Link to section👍 Positive Aspects
Safety, convenience, and infrastructure were the most commonly cited positive aspects of life in Japan, each chosen by over 80% of respondents. Americans stood out: 85% cited healthcare and 80% the cost of living, compared to 59% and 49% of other respondents. They were also less likely to cite career opportunities, at 9% compared to 26%.
Last year, respondents could choose at most three positive aspects; this year there was no limit. That's why every option shows such a large increase compared to last year.
Link to section👎 Negative Aspects
Poor compensation was the most commonly cited negative aspect of life in Japan, chosen by 69% of respondents. Isolation, cultural barriers, and hostility towards foreigners followed, each cited by around half of respondents.
How respondents felt about their jobs shaped their view of Japan's working life, but not the rest of it. Among those unhappy with their jobs, 60% cited work culture and 60% limited career growth, compared to 15% and 23% of those who were very happy. Isolation, by contrast, was cited by both groups at about the same rate.
Last year, respondents could choose at most three negative aspects; this year there was no limit. That's why every option shows such a large increase compared to last year.
Link to section🍣 Quality of Life
Link to section✈️ Remaining in Japan
Link to section👮 Immigration Measures
538 respondents reported that changes to Japan's immigration and residency policies over the past year had affected their life. The most common effect was feeling less welcome, cited by 67% of them, followed by uncertainty about staying in Japan (60%) and increased anxiety (56%).
Permanent residents were largely spared the practical effects, but not the change in mood. Only 11% of affected permanent residents had concerns about their residency status, compared to 50% of those on an engineer visa. Yet 81% of them felt less welcome, more than any other group.
Link to section📉 Yen Value
Link to section🧑🏫 Developer Communities
56% of respondents were active in at least one developer community, up from 49% last year.
Women and coding bootcamp graduates were the most connected. 66% of women were active in at least one developer community, compared to 55% of men, and 32% of women were part of Women in Software Engineering Japan. Among bootcamp graduates, 83% were active, compared to 52% of other respondents.