The XQ Sumimasen Podcast

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...

Building muscle in Japan can be more challenging than many people expect. Gym memberships can be expensive, supplements often cost more than they do overseas, and some of the foods that bodybuilders rely on back home either aren't widely available or come with a much higher price tag. In this episode, we talked about the approach I've developed after years of lifting in Japan while trying to keep costs as low as possible. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube Staying Fit Without Spending a Fortune One of the biggest surprises after moving to Japan was how expensive some parts of fitness could be. Commercial gyms, imported supplements, and high-protein foods can quickly add up. That doesn't mean getting in shape has to be expensive, though. Japan also has excellent public...

Body image is shaped by more than just mirrors. The people around us, the media we grow up with, and even the cost of staying fit all influence how we see ourselves. In this episode, we compared some of the biggest differences we’ve experienced between Japan and the United States, from beauty standards and fitness culture to the way muscular men are perceived in each country. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube The Cost of Staying Fit in Japan One of the biggest surprises for many people is how expensive fitness can be in Japan. Gym memberships, supplements, and high-protein foods often cost significantly more than they do in countries like the United States. Those higher costs can make fitness feel less accessible and may influence who is able to pursue it as a serious hobby or l...

Living in Japan for more than 13 years changes the way you notice cultural differences. The major adjustments are obvious at first, but over time, it’s often the smaller parts of everyday life that stand out: grocery shopping, the food you miss, the size of your home, and the routines you slowly build around all of it. In this episode, we compared some of the things we had to get used to after moving to Japan and how those experiences continued to change the longer we lived here. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube Grocery Shopping and the Food You Miss Grocery shopping in Japan can feel surprisingly unfamiliar when you first arrive. You can usually find everything you need to make a meal, but the brands, package sizes, cuts of meat, and available seasonings may be different from what yo...

Street skating in Japan isn’t just about skateboarding. It’s one of those topics that reveals a lot about how Japan works as a society. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube Street Skating and Public Space in Japan Coming from the U.S., one of the biggest differences I noticed was how little public space there seems to be for skating. Dedicated skate parks exist, but compared with many parts of America, there are far fewer places where skating is simply accepted. That often leaves skaters wondering whether they’re allowed to be somewhere, whether they’ll be asked to leave, or whether they’re bothering the people around them. That uncertainty reflects something bigger. Japan generally places a much stronger emphasis on following rules, avoiding inconvenience to others, and respecti...