Post 600!!! How do I get to stay in Japan for this long?

 

"How Do You Stay in Japan for This Long?"

This is a question that has been posed to me many times over the years, including by some readers of this blog. Since this is now post number 600, I thought it would be a good opportunity to answer it as best as I can. Before I begin, however, please note that what follows is simply my own experience. There is  no universal truth. What worked for me may not work for you. Having said that, things have worked out reasonably well thus far, so perhaps there are a few lessons here that may be useful. I would also argue that many of these lessons apply not only to life in Japan, but to living anywhere that is unfamiliar, even in a different part of your own country.

Now then, let's get started!

My first accommodation. A 17sqm dorm in rural Motooka.
Well, we all start from somewhere!

Getting Your Foot in the Door

There are many ways to enter Japan on a visa that allows you to stay for an extended period of time. There are relatively straightforward routes such as the Working Holiday Visa, a spouse visa, or securing employment through an English language school that is willing to sponsor a work visa. However, getting your foot through the door is only one part of the equation. The more important question is how you keep that foot from being shown the door later.

I arrived in Japan through the MEXT scholarship program, which allowed me to pursue my studies for a year. From the day I arrived I knew that the scholarship had an expiry date. Once the academic year ended, so would my student status. If I wanted to stay longer, I had to find another path forward. Fortunately, the prospect of becoming unemployed proved to be a surprisingly effective source of motivation. During that year, I attended conferences, submitted academic papers, improved my Japanese as much as I could, and applied for jobs whenever opportunities arose. There was an added wrinkle as it was while the pandemic was still raging. Eventually, with only a few months remaining on my student visa, I secured a position at a law firm in Japan. That allowed me to stay.

Of course, that was only the beginning.

Fukuoka, my home base for over 6 years.

Knowing Whether You Can Stay

Like any country, life in Japan comes with its share of ups and downs. People change jobs, seek better salaries, pursue healthier work environments, or simply feel the desire to try something different. Whatever the reason, continuous self-improvement is extremely important. Imagine finding yourself in a position where your skills have become obsolete and you are suddenly laid off. For many foreigners, that is not just an employment issue but an immigration issue as well. This is particularly relevant in the age of AI, where industries are evolving faster than ever. Also, SSW workers are at the mercy of their employers as those jobs are somewhat notorious for having large turnovers and replacements. 

Although I never had to deal with such a drastic situation directly, there were certainly periods when I felt that a change was necessary. Whenever that happened, I returned to the same approach that helped me earlier. I continued studying Japanese, expanded my professional network, and kept my options open. There were occasions when I mentally prepared myself to move to Tokyo if that was where the next opportunity happened to be. Yet somehow, through a combination of timing, effort, and perhaps a bit of luck, my subsequent career moves allowed me to remain in Fukuoka.

Blessed? Fated? Perhaps. At the very least, I saved myself the trouble of packing. And money, I saved lots of money. 

Late night Tenjin. Finally off work!

Choosing Your Starting Point Carefully

This brings me to another point. Many people see English teaching as an easy route into Japan. In fairness, it often is. There is nothing inherently wrong with that path. However, unless your long-term goal is to become an educator, or unless you have a clear plan for what comes next, it may be worth thinking carefully about your options. Over the years, I have met many people who arrived through eikaiwa schools or the JET Program. Some have gone on to build wonderful careers and lives here. Others eventually found themselves feeling stuck, with limited opportunities for advancement and uncertain pathways into other industries. Especially those who want to be in Japan fast, not want to be in Japan for long. 

Part of the challenge is that many arrive at a relatively young age. Without sufficient professional experience or highly developed Japanese language skills, transitioning into a different field can become quite difficult. Some might find it impossible. For those who hope to remain in Japan for the long term, my advice would be simple: gain experience, develop marketable skills, and improve your language ability before you arrive. Doing so will save you a considerable amount of frustration later on. I think applies to any new country you want to go to. The strong language barrier and cultural difference of course are further factors to consider. 

Fukuoka International terminal. Not sure when is my last time here.
But not very soon I hope!

Knowing When to Leave

Of course, every story eventually comes to an end. There have been several occasions throughout my time in Japan when I genuinely believed my journey here was nearing its conclusion. I was fully prepared to return to Malaysia if circumstances required it. Because of this, I believe it is important to establish a set of personal principles rather than relying solely on emotion. Human beings are emotional creatures. When major life decisions are made purely on impulse, important considerations are often overlooked. Regret usually arrives afterwards. If I had just relied on impulse, I would be gone much earlier. 

I do have my own set of criteria that help guide such decisions, though I will keep those private. What matters is not what my criteria are, but that they exist. Find your own dealbreakers and do not compromise on them. Know what circumstances would make you stay, and what circumstances would make you leave. That way, if the day ever comes to return home, you will be doing so from a position of principle rather than in the middle of an emotional hurricane.

However, one of the criterion is not whether I am accepted as a Japanese. And that is perfectly fine. Unless I get a Japanese passport, I will never be seen as Japanese and I will never be treated as one. But that does not mean I cannot work in this country, make friends, deserve respect and enjoy my life here. Rather than being defined what people label you, look inward and see what you label yourself. And if labelling yourself as "happy" is what you can do, then I guess that is a job well done. 

Nakasu kawabata shopping street at night.
One of my favourite places to walk and let my thoughts run free.

The Role of Luck

Having said all of that, I must admit that luck played a significant role in my journey. Whenever I reached a point where I felt things had stalled and a return home seemed inevitable, another opportunity somehow emerged. Sometimes it was a job. Sometimes it was a professional contact. Sometimes it was a new assignment that opened unexpected doors. Each time, those opportunities allowed me to stay a little longer. I consider myself very fortunate. Then again, I have always liked the saying that luck is where preparation meets opportunity. Whether that is true or not, I will leave you to decide.

Most recent selfie while at work.
I still got to pay rent and all that food after all!

Final Thoughts

And so, that brings us to the end of post number 600! Thank you to everyone who has followed this blog throughout the years. Whether you joined recently or have been reading since the early days, I genuinely appreciate your support. I hope this post provides some insight into how I managed to stay in Japan for as long as I have. More importantly, I hope it encourages you to reflect on your own journey, wherever that may take place. As for the blog itself, well, let's see whether we can make it to another hundred posts. Thank you once again for supporting this little side project that began back in 2017. Until next time, and as always, happy eating.