Living in a foreign country such as Japan could be challenging for some. However, the emergence of various platforms allow people to be connected and be helpful to one another. Online forum platforms for foreigners serve as an advantageous tool for forming connections and getting assistance on a daily basis.
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Living as a foreigner in Japan
Living in Japan is a dream come true for many people as Japan offers a great quality of life, interesting experiences, good food, and a unique culture. Even if Japan offers all of these and more, being away from one’s family and hometown can be tough. This is where technology comes into play as technology makes communication easier and the miles that separate between you and your loved ones become smaller. Technology also supports foreigners or expats living in a different country to find other foreigners and form a social support group. Through the use of technology, forums are created and people feel more well-bonded as they realize that hey, the world is small after all.
There are many reasons why foreigners would decide to live in Japan. Aside from the fact that Japan offers diverse unique experiences perfect for tourists, foreigners would also come to Japan to study, for enrollment opportunities, and business ventures. Because of these different activities and ventures, foreigners in Japan have something in common - they have the same shared experience of being in a country where the culture, the language, and the people are new to them. They have experienced getting out of their comfort zones by trying something new, and as a result, they have something in common that they can share with one another.
Writer's Pick
Forum for expats
What is a forum?
A forum, in its most traditional sense, is an avenue through which people can share, brainstorm, and discuss their ideas openly ideally without fear of judgment or resistance. With the use of technology, a forum can even be in an online environment! Online forums are becoming more and more popular especially for people who would want to connect with others even in a virtual setting. This is the perfect avenue for people like expats residing in Japan, to share their common experiences in the country, provide tips and tricks on how to navigate Japan easily, and overall provide a support group for people who are in the same situation as they are. Through this platform, foreigners can share what is going on with their lives and the experiences in Japan that they have undergone, all with the aim to provide guidance to others.
There are numerous topics that interest foreigners, especially expats, that leads them into joining a forum. These topics range from the best ways to navigate and commute in Japan, places to visit in Japan, the uniqueness of the Japanese culture, customs, and traditions and how they can adapt to such, and the weather in Japan. Common topics in a forum about living in Japan and the career there are how to be cost-efficient in Japan such as where to find the best prices for food, housing, retail, etc., as well as career opportunities and about Japanese Laws, policies, and regulations.
Examples of English Forums about Japan
Because online forums are helpful especially for foreigners to adjust into the Japanese lifestyle and culture, and it also helps provide the needed network and support to ward away feelings of loneliness and isolation, let us take a look at some of the online platforms or websites helpful to foreigners in Japan:
Reddit is a popular online space where foreigners can share their thoughts and discuss their experiences in Japan, or anywhere in the world. Reddit is a social sharing website where the users can submit topics, links, and photos for discussion. Reddit users will then vote for the topic they want to discuss, and the post that has more votes is the more visible post that every Reddit user can see. For people living in Japan, r/japanlife is perhaps the most relevant. Topics are comprehensive - they range from social events to celebrities, to politics. There are also more communities devoted to specific cities, jobs, food, as well as for travel and Japan in general.
WeXpats
This website is a good guide for foreign people who visit, stay, or start a career in Japan. In WeXpats, there are numerous sections in which a person can check according to one’s interests. There is a site for people who want to apply to jobs and start a career in Japan (WeXpats Jobs), there is a section in which you can read write-ups and articles about Japan and its culture in your own preferred language (WeXpats Guide), and lastly, , there is a section wherein you can ask and answer any questions about Japan (WeXpats Forum). WeXpats users and WeXpats staff use the forum, so your questions or concerns are bound to be answered.
Facebook Groups
Because of how easy it is to form Facebook groups and group chats in messenger, foreigners can have an instant support system through Facebook groups where they can ask quick questions or share their unique Japanese experiences to guide others. There are specific communities for international students, people who live in particular cities, etc. Some groups are public and others are private, according to the group’s needs.
Japan Reference (JREF)
This site allows people to register to an account and once one has done so, he/she can read articles, write-ups, and blogs about Japan. This is a handy site for people who are just starting to love Japan, as this site offers a wide network of information about Japan’s culture, tradition, food, places, politics, job hunting, and more! In addition, this site also has its own forum wherein account owners can ask and answer questions.
This widely known site builds its own network of information and discussions through their ‘hashtags’. If you are looking for a job in Japan, places to visit in Japan, or what to eat in Japan, you can simply put a hashtag before the keyword the voila! You are in a Twitter column that discusses what you are in search of. This is not necessarily a traditional forum but somewhat an open forum that enables a long thread of discussion about a certain topic. You can also get immediate news from people all over Japan tweeting about a certain event, such as earthquakes, breaking news, etc. You can also make an account and follow people who tweet about life in Japan. It may be harder to create a community, per se, but if you find people to mesh with, you can make friends in similar situations!
Travel Sites
Travel sites - sites that post articles about traveling in Japan - will often have a forum or a question area where users can share and answer questions people have about Japan, especially related to travel and food. This may not quite be a typical “community” but you may be able to find local expats to ask advice to and befriend.
Key reminders
In any online forum or platform, proper decorum and etiquette are required. For an instance, if you are in an online forum, you should ask and answer questions and discuss things in a respectful way. The benefits of joining an online forum are to have an increased network and connection among a group of people who are sharing or undergoing a similar situation to what you are experiencing. Lastly, joining an online forum can be helpful in deciding certain matters, such as where to eat, what is the best neighborhood to live in, the best place to shop, while living in Japan. In order to join an online forum, the majority of the sites present require an individual to fill out virtual forms and register an account.
Summary
If you are an expert currently living in Japan, consider joining any of the online forums mentioned as it will surely make your life in Japan easier to navigate. What more is that you instantly have access to a support group or network to make your life in Japan both easier and a shared experience.
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