Why Living in Japan is a Good Fit for Me

I’ve always dreamt of emigrating to Thailand at some point in my life. In fact, I’ve made several attempts and plans to move to Bangkok, but it just never worked out for me.

As a Swiss-born national, the cultural differences between Thailand and Switzerland seem too significant for me. Don’t get me wrong; I love Thailand and still plan to buy some land and build a home there eventually.

However, living in Japan is a better choice for me right now. For one, I’ve always been curious about Japan. I love the food, the culture, and the people of Japan. From my experience, the Japanese have more in common with the Swiss than with the Thai.

For instance, the cleanliness in Japan is impeccable. The streets, cities, and public transport are super clean with no litter lying around. Hygiene and tidiness matter to me. Honestly, Bangkok or any other part of Thailand just isn’t as clean as Japan or Switzerland.

Punctuality is another significant factor. Public transport in Japan is consistently punctual, just like in Switzerland. I value time and being on time. Dealing with time delays while traveling, as I often do in the Netherlands, can be frustrating.

Lastly, the Japanese are as reserved, polite, and respectful as the Swiss. This is in contrast to the Dutch with their infamous Dutch directness, which can be perceived as rude and insensitive by foreigners. Japanese people always consider other people’s needs and views. While I can adapt to Dutch culture, I still resonate with the reservedness, politeness, and respectfulness that the Japanese and Swiss share.

At this point in my life, I have no interest in moving back to Switzerland after living in the Netherlands for over 30 years and now in Japan. It would feel like a step back for me. Been there, seen it, done that.

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