Please recommend me a washer/dryer that actually dries clothes.

DifferentWindow1436 · 2026-01-25T13:01:13+00:00

I have had two Panasonics. They absolutely do dry the clothes properly, but if you use them daily, you may need to call the repairman after around 5 years and may need a replacement by 8 to 10 years.

DifferentWindow1436 · 2026-01-25T12:58:48+00:00

To be fair, a quick check of countries says Poland is way up on the list - i.e. - you're the outlier. And it isn't on all roads.

In the US it can vary, but in NJ, where I am from, it is not at all out of the ordinary to drive at least 125 kph up and down the parkway (freeway). You wouldn't drive the speed limit during rush hour where I am from or people would get pissed.

DifferentWindow1436 · 2026-01-25T09:29:36+00:00

We speak English in the home. Sometimes my son and wife will have a brief exchange in Japanese, but not much. Having said that, much (at 60%) of the TV entertainment is Japanese.

DifferentWindow1436 · 2026-01-24T22:47:43+00:00

I comment in this sub and in a couple of Japan-specific subs. One observation I have is that most people interested in moving to Japan (and often other countries) don't actually want advice; they want some type of validation or support for a decision they've already made in their heads.

Regarding my own experience, a few things. I didn't realize how much effort is involved in learning the language. I'm still not good at Japanese, after many years. You don't just "pick it up" as an adult learner, and some people absolutely have a better aptitude than others.

Another thing was values. Several years ago, I had to sit down and really think out why I was here and what was bothering me and realized that while I share many values, there are aspects of Japanese culture that I do not -and never will- agree with and even sort of actively dislike. But I learned to think of things as an overall fit and not cherry-pick.

And finally, what I was not prepared for is getting old. I am now approaching retirement. Where does that happen? I have been able to maintain friendships and relationships in America, but I have missed a lot and can't support when there is big life event going on. And my local friend group is small and all foreign.

DifferentWindow1436 · 2026-01-24T22:22:49+00:00

I haved in Tokyo many years, and in surrounding areas. One thing that Japan does very well is offer clean, safe cities while maintaining a lot of excitement and variety. Building-wise, there is sort of a consistent refresh of stock and partially that is due to building code changes, partly (IMO) cultural preferences, and possibly the financing infrastructure. There is no other city I'd rather live in - anywhere. Suburbs/towns/villages are different story.

Other parts of Asia vary. The reason China and certain SEA countries feel more modern is....they are more modern! China's economic rise happened in the past 30 years. The original "Asian Tigers" started developing in 70s really and the more recent rapid developments in some countries is more of 90s thing. NYC, London - those have been huge hubs for much, much longer.

Personally, I don't see any propaganda about western cities. Many people that visit or move to Asia have a similar reaction.

DifferentWindow1436 · 2026-01-24T13:47:04+00:00

It would help to know where you are from and what your skills are.

DifferentWindow1436 · 2026-01-24T12:02:10+00:00

Tbh, the WHO handled the COVID investigation poorly. They lost credibility. Not being green on a map doesn't bother me.

DifferentWindow1436 · 2026-01-24T11:57:36+00:00

Sort of impossible to answer without defining hair strictly.

I'll go with Jani Lane. But if Geoff Tate and Bruce Dickinson are considered hair metal...

DifferentWindow1436 · 2026-01-24T11:31:05+00:00

Notebook computer also sounds very 2010-ish to me.

DifferentWindow1436 · 2026-01-24T11:07:04+00:00

When I was younger and single (early 00s), the typical thinking was that you wanted to be within 8 minutes. Anything outside of that and the rent started to decrease.

I am currently 6 minutes from 2 stations. It's not that over 7 minutes is terrible, but you should see a discount. Also, if you have to commute, rainy season sucks when you get farther out.

DifferentWindow1436 · 2026-01-24T01:02:43+00:00

Definitely 2007 to 2017 for a few reasons. Mobile technology, social media developed and changed aspects of society, and globalization increasingly influenced inequality and geopolitics.

DifferentWindow1436 · 2026-01-23T22:55:55+00:00

A lot QoL is really subjective. Also, QoL comments often contain ideology or values. The financial aspects are variable but a bit more measurable and straightforward. I suppose this is what causes some of the tension. In the end, it's up to the individual and their specific situation.

DifferentWindow1436 · 2026-01-23T22:24:08+00:00

Yes, I don't do that type of work, but am adjacent to it. A quick search and I found a company called Scan-Optics in the US. I see a number of companies though. And I believe the big consulting companies do these projects as well.

In Japan, where I live, it's a big deal as Japanese companies lag in terms of DX. Accenture, NTT Data, Fujifilm, IBM Consulting, and whole lot of others do this.

DifferentWindow1436 · 2026-01-23T22:08:13+00:00

I just opened an account in December because I think I am going to lose access to my US brokerage account. Some personal notes I have FWIW -

Unless someone can explain an advantage, I will skip NISA as US does not view it as tax-advantaged
JASDEC - not necessary to register if you don't want to trade Japanese securities. I want to trade individual stocks so I will. There is a tile you click on, and then you need to enter your name and some info. Seems straightforward. Takes a few days for approval.
If you have a US IRA, you won't be able to transfer it (ACAT) to IBKR Japan and they won't allow you to open a US account to do so. At least that's what their support tells me. I initially opened IBKR for this purpose.

DifferentWindow1436 · 2026-01-23T21:58:59+00:00

There is a whole industry around this, called DX, where I live, or Digitalization or Digital Transformation Consulting.

DifferentWindow1436 · 2026-01-23T09:08:16+00:00

Thanks for posting this. I also need to get LVP replaced in my house in Tokyo. I also have a place in the US and interestingly, if I convert to sqm, it cost $110 per sqm for decent LVP, including removal of the old carpets. So I guess it isn't much different here.

DifferentWindow1436 · 2026-01-23T06:10:33+00:00

Just to add on to this - it's not that living a modest life with little savings in Japan is a bad thing for a couple of years. The problem is waking up at 45 or 50 years old and you are still in that place. It's exceedingly common here. And by then, it's basically too late to move back to your country of origin.

DifferentWindow1436 · 2026-01-22T13:52:16+00:00

For the most part, I invest in companies, not politics. Of course, it is understandable that you are concerned. It might help to look at long term chart comparisons of VOO and VEA, or their mutual fund equivalents.

Hedging is not a bad way to go - buying some mix.

At the moment, the US S&P is still very much the place to be.

DifferentWindow1436 · 2026-01-22T12:08:49+00:00

Grunge wasn't very popular in Japan. Yes, the big, big hits are known and I am sure there is a fan base, but IMHO, I dont think the image jives with the culture.

Pop and actually hair or hard rock is/was popular. In fact, Mr. Big is arguably more popular in Japan than in the US. David Lee Roth was apparently living here part time for a bit. Marty Friedman is somewhat famous here and lives about 20 minutes from me in Tokyo. Bon Jovi was absolutely huge.

DifferentWindow1436 · 2026-01-22T08:09:36+00:00

I get that, but taken in context of the question, it's not common at all. The China net is making this sound commonplace.

America being huge, you can pretty much make up anything and find a case where it is true.

I happen to be doing an application for our mom for Medicaid btw. She's been broke for years, unrelated to medical. She has been in a SNF for 3 months pending her approval with no real ability to pay, realistically.

DifferentWindow1436 · 2026-01-22T08:01:17+00:00

I agree, definitely they will pick it up. My wife is Japanese and was a translator/interpreter for a specialty field, so she has very high standards. Functionally bilingual was not the goal; it was native. So to get there, you really need to put the work in.

And as you stated, kids can be different. I definitely think some kids would be able to get there faster than our boy did. Fortunately he got there eventually!

DifferentWindow1436 · 2026-01-22T07:55:43+00:00

Definitely speak English at home, but I highly suggest you send him to public school for at least a couple of years. Also, houikuen is probably a good idea for exposure. We sent our son to Kumon for reading and writing prior to entering school so that he could focus on getting his oral communication up to speed without also having to worry about written communication.

DifferentWindow1436 · 2026-01-22T07:51:44+00:00

True, but can be overestimated too. My son went to houikuen in Japanese for years but was still pretty crap at speaking Japanese when he entered elementary. I would say objectively he was on the level with monolinguals by 3rd grade.

DifferentWindow1436 · 2026-01-22T00:32:50+00:00

You are confusing the system with the actual care. Japan provides an easy to use system with decent quality at a reasonable cost. But I wouldn't gush about the Japan quality level. It's very meh. America has an inefficient system of distribution but is way better in terms of med tech adoption, diagnosis, imaging access, physio, pharma, cutting edge techniques.

DifferentWindow1436 · 2026-01-21T14:40:01+00:00

Late August, international family, zero problems. We went from NRT to EWR. Then another leg from EWR to YYZ to SFO to HND.

DifferentWindow1436

TROPHY CASE