My Story :Ch. 1 Who am I

Today’s blog is going to be a little different. I’m starting something I like to call “My Story,” where I’ll be sharing bits and pieces of my journey here in Japan. My hope is that these stories might inspire those of you who are either thinking about moving to Japan or just starting out here.

So, let’s dive right in.

Who Am I?

Well, let me introduce myself properly. I’m Samurai-san—a bit of an odd name, right? I was born in Shizuoka, Japan, to a Japanese parent and a non-Japanese parent. People often refer to me as “half.” But here’s the twist: even though I was born in Japan, I didn’t grow up here. I spent most of my childhood outside Japan, far removed from my Japanese roots.

And here’s the kicker—I never learned a word of Japanese.

Growing Up as “Half”

Growing up as a “half-Japanese” kid overseas wasn’t exactly easy. When you don’t quite fit into one group or the other, it’s hard to know where you belong. Kids can be pretty rough on anyone who seems different. But now that I’m older and wiser, I don’t hold it against them. It’s just how kids are.

Despite the rough patches, I did make some lifelong friends. I’m still close with them today. But the real turning point came after I graduated. Out of nowhere, it was decided that I’d go back to Japan—the country where I was born but didn’t really know. And that’s where the real journey began.

Landing in Japan: Struggles from the Start

I remember landing in Japan, full of excitement but absolutely clueless. I didn’t know a single word of Japanese. I mean, I felt like a foreigner in my own homeland. Just imagine trying to shop at a convenience store and not being able to understand or even ask basic questions. The frustration was overwhelming.

I’m sure many of you can relate. The language barrier is one of the biggest challenges for foreigners in Japan, and when you add cultural differences to the mix, it can feel like a mountain to climb.

“Why Didn’t You Learn Japanese Before Coming?”

Trust me, I’ve asked myself the same thing countless times. Learning the language before coming would have saved me so much stress. But at the time, I didn’t realize how crucial it would be. I wasn’t motivated.

So, if you’re reading this and thinking of moving to Japan, here’s my advice: learn the language. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but even learning one new word a day will make a world of difference.

My First Job: A Lucky Break

After a while, I managed to get a job through a family friend. It was in manufacturing, which is pretty common for foreigners here in Japan, especially if you don’t speak much Japanese or have specialized skills.

Now, here’s where things got interesting. This family friend ran a haken gaisha (staffing agency), so he helped me land a decent gig. I started in 2012, earning 1,350 yen an hour—not bad for someone with little Japanese skills.

But while the pay was good, the job itself didn’t offer much room to grow. I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life doing the same thing day in and day out, so I knew I had to do something about it. That’s when I decided it was time to work on myself—starting with learning the language.

Taking Baby Steps

While working, I started learning Japanese. I started small—basic words here and there, then moving on to Hiragana and Katakana. I even dabbled in Kanji, though I’ll admit, I’m still far from mastering it.

It was like taking baby steps. One day, I couldn’t even order food properly at a restaurant, and the next, I was stringing together my first full sentence in Japanese. Those small victories kept me going.

Things Started to Change

Not all of my early experiences were rough. As I kept working at my manufacturing job, something amazing happened. My hard work started to get noticed, and before I knew it, I was promoted to the leader of my section. That was a big deal back then, especially for someone like me.

It was tough, but the sense of fulfillment was unlike anything I’d felt before. I wasn’t just working anymore; I was helping my fellow foreigners by teaching them how to navigate life in Japan, and even making some changes at work to improve things for all of us.

But as good as it was, I soon came face-to-face with the harsh realities of life here.

Facing Reality

While I was doing everything I could to improve myself, I started to see just how difficult life can be for foreigners in Japan. The language barrier was still a huge obstacle, and the lack of career opportunities was disheartening. On top of that, it could get really lonely at times.

But instead of letting it bring me down, I found myself even more determined. I didn’t just want to make a better life for myself—I wanted to help others do the same.

An Unexpected Encounter

One day, out of the blue, I met another foreigner at work. At the time, I didn’t realize just how much this chance meeting would change my life.

Through this person, I was introduced to someone who was looking for a Human Resources manager. Even though I had no experience in HR, I decided to take a leap of faith. I applied for the position, and against all odds, I got the job—even with my broken Japanese!

I still can’t believe how that happened, but sometimes life just surprises you like that.

A New Beginning

So there I was, moving from Aichi-ken to Gifu-ken, ready to take on this new role. It was scary, but I was filled with passion and determination. I knew I had a chance to make a name for myself, and I wasn’t going to let it slip away.

Wrapping Up

Wow, that went by fast! In the next chapter, I’ll dive into the challenges I faced as I navigated my new job, and how I managed to get through them.

A Few Words of Encouragement

Thank you so much for sticking with me through this story. Before I go, I want to leave you with a bit of advice.

Living in Japan isn’t always easy. It can be lonely and frustrating at times, but remember: you’re not alone. You can build a life here. It might take time, and you might face setbacks, but if you keep pushing forward, you’ll get there. And sometimes, all it takes is meeting one person who believes in you to change everything.

If you ever have questions or need advice, feel free to leave a comment or message me on my socials. I’m always here to help. Thanks for reading, and I can’t wait to share the next part of my story with you!