Another foreigner living in Tokyo asked me about my thoughts on the quality of life in Japan. They had assumed that I thought life here was of a much lower quality overall than Canada and Thailand.
It's an interesting question, one I've spent a lot of time thinking about. People often have an image of Tokyo as this huge sprawling behemoth of traffic, people and a constant rush that is hectic and somewhat soulless. While it is densely populated, I have always found it incredibly relaxing, calm and peaceful. Part of that is the Japanese culture which is naturally organized, clean and happier with slower, incremental change. People are notoriously outwardly polite and non-invasive with their attitude. Everyone lines up quietly and peacefully, they follow the rules and rarely try to cause a disturbance. The streets are clean, the subways and back alleys are safe, and while people all seem to be busy with work, they all have work.
The calm of a Japanese train station on a Friday afternoon
Every country has vulnerable populations, poverty and homelessness. But in Japan, while still being there, these people are very much a small minority and the social assistance, healthcare and general well being of the population make life much much better. I have read a lot of critiques recently about Japan’s treatment of it’s homeless population, and it is quite disturbing and sad, but still better than what I’ve seen in Canada, and much much much better than most of South East Asia.
A local girl living in rural Northern Vietnam. What kind of opportunities and future are open to her?
A typical construction site in Bangkok for a new apartment building. The workers live and work in complete poverty as they work on something which will be enjoyed by Bangkok’s elite.
Yes, a lot of people are not living their most authentic life, following their dreams, and may be stuck in jobs they don't like. The hours are famously long and bosses are known to be demanding and cruel. Yet they have jobs which protect them and value them to a certain degree. Cleaners, grocery tellers, and a lot of other smaller jobs are not treated as second class citizens, nor made up of migrant workers who are being exploited and taken advantage of. You do not see camps of refugee’s or migrant workers sprawled out between the wealth and nicer areas, barely with running water or even bathrooms. That unfortunately, is an all too common sight in Thailand and Malaysia, and I have real issues with the migrant farm workers and their treatment in Canada.
I do not see people living along train tracks in abject poverty. I do not see whole communities and cities falling apart from failed industries (I have been to smaller towns in Tokyo as well who are struggling economically, but they are nothing compared to what is going on in the US, Europe and of course, South East Asia).
More importantly, I have to recognize that as a foreigner, no matter where I go, my experience is never that of a local. In Malaysia and Thailand, I was being paid 2 or 3 times what a local teacher would make, even with the exact same qualifications, just because of the country I was born in. I lived in nicer areas, I was going to nicer restaurants than what 80% of the local population could afford. I am very privileged. My life was incredibly easy and stress free. One could definitely make an argument it was more a working holiday. The Thai staff had to come to school 30 minutes earlier each morning, and leave 1 hour later each night. They had A LOT more work, more marking, more responsibilities, more stress, and like I said, literally were being paid 1/3 of my salary. They also had 1/2 or less the vacation time I had. I honestly felt guilty on a continual basis because it was clear they were being exploited while I was being privileged and given every opportunity to enjoy my time there.
What I really like about Japan is that the difference between what I can earn and what a local resident can make, even at a job like construction or maintenance, is far far smaller. They have health insurance, they have unemployment insurance, they have a pension plan. Their children have access to a good education and have the ability to pursue careers and opportunities totally out of the reach of someone growing up in Thailand or Malaysia.
I do not see homeless single mothers clutching babies, begging for change outside of a Hermes store like I do in other countries.
So if you are a carefree person living an amazing life visiting beaches, watching sunsets and enjoying $5 coffees or beers, remember, that is nothing like what people in most countries live like, and in many ways, their suffering and economic repression is what fuels the consumer industry we profit from. Your amazing sunset instagram photo comes at the cost of their poverty and suffering.
In Japan, I feel like I am taking part in a society that is much more fair, much more equal (not talking about any social/racial issues), which means a higher standard of living and quality of life overall. It has it's issues, but I do not feel the same jarring guilt and hypocrisy that so often rises within me in developing countries. How can I walk around so carefree, enjoying exploring life, while others struggle to survive?