Questions about Japanese! ^-^

[RoyalWing]

Hi! Sorry to bother you! But I would like to ask a question or two about thing about Japan! So those who knows the answers, please post! ^-^

1. I've noticed that when they write chinese symbols (kanji) in comic books they put th pronouniciation in kana in little small beside it ? Is this right?

2. How do outsiders live in Japan? I have been told that you can't move there because they don't allow you to. Another said this but alos added something about "Personal Visa". But on televisione etc. I see people who are not Japanese at all and didn't born there but they still live there (and they aren't there for missionary or teaching. One of them was a game programmer!) I am confused about this!

If you can, please answer~

[shooraijin]

1. Sometimes, yes. This practise is called furigana and is usually done for unusual readings, names and kanji that the editors, in their judgement, aren't sure their readership will recognize. Particularly in kids' or younger age manga, there will be a lot more furigana (or they may just write the whole thing in hiragana).

2. I'll defer this question to one who knows the answer. It's reportedly hard to assimilate as a gaijin, though.

[Azier the Swordsman]

How do outsiders live in Japan? I have been told that you can't move there because they don't allow you to. Another said this but alos added something about "Personal Visa". But on televisione etc. I see people who are not Japanese at all and didn't born there but they still live there (and they aren't there for missionary or teaching. One of them was a game programmer!) I am confused about this!

If you can, please answer~

Yes, you can move to Japan. It's just extremely difficult to earn a living there from what I understand. Expect 12 hour work days with low pay and EXPENSIVE prices. (Japan, I believe, is one of the most expensive countries in the world.)

[Kawaiikneko]

oh joy! ><

[termyt]

Cost of living aside - it is more expensive than most places in the US, you can certainly go and live there. There is a catch, though. Gaijin have a sort of special status in Japan. They stick out like sore thumbs and they attract a lot of attention, especially from children. Many foreigners find living in a fish bowl very unnerving, so they don't stay long.

[Taro]

About the low wage thing...wrong the average minimum wage in japan is a ton higher than even the highest places in america. While yes tokyo and the major cities are expensive, just like in America the surrounding cities or suburbs are rather affordable. My friend yoshi yamamoto goes to my school in oregon during the school year and then works 2 jobs in japan during the summer. These two jobs alone pay for both his college and a ton of toys and recreation. As far as the 12 hour day...if you are a business man in a coporation, perhaps that is true, just like in America the average ceo works around 14-16 hour days. But from my friend Yoshi( it is actually yoshikawa) both his jobs are just 8 hour shifts. My uncle worked for a large corporation in japan and his hours were long but his pay was high. His daughters who also lived there with him and his wife were actually child models for japanese clothing companies! It is true walking down the street you will be stared at but that is just because the children are curious and the older folk a little scared. In my experience with japanese exchange students however, i find them to be the most polite and gracious people around... okay im done
Nihonjin Ga Daisukidesuka!

[RoyalWing]

Thank you to all of you for answering my questions. It was very nice of you!

p.s. I wouldn't mind sticking out. I think I already do. o__o

[panegryst]

It's true that wages are higher (on average) in Japan, but it's much harder for a gaijin such as you or I to get jobs that pay well. It's not an insurmountable problem, however.