Recently, I was astonished to learn that the Immigration Control Act defines approximately 30 different residency statuses for foreigners living in Japan. I was amazed by the numerous options available for staying in Japan.
Many foreign workers are employed as cashiers in supermarkets and convenience stores in my local area. Some of these clerks possess exceptional artistic and professional abilities, achieving the incredible feat of swiftly and accurately inputting prices into the cash register while simultaneously bagging purchased items. Their skills are god-like, truly awe-inspiring. On one occasion, while purchasing Setsubun beans at a local supermarket, a Chinese student cashier informed me that her Japanese language school teacher had gifted her with the beans, which she found to be exceptionally delicious. I have limited contact with foreigners in the city, usually only encountering them in stores. However, there is a foreigner stationed in our company from our overseas headquarters. In Japan, it is rare to have daily interactions with foreigners unless one takes the initiative to seek them out.
I came across official government data indicating that Japan is likely to experience an increase in foreign immigrants in the future. This is a scenario that may be challenging to fathom, but it will undoubtedly demand significant communication effort. The Japanese language is notoriously difficult, and conversations may also entail the consideration of Japanese customs and culture, which will make it harder initially to comprehend and interact with others. It is worth noting that Japanese people are not inclined to be enthusiastic learners of foreign languages. Their fascination with foreign countries and cultures is robust, but they yearn to inquire, “What do you think of Japan?” Articles frequently published on Yahoo, querying overseas visitors to Japan about their favourite aspects of the country, are widely read. Japanese people are deeply interested in knowing what foreign nations think of Japan. It may stem from their culture, but the underlying reason could be something else entirely. As a Japanese person, I struggle to comprehend why so much importance is placed on the opinions of non-Japanese individuals regarding Japan.
It has been long suggested that Japan will see an influx of foreign immigrants competing for jobs in the future. However, as of yet, this has not been the case. In a decade, it may be commonplace for Japanese and foreigners to coexist. I look forward to watching Japanese comedy with foreigners and sharing laughter together. Personally, I would recommend a Japanese comedian. Gerrardon.