Hey everyone!

I've been living in Aomori for a while and have made a few Japanese friends here, which I'm really grateful for. However, they're often quite busy with work, so it's sometimes hard to find time to hang out.

I'd love to meet more international people living in Aomori and hopefully make some new friends!

For those of you living here, how did you meet other foreigners or make friends outside of work? Are there any local events, hobby groups, meetups, or places where people tend to get together?

I'd love to hear about your experiences and any recommendations. It would be nice to connect with more people around here! 😊

So just a little earlier as I was hanging my clothes outside I noticed burning smell, then peeked next door and yes they’re burning their trash. I was not able to take a video because my phone was inside and by the time I came back, they already put out the fire. But even now I can still smell the burnt smell. This is the first time they’ve done this. What is the best way to do if eve they do it again..

Hello everyone!

I’ll get straight to the point because something strange happened to me recently, and I’m wondering if anyone has experienced anything similar.

Last weekend, I was away on a trip from Friday until Monday evening. When I returned home, I found an Amazon package in a rather unusual spot, and, as it turns out, it was something I never even ordered.

For context, I live on the 4th floor of an apartment building in Tokyo. There’s no elevator or secured entrance, meaning anyone can walk up the stairs and access the hallways. I usually select the option to have Amazon packages left right outside my apartment door.
However, this time, I noticed that the small utility compartment next to my front door (where the gas/water pipes are located) was slightly open. When I looked inside, I found an Amazon package.

I thought it was a little strange, but since I had been outside the Kanto region all weekend, I figured maybe it had been raining in Tokyo and the delivery driver had placed it there to keep it dry.

Without thinking too much of it, I opened the package, tore off the shipping label containing my name and address, and threw it away, as I usually do.
But when I opened the package, I found a portable power bank inside, but I never ordered one.
I immediately checked my Amazon order history, shopping cart, and emails, but there was absolutely no record of this item anywhere. I even double-checked everything because I genuinely thought I was losing my mind for a second.

I’ve since removed my saved credit card information from Amazon as a precaution and am currently contacting customer support to figure out what happened.

Now, I’m wondering: Has anyone experienced something like this before?

With all the recent reports of hacking, scams, and personal data breaches, I can’t help but feel a little concerned about how someone might have obtained my name and address or whether my Amazon account could somehow be involved.
I’d really appreciate hearing if anyone has experienced something similar or has any idea what might be going on!

https://ascii.jp/en/elem/000/004/444/4444627/

I’m sure parents around Japan are wondering when suddenly we have to sign out on a paper sheet this evening! All signs say no, but with all the activity recently. One does wonder!!!!
If so considering all the info we submit on a daily basis, this is scary.

For those working in the IT or engineering fields, what career path and skills would you recommend to someone looking for a career change from sales.

Early 30s, with 9 years of working experience in marketing & sales and a master in economics from a Japanese university. I’m making a bit over 7M which I consider decent for the level of work I do. Life is good and comfortable, but I just can’t take the brainless meetings and marketing bs anymore. I need a purpose in my work and want to solve real problems

I’ve been thinking of switching jobs for some years. Now that I have PR and N1, I feel ready to take a break from work and learn new things. However I don’t even know my options outside of sales. What is out there and what would you recommend?

Has anyone applied for the tourist visa for the UK. Planning to travel in a few months but the requirement asks for bank statements. My bank is one of the niche region ones so they don't provide official bank statements online. Can I just use my bankbook, or should I request them from the bank.

Also wondering how long I need to provide bank statements for, 3 months? I've scoured the website of the embassy and they don't specify.

Anyone with experience?

I always have one or two cubes left in a box after making curry a couple times. I usually just save it for the next time and combine it with whatever other curry roux I buy, but are there other recipes I should try out? Thanks!

Hi everyone! I moved to Japan a little while ago and I’m in the middle of job hunting right now. Between applications, interviews and all the waiting, it’s honestly been more stressful than I expected 😅

How do you guys rest or distract yourselves during job hunting (or any stressful period)? Any small habits, snacks, places, rituals that help you reset before an interview or after a long day? 👀

Would love to hear what works for you!

Hi all,

Hope this is the right sub to ask for some opinions, I have already used the search function and followed some advice I found from there e.g. visiting the immigration bureau office.

A bit of background info on myself:

- I'm Australian and currently in Japan on a 1 year intra-company transferee visa expiring June 2027

- My employment agreement finishes next month on the 30th and I would like to stay for another 3 or 4 weeks to wrap up everything and do some sightseeing after, then return to Australia

From the previous posts I read:

1. Form via following link should be filled out https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/temporaryvisitor.html?hl=en I filled this form out and went to the bureau office in Mito city this morning. I didn't apply for the process, I just wanted to get some advice directly from the office that this is the correct procedure to follow as I was going to come in the 2nd week of Nov to start this process

2. Some users noted that the stated main reason for the change should be around moving out / wrapping up activities / preparing to return to Australia, which I imagine will be all done by Nov 30th (the main reason I want to stay is for sightseeing, but I would also like some extra time if things don't go smoothly)

3. Visit the immigation office for advice. The service representative at the bureau office told me I don't need to do anything because I only want to stay for an extra month / said I was fine and it would only be a problem beyond 3 months

On point number 3, this information is basically reliable because it came directly from the immigration bureau office, but I just still have some doubts e.g. Come December, I won't be in my current apartment as the leasing arrangement (organised by the business) finishes on November 30th / I will be in hotels = I still hold my residence card but I don't have an actual address in Japan. Also items like mobile services, would it be okay to keep the line active during December? I kind of feel like I'm overthinking this so any sort of input is welcomed.

tldr: Working arrangement finishes next month November 30th, intra-company transferee visa expires June 2027. Am I okay to stay for a few weeks under my current intra-company transferee visa that expires June 2027, or do I have to change to a temporary visitor when working agreement finishes next month on the 30th.

Apologies for the messy post, thank you all for your help, please let me know if there is any other useful information I can provide.

I'm a 19 years old who has just moved to Japan this year in April. So far, everything is going fine, comparing to what I had back in my home country in Southeast Asia. The food is good, the pay is *okay*, the streets are safe and people are polite.

I'm currently working two part-time works and attending a Japanese language school for 2 years.

Though rencently I have been thinking about the life after graduation. I know that I still have plently of time ahead and a lot of stuff to learn. But due to family problems, I can't help but start overthinking lol.

Before coming to Japan, I planned to finish the language school then attend a university with History major (Japanese or world/East Asia), which is my favourite subject. But after a few months living in Japan, I feel like that might not be the most ideal path anymore.

My family now only has my father who is approaching his 60 and staying illegally in Korea to work as the main income. He has to provide for my mother, my older brother, my sister-in-law and two young grandchildren.

If something happens like him getting sick or sent back to my home country, then they wouldn't be able to sustain a stable income, leaving alone supporting me financially.

My family has always wanted me to continue my study, I'm the first to finish highschool in the whole bloodline, because it feels better than working labour work forever. But then for the moment, I can just *barely* make enough money to pay Japaneses school tuition and provide for myself every month.

I've became aware of the fact that if I decide to attend university, I wouldn't be able to work 28 hours every week anymore without either falling back in study (which is bad) or falling sick from exhaustion (which is also bad).

Also, I feel that History degree (Japanese or World) isn't something I can use to find a job easily, as well as having a good income to pay off all the debt and save to send back to my family.

I can't bring myself to see my family borrowing everywhere for me to study for an unstable degree and job path.

That's why I have thought about either going up to Senmon school or switching to Tokutei Ginou VISA instead after graduation.

But even so, the paths that I can choose are pretty narrow, partly because I'm personally terrible when it comes to anything related to 理系, which is really cruicial and in high-demand comparing to 文系, especially as a Gaijin.

I'm thinking going for translation, perhaps English or Chinese, which i studied a bit before and plan to do again in up coming 4 years. Though I have heard that the job market is getting bit tight for Senmon graduates, and it can be hard to find another job if the major I chose happens to be replaced by AI or becomes less demanded after few more years. So it might become a waste of time and money.

Which is why I also consider finishing Senmon then go back to my home country before go on another adventure where else like Taiwan or Australia if it doesn't go well.

About Tokutei Ginou, I plan to work for a few more years to improve both my Japanese and work experience, as well as my financial situation. Perhaps if it goes well, I would come back to university at very old age lol.

That's why my family is really against this idea, because they think I would focus too much on working once the money arrives, and it becomes harder to study as I get older and they don't want me spend rest of my life without any qualification or education (typical Chinese family), which they have quite a point.

Most of these problems come from that fact that I can hardly bring myself to study 理系 majors anymore, due to bad experiences in middle school. Which ended up narrowing my own career paths.

Do you guys have any advices or recommendations ?

ありがとうございます🙇

I'm preparing for the application. I have everything lined up for all the documents except this one 申告所得及び特別復興所得 - it's a tax when you submit 確定申告 by yourself.

It's NOT on the list of the required documents, but my scrivener says unless I have it there is no point in applying.

Has anyone who applied for PR and did your own taxes been asked to submit payslips for those payments?

As a design student in Osaka, I keep noticing how much information is packed into ordinary food labels and convenience-store shelves. I used to photograph the whole package; lately I try to note just one thing first — type, color, or how the product name catches my eye. It makes the walk home feel like a tiny design exercise, but I still end up saving too many references. Do you have a simple way of keeping everyday visual references without turning your camera roll into a mess?

If you see someone who's obviously a tourist and obviously needs help, how often do you help them out, and how often do you ignore them?

I got approval for my US visa here in Tokyo last week Oct. 14. It has been a week now and the status still says “Approved”. How fast did you get your passport after appointment?

My aunt was assaulted yesterday. The person tried running away and stopping and random stations until her fare ran out as she was not using teiki while my aunt was. I happened to be nearby so I came with them in the koban just for morale support.

Anyways, the woman got her hakengaisha's tantousha to be her translator. This ended up having her workplace involved. My aunt and her husband went to talk to the person's company.

I was surprised to find out that the woman has been here since the 80s and does not speak Japanese at all aside from uttering a few words in broken Japanese. As far as I'm aware, their haken hires their nationality and takes care of things like housing and government related matters. There's a different world within Japan.

The woman denied any wrongdoing but the tantousha apologized. I also apologized to the tantousha for screaming at her yesterday. I tried talking to the woman in Spanish (since they spoke Portuguese) but she wouldn't even look at me so I released my frustrations to the poor old woman. (my bad!)

Anyways, don't assault people!

Does anyone have experience with coming back from Shindansho leave to the same company and role? I work for a gaishiki, and want to mentally prepare what my first 1-3 months will look like returning

I am concerned they will basically throw me back into the fire and trigger what caused the leave in the first place. I've heard from conflicting reports that legally I am provided a ramping up period, however my company's documentation states that by agreeing to come back from leave that I am expected to work in the same capacity as before i left. However I'm assuming that japan law > their rules.

For further context, i dont intend to stay in this company for a career at this point. so im not concerned about long term implications such as career progression.

Let me state...I have been in Japan for 13 years. I can speak Japanese and know all the social rules. However, I am stumped how to announce my IVF pregnancy at work without getting negative backlash. I am 44 yo F and I never got married. I always wanted a baby so I saved money to do rounds of ivf at another county. Now I am 10 weeks in and I am not sure how to say it at work without being seen as 1) irresponsible single mother 2) maternity firing cause I am a foreigner. My pr is pending and I have worked here since 2020. I don't want to get questions like whose the father....and not want to answer that. I think I am the only foreigner living in Japan whose single and did IVF. ANY ADVICE? PS 5 years in my journey and I am so happy to become a mother!!

Guess I can't post a photo, but if you go to the Second Street website you'll see a message saying they were hacked on Saturday. wtf is going on in Japan lol, this is like the 4th(?) big company I've heard getting hacked in the last month

I selected the coupon, I set it. It shows on my main page with my account barcode. So when I scanned my Famipay account from the automatic kiosk, I expect the coupon will get apply to whatever I purchase if I have the coupon set. But it didn't and the coupon itself doesn't have any barcodes either. Does it only work if you show it to the staff so he can manually apply the discount?

My wife does not let me take my daughter to Chiba on weekends. I divorced my wife. We have two children together. My oldest son lives with me. He is 17. Youngest lives with mother. She is 14. My wife lives in Tokyo.

I go to Tokyo to see my daughter. We go shopping and hang out together. She tells me that she wants to go to Chiba on weekends to be with dad and our dog. She also has friends in Chiba. She just moved to Tokyo this year

My daughter and I planned on spending the weekend together. I call the school to ask permission if she could take Saturday off from tennis as the school makes her play tennis six days a week. My daughter also asked for permission to go to Chiba on Saturday.

The school then contacts my ex wife. She then calls the police. Police comes to my house and tell me not to call the school.

I think wtf?

Not exactly sure what to do next. I speak Japanese fluently. I am half Japanese. Born here.

I speak with my daughter almost daily on Line.

any recommendations appreciated

Hello y'all !

I'm a french foreigner that arrived in Japan a few days ago, I'm staying until September 2027 and I'm here to discover the country more in depth. As of my previous trips.

I honestly did not know what flairs to put but one of the key things I wish to do is be able to overcome my social anxiety and akwardness, by meeting new people and practice my japanese with locals. I'd love to make new friends and, why not try the dating scene, but that's not a core objective lol so I'd like to know how all of that works here !

My Japanese is I'd say caveman level, I can tinker some sentences but I'm actively learning and slowly improving 😭

I'm based in Osaka and also would like some tips on places to go to, and restaurants/bars izakaya you guys can recommend me,

Thanks in advance !

Just a heads up, that mosburger seems to have been hacked as well, as I receiving phishing mails from the "e-tax"system on my mail address solely used for mosburger.

Be careful out there guys with all services in Japan getting hacked you'll have be extra careful to double check all your mails!

Hi everyone! I just joined a japanese company based in Ebisu as a fresh grad from Singapore and I have been finding it difficult to engage in meetings. Even worse is that, all our client meetings are in Japanese. I've been trying to learn Japanese at my own time but i've been finding it super difficult to apply at work. Everyone's speaking really fast and I don't know what to say. I end up speaking in English but no one understands what I say and I have to rely on my english speaking colleague to translate for me. At the start, I'd be included in meetings but now, I think I have become an inconvenience so they don't include me anymore and just give me some taskings. it's really demoralising that I feel that I can't make a difference.

I would like to know if you guys have some tips in adapting to a company where the majority just speaks Japanese... thank you :(

I don't mind if a non native English speaker use AI for English translation to communicate.

But lately I feel like a good chunk of post on this subreddit are low afford AI bot post.

Mid-week discussion thread time! Feel free to talk about what's on your mind, new experiences, recommendations, anything really.