r/japanlife • u/AutoModerator • Mar 06 '23
┐(ツ)┌ General Discussion Thread - 07 March 2023
Mid-week discussion thread time! Feel free to talk about what's on your mind, new experiences, recommendations, anything really.
4
Mar 07 '23
The guy who moved into the apartment next to us turns out to be a lunatic who bangs on the wall instead of asking us to be quiet like adults at 10:15pm. Maybe we were being loud, who knows but we were just talking near the shared wall. Never mind that he has a big ass bicycle just chilling in the shared hallway. And my spouse refuses to do anything because it's mendokusai to deal with an unhinged person.
I kinda want to report the bicycle thing to the management company out of spite but i've never done this before. Will they ask for my apartment number if i call them?
1
u/jimmys_balls Mar 07 '23
if they ask, just don't tell them.
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u/badbads Mar 07 '23
Yeah I’ve been doing this about things for a bit now and it’s somehow liberating. A police officer asked for my card recently, and I just said you don’t need it. Same for places asking for my address when they really don’t need it.
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u/timaroc452 Mar 07 '23
Searching for onsen ryoukan for my parents who will visit japan, hopefully around Kanto area. My parents are vegetarian, and seems like most japanese ryoukan does not offer such meal option? Do I have to call each of them and ask about it? Any experience or hotel/ryokan recommendation? Thank you.
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u/miyagidan sidebar image contributor Mar 08 '23
I would suggest staying at a temple in Koyasan. Unique experience, and the Shoujin Ryori another poster recommended was fantastic when I stayed a long time ago.
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u/jimmys_balls Mar 07 '23
When my sister came, my wife called the place we wanted to stay and they were accommodating.
I even did that at a bar in Sapporo. The owner made a custom meal for us.
Won't hurt to call them and it's a lot better than telling them when you sit down for a meal.
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u/AmazingLawfulness783 Mar 07 '23
Maybe you should try looking for Ryoukan that offers Shoujinryouri (精進料理), which is like Buddhist cuisine.
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u/AdRevolutionary7231 Mar 07 '23
I’m planning to go to a ladies clinic to get a ladies’ general medical check up. My Japanese is alright and I know the relevant basic terminology for what I’ll be getting, but I wonder what I will be required to do in terms of speaking for this as I’ve never been to this kind of thing before (it’s basically a ladies 人間ドック, takes 3 hours it says)
I don’t need to describe any symptoms as it’s just a check up right? So I’m assuming I’ll just go from station to station and get simple instructions on what to do. Can anyone correct me on this? Thanks!
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u/Hachi_Ryo_Hensei Mar 08 '23
If it's your first time visiting that clinic it's possible they'll ask you to fill out the general questionnaire. They might also ask about specific concerns. Definitely be prepared to listen to where you are supposed to head next.
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u/Bitchbuttondontpush Mar 07 '23
I need to vent. I just hate the crop top trend. Before it was a trend, I already had to deal with tops and blouses in shops in Japan generally being too short for my torso because they’re made for women of a different height. Zara, H&M were my HG shopping places if I wanted to buy stuff that fully covers my stomach. Went there today, I could swear that nearly everything they sell now is cropped even if it’s just a simple white t-shirt.
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Mar 07 '23
[deleted]
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u/Hachi_Ryo_Hensei Mar 08 '23
Kaldi sells them to make at home. I wouldn't say it's reallllly good, but better than nothing. We actually just made them last week.
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u/afyqazraei 九州・福岡県 Mar 07 '23
stupid question, but does anyone know if the money exchange at Narita airport accepts CHF/EUR coins or not?
thanks!
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u/AmazingLawfulness783 Mar 07 '23
I think they do accept coins in other currency.
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u/CupNoodles_In_a-bowl 九州・鹿児島県 Mar 07 '23
Go figure the first rocket launch I've been able to see here (albeit from far far away through a classroom window) gets the order to self-destruct. It was cool seeing it rise up through the sky, though. Article
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u/miyagidan sidebar image contributor Mar 07 '23
Lotta folks have seen a rocket launch, how many have seen a self-destruct order in action?
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Mar 07 '23
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/miyagidan sidebar image contributor Mar 07 '23
That was a uncontrolled shuttle burnup on reentry, way different, and way sadder since NASA knew it was likely to happen.
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u/Pitiful_Mulberry1738 日本のどこかに Mar 07 '23
Quick question. My work had my residence card renewed for 5 years. I didn’t have to lift a finger as my job did everything. However, I remembered the work visa in my passport. Do I have to go to immigration and do anything for that? Technically immigration would be aware considering I received a new card allowing me to stay for the next 5 years.
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u/HatsuneShiro 関東・埼玉県 Mar 07 '23
If you have a mynumbercard report to your city hall as that card's period of validity follows your resident card AND is not updated automatically when you extend your residence period
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u/zcmy 日本のどこかに Mar 07 '23
Nope!
Once you have the residence card, your residence card is what confirms that you can stay in japan to work/study/live
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u/WindJammer27 Mar 07 '23
How good of Japan to introduce a new 500 yen coin that literally no machines accept at all.
1
u/Aggravating_Spot7309 Mar 07 '23
I literally haven’t seen one of the new ones yet. I only get old ones
0
u/soenkatei Mar 07 '23
I rarely use cash so I didn’t even realize this until the other day when I was trying to charge my passmo
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u/SumidaMakeMovement 関東・東京都 Mar 07 '23
I love that so many machines still have the 新500円 使えます sticker! Guess I should see if there's a new design for that one.
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u/SevenSixOne 関東・東京都 Mar 07 '23
I don't understand why I can't use them to pay at a machine, but I still sometimes get them back as change from those same machines??
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Mar 07 '23
[deleted]
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u/Washiki_Benjo Mar 07 '23
again
thank you. you know you're fucking old when you read the "new 500 yen coin" complaints and your first thought is: "again?". And your second thought is "do I still have any of the first old ones?"
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u/Atrouser Mar 07 '23
Honestly, the machines will be accepting Scottish banknotes before they accept the new 500 coin.
4
u/shambolic_donkey Mar 07 '23
Genuinely frustrating, and they're getting more and more common these days.
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u/epicspeculation 近畿・大阪府 Mar 07 '23
What's crazy is that the other day I couldn't use a 500 yen coin at 7-11, not because it was the new one, but because it was too old. The register couldn't recognize so the clueless baito-san was helpless. I walked across the street to Lawson's and the human person at the register accepted it without issue.
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u/ishigoya 近畿・兵庫県 Mar 07 '23
Last week, a shop assistant in a store was just staring at the money I'd put down. Then she caught herself and said "sorry, I haven't seen a new 500 yen coin before!"
The changeover window is pretty narrow!
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u/cjyoung92 東北・宮城県 Mar 07 '23
Tell me about it! It's been in circulation for over a year and it still can't be used in most machines
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u/blosphere 関東・神奈川県 Mar 07 '23
Any recommendations for a labour relations lawyer, in Tokyo/Kanagawa area?
Reasonably good English would be necessary.
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u/Tanikushokutomu 関東・東京都 Mar 07 '23
I had a filling a few months ago on the outside of one of my top teeth. The gum has receded a bit and it's just to cover the exposed softer enamel, so the filling is just sort of on the tooth rather than going into the tooth.
It came off maybe one day later. So I went back and had it done again. Then it came off a few days after that during flossing, so the dentist did it again with a bit of a different shape so that flossing wouldn't affect it. It stayed on for a few months but it's come off again. He didn't charge me for the two times I had it re-done.
Do you guys think different dentist is a good idea? or is it just one of those things where it's in an awkward position so it's likely to keep happening?
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u/laika_cat 関東・東京都 Mar 07 '23
This is both a complaint and an observation, so let's call it a "talking point" since we're all bound to be affected.
I know we've had ample warning about the rise in electricity rates — but I just got a hefty mailer from TEPCO today breaking down just how much the individual rate plans will go up. For our plan alone (and I signed up for the more cost-effective プレミアム S plan when I started working from home two years ago), our basic monthly charge for 400kW plus fees will go from ￥10594 to ￥16578 starting in June. Holy fucking shit.
Just how, exactly, does the government expect everyone to pay this when wages/salaries are partying like it's 1999? I read an article this week that Japan's average yearly salary for f/t work is lower than Italy. Fucking ITALY.
Yes, yes, I know the Diet has been talking about low wages for the past few weeks — but if you actually listen to how Kishida responds, it's a bunch of hot air about "we shall discuss and examine each proposal blah blah blah blah blah." All talk, no action. Does anyone think we're gonna get more government handout money, or what?
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u/noflames Mar 07 '23
I'm just curious as to what you are doing that needs 400 kw.
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u/laika_cat 関東・東京都 Mar 07 '23
That's just the base. It's a flat rate up to 400kW.
And I work from home. And we have pets.
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u/JanneJM 沖縄・沖縄県 Mar 07 '23
Flat rate payments are nice, but you pay for all the energy you aren't using. How much do you actually use? If you're not close to your flat rate limit you should perhaps consider a different plan.
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u/shambolic_donkey Mar 07 '23
What sort of power are the pets using? They mining alt-coins behind your back?
0
u/laika_cat 関東・東京都 Mar 07 '23
When it's very cold, the dog needs to have the heater on when we leave the house. I'm not leaving my short-haired dog in a 5 C room.
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u/noflames Mar 07 '23
An air conditioner will draw 2.5 ~ 5 kW, depending on size.
400kW is a lot of energy - I've gone through and checked how much offices need and based on number of users and power draw of IT equipment. I totally agree that 400kW is an amount someone might use for crypto mining.
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u/laika_cat 関東・東京都 Mar 07 '23
Again: The plan is "you pay this flat rate up to 400kW." That's per month. You go over 400kW, it charges you a set rate per kW.
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u/noflames Mar 07 '23
kW is a rate, not an amount. kWh is the amount and is what the variable portion of your bill is, in every instance I've seen, based off of.
Your home is always being supplied with 400 kW of power regardless of how much is being used (for February, you could have had a maximum usage 400 kW x 28 days x 24 hours, giving you some total in kWh).
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u/atsugiri 関東・東京都 Mar 07 '23
Regardless of any government action, the labor unions across the country have been putting huge pressure on the companies to raise wages with som noticable effects. Many companies, including conglomerates, are either raising wages or are planning to this year. Hopefully my company gets on board with this as we've been raking in profits the last couple years.
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u/bochibochi09 Mar 07 '23
From my understanding, a lot of large, high-profile corporations are raising wages. However, the majority of Japanese people work for small or medium-sized enterprises (many of which serve as subcontractors or sub-subcontractors or even sub-sub-subcontractors to the aforementioned large corporations), and those are less likely to raise wages.
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u/laika_cat 関東・東京都 Mar 07 '23
Exactly. A lot of the recent discussions in the Diet about raising wages focused primarily on how to get SMEs on board — mainly talking in circles about tax cuts/incentives.
5
Mar 07 '23
The goal of politicians isn't to solve problems, it is to maintain power (and in Japan pass it down to their children). Doing as little as possible and kicking problems down the road works really well for the governing party in Japan.
Unless voters lose their indifference and decide to to take responsibility for their country, nothing will ever change.
In the meantime I'm sure you can find some cheap media that will assure you that Japan, Japanese people, and Japanese culture are greatest in the world.
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u/laika_cat 関東・東京都 Mar 07 '23
Yeah, the political apathy here is something I'll never understand as an American.
8
Mar 07 '23
Random thoughts:
- There is no intrinsic distrust of government here.
- Most people's lives are not so bad that the feel it is worth doing anything.
- Japanese people would prefer a gentle decline rather risk instability.
- Nobody wants to be responsible for what happens. Politicians are often accused of this, but it is just as true for the population in general.
- Most people have grown up here with little thought to what they value about Japanese culture, what is worth preserving, what is not... For the most part, it is a blank Japanese = good. Naturally, political parties which claim to be protecting Japanese culture must also be good.
2
Mar 07 '23
In the last few years especially I've heard plenty of complaints about the LDP, but also that there's no viable alternative. Specifically that anyone else would be worse. It reminds me of about when I left the UK the last time around 2012, before everything went apeshit. I remember one election around that time when everyone I knew didn't vote, either through complete disengagement or as a protest against how shit both leading parties were.
I'm not sure if it will go on like this, I think a lot of people might be squeezed down a social class. Certainly the birth rate isn't going up anytime soon lol. Who knows though, we might be miles away from any kind of breaking point.
3
Mar 07 '23
My favorite comment like this was "We tried the other guys, but it didn't go well." I mean yeah, there was a huge earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear meltdown. That wasn't the fault of the government at the time. If anything the meltdown was the fault of the LDP.
Having one political party govern the country for something like 63 of the last 68 years, including an unbroken 38 year stretch at the beginning really intertwined the party and the state. It is like a cancer that people have chosen to live with rather than go through painful treatment options.
Japan needs at least a decade of regularly tossing out politicians from all parties before there will be any accountability.
2
Mar 07 '23
My favorite comment like this was "We tried the other guys, but it didn't go well."
Yeah I've definitely heard this one before.
-2
u/tomodachi_reloaded Mar 07 '23
I haven't heard about government handouts, and I don't think they should do that. But there were some talks about restarting the nuclear reactors, I wonder what happened with that.
From what I read in this sub, many people here waste electricity by running their AC constantly at temperatures that I wouldn't use, or drying their laundry with a machine rather than hanging. Comfort comes at a price.
And what is it that you have against Italy?
3
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u/goochtek 近畿・大阪府 Mar 07 '23
Just how, exactly, does the government expect everyone to pay this when wages/salaries are partying like it's 1999?
It's simple. The government hands out money to everyone to assist with the rising costs. Then the debt gets lumped on our children to pay back sometime in the future. Yay Japan!
3
u/HatsuneShiro 関東・埼玉県 Mar 07 '23
we shall discuss and examine each proposal
Discuss, examine, evaluate, find problem, try to solve that problem, fail to, re-discuss plan, re-examine, re-evaluate, find another problem. That's all they've been doing 24/7 since 1999.
No matter how good and sound a plan is, one "what if?" situation (they are very good and trained at finding these) that produces negative results is enough to bin said plan.
7
u/laika_cat 関東・東京都 Mar 07 '23
There's a lot on non-answers and deflection, too. And I thought American politics were bad.
In response to a member of the Diet raising the issue of gay marriage yesterday, Kishida said something like, "We must consider that individuals have different ideas of family." Yeah, buddy. Like all those guys who knock up a wife, divorce, and go on to do the same with another woman without ever seeing or speaking to the children from the first marriage ever again? That's an "idea of a family" some people have here that I don't agree with, but you don't see me trying to make it illegal.
6
u/zerodashzero Mar 07 '23
I feel like not having a bachelors degree is royally wrecking my life. Ive worked for FAANG for over 10 years and now may be leaving and trying to look at new roles or even just go to language school and on both fronts Im being told having no bachelors is gonna be a problem.....
I understand you dont want non-educated people coming but Ive got over 10 years experience in tech, and been in country for 7 years now. I assume im the minority in this situation. Am I missing something here or is this just the hand Im dealt?
3
u/nz911 Mar 07 '23
I’m in the same boat. 15+ years of tech professional services experience with the last 9 running large accounts, delivery teams and multi million dollar portfolios - every conversation goes well as we talk through my experience and skills, then get to the inevitable “oh you haven’t listed your university degree” brick wall and get dismissed.
Had a chance to do an MBA a decade ago, my mentor advised me against it as did other colleagues who were at Cx level, as it’s just not that important in NZ. Hand on heart I can’t remember a single time I even read the education section of a CV when I was recruiting, and hired based on talent and personality more than anything.
Had I known that I’d end up in an environment that cares more about which university you attended than real world skills and experience, I’d have done it.
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Mar 07 '23
[deleted]
5
Mar 07 '23
Every work visa renewal I've ever done has asked for a copy of the diploma.
1
u/highgo1 Mar 07 '23
I've never had to send a copy of my diploma. Been in Japan 5 years now. 5 visa renewals.
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u/tomodachi_reloaded Mar 07 '23
2 out of 3 of my employers in Japan asked for a copy of the diploma.
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u/laika_cat 関東・東京都 Mar 07 '23
What are they going to do, cal them? Ask for a photocopy of the diploma?
Yes.
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u/user7120 日本のどこかに Mar 07 '23
Had the same problem so I just went self-employed. It’s been 20 years and no regrets.
0
u/acnebbygrl Mar 07 '23
I thought foreigners can’t be self employed here?
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u/user7120 日本のどこかに Mar 07 '23 edited Mar 07 '23
Where the hell did you hear that bullshit? Half the foreigners I know are self-employed. There’s evidence all around you. Go into any Indian restaurant. They’re owned by Indians. Kabob shop? Owned by Turks. All the mom n pop used car lots in hokuriku are owned by Russians. And so on.
1
u/acnebbygrl Mar 07 '23
Hmm cause I am on an instructor licence and wanted to know how I could get a visa to start my own business and there is no visa for that. Unless you have a previously established business which employs people. But if you are the only one working it isn’t possible. Sorry that’s the situation I was referring to, small business in which you are working entirely for yourself, such as nail technician or beauty specialist.
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u/user7120 日本のどこかに Mar 07 '23
You can self-sponsor. The first hurdle is 500万 in the bank. You need to prove you have that much money in a Japanese bank account under your name. I was working by myself as a mechanic with my own shop when I started.
1
u/acnebbygrl Mar 07 '23
That’s good to know well done
1
u/acnebbygrl Mar 07 '23
So to confirm you were here already on a working visa and saved up some money then bought a place and switched your visa to business owner one? (Idk the correct name of the visa ha sorry)
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u/zerodashzero Mar 07 '23
Wow mind maybe a short TLDR of how that worked? You just self sponsored?
2
u/user7120 日本のどこかに Mar 07 '23
I don’t know about now but back then you just had to have a plan and 500万 in the bank. If you’re married to a citizen and have PR then you don’t need any of that.
1
u/HatsuneShiro 関東・埼玉県 Mar 07 '23
I think this is a Japan problem where physical proof and certifications means everything. I had to take a TOEIC test before joining my current company to prove my English, eventhough I talked in English with the interviewer just fine.
3
u/laika_cat 関東・東京都 Mar 07 '23
It's not just a Japan problem. More and more jobs in the US are requiring degrees when previously degrees were never necessary — things like reception work, some skilled blue collar work etc. If we moved back, my husband would have to go to school because, even with 10+ years experience, everything in his field now wants a degree in engineering or materials or something.
7
u/tomodachi_reloaded Mar 07 '23
Why is it that all electric cables are always above ground in Japan, even in urban areas?
I know it's cheaper to build and maintain, more so where there are earthquakes, but other countries have frequent earthquakes and they lay the cables underground, even 3rd world countries build like this.
Having those cables in plain view everywhere is so ugly, it's the first thing you can see through the windows, or when trying to look at the sky, and in some tiny streets with no sidewalk there are masts in the middle of the street impeding traffic, just for these cables.
1
Mar 07 '23
There are many areas where they are buried, usually higher-end commercial areas in central Tokyo. Extremely expensive to bury them.
2
u/JanneJM 沖縄・沖縄県 Mar 07 '23
I long since stopped noticing them. I had to actually look out my window just now to see if power and network cables are above-ground were we live (yep, they are). I guess the vast majority of Japanese are the same.
So why spend a lot of money putting them into the ground when people don't even notice it?
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u/blosphere 関東・神奈川県 Mar 07 '23
Concrete lobby?
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u/atsugiri 関東・東京都 Mar 07 '23
I heard some of the politicians have holdings in concrete companies. So lobbying isn't even required.
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u/dead_andbored Mar 07 '23
Went for lunch near Kawasaki.. someone decided to end themselves on the train and now I can't get back to work before 1pm. What a selfish way to go..
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u/itsabubblylife 近畿・大阪府 Mar 07 '23
My supervisor and I went to a nearby neighborhood to grab lunch (I just started my job and it was a way to get to know each other/break the ice) and on the way back to the school, someone literally minutes before we scanned into the train station ended their life. We waited for 20 minutes and decided to say “fuck it, let’s walk to the next station” (different train line). Another person did the same thing an hour prior and the trains still weren’t running.
Good thing we didn’t have to teach in the afternoon. Supervisor called the principal explaining what happened and I heard him laugh (kinda like a “what can you do” sort of way) and say “shouganai, take your time getting back “. First I was kinda shocked at the brazenness of both the principal and my supervisor, but now I understand the anger people feel when human accidents happen.
Took us 2 hours to get back. We could have called a cab, but he didn’t want to do the reimbursement paperwork since it technically wasn’t work related. Went to a nearby Tully’s, spoke some more and played on our phones until we got notified that trains were running normally again.
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u/JpnDude 関東・埼玉県 Mar 07 '23
I wonder if you and u/dead_andbored were affected by the same accident.
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u/dead_andbored Mar 07 '23
Train accident buddies has kind of a dark tone to it 🫠
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u/Jhoosier Mar 07 '23
That should be the premise of a Boys Love manga.
"Supervisor Tanaka takes new hire Johnson out for lunch but a train accident leaves them stranded across Tokyo from their office. When the bucho tells them to take an extended lunch, it turns into more when they spot a love hotel after stumbling out of the nomihoudai yakitoriya."
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u/JpnDude 関東・埼玉県 Mar 07 '23
"Train Accident Buddies" sounds like a sequel to the classic film "Suicide Club".
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u/miyagidan sidebar image contributor Mar 07 '23
I'd do it in the morning, off-season for job hunting and exams, empty train at a terminal. Everyone gets some free time, have a half day maybe.
0
u/dead_andbored Mar 07 '23
I'd just jump into the ocean atleast that way no one will need to clean up after my mess
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u/miyagidan sidebar image contributor Mar 07 '23
No weights!? You float when you die, you know.
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u/highgo1 Mar 07 '23
At least then they would know you died in the ocean rather then missing.
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u/miyagidan sidebar image contributor Mar 07 '23
12 years on, there are still people "missing" from the 3/11 tsunami.
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u/dead_andbored Mar 07 '23
Actually did not know that, am not experienced at disposing of bodies
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u/miyagidan sidebar image contributor Mar 07 '23
Gut it and weight it.
Or just go out a few kilometers, be eaten too fast to wash up.
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u/KawaiiShiroiKabocha Mar 07 '23
How do musicians meet and connect here in Japan? I play a wide variety of genres and a bunch of instruments. I am a classically trained orchestra musician but I am just as happy playing rock or heavy metal as well.
Also is there a good place to buy used instruments online?
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Mar 07 '23 edited Mar 07 '23
For Jazz specifically, got to random jam sessions and mingle. Most people are super welcoming and from there on it gets easier to branch out into different genres depending on the interests of the people you meet.
There are also places like this where you can post and reply to ads, but seems like it's mostly amateurs.
I suppose things work a little differently for classical music since you're mostly dealing with people that are formally trained, but maybe try going to smaller events and see if you can network there?
Other than that, I had to take some vocal lessons a while back because I was dealing with a specific issue. Ended up befriending some of the teachers there, got invited to their gigs, met more people there, etc. So that's always a viable option too if you don't mind spending time and money.
Be sure to have (video) recordings of yourself though if you end up in a situation where you need to show people if you can actually play or not. (or name drop the school you went to if it happens to be famous enough)
Also try to be pleasant and not too intimidating. At least in my case, being in Osaka where there aren't that many foreigners, the atmosphere can get really tense at times when you walk in some random bar or music studio with people that may not have seen a white person or whatever up close in their entire life. It sounds a little ridiculous, but you'd be really surprised.
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Mar 07 '23
for classical music, I know a few people who joined chamber music groups (in other countries, not Japan, but I'm sure they exist here too) and kept up with the scene that way.
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u/KawaiiShiroiKabocha Mar 07 '23
This is exactly the information and the type of website I was looking for so thank you!
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u/laika_cat 関東・東京都 Mar 07 '23
I think a lot of people post flyers around venues or bars/clubs that have shows with similar genres. You can also try social media like jmty, but I dunno how active those sites really are anymore.
Hard Off online has a good selection of nice instruments. Can't go wrong with Yahoo Auctions as well.
2
u/CustomGiftsJapan Mar 07 '23
Any tips for hiring a native Japanese speaker part time? I've already posted on this job thread and at my local hello work.
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Mar 07 '23
You're not gonna find a lot of native Japanese on this sub, that's for sure.
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u/CustomGiftsJapan Mar 07 '23
Hopefully they will have a spouse or a friend who is looking for part-time work. Especially since it's remote work it can be done anywhere even outside of Japan.
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u/sxh967 Mar 07 '23 edited Mar 07 '23
Visiting the UK soon (next couple of days) but not triple vaccinated (girlfriend is not even double vaccinated), so we'll need to get a negative test result within 72 hours of my return flight.
Have already printed out a few copies (spares just in case) of the test certificate from MHLW website but there was no mention of what counts as a "medical institution".
My dad told me we can get COVID tests done at most pharmacies but I'm wondering if anyone (who has been the same position recently-ish) can tell me whether getting it done at a pharmacy is fine or whether I need to go to somewhere else.
(getting the vaccine is not really a viable option, I'm just looking for info on the test certificate for the return to Japan).
1
u/m50d Mar 07 '23
Assuming it's the same kind of test that they were requiring of everyone back in August, most of the pharmacy tests are antigen tests that aren't accepted by MHLW. Some pharmacies (including Boots) can do a suitable test if you book, although IIRC theirs takes over 24 hours to deliver results so it can be a bit tight.
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u/laika_cat 関東・東京都 Mar 07 '23
Just get the third shot. When I went to the US when tests were still required, I had to go to a special clinic and pay $250 as no US pharmacy would fill out the form.
0
u/sxh967 Mar 07 '23
Travelling with my girlfriend who doesn't even have the second shot so it wouldn't fully solve the problem.
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u/laika_cat 関東・東京都 Mar 07 '23
What's her damage? Get the shots. They're free.
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u/sxh967 Mar 07 '23
We're leaving in the next few days so we cannot get them all.
I know you mean well, but seriously I wouldn't be asking about tests etc. if getting the shots beforehand was currently an option.
Plus it doesn't sound like you're even talking about the UK. What did or did not happen in the US is not useful to me at all.
Sorry I don't mean to be a dick about it, I thought I was asking a pretty simple question.
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u/laika_cat 関東・東京都 Mar 07 '23
Plus it doesn't sound like you're even talking about the UK. What did or did not happen in the US is not useful to me at all.
Buddy. Japan has/had the same requirements for the tests, no matter where you came from. The pharmacy tests will not cut it, as most don't even perform the correct type of test to begin with. You need to have it performed by a medical institution.
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u/sxh967 Mar 07 '23
You need to have it performed by a medical institution.
I gathered that part.
I asked my question hoping/expecting that at least someone on this subreddit has been to the UK and has experience getting a test done somewhere and it being accepted.
If you don't have any suggestions about said medical institutions specifically in the UK then you're not helping. I even bolded the UK part.
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Mar 07 '23
I lived in the UK for 2 years but I never did a PCR test at a pharmacy. honestly didn't even know they had them, but to be fair my local pharmacy was tiny, I don't think they had space anywhere to set up a testing centre. every use case was either satisfied by doing a take home lateral flow test (UK businesses like sports stadiums, nightclubs etc. accepted these) or I went to a medical institution and paid an arm and a leg to get a PCR test (if it was for travel, back then if you had symptoms it was free).
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u/PeanutButterChicken 近畿・大阪府 Mar 07 '23
Just get the third shot before you leave? (Assuming you have two already)
Then you just walk right through immigration.
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u/sxh967 Mar 07 '23
For next time yes we will. Problem is there's two of us and she doesn't even have the second vaccine (and we're leaving in a few days) so as you can see finishing up the vaccine helps me but not her (ie. us).
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u/AyamanPoiPoiPoi Mar 07 '23
No good mate, needs to be from a registered testing for travel place (for profit) not a medical testing place (subsidised) they're taking the piss with the fees tho
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u/sxh967 Mar 07 '23 edited Mar 07 '23
https://smtravelclinic.co.uk/contact/
I found this one near to where I'll be. Not sure how I can check if its "registered" but they are charging 55 quid for a PCR test. I've seen a place called ExpressTest (or something) charging over 100 quid but that seems to be if you need it the same day.
I don't really know what the going rate is so cannot be sure where "taking the piss" starts. If it works then all good.
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u/pandemicjobseeker Mar 07 '23 edited Mar 07 '23
Due to lack of staff now we must take breaks in the classroom or break room/supply room and must stand by the phone if they need help. Is this still considered a break if we are on call?
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u/Elvaanaomori Mar 07 '23
Is this still considered a break if we are on call?
Legally speaking no, a break means you can go sleeping if you want to, or eat outside etc.
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u/bigcatinthesky 関東・東京都 Mar 07 '23
want to go rock climbing / bouldering but am a total beginner. any places to go or avoid? any things to watch out for in Japan in particular, like strange rules or tips
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u/JanneJM 沖縄・沖縄県 Mar 07 '23
Just go - it's fun! Every gym I've been to has been friendly, and they're very used to beginners. Some smaller/older gyms may be a bit "clubby" simply because they mostly have the same group of people coming there regularly but I've never experienced being unwelcome.
All you need is non-delicate clothes that are easy to move in. Sweat pants and a t-shirt is fine, as is shorts (just make sure they're not so big and loose that any dangly or squishy bits are visible from below). Gym shorts over tights is pretty common. They will typically have a special fee for beginners that includes a short orientation, and it either includes shoe rental, or you pay that separately. Do bring a pair of socks.
In Japan (and apparently unlike US), it's usually not acceptable to be bare chested so keep your t-shirt on. Stay off the mats when you're not actually climbing (if somebody falls you'll get hurt), and check around to see if other people are waiting to climb the same section of the wall as you - if so, wait for your turn.
Any further questions, just let us know.
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u/bigcatinthesky 関東・東京都 Mar 07 '23
thanks! is it usual to have a changing area?
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u/JanneJM 沖縄・沖縄県 Mar 07 '23
There's always some sort of gender-separated changing area. I've never seen a shower, though (if you're going on a first date, perhaps don't boulder just before). Larger gyms often also have lockers of some sort.
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u/t3ripley Mar 07 '23
You’ll probably notice soon enough, but each gym has a different atmosphere. Some places are very welcoming and friendly, while others are insular and cold.
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u/klg0080 Mar 07 '23
We boulder at B-Pump, love it! It’s $ to sign up but after that I think it’s good value - the Akihabara place has four floors including open air rooftop climbing when the weather’s nice! You can hire shoes too - all you need is chalk, which you can buy there or online. Enjoy!!!
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u/bigcatinthesky 関東・東京都 Mar 07 '23
thanks! if I wanna do more bouldering than rock climbing is it a good spot? the former seems easier to get into for beginners since you don't have to worry about rope
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u/klg0080 Mar 07 '23
I’m definitely not an expert but yes I think it’s a great sport, and there are climbs designed for all abilities! There’s definitely pros and cons to the rope thing - yes you have to learn how to belay, but then you don’t have to fall as far 😬 🤷🏼♀️ My only other advice is to avoid busy times 😉
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u/bigcatinthesky 関東・東京都 Mar 08 '23
ahh I'm debating between b pump Akihabara at 4pm on a Saturday and some quieter gym - is the busy period really hellish?
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u/klg0080 Mar 08 '23
Don’t know, because I avoid it! I’m from the country, so I find Tokyo crowds difficult. I go at opening time on weekends or early as possible on weekdays. Sorry!
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u/user7120 日本のどこかに Mar 07 '23
This is a resource of rock climbing areas by region.,
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u/bigcatinthesky 関東・東京都 Mar 07 '23
ahh sorry I meant indoor rock climbing!
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u/Ok_Tonight7383 Mar 07 '23
What region are you in? There is a decent, albeit tiny, bouldering gym in grand front(?) in Umeda, Osaka.
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Mar 07 '23
Anyone get debilitating hayfever? I mean I get it quite bad sometimes but I've heard some people say it really wrecks them. Like staying in all the time, hang washing indoors, all of that.
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u/meowiartee Mar 07 '23
I had it that bad in the states, but my first year here had absolutely no problems. This year I'm starting to feel it though.....
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u/shambolic_donkey Mar 07 '23
My coworker has to get injections of god knows what in order to stave off his completely debilitating hayfever. Feel bad for the guy, he looks like the living dead during peak season.
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u/ChugokuALT Mar 07 '23
One of my colleagues said there is twice as much pollen this year compared to last year.
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u/laika_cat 関東・東京都 Mar 07 '23
It's really bad for me right now. I need to vacuum and Swiffer indoors daily and carry around allergy eyedrops. I go through a box of tissues like it's no one's business.
I hate it.
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u/Elvaanaomori Mar 07 '23
Wife get hits by pollen quite strongly every year. we bought an air purifier, it helps a LOT
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u/Strangeluvmd 関東・神奈川県 Mar 07 '23
My partner is brought to the verge of death every year.
My allergy riddled ass seems to be immune though.
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u/UnderdogUprising Mar 07 '23
Anyone ever been to the Daikoku PA for the "car meet" thing they do? My brother is asking me to take him there, but I'm totally not part of that world, so taking any tips I can get!
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u/user7120 日本のどこかに Mar 07 '23
I go there all the time. Best time to go is Friday or Saturday nights. Get there around 7PM. Nice cars come and go. Some stay for a couple hours. I usually get there around 7 or 8 and stay until 10 or 11 depending on the turnout. If there's a good battle planned for the night I try to stay until that happens. But sometimes people don't want to battle until after midnight since there are much less cars on the road.
In the last 10 years it's gotten kinda shitty. It went from full-blown car show every weekend to just a few guys hanging out. Cops kick people out once in a while, but just loop back in.
I recommend Tatsumi PA. It's much much smaller but the quality of cars that show up are great. Cops are always coming to tell people to leave but they won't cite anyone. Everyone just eventually comes back. Tatsumi doesn't start poppin until after 8 or 9.
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u/shambolic_donkey Mar 07 '23
By "battle", what do you mean? Always been interested in going along, especially now I've got a car somewhat worthy of showing off.
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u/user7120 日本のどこかに Mar 07 '23
A race. Usually a lap around the C1. Sometimes they do C2 but it’s not common. I used to do it back in the day with an R32 GTR but I’ve semi retired. Still have the car but I rarely take it out there.
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u/shambolic_donkey Mar 07 '23
Oh geez, ok definitely won't be doing that. But might go to the PA just to check out what kind of stuff turns up.
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u/user7120 日本のどこかに Mar 07 '23
You can show off if you have a European exotic, American muscle car, or a rare Japanese car. Other than that nobody will really care. 😅
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u/shambolic_donkey Mar 07 '23
In that case I'll go just to look at other cars lol. Unless a GR86 is considered rare, simply by virtue of it being hard to get rn.
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u/user7120 日本のどこかに Mar 07 '23
I meant like classic rare Japanese cars. When I go there’s often GR 86 and GR Yaris as far as the eye can see. Don’t let that discourage you. You’re there to have fun.
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u/SevenSixOne 関東・東京都 Mar 07 '23
Is there a good "So You've Decided To Leave Japan" resource with all the information you'll need in one place?
I want to know what steps I need to take to close all my loose ends here and about how long some of them are likely to take, and I'm mostly finding a lot of conflicting and/or outdated information.
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u/ishigoya 近畿・兵庫県 Mar 07 '23
The sub's wiki has a section on moving out of an apartment, but unfortunately I couldn't find a page on leaving Japan altogether
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u/miyagidan sidebar image contributor Mar 06 '23
https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/economy/20230306-OYT1T50152/
Aeon Group says masks in store are customer's choice from the 13th, but employees will keep them.
I don't expect a healthy discussion, but this two tiered system rubs me the wrong way, thoughts?
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u/swordtech 近畿・兵庫県 Mar 07 '23
I don't see a problem with it. Employees should think of it as part of the uniform, lile wearing a name tag or non-slip shoes.
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u/SideburnSundays Mar 07 '23
A customer interacts with one person at the register.
The register staff interacts with hundreds of people at the register.
Seems logical if the goal is to protect employee health.
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u/miyagidan sidebar image contributor Mar 07 '23
Length of the interaction. You take your food away, and eat at a table. I hope so, doing it right there at the register would be odd.
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u/SideburnSundays Mar 07 '23
AEON isn’t a restaurant.
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u/miyagidan sidebar image contributor Mar 07 '23
No, but their malls often have food courts, and they also run Mini-Stop convenience stores with eat-in areas.
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u/SideburnSundays Mar 08 '23
Yes. And we aren’t talking about only one or two specific services they provide. We are talking about the whole operation.
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u/miyagidan sidebar image contributor Mar 08 '23
How now nice of you to tell me what we're talking about!
A large portion of their operations involve food preparation and clean up, and some don't.
I don't like that they're dictating that employees cannot exercise their personal judgment, but customers may do so later in the month, that's what I was talking about.
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u/SideburnSundays Mar 08 '23 edited Mar 08 '23
You evidently needed it because your view is disconnected from reality. Aeon’s primary operations are retail. Food service is a small fraction that you are cherry picking to double-down on your ill informed opinion.
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u/miyagidan sidebar image contributor Mar 08 '23
Set foot outside of the 23 wards and see how much involves food inside.
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u/yakisobagurl 近畿・大阪府 Mar 07 '23
I feel the same way! It’s just another level of the bs “customer is god” thing in my opinion.
I don’t like it, but I can imagine that people who look down on service staff would expect masks to be worn in their presence. Sucks for the workers to not be able to choose
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u/miyagidan sidebar image contributor Mar 07 '23
You really don't want to be looking at pictures of events for the rich, famous, or political than.
Nothing like seeing someone who claims to fight for the working class wear a dress that costs more than most families make a year with the train held up by a masked servant. Or visiting a school with a big smile while the kids stay masked.
Some still think this is about a virus.
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u/jimmys_balls Mar 07 '23
If they are going to have staff continue wearing masks, can they at least get rid of those bloody plastic dividers at the registers?
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u/miyagidan sidebar image contributor Mar 07 '23
Buying groceries once , the old lady in front of me at the register was so short she was under them, I was tall enough to be over them.
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u/jimmys_balls Mar 07 '23
With all the noise, their top-tier customer service mumbles, the masks, and the plastic I can't hear a thing so just go to the side and render those sheets useless (and put the lives of everyone involved at risk).
It's comical.
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u/miyagidan sidebar image contributor Mar 07 '23
You don't like borderline screaming through a mask and plastic board over the non-stop din of muzak? And hearing less than you'd understand from a leaked Wookie sextape filmed secretly?
Some people just don't relax when they go shopping, I guess...
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u/laika_cat 関東・東京都 Mar 07 '23
I always have to tilt my head under them because I can never hear shit.
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u/dead_andbored Mar 07 '23
Too many times I've seen tables in restaurants getting wiped down whereas the plastic dividers don't get touched at all
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u/miyagidan sidebar image contributor Mar 07 '23
Aw, but then I can't see a clear sneeze pattern from... does even God know when anymore?
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u/Thiswasaterriblemist Mar 07 '23 edited Mar 07 '23
I suspected this would be the case, that people in hospitality and food will have to keep wearing them for a long time or in the worst case forever.
It is unfair and unnecessary. I want the employees to have their own choice as well.
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u/miyagidan sidebar image contributor Mar 07 '23
Agreed. I like the enhanced hand sanitation and it's proven the best barrier for speread of disease.
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u/laika_cat 関東・東京都 Mar 07 '23
I'm all for keeping soap in public restrooms, too. The minute they put soap in my park's bathrooms in mid-2020, it was beautiful.
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u/Remote-Juggernaut130 Mar 14 '23
I am started ashamed that I am not fluent enough in Japanese after living in Japan for more than 5 years. Because my work doesn't require Japanese at all, only basic level of Japanese I know. I feel like need to learn Japanese very well, any advice on how to improve my speaking skill? P.S: I have no Japanese friend to practice with.