Hey all,
I've been in Tokyo since 2018, and lately it feels like everyone's packing up and leaving, both foreign expats and Japanese folks I know. Even those I thought were locked in long-term (friends with solid jobs, relationships, etc.) are suddenly heading out. It's making me question if I should too.
My Japanese girlfriend has been pushing us to move to Canada together because she's worried about Japan's future outlook…stuff like the ongoing population decline, economic stagnation vibes, aging society, and maybe broader uncertainties (weaker yen impacts, work-life stuff, etc.). She's not alone, I've heard similar from others.
Is this just my circle, or are other long-term residents in Tokyo experiencing the same wave of departures? Anyone sticking it out and why, or people who left and came back?
Edit –
Good morning everyone,
I didn't expect my post to blow up like it did. I can't reply to every comment individually, so I figured I'd make a follow-up here to address some of the more common/general questions people had.
First off, don't get me wrong: I genuinely love Japan. I love the social cohesion, the insane level of convenience, the safety, the food, the culture—everything it has to offer. Do I wish the work-life balance was better? Absolutely. Do I wish it was easier to navigate certain things as a foreigner? Yes, for sure. But overall, I still love living here and I'm grateful for the life I've built since 2018.
That said, this isn't about thinking the grass is greener somewhere else. It's more about curiosity: is anyone else in a similar long-term situation noticing the same trends? A lot of people I know (both expats and Japanese friends) are leaving or seriously planning to. Even folks I thought were settled for good are talking about it.
For me personally, the bigger worry is Japan's long-term outlook over the next 10 years—especially since my girlfriend and I are getting married next year and planning to start a family right away. The population decline, aging society, labor shortages, and economic pressures are already very real and right in front of us. It's not abstract; it's affecting daily life, future opportunities for kids, social systems, etc. We're not rushing out the door, but it's on our minds a lot.
P.S. I make a decent salary here, speak fluent Japanese (N1 level), and don't have major day-to-day issues getting around or integrating. This isn't coming from frustration with language barriers or low pay—it's more about the macro picture for the country and family future.
Sorry one last thing – my salary in Canada or America would roughly be 3-5x more there than here. So yes, I could afford a house and more.
by IndependenceNaive945