| It's been more than a decade since American expat David moved to Japan. He lives with his family in Nara, where he works as a potter and owns an English school. Read on for David's observations about living as an expat in a Japanese countryside village. |
 David Morrison Pike |
-Where were you born?
The U.S.
-In which country and city are you living now?
Nara, Japan
-Are you living alone or with your family?
I live with my wife, two children and dog.
-How long have you been living in Japan?
I have been at my current location for 8 years and in Japan since 1994.
-What is your age?
44
-When did you come up with the idea of living in Japan?
I originally came to Japan to study Japanese dance, Butoh. After I arrived I got married and decided to live here.
-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?
No, I am on a permanent residency visa I got after being here 5 years.
-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?
I was traveling around S.E. Asia on my way to Africa so I had no insurance before I came. When I arrived I was able to get on the national insurance rolls while I was still on a visitors' visa.
-How do you make your living in Japan? Do you have any type of income generated?
I am a full time potter and I own an English school. I spend roughly 35 hours a week in my studio, sometimes much more. It wasn’t really difficult to get started in ceramics but the Japanese potters are very good so you have to be in top form if you want to sell stuff. I did a 2-year apprenticeship with a Japanese potter.
-Do you speak Japanese and do you think it's important to speak the local language?
I am fluent in spoken and written Japanese. My spoken Japanese is better than my knowledge of kanji. I think it is absolutely essential to be fluent. Obviously if you can’t read you are illiterate and I don’t think that is where anybody wants to be.
I think respecting the local customs is important. I live out in the country and it is old fashioned Japan here. I am not invited to most local ceremonies. Even if I was Japanese I wouldn’t be invited until I had a grave site in the local cemetery.
-Do you miss home and family sometimes?
I haven’t been to the U.S. for 11 years. I don’t miss it. I sometimes miss my friends and family but I keep in close contact with my family and friends through email.
-Do you have other plans for the future?
I am going to send my children to High School and University in the U.S. I don’t know if I will move back or not. I can’t see living in Japan into old age.
-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?
I live on a third of an acre, about 400 tsubo, with a house that we contracted to have built. I have title to both. Land is cheap in the country so it is comparable to something similar in the U.S.
-What is the cost of living in Japan?
Roughly, all prices in yen:
- food for four = 77,000/month
- electricity= 12,000/month
- health insurance= 17,000/month
- gas for car= 40,000/month
- national retirement scheme= 25,000/month
-What do you think about the Japanese?
My neighbors are a grab bag of types. There are folks who haven’t said hello to me in 8 years and some who greet me no matter what. I wouldn’t recommend this area to any foreigner. There is a lot of intra-village arguing that goes on.
-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Japan?
I think Japan is a great country for artists. I am left alone and can get my work done. That is also one of the negative aspects. The Japanese will really leave you alone. It can get kind of lonely.
-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Japan?
I would say you have to get up to speed in the spoken and written language. It is absolutely necessary.
-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about Japan?
I should plug my site, davidmorrisonpike.com
I recommend subscribing to the NBR for a serious look at Japan: http://www.nbr.org
