Foreign residents in Japan are seeking more local connections

One of the things that can take time when settling into life in Japan is building friendships beyond the expat community. You might see the same neighbors regularly or exchange a few pleasantries with other parents at school drop offs and pickups, but turning those familiar faces into genuine connections can be another matter entirely.

A recent survey by HelloWorld looked at how foreign families living in Japan feel about interacting with Japanese people, and I thought the results were worth sharing here! A whopping 87% said they wanted more opportunities to connect, but 62.9% identified the Japanese-language barrier as an obstacle. Another 34.3% said they struggled to find the right people or places to make those connections.

The survey also found that 65.7% felt their views of Japanese people and society had changed after taking part in a cultural exchange homestay program.

Of course, making friends as an adult isn't always straightforward, and I think that's the case wherever in the world you live. But finding a shared activity or getting involved in community events can be a good starting point!