Are foreign residents satisfied with their lives in Japan?

A street piano at Saitama Shintoshin Station, Urawa mascot, Kasukabe City Wisteria, and a doll display at Iwatsuki Ward

I admit I have days when I wonder what I'm doing here in Japan. My hometown and the people in it are an ocean away. I am conversant in Japanese, but still struggle with literacy, which costs me time and effort. Then I think about the reasonable cost of living, livable income, and quality of life. This week, an article in the Mainichi Shinbun reported the results of a survey on the life satisfaction of foreign residents in Saitama Prefecture. The figures suggest that most Saitama Prefecture foreign residents are pleased with the quality of life.

On balance, I'm satisfied with my work life, based in Saitama Prefecture, and my home base across the Edo River in Chiba Prefecture. The survey results reflect my own experience. Following the customs and interacting with my coworkers and neighbours makes me feel "plugged in".

For me, the big pluses of living here outweigh the struggles. As a non-driver, walkability and transport density mean that I can get where I want to go. The cost of living is rising, but food safety and quality are high.

The survey results are congruent with other measures of foreign resident life satisfaction in other centers like Chiba City.

Are you satisfied with your quality of life here?