What would you tell this guy?

[Coffeedaisuki]

Howdy! I have been browsing the website and forum for a awhile now and appreciate all the great info. But, I have kind of a generic question. Appreciate any inputs!

What is the biggest lesson/advice/culture shock you would give?

A little bit about me to help. I'm U.S. military and transitioning to being a civilian in Japan next year. I've lived in Japan off and on for roughly 10 years total and am in my 40s. But, there is quite a bit in Japan I have no experience with. For example:

- Never had to deal with immigration (Starting to work on spouse visa and eventually want PR)
- Never had to purchase major appliances (Where do you find the best deals on a fridge? IH stove or gas? And when?)
- Never opened a japanese bank account (Which bank would be best to start?)
- Never applied for a Japanese credit card (Should I eventually?)
- Never had to pay Japanese pension or use Japanese health care/dentist (How does that even work if I start in my 40s?)

I'm sure there is more I don't know. That's why I'm posting. What life advice would you give? Happy to hear from anyone. Thanks!

[William]

Hi,

Well, my first question for you would be: do you have some level in Japanese? I'm not talking N1, but just enough for you to understand some indication, and be understood when you speak?

— Immigration: What visa will you get? Do you have a job and a company who can sponsor you?
— I'd visit BicCamera, Nojima...
— Shinsei Bank used to be nice for foreigners, but I don't know now.
— You might not need a credit card at first if your bank provides you with a debit card.
— Will you be a full-time employee or on your own? If you work for a company, they should register you on the Japanese pension and health care system. If not, you'll need to go to the city hall and register yourself.

[Tsumitate Wrestler]

I would ask that man to spell out his current visa status, employment status, household income, debts, assets, investments and future plans otherwise I could not help him much...

[Coffeedaisuki]

Hi,

Well, my first question for you would be: do you have some level in Japanese? I'm not talking N1, but just enough for you to understand some indication, and be understood when you speak?

— Immigration: What visa will you get? Do you have a job and a company who can sponsor you?
— I'd visit BicCamera, Nojima...
— Shinsei Bank used to be nice for foreigners, but I don't know now.
— You might not need a credit card at first if your bank provides you with a debit card.
— Will you be a full-time employee or on your own? If you work for a company, they should register you on the Japanese pension and health care system. If not, you'll need to go to the city hall and register yourself.

My Japanese is definitely not N1...probably N4...maybe N3. I took an N4 practice test awhile back and passed, but not 100%. Need to study more. Anyone else have any luck learning the language successfully later in life?

- Initially, getting a spouse visa and then PR. I've heard all kinds of things. "You will have to get spouse visa and renew it at least twice before PR." "They will want to see at least 3 years of paying Japanese taxes before PR" just wondering what route others have gone.

- I didn't think about Nojima...Thank you!

- Ive heard the same thing. Shinsei Bank used to be easy for foreigners, but changed. Any others? Or should I just go to JP Post?

- My American credit cards work most brick and mortar stores, but some online shops won't take them. I can make it work with Amazon JP and such, but am I missing out? Are they pretty vital to building a credit history?

- Company for sure. Thanks for the info about registering. Is it possible to work long enough in the Japanese pension system and your home country to get both, I wonder?

[Wilbur]

Here are a few of my replies to some of your questions.

IH or gas stove? We recently switched from gas to IH stove. IH Went to check at a few electronic stores then online. Online was way cheaper and so bought it there. Recommended looking at kakaku.com We also bought a freezer online recently too and cheaper than in the stores.

JP Post bank? It's ok, as a foreign in Japan you will have to prove your residency to your bank every year. JP Post makes this process very painful compared to other banks.

Good luck with everything!

[Coffeedaisuki]

Here are a few of my replies to some of your questions.

IH or gas stove? We recently switched from gas to IH stove. IH Went to check at a few electronic stores then online. Online was way cheaper and so bought it there. Recommended looking at kakaku.com We also bought a freezer online recently too and cheaper than in the stores.

JP Post bank? It's ok, as a foreign in Japan you will have to prove your residency to your bank every year. JP Post makes this process very painful compared to other banks.

Good luck with everything!

Do you notice a difference in strength with IH? Does it take longer to heat up? I haven't gone onto kakaku.com in awhile. Thanks for the reminder about that site.

[RetireJapan]

Do you notice a difference in strength with IH? Does it take longer to heat up? I haven't gone onto kakaku.com in awhile. Thanks for the reminder about that site.

We switched to IH stoves a couple of years ago. Benefits: no emissions inside the house, easier to clean. Downsides: slightly longer to heat up (but not much), have to use specific pans and pots. Not sure if it made a financial difference but a lot safer in terms of fire risk etc.

[Wilbur]

Here are a few of my replies to some of your questions.

IH or gas stove? We recently switched from gas to IH stove. IH Went to check at a few electronic stores then online. Online was way cheaper and so bought it there. Recommended looking at kakaku.com We also bought a freezer online recently too and cheaper than in the stores.

JP Post bank? It's ok, as a foreign in Japan you will have to prove your residency to your bank every year. JP Post makes this process very painful compared to other banks.

Good luck with everything!

Do you notice a difference in strength with IH? Does it take longer to heat up? I haven't gone onto kakaku.com in awhile. Thanks for the reminder about that site.

I'm very impressed with how fast it heats up and it's a even heat around the whole pan. Like ReireJapan I really like how easy it is to clean. Most of our pans were already IH friendly so didn't have to get any new pots except for our nabe pottery pot won't work. We did have to get an electrician to come in and install a special plugin. Can't comment on efficiency of it to gas yet but most comparison sheets show it is more efficient.