CODE IN TOKYO

Living in a Country Does Not Mean You Love It

I recently watched a YouTube video by a Japanese man doing manual labor in the United States.

I do not know whether every detail of his story was true. YouTube is full of people who exaggerate for attention, so I took some of it with a grain of salt.

He said that he felt slightly uncomfortable when Americans told him things like, “America is the greatest country in the world” or “You must be glad you came here.”

The reason was simple: he had not moved to the United States because he loved the country.

His wife was American and wanted to return home, so he reluctantly moved with her. That was apparently all there was to it.

Hearing his story made me think that there are probably many people in similar situations.

Praise Performs Better Than Honesty

When I watch YouTube videos made by foreigners living in Japan, I see a remarkable number built around the message that Japan is wonderful and their home country is terrible.

Some of them undoubtedly mean it. But this is YouTube, and the logic of attracting views is always present.

If a foreign resident criticizes Japan in Japanese, people may respond, “If you do not like it, leave.” If that person praises Japan instead, Japanese viewers are pleased and more likely to watch.

The same dynamic works in reverse. When Japanese people living in the United States criticize America in Japanese, they can attract views from people in Japan. A conclusion such as “Japan really is the best” tends to perform well.

I do not know which opinions are sincere, and I am not trying to reach a verdict about individual creators.

But in reality, there are probably many people who think, “I do not particularly like this country, but circumstances require me to live here.”

People Stay for Complicated Reasons

Someone may stay because of a spouse, employment, or money. A child’s education or immigration status may make moving difficult.

The reasons people live in a particular country are not always inspiring or straightforward.

Yet we rarely hear those less convenient stories.

When a foreigner lives in Japan, people often assume that the person must be here because they love the country. If they express even a minor complaint, the response quickly becomes, “If you do not like it, leave.”

But that phrase is easy to use when you are not the person facing the consequences.

Some people remain in a country they dislike because they need the work. Others cannot easily move because of their families. Some may simply be there because it is the only financially realistic option.

No One Is Obligated to Love the Country Where They Live

Foreign residents are not obligated to love Japan.

They should be able to live in Japan and speak honestly about the parts of the country they dislike.

A society in which foreigners can say, “Honestly, I dislike this aspect of Japan,” and still live ordinary lives seems healthier than one that welcomes only foreigners willing to declare that Japan is wonderful.

“If you do not like it, leave” is easy to say.

But some people dislike where they live and still cannot leave.

A society that shows a little more understanding toward those people would probably be a more comfortable place for everyone.

Having said that, my tolerance has limits. I am not suggesting that foreign residents should be free to avoid insurance premiums or taxes while receiving medical care or welfare benefits. Paying what you are required to pay is a basic condition.

People should be free to criticize the country where they live. They should not be free to make that country’s residents carry their share of the burden.

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