The XQ Sumimasen Podcast

Moving to Japan changes more than your address. It changes how you communicate, how you solve problems, and sometimes even how you see yourself. After living here for more than 14 years, there are plenty of practical things I've learned, but the biggest lessons weren't about paperwork or what to pack. They were about mindset. In this episode, I talk about some of the things I genuinely wish I'd understood before making Japan my home. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube Learning Japanese Starts Over When You Arrive Before moving to Japan, I thought my Japanese was in pretty good shape. I'd studied it for years and used it regularly. Then I arrived. Suddenly, even simple trips to the convenience store felt intimidating. Conversations moved faster than I expected, peo...

After living in Japan for many years, one thing that surprised me is how my entertainment habits have changed. Before moving here, I actively looked for Japanese music, TV, and anything that helped me learn more about the country. Once Japan became everyday life, though, I found myself doing almost the opposite. In this episode, guest co-host Devin and I talked about the shows, music, games, and online content we actually enjoy after more than a decade in Japan—and how living here has changed the way we unwind. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube When Everyday Life Changes Your Interests Many people assume that foreigners living in Japan spend all their free time watching anime, listening to J-pop, or following Japanese television. For us, that hasn't really been the case. Liv...

Adjusting to life in Japan doesn't happen all at once. It usually happens through a series of small moments—misunderstandings, unexpected challenges, new routines, and experiences that slowly change the way you see the country. In this episode, guest co-host Devin and I looked back on our own experiences adapting to life in Japan, from learning the language and navigating cultural differences to building friendships and eventually feeling at home. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube Learning to Live in Another Language One of the biggest challenges for many foreigners is learning to function in Japanese before feeling truly comfortable with the language. We shared stories about early misunderstandings, everyday interactions, and the moments that reminded us how much there still wa...

Mental health is shaped by more than individual circumstances. The culture we grow up in, the expectations placed on us, and the way society responds to stress all influence how people experience and talk about mental health. In this episode, guest co-host Scoey and I discussed some of the cultural differences we've noticed while living in Japan, from workplace pressure and social expectations to the challenges surrounding mental healthcare and asking for help. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube Social Expectations and Everyday Pressure One of the first topics we explored was the difference between tatemae and honne —the distinction between the public face people present and their true feelings. While these concepts exist everywhere to some degree, they can play a particul...

Moving to Japan is one challenge. Building a career in an industry where you don't speak the language fluently is another. In this episode, I sat down with my longtime friend Scoey to talk about his experience working in Japanese construction and what he learned after more than a decade of living in Japan. Along the way, we also discussed life in Japan more broadly, from streaming services and visas to the events that shaped both of our experiences here. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube Working Construction in Japan Construction is one of the more demanding industries to enter as a foreigner, especially if your Japanese isn't yet at a professional level. Scoey shared what it was like learning on the job, dealing with language barriers, and gradually earning the trust of t...