Join Our Newsletter
  • Visit Our Store
  • Come Write for J-List!
J-List Blog
Visit J-List - Your Favorite Online Shop and Friend in Japan
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan
No Result
View All Result
J-List Blog
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan
No Result
View All Result
J-List Blog
No Result
View All Result

How Japan has Changed for Foreigners

Peter Payne by Peter Payne
17 years ago
in Your Friend in Japan

Japan has really changed for the better over the past decade and a half in terms of how easy it is for a gaijin to live here. When I arrived in Heisei 3, the third year of the reign of Emperor Akihito (i.e. 1991), it was quite difficult to find a bit of “home” — when I’d get homesick, I’d go and eat Egg McMuffins at McDonald’s, just about the only thing that was exactly the same as it was back in the States. Slowly, Japan opened up and let just about any product in, and now consumers have a lot more choice, from Doritos to Subway sandwich shops to AM/PM Mini Marts. The Internet has obviously helped improve the lives of foreigners living here, allowing expats like me to do things they could never do before, like buy books from Amazon or log into a SlingBox and catch the Superbowl live. There’s been one setback for Americans living outside their home country, however: last year the United States Post Office stopped offering surface mail service for packages going out of the U.S., meaning that my mother can’t throw some Thanksgiving goodies into a seamail box and send them to me. It’s been quite an inconvenience — now she has to send the items by airmail or else call shipping companies like Yamato for container shipping quotes. (Note that seamail shipping into the U.S. is still going strong, and you can choose it as an option when purchasing from J-List as long as you’re not in a hurry for the items.)

Untitled-4

Tags: foodgaijinJapan

More Posts Like This

Camera Angles In Anime
Your Friend in Japan

Yandere Meets Instant Noodles! Anime Marketing with Seiyuu Saori Hayami

by Peter Payne
7 months ago

Last week X lit up with the hashtag #早見沙織, or #HayamiSaori. Being a huge fan of anime voice actress Hayami...

How Do Japanese View U.s. Elections
Your Friend in Japan

Elections in Japan vs The US! How Does Japan View American Politics?

by Peter Payne
8 months ago

Have you been following the big election? Not the US election that happens tomorrow. I'm talking about the Japanese General...

What Products Should You Get On The J List Sale Page

Senpai, Want to Save Some Money? Browse the J-list Sale Page!

9 months ago
Say Goodbye To Summer With J List $20 Coupon

Goodbye, Anime Summer! Enjoy A New $20 Coupon!

10 months ago
Is A Nankai Megathrust Coming? Japan On Edge After Last Week's Earthquake

Is a Nankai Megathrust Coming? Japan on Edge after Last Week’s Earthquake

10 months ago
Why Do You Watch Anime Plot

Why Do You Watch Anime? Let’s Ask J-List Customers!

11 months ago
Next Post
J-List Default Featured Image

Japan as a Functional Western Democracy

Trending Today

Yandere Dark Elf Episode 1 Featured Image
Featured

Yandere Dark Elf, Episode 1 — Love Heavier than Chocolate Melons!

2 months ago
The Top 10 Jav Actresses Article
Your Friend in Japan

The Top 10 JAV Actresses to Browse During J-List’s Sale!

5 days ago
Spring 2025 Ecchi Anime Web Cover
News

Spring 2025 Ecchi Anime and Where to Watch Them

3 months ago
Stellar Blade Cosplay
Featured

The Hottest Stellar Blade Cosplay—Just Before the PC Release

1 week ago
The Top 11 Anime Sex Scenes Blog
Your Friend in Japan

Happy Sex Day! Let’s Rank the 11 Most Surprising Ecchi Scenes in Anime

1 week ago
Get the Newest Figures from J-List - Your Favorite Online Shop and Friend in Japan
Re Ri Haruka Riri Photo Book
Photobooks

Haruka Riri’s New Photobook Is Here – Let’s See What’s Inside!

by Peter Payne
June 18, 2025

Haruka Riri’s New Photobook Is Here – Let’s See What’s Inside!

Modern Ecchi Anime — Where Kawaii and Perviness Collide

Bunny Girl Atago Cosplay by HaneAme

Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube Defends His Students from Evil

Anime Posters and Pantsu: How Megami Magazine Shaped 25 Years of Otaku Culture

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Discord
  • YouTube

© J-LIST. All trademarks, characters and images are property of their respective owners.

No Result
View All Result
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan

© J-LIST. All trademarks, characters and images are property of their respective owners.

No Result
View All Result
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan

© J-LIST. All trademarks, characters and images are property of their respective owners.