No, I’m not taking up Japanese citizenship. At least I have no intention to do so now. But I recently met a guy from China who is in the process of ditching his Chinese nationality for Japanese nationality.
OK, “ditching” is not a good word. Let’s go with “dumping.”
As with any nosey concerned person, I asked why he chose to dump his citizenship with the world number 2 economic mammoth. He stated without batting an eyelid (I think batting an eyelid is called a wink) winking, that one of his concerns is convenience of travel. Not surprising given that Z-cup Hollywood actress Gong Li probably took up Singapore citizenship for the same reason. But the other more interesting reason was, he felt that wherever he went, people look at him differently when he says he’s from China. That took me by surprise, not because of his awareness of how many people look at Chinese nationals through tinted glasses so they look 3D, but because he actually has the misconception that a change of citizenship on paper would change the fact that he is Chinese.
I totally understand where he’s coming from. China, right? But I believe that the change will only make visa matters much easier and not change much else. Reason being he is already 30 and not 3. The Chinese in him has been deeply rooted, just as how the Singaporean in me is. No matter how I try to blend into the Japanese crowd, I will always be a Singaporean. Just look at how people at home treat the new citizens from China. Most don’t view them as a part of us. It’s not even a stretch to say no one does. Perhaps it’ll be better for the 2nd or 3rd generation. If they grew up here, they’d be more Japanese, even though it’s not uncommon for ostracism to take place for students who look different.
So what’s the point of this post? I have no idea.
Or blink? =P
Now he can say he’s ‘from Japan’. Personally I don’t hate/like being Singaporean, but at least being foreign here is an ice breaker, makes me more interesting than I actually am. It’s fun to pretend to be Japanese sometimes though. (my comment has no point as well)
Hey Jinhan,
Have been reading your blog about teaching in Japan, and I must say that I’m so happy for you that you are doing what you love, where you love! I need some advice though. I’m a Singaporean as well, have lived in Melbourne for the past 2.5 years and have just graduated with a degree in journalism from Monash. I’m currently looking for a job in Japan and I’ve been looking for the past 2 months, and have gone to two interviews so far (AEON and Interac) and have received no luck. I’m currently self-studying Japanese now so that I can hopefully increase my chances of getting an English-teaching job (my consensus is that an employer would put me in better consideration if they see that I’m putting in effort to adapt to their culture) and am attending a language swap meetup where I get to practise my Japanese. I might have an upcoming interview with Peppy Kids Club and I really hope I can get it.
So basically, my question would be, what other avenues of help can I look at for looking for a job in Japan, besides constantly applying for jobs at Gaijinpot.com/Dave’s ESL cafe and stuff like that? I’m in struggle town now and I thought I’d hit you up if you had some advice for me.
Lastly, I just want to say that I think what you’re doing is amazing and I couldn’t be more happy for you. And on a random note, I recalled a post you wrote about how someone complained that a teacher/professor was not speaking in his native Malaysian accent and that he is a ‘hypocrite’ of sorts. I find that kind of thinking to be very narrow minded, to be honest. What is wrong with altering your accent a little just so that you can be understood by others who have trouble understanding your original accent in the first place? That’s just me anyway, haha.
Anyway, I hope you’d be able to offer some advice. I actually hope I’d be able to email you if possible just so that I have advice from someone who has been there, done that. Good day!
Hi Jerome,
Sorry for the late reply. When I get questions like this, I’d rather wait till I have time to sit down and give a proper reply than just rush to give a quick one. In any case, I think studying Japanese is a positive step toward what you are looking to do. I think one of my readers here got into Peppy as well, although I can’t recall who it was.
If it’s just teaching, I’m not so sure about sources apart from the sites you listed above, but I learnt from another reader that there are schools in Kobe set up by Singaporeans that try to hire only Singaporeans. You might want to take a look at that. If my memory doesn’t fail me, one is called Raffles Language School, and the other is called Temasek. Very Singapore names huh?
I’m not sure if this is enough information, but I’ll come back to you again if anything else comes to my mind.
Bests,
No worries Jinhan, I appreciate the fact that you even took the time to give me a concise answer haha. Anyway yeah, I’ll look up the two schools in Kobe, and I’ll just continue to send out resumes. I’m not gonna stop, I’m definitely getting my a** to Japan one way or another. I just can’t see myself in Melbourne (not at the moment) or, gasp, in Singapore. Call me unpatriotic, whatever, but my heart is just not there even though I love my family and friends to death.
Just out of interest, where are you located at the moment? Would love to meet up with you should I get to Japan eventually. All the best!
Jerome
I’m actually now in Kanagawa.
Love your side commentary. 😉
Jerome: applications for the JET programme has started. Have you considered that option?
Hey Ryn!
I definitely have. I’m actually flying back to Singapore early (looking at 27th or 28th Nov) so that I can submit my JET application to the Japanese Embassy before the closing date, which is 29th November. The document requirements are slightly confusing though. They said it required you to submit your original certificate of graduation along with 2 copies, but are they going to return it or do I have to get another original copy of the graduation certificate? Slightly confusing parts but yeah, I’m definitely looking at the JET application, even though I really don’t want to wait until July next year to go to Japan should I be selected for the program.
Are you in Japan working/living at the moment?
If you can get more than one original copy, then yes, you have to submit it and you won’t get it back. If you only get one original copy, then a certified true copy would do.
I’m currently in Japan on the JET programme. If you click on my username, my blog has some info about applying as well as some of my experiences on the programme. You can ask any questions there so poor jinhan doesn’t get blasted with long comments 😉
From what I know, you need to reside in Japan for at least 10 years, maybe 5, if your profession is deemed making significant contributions to Japan’s society. But on retrospect, its not just a matter of perception, but it should be a no brainer that having Japanese citizenship is way more valuable than having China citizenship anyday.
But I guess that guy will be branded a traitor in China for sure.
Well, if you say Singaporeans do not view China people as a part of us, its not like the Japanese people view any foreigner as a part of them anyway. To them, you are a gaijin, full stop.
So whats the difference anyway ?
Difference is that a foreigner in Japan could be viewed as being there to complement their system, add value to the lives of the people. However in Singapore, foreigners are viewed as here to steal jobs and rob us of our livelihood.
Singaporeans are very practical people. We take offense to having a slice of our cake eaten by someone else.