What are the most important success factors when reviewing the entire relocation process?

Okay, that's an excellent question because it hits the core of what relocation is really about. Many people preparing to move focus heavily on concrete things like visas, jobs, and money. But once they actually arrive, they discover the challenges are on a completely different level.

If I had to distill the single most important success factor from the entire experience, it probably isn't money or your professional skills, but rather a "resettable, resilient mindset."

Sounds a bit abstract, right? Let me break it down for you.

Why is "Mindset" the Most Important?

Think of relocating like playing a level-based game.

Money, Language, Skills: These are your gear and weapons. You can't do without them; better gear makes for a smoother start.
Mindset: This is your operating system. If the OS crashes, is outdated, or incompatible, no matter how good your gear is, you can't play the game – you'll freeze or crash.

The entire relocation process involves constantly shattering your past perceptions, habits, and comfort zones, then reassembling them. This process is incredibly grueling, and the only thing that can sustain you through it is your mindset.

Specifically, this "resettable, resilient mindset" includes the following aspects:

1. An "Accept Imperfection" Mindset: Actively Removing the Filter

Before coming to Japan, many people only see the image presented in anime, dramas, and tourism promotions: clean streets, polite citizens, exquisite food. This is certainly part of Japan, but not the whole picture.

Once you actually live here, you'll encounter:

Inefficient and rigid administrative procedures that drive you crazy.
The pressure of "reading the air" (kuuki wo yomu) and the seniority-based culture in the workplace.
Invisible barriers you sometimes face as a "foreigner."
The mundane hassles of life: garbage sorting, utilities, and various bills.

The key to success isn't pretending these problems don't exist, but calmly accepting: "Oh, so this place is just like my hometown – it has good aspects and also headache-inducing ones." When you stop viewing it through the filter of a "perfect otherworld," your disappointment decreases significantly, and your sense of happiness actually increases.

2. A "Reset to Zero" Mindset: Willing to Start from the Bronze Tier

This is especially important, and especially difficult, for those who have already achieved some success in their home country.

You might have been a company manager, an industry expert, with friends everywhere and extensive connections back home. But in Japan, almost all of that gets reset.

Your language skills might only suffice for daily conversation, not deep communication.
Your work experience and connections may not be recognized here.
You're no longer the center of your circle, but a "newcomer" who needs help.

The key to success is being able to temporarily forget your "King tier" status back home and willingly start from the "Bronze" tier. Swallow your pride, ask "stupid" questions, don't be afraid to make mistakes or be seen as the "clueless foreigner." This phase is temporary; how quickly you rise again depends entirely on how willing you are to "squat down" and start over.

3. A "Dull Power" (Donkan-ryoku) Mindset: Don't Overthink, Be Resilient

"Dull Power" (Donkan-ryoku) is a concept proposed by Japanese author Junichi Watanabe, and I think it's practically a survival tool for living abroad. It means: don't be overly sensitive, be a bit more thick-skinned, have a tougher hide.

In a cross-cultural environment, you'll encounter many confusing moments:

Japanese people speak very indirectly; you might not grasp their "hidden meaning" until later.
You might unintentionally do something perceived as rude.
Sometimes you might feel excluded or treated differently.

The key to success is not taking everything to heart and not over-interpreting. Often, the other person might not have meant any harm; it's just a cultural difference. If you make a mistake due to the language barrier, most people will understand. Instead of wasting energy on internal turmoil, wondering "Do they hate me?", focus that energy on improving yourself and enjoying life. Having a thicker skin makes life much easier.

How Does Mindset Affect Those "Hard Requirements"?

You see, the mindset described above directly impacts your performance regarding those hard requirements:

Learning the Language: People with a good mindset aren't afraid of embarrassment; they dare to speak and practice, making rapid progress. Those with a poor mindset fear making mistakes and being laughed at, forever stuck in the textbook.
Finding a Job / Integrating into the Workplace: People with a good mindset are adaptable, willing to start from the bottom, and gradually adapt to Japanese workplace culture. Those with a poor mindset think "Why should I?", face constant obstacles, and become resentful.
Making Friends: Open-minded people are willing to actively learn about the other culture and confidently share their own, making it easier to make friends (whether Japanese or from other countries). Closed-off people just think "They're so strange" and retreat into their own small circle.

Summary

So, looking back on the whole process, the most crucial success factor is whether you prepared your "operating system" – upgrading and "virus-scanning" your mindset – before you even set off.

Successful relocation isn't essentially about changing where you live; it's a process of "self-reinvention."

Money can be earned again, unsuitable jobs can be changed, and unsatisfactory housing can be moved from. But if your mindset collapses, you won't be happy anywhere. Conversely, as long as you possess a strong and flexible inner core, no matter what difficulties you encounter, you'll find solutions and ultimately turn the foreign land into your home.