Is Japan Right for You?
Japan offers many attractive alternatives for work, living, travel, and relationships. In terms of employment, teaching English or other skills to someone who is eager to communicate can be rewarding if you have some control over your work environment. There are also opportunities to freelance or start a bilingual online business (see Chapter 8, Employment, for examples). If you find work in a Japanese company, you will gain insight into Japanese and U.S. business cultures. As for living space, you may discover the convenience of smaller apartments with multipurpose rooms, and come to replace the concept of "more" with "less." You can enter into the life of your community and participate in local festivals and annual events. Traveling by train, plane, or ferry can be a pleasurable adventure (as long as you avoid the holiday periods; see Chapter 5, Making the Move). Exploring the scenic beauty of Japan--volcanoes, hot springs, lakes, and the sea--may encourage you to stay for a while.
Forming friendships can be one of the most satisfying outcomes of spending time in Japan. Although some Japanese may befriend you only because of your exotic allure or to practice English, many have traveled or lived abroad and are internationally minded. Hopefully, you will meet some Japanese from your neighborhood or work environment--or perhaps through lessons in the traditional arts--who wish to form a lasting relationship. If you have something genuine to offer and are observant, patient, persistent, comfortable working with a group, and appreciative of silence, the attraction between you and Japan may be mutual and deeply satisfying.
(excerpt from p.4)