Has anyone here lived in Japan? If so, what did you like or dislike about Nihon?
By not4me
@not4me (1711)
United States
November 26, 2006 1:02pm CST
I lived in Okinawa, Japan for 4 years and worked for KDDI as a computer engineer. I LOVED Japan and can't wait to go back someday!
2 responses
@usaction (649)
• United States
4 Dec 06
I lived in Japan from 9-7-01 - 9-1-04. I was in the US Navy; my homeport was Sasebo, Japan (the closest city I can think of is Fukuoka).
The probs were that I's in the Navy, so it just never felt like I *really* had my own time; it was all revolving around what the navy set up for me. Plus, the city of Sasebo is kinda small, so if you don't drink/club much, there isn't as much to do, especially if you don't speak the language.
What I did enjoy was the friendlieness of everyone. At the airport, the workers there didn't just tell you where to go, they showed you! Also, instead of you digging around to try and find change for things (such as a cab), if you had the main $, they'd wave off the extra bit! Finally, there was almost no concept whatsoever of crime, espeically robbery!
@not4me (1711)
• United States
4 Dec 06
I went up to Fukuoka and Sasebo in September 2004 for a business trip and I loved it up there. It was so much cooler (literally) than Okinawa and I loved the break from the heat. You're so right about it being a little area. I think I had "grass is greener" syndrome. But knowing the language made things much easier for me. Working out in town helped too.
I was a Marine for 8 years and I guess maybe Marines are treated differently on their off-time. My husband, an E-7 was able to do whatever he wanted on his off-time but I get that he wasn't on a ship or anything ;). We had a lot of fun over there. We played in bands and learned how to dive. I was in a Ryugin bank commercial too - that was pretty sweet. And YES - I miss the people and how nice they were. When we flew home I too was shocked by the rudeness at San Francisco International Airport - especially the women security guards. OMG. I felt like I was on another planet!
@usaction (649)
• United States
5 Dec 06
That right there answers everything! He was an E-7, meaning he's an NCO. So of course he could do what he wanted. I was an E-3 when I left.
What I really hated was a lock-down; enough fools got drunk, and the lower enlisted would be stuck on ship. That's totally unfair, as we could be in another city, but were still in trouble. How can we "look out for our buddies," when we aren't even in the same city?
The only time I enjoyed a lock-down was when *everyone* under the XO was under it. Hear a Chief (E-7) complain about it. Now you know how us "lowly enlisted" feel. Maybe, since you know the people that work for you, and you know who the trouble makers are, you should take a direct role in their being able to leave ship, and not ruin liberty for everyone else. But that's just my opinion.
All-in-all, I was happy with my tours of SE Asia. Japan was home while I was there, but I loved everything from Guam to Australia to Thailand. There's so much to see! This is the land that gives us Video Games and Anime! This is where we get the concept of the Ninja! There are so many historical sites to see. Going through school, we'd learn about a lot of stuff in Europe, so this is a nice way to learn about the Far East.
