Hi everyone,
I’m facing a big decision and hoping to get some insight from folks who have moved to Japan for work or are living here long-term.
Background:
- Born in Japan but grew up mostly in the U.S., fluent in Japanese and English. Currently early 20s (Male)
- Graduated university in May 2024, with two internships in the U.S. and two in Japan.
- I recently got job offers from both Japan and the U.S., and I’m considering moving to Tokyo for the job.
- My family is planning to move from California to Tokyo within the next 1–2 years, so Japan feels like a natural next step.
- I’m planning to help my dad’s consulting business remotely part-time, so I’ll have some flexibility.
What I’m weighing:
- The job in Japan is in finance, pays about 650万円 plus bonus, with reportedly little overtime. It aligns well with my long-term goals and feels like a good challenge.
- The U.S. job is more in business development for an electronics engineering R&D company, with a salary around $80–95k. It seems a bit more laid-back.
- I originally wanted to take the U.S. job to stay in the Bay Area, save money, and commute from home, but since my parents will be moving to Tokyo, that might not be possible anymore.
- I have a U.S. green card and Japanese citizenship, and I’m looking into the re-entry permit for maintaining my permanent residency while living in Japan. I know it’s a temporary solution, and losing my green card would make returning harder.
- My social life and extended family are mostly in Tokyo now, and I even have a girlfriend here, though I don’t want that to be the main reason for my choice.
- The Bay Area job market feels tough right now, and a lot of my friends have moved out of the area.
My questions:
- For those who have moved to Japan for work, how was the adjustment, especially around work culture and career growth?
- How did you handle visa/permanent residency challenges while balancing ties to the U.S.?
- Do you think working in Japan in your 20s is a smart move, even if it might mean pausing U.S. permanent residency?
- Any advice on balancing long-term career growth versus short-term comfort/stability?
I’m not opposed to living in Japan long-term but I’m still figuring things out. Any experiences or tips would be much appreciated!
Thanks!
by AmbitiousBoi7