Have you lived in Japan?

[mightyh]

My husband is in the Air Force and we're comtemplating volunteering for overseas duty. Luckily we've got a while to think about it--six months or so--before we need to rank choices.

I think we'd be fine in Europe, but I'm also intrigued by Japan. What's it like living there as an American? The areas I'm specifically interested in are Tokyo suburbs, Misawa (far north on Honshu), and Okinawa. We'd have two little ones--age 3 and 1 going with us and it would be for three years. Would WE get enough out of it (be able to travel, etc) with such little people with us?

My biggest concerns about Japan are (1) distance from family/difficulty traveling back and forth and (2) having to quit my telecommute job cause of the time difference. If Japan seems like a go in all other aspects, I'd seriously consider it, though.

I'd also be interested in any books on Japan you'd recommend... I've read Memoirs of a Geisha and loved it, but other Japan reading would be great--fiction or non.

Thanks in advance.

[Mandy]

Hi mightyh.

I've not lived in Japan, but my best friend lived there for about 3 years. While she was there I was able to go visit her twice. She lived in Nagoya. She said that she loved it and is so glad she did it. I think the hardest thing for her was being so far from friends and family. It's rather expensive to get there, so not many people were able to visit her. I was only able to make it because of my travel benefits. She really loved the Japanese culture.

Since I didn't actually live there, I can't be very helpful. But if you have any other questions let me know.

Mandy

[RunnerKim]

I won't be much help because I was so young, but my family was stationed in Okinawa when I was pre-school/KG age. My first memeries are from there. I can remember the tremendous tyhpoons and papertowel in the windows to soak up the rain. I'd have to get adult impressions from my parents, but I'm not sure if that would even be useful to you as it was over 20 years ago. My feelings are that it was a good time for our family. I remember vacations on lovely beaches. Friends (good sense of community). I know my parents - Mom did get to do some nice traveling in the area. She and her Mom went to Hong Kong. We have lots of neat Asian art work/figurines etc. from our time there. It is a long way from the states but with better communication (email, phone service etc.) I wouldn't think it would be as bad now. We also adopted my sister (from South Korea) while we were there - so all in all a big time for our family.

I don't know if the political climate is different now - how the Japanese feel about the Americans there. I know there's some issues, but don't know how indicitive it is.

Personally, I can say I love being an AF brat. The opportunity to live in different places/cultures has really served me well in life. I would not change that for anything.

Kim

[aggie94]

DH's oldest brother and his family are also in the AF and recently returned from a two-year (maybe 3?) stint in Japan. They've all told us they loved it, but I'm sure if pressed for more details (especially from someone who is planning to live there), they would be happy to discuss the pros and cons. They also have two children - I can't recall exactly when they moved there so I'm not sure how old the kids were when they got there, but I recall one of them being pretty young. They lived both on and off base also. If you like, I can get some more info from them or put you in touch with them.

[ISAIAH30_18]

I could be wrong, because I'm really bad at remembering locations of current events....but isn't Okinawa where the serviceman was tried for the rape of the local there? Mentioning this only because I remember the news reporting that the locals are really angry with the american military presence there and this was the straw that broke the camel's back. That would be the one thing I would want to know more about for that specific location in Japan.
I, however, would love to visit there!!! We are planning to go to China at the end of the year.

Everyone else's reply was so positive....don't know why my mind went right to this thought.....:(

[little_bopeep]

I was born in (near?) Tokyo on Tachikawa AFB, but that was many, MANY moons ago. I understand that it's been turned back over to the Japanese, but I don't know what purpose it serves now. My family loved being there then (ok, it was 1960), and my sister has been back at least once. It's becoming more and more common to find people who speak English, so that's a plus.

Turns out that DF and I both lived in Tokyo as children, but of course our families didn't know each other. Wouldn't it have been something if we found out that they HAD actually met? :cool:

Sorry....I know this isn't much of an answer to your questions. But I think you, your DH and your children would be getting the chance of a lifetime to see and experience something brand new and wonderful. Japan is an incredibly beautiful country with an amazing history. I hope you give your decision to go a lot of thought...I wish *I* had a chance like this!

[mightyh]

Thanks for your insight....

Yes, Okinawa is where the Marine was tried for rape (recently and a few years back, if I remember correctly). I wondered about the base-community relations since then and am not sure I'm ready for a new culture AND typhoons. :)

I like that you're all focusing on the great experience living in other cultures aspect--which is part of what I wanted to know. I think it would be fun and challenging, but we'd also be giving up a lot so I want to make sure we'd get enough out of it to balance things.

Eva, if you get a chance to talk to your BIL, could you ask them where they were stationed and if they'd be interested in sharing their impressions, esp. regarding being in Asia with kids. I know you're in the midst of a move (hope it's going well), so no hurry.

Thanks guys!

[aggie94]

mightyh (sorry, your real name is escaping me),

I know they were stationed at Yokoda (sp?), but I'm not sure where that is in relation to where you might be. And I'm happy to ask them more about their experience -- I'll shoot off an email to them today and let you know what I hear back.

[mightyh]

Thanks so much, Eva...

Yokota is the base right outside Tokyo, one of our options. Any info you can glean would be great!

Heidi :)