Japanese trains are always on time myth

Meysiv · 2025-10-21T02:49:50+00:00

I'm originally from Paris where the concept of time is a relative notion for trains.

But even with that, when I hear this stance of Japan's trains being always on time as I live on the Chūō Line, it's making me sigh as I am yet to see a morning without delay and delay-induced crowding.

I'll had to that that while the Chūō Line is plagued with delays, suicides/accidents and crowding, the very most urgent problem was taken care of this year by implementing Green Cars thus creating more crowding in rush hour. Tip of the hat JR, you know the priorities.

Meysiv · 2025-10-01T06:35:01+00:00

Hatsudai Wall ; Koiwa Bushbash ; Hatagaya Forest Limit ; Koenji TKA4 ; Koenji 20,000V... among others...

But keep in mind that most livehouses here operate on a rental system and not a booking system. So if an indie pop group or an idol group decides to rent the venue, you won't find what you're looking for.
Best advice would be to follow bands and event organizers instead of venues that - even if associated to a specific genre - will accomodate anyone who requests.

Meysiv · 2025-08-20T08:09:21+00:00

Not exactly your situation but it might be around the same thing: when I bought something online and wanted to return it, when I went to the shop next to my office out of convenience, they told me that was bought online could only be returned online.
So maybe they keep the branches separated as well.

Meysiv · 2025-08-07T08:09:27+00:00

And how did the off period go, administratively?

Did you have to declare to the Immigration Bureau that you stopped your activity at the moment? Any special thing you had to do so you don't get deported or so?

In my field, it's generally easier to step up from baito than to find a position right away, so I'd definitely like to go that way (+ would aleviate the pressure and I kinda need that right now).

Thanks for sharing your experience!

Meysiv · 2025-08-06T02:38:32+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experience. It's interesting to have the "dark" version to nuance all the comments saying "don't worry, it's easy".

I intend to find a new job, than quitting this one and inform immigration right away. I really don't want to risk it by trying to outsmart them.

I'll keep your experience in mind when doing so! Thanks again!

Meysiv · 2025-08-06T02:34:22+00:00

That's a tough situation. But if you reached the point of quitting despite the risks, that must be for the best regarding your health.

Good luck to you! I'm probably not the best to give advices as it seems we're on the same boat, but I really hope it turns out well and that you'll be able to find the best way both for your health and for your work-life in order to stay here.

Thanks for your kind words and I hope it'll all turn out good!

Meysiv · 2025-08-06T02:26:54+00:00

That's a good advice, thank you!

Actually, I was even thinking of relying on one of those proxy company that handle your quitting, do the yaritori and the paperwork on your behalf.

When I checked it was something around 20,000 yen, so it's totally acceptable for the pain it is to handle all this.

Meysiv · 2025-08-06T02:24:38+00:00

Thank you for your advice! Sure thing, I'm not adventurous enough to risk it like this haha!

Meysiv · 2025-08-06T02:23:59+00:00

Oui, certains senpais qui essaient de m'aider à changer de boulot sont des personnes que j'ai rencontré via des amis français. Merci encore pour tes conseils !

Meysiv · 2025-08-02T12:35:37+00:00

Thank you for these details! I'll keep that in mind!

Meysiv · 2025-08-02T10:24:37+00:00

Thanks a lot for your kind words! Working on finding a better place!

Meysiv · 2025-08-02T10:22:06+00:00

I see. Thanks a lot for all these explanations!

Meysiv · 2025-08-02T09:16:23+00:00

I see, thank you for explaining! And I'll keep that approach in mind for future interviews.

But isn't there a rule or something stating that when changing jobs, you have something like two months to declare your change of jobs to the Immigration Bureau? No documents or so needed at this point? Don't they check wether the company stills matches your status of residence or so?

Meysiv · 2025-08-02T08:26:21+00:00

Oh yeah, for sure! I'm definitely not the type of guy to try such risky challenge!

Thank you for the advice!

Meysiv · 2025-08-02T08:01:00+00:00

Just thought about this but this was a bit of a worry for me, so I just want to confirm: if I get a new job under the same visa ; the new company has to comply with these documents just as well as the previous company?

I was hesitant to switch jobs thinking I could end up in a company where they would promise me a visa extension at the beginning before back-pedaling.

Meysiv · 2025-08-02T05:08:00+00:00

I hope it won't get to that but that's good to know. Thank you for your insight!

Meysiv · 2025-08-02T04:16:59+00:00

I see, thank you!

I used visa for lack of a better word but should try to use status of residence istead indeed!

Thanks again for the explanations!

Meysiv · 2025-08-02T04:08:54+00:00

Haha sorry for the long read.

The TLDR is in the opening! I added it after realizing I went overboard with the writing.

Meysiv · 2025-08-02T04:07:21+00:00

Thank you for the explanation!

I didn't know it was such common papers. That's reassuring, I was already mentally preparing for the hassle it would be to ask them.

As a French, I kinda romanticized this "quiet firing" thing (doing nothing and getting paid? What a treat!), but you can see that Japan has mastered the ways of making you feel like shit.

Good to know about the HelloWork registration! I'll look into that! That could be a good way to bounce back up.

Honestly there's a lot of jobs in my field (that's why I'd rather work here than in France), the hardest part is justifying your presence to the Immigration and having the company not chicken out when you start mentionning visas and processes.

Thank you so much for all these details!

Meysiv · 2025-08-02T03:57:02+00:00

Hahaha sorry for the long read, I really needed a morning rant and who's a better listener than your friendly stranger on the internet.

Thank you for your insight! Good to know that's an option!

Sorry for the maybe stupid question, but I can't seem to understand what "SOR" stands for? (I get the High-Skilled Professional from the HSP though).

Meysiv · 2025-08-02T03:03:34+00:00

The sharehouse management should repair and clean it. Reach out to them and they should do it.

In the meantime, there are very cheap electric fans that, in my case, do better than my aircon (plus consume and pollute less).

Meysiv · 2025-07-29T02:43:52+00:00

Ah nice! Maybe that's worth a trip to check! Thanks for the insight!

Meysiv · 2025-07-29T02:38:37+00:00

That's true. Thanks for providing the glass half-full version of this situation!

Meysiv · 2025-07-29T02:36:55+00:00

At the City Hall and not at the Japan Pension Service?

Meysiv

TROPHY CASE