why I miss living in Japan

After leaving Japan in January, he still prefers it because safety and considerate public behaviour made walking alone at night comfortable. A first-day Rotterdam street attack at 6 p.m. left him afraid to go out alone, unlike his confidence in Japan. He misses Japan’s cheaper $500–900 rentals, richer entertainment, welcoming service, and authentic food; Rotterdam costs about $1,400 monthly.

The attack and European costs intensify a reversal: Japan’s former frustrations now seem preferable to current insecurity and inconvenience.