It’s easy enough to dream of working in Japan one day, but we know it takes effort and commitment to get there. So, is all the hard work actually worth it? We gathered quotes from the lived experience of Malaysian talents who got a job in Japan to give you a picture of what actual life in Japan is like. Beyond the rose-colored lenses, these are some of the things our successful talents have to say about living in Japan as a Malaysian.
Dealing with the language barrier as a Malaysian Living in Japan
#1 Learning Japanese is key to getting the best out of Japan.
“Whether you’re studying or working in Japan as a Malaysian, your quality of life in Japan is really affected by how well you can speak Japanese.” Read more: Studying and Working in Japan As a Malaysian Scientist: Breaking Out of His Shell
Learning Japanese isn’t just for job interviews. From signage, maps, to navigating shops, life in general will be easier when you get your Japanese up to par. Upon starting life in Japan, it hits how important it is to master Japanese as a way of engaging with locals and navigating life. The reality is that without sufficient language skills, daily life and workplace communication can become significantly more challenging.
#2 You experience high-context Japanese
“…the Japanese have a way of speaking and communicating that can be very indirect. Japanese locals typically never say “no” directly and would find a way to say a roundabout maybe. You must mind the context and pick up on subtext to fully understand their meaning.” Read more: How My Impossible Dream Came True in Japan: From Malaysia to a Career in Japanese Engineering
Japanese culture relies heavily on a lot of subtext, and it’s highly reflected in how Japanese is a high-context language. As a foreigner jumping into that culture, it will be easy to miss a lot of nuances and cultural norms in Japanese daily life. This is something you can fully grasp and practice with more time in Japan, but luckily…
#3 Locals don’t expect you to get the culture perfectly
“Most Japanese locals understand that foreigners bring with them a different culture and don’t expect foreigners to fully abide by all Japanese unspoken rules.” Read more: How My Impossible Dream Came True in Japan: From Malaysia to a Career in Japanese Engineering
“…the Japanese don’t expect you to speak perfect Japanese, and most will help you in your times of need.” Read more: Studying and Working in Japan As a Malaysian Scientist: Breaking Out of His Shell
You will get leeway as a foreigner! You can always ask questions, and if you make a mistake, you can always learn. You won’t need perfect Japanese on the get go, but if you keep learning, navigating your work and life in Japan will get easier as you go.
#4 There are dialects outside of the Japanese you learned in the classroom
“The new location also means locals are speaking a different dialect. Relocating also means my area has a different set of ordinances.” Read more: From Universiti Sains Malaysia to an Engineering Career in Japan: How I Surpassed My Expectations
“I studied basic Japanese at the university for three semesters. Once I was in Japan, during work hours, I was able to communicate in Japanese, and I gradually got better. However, outside of the office, I was surprised at how people spoke. It sounded similar to the Japanese I knew with my ears, but for some reason, I couldn’t understand them at all. Turns out, outside of Tokyo and outside of the office, most locals would speak in their local dialects. Business Japanese—the Japanese we learn in school—is enough to get you around Japan. But if you’re based outside of Tokyo and want to have more casual friendships outside of work, you might have to learn the basics of their dialect as well.” Read more: How My Impossible Dream Came True in Japan: From Malaysia to a Career in Japanese Engineering
The Japanese commonly taught outside of Japan is the official de facto dominant language and is what you can also expect in most workplaces. It’s definitely enough when you’re starting out. However, as you step out of Tokyo, you will most likely encounter one of the many dialects in Japan.
Following rules in Japan as a Malaysian
#5 You need to always study local ordinances!
“…my area has a different set of ordinances. Rules about recycling may differ from place to place, and you might find yourself fined if you simply continue what you’ve been doing.” Read more: From Universiti Sains Malaysia to an Engineering Career in Japan: How I Surpassed My Expectations
Recycling rules, schedules, and traffic rules tend to differ per prefecture and municipality. If you’re new or transferring to a different city, it’s important to get updated.
On finding a community in Japan as a Malaysian
#6 You can find a Malaysian expat community in Japan.
“About a year later, another Malaysian who was also under FAST OFFER International, who was going to work at the same company, reached out to me. We struck up a great friendship, and we wound up living together in the dormitory. I was able to fully articulate the things I wanted to say to someone with a shared experience in my native language… We got to celebrate lots of holidays with other fellow Malaysians—not just the ones in Japan that came to every picturesque changing of seasons, but also Malaysian holidays. On Malaysia Day, we ate at an authentic Malaysian restaurant run by fellow Malaysians. We found different Malaysian restaurants around the country, too—such as this one in Osaka.” Read More: From Universiti Sains Malaysia to an Engineering Career in Japan: How I Surpassed My Expectations.
Assimilation and adapting to Japan are important, but you don’t have to forget about where you come from. Key to a sustainable and happy experience as an expat in Japan is to have a community that you can relate to. This can also help you find the most authentic restaurant for when homesickness hits, a specialty grocery store to buy the spices you miss, or just another person who you can talk to in your mother tongue. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to find a supportive community in Japan!
#7 You can find a community through your interests and hobbies
“Freshly plucked from your hometown, you’re bound to experience culture shock. What will help you through this tough transitional period is finding your community. For me, it was going to the mosque for congregation prayers, attending events, joining the futsal team, and playing football with the local community.” Read more: Studying and Working in Japan As a Malaysian Scientist: Breaking Out of His Shell
As an expat in Japan, building a community requires active participation. Pursuing your hobbies and interests through clubs, churches, and other events will help expand your network.
The Cost-of-Living in Japan as a Malaysian
#8 Salaries go farther in Japan.
“In Japan, I get to enjoy my salary a lot more. Japan is a good choice for a foreign country to explore more about yourself. Because Japan is very different from Malaysia, it’s helped expand my perspective.” Read more: Embarking on a Career Journey: A Malaysian’s Electronics Engineering Path in Japan
Looking into the cost of living in Japan, there’s a meaningful ratio between the average salary and the cost of goods in Japan. This means that with some know-how, you’ll still have a budget for going beyond your basics.
#9 You get to travel more in Japan
“In Malaysia, because public transportation is wholly different, working would require you to buy a car, and the bulk of your salary goes into paying for that. In Japan, I get to enjoy my salary a lot more. Japan is a good choice for a foreign country to explore more about yourself. Because Japan is very different from Malaysia, it’s helped expand my perspective.” Read more: Embarking on a Career Journey: A Malaysian’s Electronics Engineering Path in Japan
“We’ve got to travel around Japan a lot. We took every long weekend as a chance to see more of Japan—and there’s a lot to see in Japan. Years after we first met, we still make traveling plans together, and we keep a digital map that shows all the prefectures in Japan we’ve visited.” Read more: How My Impossible Dream Came True in Japan: From Malaysia to a Career in Japanese Engineering
Because of the cost of living in Japan and the transportation infrastructure that pierces through most of Japan, it’s easy to travel! There are also a lot of bank holidays aside from vacation leaves that will give you enough time for your travel lust.
Finding Malaysian flavors in Japan
#10 You can find most of your favorite Malaysian flavors in Japan
“If you’re looking to substitute your favorite Malaysian flavors, you’ll find equivalents shipped from Southeast Asian neighbors Vietnam, Thailand, or the Philippines in the groceries.” Read more: From Universiti Sains Malaysia to an Engineering Career in Japan: How I Surpassed My Expectations
“On Malaysia Day, we ate at an authentic Malaysian restaurant run by fellow Malaysians. We found different Malaysian restaurants around the country, too—such as this one in Osaka.” Read more: From Universiti Sains Malaysia to an Engineering Career in Japan: How I Surpassed My Expectations.
Because of the existing Malaysian and Southeast Asian population in Japan, you’ll find a market that caters to your taste.
Living in Japan as a Muslim Malaysian
#11 Muslim-Inclusive spaces are on the rise
“Although the Muslim population in Japan is small, it’s the fastest-growing religion in Japan, especially among the younger generation. In parallel, some tourist spots, shopping malls, and restaurants provide halal food or prayer space. This is especially true in the capital of Japan, Tokyo. As Japanese companies actively recruit international talents and move towards globalization, more companies are more willing to accommodate the needs of their Muslim employees.” Read more: Studying and Working in Japan As a Malaysian Scientist: Breaking Out of His Shell
With more muslims in Japan, spaces are also becoming more inclusive.
How to live and work in Japan as a Malaysian?
We hope this story has shed light for you on what life is like for Malaysians in Japan! To know about their workplace experience, go to: What’s It Like to Work in Japan as a Malaysian?
Convinced by these Malaysians’ amazing experiences of living and working in Japan? Every path will look different! You can explore our website to find out how we can help you. Read our FAQ, sign up for a Japanese class, or find an EVENT that best applies to you!
