why i gave up on my dreams to live in Japan

He recounts a Japan dream beginning at 17–18, intensive Japanese study, and a transformative five-month 2010 language-school stay. A 2011 working-holiday convenience-store job, kitchen work, and private English lessons produced anxiety, criticism, quitting, and departure after four months. After abandoning college and permanent-settlement plans, marriage eventually delivered a spouse visa, but Japan still felt boring, restrictive, and unsustainable.

He ultimately accepts mobility over the work, education, or relationship commitments permanent residence requires.