I don't want to live in Japan.

[Chile]

Originally Posted by bELyVIS

I think Chile means that they put the most importance on getting money. I had a Chinese girlfriend that all she thought of was business and how to make money. Needless to say I thought she should have thought more of me than business as I thought of her, so we broke up.

That is exactly what I am referring to. In any society you will find that, of course. But, based upon my interactions with exchange students, people online, and stories from my friend, it seems to take on a new life in Eastern Asian cultures.

I am sorry MMM, I am having difficulty explaining what I mean.
It is simply that I have not found philosophical thinking to be held in very high regard, or even well understood. But this may be unfair of me, given my lack of experience. I am traveling, after all, because I want to know more about the world and humanity.

[yuenflai]

I am planning to move to Japan with my boyfriend soon, but after reading some messages here, I am worried

[Chile]

Originally Posted by MMM

When you say "surface pursuits" do you mean things like drugs, drinking, sports, anime?


Parents pushing their children is common in Japan, as it is anywhere, I imagine. I wish I could be more help.

Yes. And this also includes prestigious jobs, money, or short-term romance.

My friends' experience was in Taiwan, but I think you are correct. It will be seen everywhere. I just wonder which societies outwardly condone it.
In America there is an understanding of that "free spirit" mentality that a lot of young adults adopt.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by yuenflai

I am planning to move to Japan with my boyfriend soon, but after reading some messages here, I am worried

What are you and your boyfriend going to do there? Are you going to get married first.

[Chile]

Originally Posted by MMM

I broke an ankle in Japan and had to use the local hospital. That hospital had a poor reputation, and the service I got matched the rumors I had heard. I will say that since then I have visited friends in the hospital before in different places and there was a real range of quality, cleanliness.

Overall I think it is hard to judge, but I the hospitals I have seen in the US seem a little more modern.

At the same time, the cost to me for casting, medication and heat "rehabilitation" over the 6 weeks or so of healing was under 30 dollars US. Even with health insurance I have probably spent nearly 1000 dollars on much more minor medical issues than a broken ankle over the last few years in the US.

Did you have medical insurance while in Japan? I would be interested in hearing about the route you chose for health care.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by Chile

Did you have medical insurance while in Japan? I would be interested in hearing about the route you chose for health care.

I had the national health insurance all Japanese people had.

[Chile]

Originally Posted by MMM

I had the national health insurance all Japanese people had.

Thanks! I am assuming that this is the health care mentioned in the "Well I'm Boned" thread, which requires the patient to pay 30% of all health care fees?
I will research further.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by Chile

Thanks! I am assuming that this is the health care mentioned in the "Well I'm Boned" thread, which requires the patient to pay 30% of all health care fees?
I will research further.

I paid probably 10% of fees out of pocket, and the fees and medicine were much less than they would have been in the US.

[Shanis]

Originally Posted by yuenflai

I am planning to move to Japan with my boyfriend soon, but after reading some messages here, I am worried

Why are you worried? Sure MMM didn't liked to live in japan but everyone's experiences are diffrent. My grand-cousin lived there for 3years and worked for "Simens" and he liked living in japan he really enjoyed the time there and would like to go back (he can't cause he has family here who doesn't want to move nor does he has enough money or would a job with the same payment as he now has :/). Anyway think about it clearly and talk about it with your boyfriend, maybe you should first take a trip to japan for some weeks to get a basic experience about japanese life Wish you luck!

[MMM]

Originally Posted by Shanis

Why are you worried? Sure MMM didn't liked to live in japan but everyone's experiences are diffrent. My grand-cousin lived there for 3years and worked for "Simens" and he liked living in japan he really enjoyed the time there and would like to go back (he can't cause he has family here who doesn't want to move nor does he has enough money or would a job with the same payment as he now has :/). Anyway think about it clearly and talk about it with your boyfriend, maybe you should first take a trip to japan for some weeks to get a basic experience about japanese lve Wish you luck!

If you got from my posts that I didn't like my life in Japan, then I have failed.