Reply #11: i have family living there for over a decade, they think it's great

[pitohui]

i'm far from any expert on this topic tho, would just be repeating second hand info

if you are an ethnic japanese and speak some japanese, it might be easier to just turn up in japan, otherwise the job sending you there will provide you w. excellent help to get you acclimated, much better than anyone on an internet board could give you

if you don't already have a job lined up, i'm not sure how good the economy is any more, you might have difficulties getting work, not sure about this one tho -- my relatives went there for one reason really, the ability to earn in their field, it's an educated society so you need to be well qualified in your field

the trains are indeed first class, it's most impressive

they are not really known for their "freedoms," but as i don't imagine you'd be participating in japanese politics, shouldn't matter much i guess

don't use drugs or shoplift-- crimes that you think are petty can be treated quite harshly