Why Should I Choose to Relocate to Japan Instead of Other Countries?

Okay, this is a question I get asked a lot by friends, and it always sparks some reflection. Moving countries is a major life decision, not something you decide on a whim. For me, choosing Japan over Western countries or other Asian nations was a "just right" decision after weighing many practical factors and personal preferences.

Let me break down my core reasons in plain language.

1. A Sense of "Order" and "Security" That Brings Peace of Mind

This is probably the initial draw for many people choosing Japan.

Personal Safety: The most direct feeling is that walking home alone at night, even as a woman, you generally don't feel uneasy. If you lose your wallet or phone, there's a high chance you'll get it back untouched. This isn't to say Japan has zero crime, but that constant anxiety of "something bad could happen anytime, anywhere" is significantly lower here. This sense of security is priceless.
Social Order: The Japanese are famously "queue-loving." Whether waiting for a train, lining up outside a restaurant, or checking out at a store, everything is orderly. This order extends to all aspects of life, like garbage sorting and keeping quiet in public spaces. At first, it might feel like "too many rules," but once you get used to it, you realize this predictability drastically reduces the "mental exhaustion" of daily life. You don't have to guess, scramble, or outsmart others; just follow the rules – it's hassle-free.

2. The "Just Right" Cultural Distance

This was crucial for me.

Familiar Yet Foreign: Compared to Western countries, Japan shares the East Asian cultural sphere. We grew up watching Japanese anime and playing Japanese games, so their culture isn't entirely alien. More importantly, Japanese uses a huge number of Chinese characters (kanji). Even if you don't speak a word of Japanese, you can often guess the meaning of signs, menus, and product packaging. This feeling of "understanding half" greatly reduces the difficulty and loneliness of initial integration.
Tradition Meets Modernity: You can experience world-class bustle and convenience in Tokyo, yet also encounter people in kimonos in Kyoto's alleys and find century-old shops. This perfect blend of tradition and modernity is incredibly appealing. Unlike some countries that abandoned tradition entirely for modernization, here you can genuinely feel a "refined" aesthetic of living and a "craftsmanship spirit."

3. Relatively Fair Work Environment (For Foreigners)

Talking about work, Japan's notorious "overtime culture" and "seniority system" are well-known. But looking at it another way, there are advantages for us foreigners too.

Greater Emphasis on "Hard Skills": As a foreigner trying to succeed locally, you often need to rely on connections and relationships. However, in Japan, especially in technical or specialized fields, they place more emphasis on your professional skills, work ability, and diligent attitude. If you do your job well and have the right attitude, you can earn respect and opportunities. Compared to societies more focused on "circles" and "personal connections," the rules here are relatively transparent, offering a clearer path for "outsiders."
Comprehensive Social Security: As long as you have a regular job in Japan, your company must enroll you in the "Employees' Pension Insurance" (Kōsei Nenkin) and "Health Insurance" (Kenkō Hoken). This national health insurance system is incredibly robust – you only pay 30% of medical costs out-of-pocket, with an upper limit. This provides a strong safety net, eliminating the fear of bankruptcy from a major illness.

4. An Excellent Balance of Cost and Quality of Life

Many people think Japan is expensive, especially Tokyo. True, absolute prices aren't low, but you have to consider "value for money."

You Get What You Pay For: Spending 100 yen on a meal in Japan means you're highly likely getting world-class freshness and food safety. Whether it's a convenience store bento for a few hundred yen or ramen from a street stall, the quality is guaranteed. You rarely worry about "is this clean?" or "is this gutter oil?"
High-Quality Public Services: The world's most punctual public transport, public restrooms clean enough to use as mirrors, ubiquitous vending machines, and 24-hour convenience stores... these details significantly enhance quality of life and convenience.
Relatively Rational Housing Prices: Compared to tier-one cities in China, Japanese housing prices (especially outside Tokyo) aren't outrageous. Working hard for a few years and getting a loan to buy your own "detached house" (一戸建て, ikkodate) or apartment is not an unattainable dream.

5. The Huge Advantage of Geographic Location

Finally, a very practical point: It's close to home.

For us Chinese, this is incredibly important. Choosing the West means 10+ hour flights and reversed time zones. It's very inconvenient for parents to visit or if there's an emergency back home.

But Japan?

Short Flight: Flying from Shanghai to Tokyo takes only 2-3 hours, comparable to a domestic business trip.
Minimal Time Difference: Just a one-hour difference means seamless communication with family and friends.
Can Go Home for a Weekend: Seriously, sometimes you can snag a cheap budget airline ticket, fly back Friday night, and return Sunday night – completely feasible. This feeling of being able to "go home anytime" greatly alleviates the loneliness of being abroad.

To Summarize

For me, choosing Japan was like choosing an all-rounder – "well-balanced" in every aspect.

It might not have the passionate "American Dream" intensity of the US, the ultimate laid-back romance of Europe, or the stunning natural beauty of Australia.

But it offers top-tier safety, convenient living, a less distant culture, a relatively fair competitive environment, and most importantly – proximity to home.

It's not a perfect country; it has its own set of problems. But for me personally, these strengths perfectly meet my core needs for an "ideal life," and the downsides are things I can accept and adapt to.

Ultimately, moving countries is like finding a partner – there's no "best," only the one that's "best for you." I hope my sharing gives you some food for thought.