NEWS

Today, I would like to introduce the question of whether Tokyo is really a good place for foreigners to live. Tokyo is nowadays full of foreigners, isn't it? But is it a good place to live? It is a different story....


Although Tokyo was chosen as one of the best cities in the world in 2022, it may not be the best place for foreigners to live. This is because Tokyo was ranked 42nd out of 50 cities in the world.


More than 11,000 people participated in the survey, which analyzed 50 major cities around the world. The analysis focused on five key areas of expatriate life: quality of life, ease of relocation, working abroad, economic aspects, and expatriate necessities. 


Meanwhile, the three best cities were Valencia (1st), Dubai (2nd), and Mexico City (3rd). 

Tokyo ranked 42nd, sandwiched between Rome (41st) and Vancouver (43rd). The lowest ranked city was Johannesburg (50th).


Tokyo ranked 16th with respect to "quality of life. It also scores highly in health and well-being, travel, transportation, and leisure options. Tokyo ranked 39th for "Livability," with respondents reporting that it is "difficult to make friends" and "unwelcoming.


Regarding "working abroad," Tokyo ranks 40th. Those working abroad seem to have difficulty finding job satisfaction and work-life balance. Tokyo ranked 22nd in terms of "economic aspects. This was evaluated in terms of cost of living, economic satisfaction, and income.


Finally, Tokyo ranked 45th in "expat necessities." The report noted that there are not enough cashless payment options. Tokyo also ranked 50th in the language category, as the survey found that it is not easy to live in Tokyo without speaking Japanese.


Although the city offers excellent sightseeing, cultural and language barriers seem to have been a factor in the drop in rankings.


When Japanese people are asked for directions by foreigners on the street, you often see them respond with a gesture of annoyance. This aspect may be telling.


As an international city, Japanese people should embrace diversity more and show that it is a comfortable place to live to many foreigners with a smile and a welcoming attitude, without being allergic to foreign languages!


We have realized that it is not only foreign tourists but also "Japanese" who must lead the way in creating cities that love Japan and consider it their hometown.


We will continue to promote the good points of Japan as much as we can!


Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/tokyoforent/