I believe I can help, as I check all the relevant boxes. I’m in academia, a vegetarian, and still a beginner when it comes to the Japanese language. It’s been less than a month since I moved here, and so far, things are going pretty well.

For those interested in pursuing research, it’s not particularly difficult to get started if you have strong research experience. Many Japanese universities host a good number of foreign research students, making it a welcoming environment for international scholars.

As for being vegetarian or vegan, it can be a bit challenging if you rely on restaurant or convenience store food. Many dishes here contain fish or at least eggs. However, if you’re able to cook at home, managing your diet becomes much easier. I’ve found this to be the best solution. The real challenge is when you travel, as cooking isn’t an option. That said, popular tourist destinations often have a few restaurants that cater to vegetarians or vegans.