Japan has a very unique culture in viewing the departure of people. I don’t mean departure from this world, but anything else from people leaving a job to people leaving an activities club, from TV hosts leaving a program to idols leaving a group, etc.
The Japanese never use the word “quit.” The word of choice is “graduate.” When Maeda Atsuko announced her departure from AKB48, her exact words were, “私、前田敦子はAKB48を卒業します” (literally, “I, Maeda Atsuko, will graduate from AKB48”). When Music Station host Takeuchi Yoshie did her last episode on the program, it was announced that the episode will be her last appearance before “graduation.” In my time in the translation industry, 14 people left the company, and at each farewell party, the people would say they will be graduating from the company.
“Graduating” is a good word. I like the choice and view of a departure. It lets out a more positive vibe than “quitting” does. It gives the idea that the person has learnt what they could at the current place and is moving on to learn more and grow as a person.
As people get more educated, they start getting hungry for more. Same reason people get bored with a job. When there is no more challenge to the job; when things start getting repetitive and routine, people leave a company. That is why MNCs and huge companies typically offer transfer of departments within the company to keep their employees satisfied, and also to get them ready to take on more responsibilities. When my former Managing Director learnt of my intention to leave the company in Singapore, he called me into his office and told me I should remain with the company, and he agrees I should leave only when I feel that the company has nothing else to offer. However, after some talk, he understood that I had wanted to come to Japan all along and wished me well.
Brain drain is not a problem exclusive to Singapore. And it’s not just brain. It’s also technical skills drain. Many countries are facing the same problem. Where else do you think the over 2 million foreigners in our country are from? If the government really hates “quitters” as such, what say you of the people who left their country for ours? What say you of the person who left their country for ours and then left ours to return after an Olympic bronze medal? Heck! Most of our ancestors left their country to settle in where we are now. If you hate people who leave, then you are simply hating humankind.
We should have a new outlook in perceiving the departure of people.
We didn’t quit Singapore; we’ve merely graduated.
interesting concept, i never knew that but it definitely does sound more positive to say one has “graduated”.
sorry to sidetrack from the topic of your post, but i’m thinking of doing a language course in japan and i was wondering if you’ve heard of the ARC Academy (it has schools in tokyo, osaka and kyoto). i’ve also read your post on Yamasa, it seems like a good institute, although a bit pricey.
First came across your blog when searching about living in Japan but didn’t spend time reading all of it except the posts about teaching/living in Japan. Last night, I was browsing the bookmarks and came back to read. I found myself reading through the archives and it turned into my entertainment for the train ride home and after-meal read (also shared one of your posts (about the Japanese share house for women) at dinner with my family).
I just thought to drop a note about how much I enjoyed your posts and thought to leave it in one of the posts I liked best. “We didn’t quit Singapore. We’ve merely graduated”. I read it out loud to my sisters and we had a good laugh. That’s not even to say that I found the others less funny/entertaining, even the weird services and happenings in Japan.
I’ve been to Japan twice in recent years and love it very much. It’s on my list of go-backs even though it means opportunity costs (I could go to another country on my bucket list). But I know I was there as a tourist and harbour no illusions that working/living there would be an easy thing. I’m envious of your life in Japan (as well as other Singaporeans who live there) but I know that it’s a conscious choice on my part, picking easier money and the comfort zone back here, and instead shall settle for reading about life in Japan instead. I hope your blog continues (because blogs are starting to die out) for that selfish reason. Please keep writing 🙂
Hi pigpanda,
I’m glad my posts did something for you, and thank you for the comments.
You might’ve noticed that sometimes there’s a big lapse in between my posts. I tend to slack away especially if I have to deal with images, but I hope to be able to keep this going too.
Your comment definitely gave me more reason to continue writing.