– Looming Taiwan war
– Rising xenophobia and a MAGA adjacent government
– JPY falling lower and lower
… not to mention the mega earthquake that might strike at any time. Given the other things, this one almost seems a bit silly to include in the list.
I want to preface this by saying that I have been living here 4 years, just passed JLPT N2, work a stable job with a slightly above average salary (7M). I came here planning to build my life here long term. I like living here, and it sort of breaks my heart to even write this.
But increasingly, I'm coming to terms with the fact that planning a future here in Japan as a foreigner is a terrible idea.
My actual day to day is mostly similar to when I came here four years ago. But what I'm concerned of is the future. The current PM and here administration have been fabricating lies about foreigners, they are removing rights from foreigners (for example denying them due process if faced with deportation) and making policy decisions that are clearly just there to punish foreign residents. Again, so far not much has happened. But looking over to the US: once things started going, things really started ramping up fast.
The Taiwan war is another concern – it's not guaranteed but it seems likely that a conflict here will happen within the next few years. Not only would such a conflict further fuel the fascist tendencies in this country, it will also weaken Japan's economy further. In a worst case scenario, even citizens of Japan would have to fear retaliatory attacks against Japanese cities.
But even if this conflict won't happen – if I look at my future here, I'm looking at a future of deteriorating rights and increasing instability. I'm considering to buy a property, but I don't have PR. In the previous world, 10-20 years ago, I wouldn't have been all too concerned about this – I'm a seishain at a large Japanese company in a field that is high demand. But in a future where authorities have the power to decide that crossing a red light with your car warrants a deportation, and you not been given chance for a proper trial? Buying property does not make sense. I have been working towards attaining a PR, but I feel like as I'm moving closer and fulfilling more of the HSP Visa point requirements, that bar might also keep going higher.
Sorry for the wall of text. I'm wondering how to make the decision on whether it would be unreasonable for me to stay here any longer. And I'm sure some of you have been contemplating similar things. So I was wondering: are there certain tipping points you're watching out for? Like, certain signals you're waiting on to make a call on whether you'll leave or not? A military conflict in Taiwan? LDP having a landslide win in this weekends' snap elections? The first deportations against law abiding residents?
by Crazy-Animator1123