maikou
This is just my pure curiosity.
But have you ever felt in some way Japan is 閉鎖的?
Or 村社会?
Because I have some chance to work with my colleagues outside of Japan,
such as from the States or France, Germany, UK.
I think it's not our intention, but many people say, like, they're all, like, 外人さん。
Strangers.
Since most people living in Japan are Japanese.
Alex
Right.
Maikou
Most people are not used to foreigners in Japan or visiting Japan.
Alex
Right.
Maikou
So I think not on purpose, but they're sometimes making some discrimination.
Alex
Oh, yeah, yeah.
Foreigners, yeah.
Maikou
So I was curious if you can feel that in your life in Japan.
Alex
Ah, you know, I've heard a lot of stories like that with my colleagues who are, like,
Italian, who are Canadian, Australian, European.
But I think I was lucky because since I'm American, but I have Japanese blood,
my parents are Japanese, so I look Japanese.
So I think that really saved me from the discrimination.
But sometimes people forget that I'm from America and I wouldn't know certain things in Japan.
Some, you know, 当たり前 stuff that Japanese people should know.
And those times, like, my Japanese co-workers will kind of make fun of me.
外国人としての経験
Alex
But personally, I never get offended when people call me 外人 or 外国人.
I never care.
I never got hurt.
Yeah, because I am a 外国人.
Lilico
You know, there are a few nuanced differences between 外人 and 外国人.
Do you feel it?
Alex
I don't, personally.
Lilico
You don't?
Alex
Because I just look at it as, like, a slang.
Because, you know, Japanese people, they like to shorten everything.
So when people say you're a 外人, it doesn't affect me at all.
Lilico
Right, that's good.
Because it could be microaggression to some extent.
But if you don't feel like it, it's not, maybe.
Alex
Right, yeah, I don't take offended.
Because I don't want to be treated special because I came from another country.
Because I chose to come here.
So I have to follow the Japanese rules and fit in the society.
Lilico
You're mature.
Alex
So some people, they couldn't handle it and they went back to their country.
Lilico
Right, right, right, exactly.
Alex
Yeah, but me, you know, I love Japan so much that,
yeah, nothing really bothers me or stresses me out.
日本での生活の選択
Lilico
Right, you say you love Japan.
But were you planning to go back to LA when you first came to Japan?
Alex
Yeah, when I first came to Japan, like, I was thinking maybe staying here for, like,
five years for experience.
But the more I lived here,
they really respect you.
Because people who can speak English are treated really well.
They give you so much respect.
And I never got that.
Like, you know, yeah, I was studying Japanese.
And I will be working for, you know, American company and using Japanese.
I never felt the respect.
I think people appreciate me more in Japan using my English skills.
So I think I'm really comfortable.
Yeah, the main reason why I wanted to stay here forever was,
you know, because I met my wife and I became a dad.
So, you know, I don't want my son living where I grew up.
You know, like some people say, like,
oh, don't you want your son to go to the same school?
No, I don't.
Maikou
So, yeah.
Alex
But if he ever wants to live in the States, yeah, then I might join him.
But as for now, no, I love everything about Japan.
And I think I'm here for a while.
Lilico
So it sounds like Japan really fits you.
Or you fit in Japan, either way.
Alex
Yes, I think I dreamed of coming here for so long that,
you know, 11 years and I still get emotional.
And I still feel excited riding the bus and the train.
And even when I'm walking, like down the street,
when I see all the stores and signs, everything in Japanese,
it really still makes me, like, happy.
Maikou
Really?
Alex
Yeah.
LAのメキシコ料理への憧れ
Lilico
Is there anything that you miss about LA?
Alex
Uh, I would say my favorite food is Mexican food.
Yeah, I've been living here quite a while,
trying out different Mexican restaurants,
but I can't find anything.
Lilico
Authentic?
Alex
Authentic, yeah.
I remember there's, I would go to these couple taco stand, actually, in LA.
And when I have friends coming over from Japan,
I would always take them there.
Lilico
Mm-hmm.
Alex
And then they would get sick, all of them.
I think it's because the oil is so bad.
Yeah, it's greasy.
It's like, the color of oil is like black and green.
It doesn't look safe, but they all get sick.
But after that, they will always tell me,
hey, you know, Alex, can you please take me to that taco place again?
Lilico
And they're going to get sick again?
Alex
Yeah, no, no.
And then they start liking it.
And it's weird.
Lilico
Addictive.
Alex
Yeah, very.
I mean, it's not healthy.
Everything in Japan is healthy.
So, great thing.
Even the junk food in Japan is not junky for me.
Maikou
It's kind of healthy.
Lilico
Healthy junk food.
Maikou
Yeah.
Alex
That's what I miss.
Maikou
I really like the Mexican food I ate in LA last year.
So I miss it.
Alex
Oh, yeah.
日本での食文化
Alex
What kind of food did you eat, mainly?
Maikou
I ate tacos with guacamole.
Alex
Oh, yeah.
Maikou
And chili sauce.
And I personally like Mexican food.
But it's really hard to find in Tokyo or Saitama, where I currently live.
There was a good restaurant in my hometown, which is Fukuoka.
But it's like kind of a single cuisine Mexican restaurant.
So we don't have that in Tokyo.
So I miss it.
Alex
I see.
I think one of the great things in the US, the junk food.
People like junk food because it's cheap.
Yeah, it's not healthy, but it's cheap.
That's why they prefer it.
But I don't want to eat healthy junk food in Japan when they're expensive.
Lilico
Yeah.
Alex
This is different.
Yeah.
Maikou
I want it to be like more casual food.
So we can go casually and not spend an expensive amount of money.
Alex
Right.
Yeah.
Lilico
I found one Mexican restaurant in Japan, in Shibuya.
It's actually from Australia.
It's kind of weird, but it's Mexican food from Australia.
Guzman Y Gomez.
Alex
Yeah, you know what?
That place is good.
Lilico
Really?
Alex
Yep.
It's expensive, though.
Lilico
I know.
Healthy, expensive junk food, huh?
Alex
Yeah.
That place is good.
Lilico
Right.
So, another question.
日本での仕事探し
Lilico
So you work in Japan, right?
Alex
Yes.
Lilico
You work for a foreign company?
Gaishi?
Alex
Yep.
Lilico
But was it hard to find a job in Japan?
Alex
Yes, it was.
Because I think Japanese people really rely on scores.
They'll always ask me scores.
Lilico
Scores.
Alex
I'll tell them English is my native language, and they'll be like,
but what's your TOEIC score?
Maikou
Ah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Alex
You know what I mean?
It's like, they really care about shikaku.
Maikou
Exams, shikaku, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Alex
You know, they really care about that kind of stuff.
So I'll be telling them like, okay, and the person interviewing me in English is Japanese.
And I'm like, um... yeah, so yeah.
That was hard for me in the beginning.
Lilico
I mean, they want some proof, I guess, to see the number, the scores.
Alex
Yeah, exactly.
Lilico
But TOEIC is not for natives, you know.
Alex
Right, yeah.
And then if I tell them, oh, I came from the States,
then they'll ask me, what's my level of Japanese?
Yeah, that I understand.
But I never took the exam because I always felt comfortable that
I can do business level Japanese.
But of course, they might think I'm lying.
So yeah.
Lilico
So did you take any Japanese test, exams?
Alex
No, I haven't.
Lilico
No?
And you got a job in Japan?
Alex
No, I think I was lucky.
Lilico
Yeah, that's really surprising, to be honest.
Alex
Yeah, I was just really lucky.
When I first came here, my first job was, I actually met them at a bar.
It was for, I'm not sure if you know, the Disney on Ice?
Lilico
The musical?
Alex
They have like an ice show, like a musical.
They do that every summer, and they travel around Japan.
And the crew was drinking at a bar, and I just had a random conversation with them.
And then they were telling me that they have like 100 English speaking staffs,
like 50 skaters, performers, and 50 employees.
And they only have like two translators.
So they were looking for another person.
And I was doing interpretation and translation in the US.
So they gave me a job, and then I was touring with them.
Lilico
Wow.
Alex
And yeah, that was a great experience, because I got to travel around Japan.
Lilico
That sounds so good.
Alex
And it was also fun, because they don't rent ice rinks.
They build it from scratch.
So you go to like a Ticom, and you build everything from scratch.
And then you bring in the ice machine, and it takes time,
just for that one or two days.
And then there'll be so many people working overnight,
laboring, doing heavy lifting, because they have to make the entire stage.
アレックスの職歴と経験
Alex
So it was fun for me, because I get to work and exercise.
Yeah, so I really enjoyed doing that.
And then that kind of led me to my next job.
I was making like subtitles for like movies and video games.
Yeah, so I was doing that.
That was all in Nagoya.
And I went to Tokyo to do digital marketing.
Lilico
Oh, that's totally different field.
Alex
Yeah, yeah.
I mean, when I was in LA, I was doing a lot of sales and business development.
Lilico
Oh, I see.
Alex
But after moving here, I was doing a lot of translation, localization.
And then after moving to Tokyo, I started doing like project management,
team management, and digital marketing.
And in my current job, I do all the social media content
for like major corporates' social media pages.
Yeah, I can't say the names.
Lilico
You're so talented.
Alex
No, and I like working with people.
I can get along with anyone, even that one person that everybody hates.
And plus, stress too much.
I'm always positive.
So like I said, I'm so happy to just be here.
So yeah, that's where I'm at right now.
Lilico
Sounds so good.
日本での生活アドバイス
Lilico
Do you have any advice for those who would like to live in Japan?
Alex
Ah, yeah.
I would say the main is respect the culture.
Because Japanese cultural places a high value on politeness,
respect, and following social norms.
Just being like mindful to people, like bowing,
taking shoes off when you're indoors, being quiet in public spaces.
I think if you can do that, you will fit in better with the Japanese society.
Other advices, I would say prepare for paperwork.
Lilico
Yeah.
Alex
So weird how Japan is so advanced.
Maikou
Absolutely, yeah.
Alex
They're so advanced in technology, but they're still like
sending things in fax machines.
Lilico
I know, right?
Alex
Yeah.
I mean, it's Japanese culture.
I don't want that to disappear.
But sometimes it's like, so they're still old school on those kind of things.
Lilico
It is, definitely.
Alex
Yeah.
So like when you're getting visas, renting apartments,
having your own phone, creating a bank account,
you need so much paperwork, you know?
Maikou
You need to sign and sign and sign.
Alex
Yeah.
And I thought my Japanese was good enough,
but when I first came here and when I went to the ward, the 区役所.
Oh my god, I did not like it there.
Lilico
It's not for Japanese people too, you know?
It's just too much.
Alex
Right?
Yeah, it's like, man, can you like dumb it down?
Like so like difficult.
Can you explain everything easier?
Lilico
Yeah, the Japanese written there are just too rigid as well.
The language is just hard.
Alex
Hard, very hard.
So it's like be prepared for that.
What else is there?
The working culture is getting a lot better.
But you know, like I said, some companies, they still do long hours.
They focus on teamwork.
So your Japanese needs to be great.
And you still have to get along with all your co-workers.
And at the same time, there's the senpai, kohai.
So you need to respect the...
Maikou
The elders.
Alex
Yeah, people.
Lilico
Yeah, senior.
Alex
Right?
So I think you need to be adaptable and open-minded.
Lilico
That's a real good point.
Alex
Ah, I have another one.
Understand the cost of living is crucial.
Yeah, I think Japan can be affordable in many ways, but...
Lilico
Yeah, compared to in LA.
Alex
Yeah, still, you know, the rent, utilities can be expensive.
Yeah, so anybody who's planning to come here,
it's very important to budget and plan accordingly, I would say.
Yeah, I think that's my advice.
Lilico
Nice, thank you.
ポッドキャストについて
Lilico
So we've talked quite a lot today, so we need to wrap up soon.
But you do have your podcast show as well, right?
Alex
Yes, I currently have two at the moment in Japanese.
Lilico
In Japanese?
Alex
Yes, I'm planning to create an English-speaking podcast in the future.
I have an Italian friend that lives in Tokyo.
I might do one with her.
Alex
But at the moment, I have two.
One is the things I like, such as manga, video games, anime, music, stuff like that.
And the other one is where I read Japanese ghost stories that I like.
Lilico
怪談？
Alex
Kaidan, yes.
Japanese ghost stories.
Only the ones I like, yeah.
Lilico
So what's the title of your two podcasts?
Alex
One is called ALEXノコワイハナシ.
Lilico
The Kaidan one?
Alex
Yes, the Kaidan one.
And the other one is ALEXの逆輸入PODCAST.
Lilico
逆輸入？
Alex
Yeah.
Lilico
Like reversed, imported podcast.
Alex
Yep.
Lilico
Nice title.
Alex
Thank you.
Lilico
So that's about it for today.
Thanks for coming, Alex, today.
Maikou
Thank you.
Alex
Thanks for having me.
Lilico
If you have any topic requests, please reach us out via Twitter/X.
Our account name is @JPoV_Podcast.
Thanks for listening till the end, and have a nice day.
See you in the next episode.
Alex
Bye.
