After two decades in Japan, one Canadian man shares some differences between life there and in his home country.
Ron Reid, who is in his forties, grew up in Toronto. In 2005, he travelled to Japan for what was supposed to be a three-month stint.
“It was on a whim when I finished working at a film festival and had a break,” he recalled. “Everything I was doing was pointing toward Japan after I started helping/teaching Japanese students and others I met along the way and going to Japanese events.”
With just $400, he looked for work while staying with friends he had met in Toronto.
Reid on a Japanese TV show where viewers guessed his height (Supplied)
He now lives with his wife Lydia, 30 minutes outside central Tokyo, where he works as an actor. He said that he appeared on an Amazon TV show in 2024 and also appeared twice on Netflix.
In one show, he said he was cast as an American police officer, which he said “happens a lot.”
“It is a lot of fun being on set because I am inspired and can write my own stuff while waiting, make contacts, catch up on sleep, and make friends,” he said.
Expat life in Japan
Reid said that teaching is the most common job for foreigners in Japan.
In addition to acting, he teaches at universities, directs, writes, produces a podcast, shares content on social media, and volunteers extensively.
“I stay humble by volunteering for disasters and making documentaries on my experiences,” he said.
One of the main differences that stands out to Reid is the sense of safety in Japan.
Volunteering in 2024 (Supplied)
“Safety is a pro,” he said. “You can leave a phone or wallet on a table while you go to the bathroom. I use my jacket or a closed bag.”
He explained that different types of visas allow expats to stay in Japan. For housing, expats can work with a real estate agent or share a house with other foreigners.
“You only have to take care of the garbage schedule and share a kitchen, bath/shower and living room,” he said. “If you want privacy, you can just close your door. But saving money is important to me to have a happy life because I don’t let my spending get out of control.”
He observed that navigating daily life is undoubtedly easier for the Japanese due to the language, but Reid said that he’s seen foreigners taking on different jobs and succeeding.
And since cheques are paid monthly, he also advises bringing enough funds to cover your bases.
Cultural immersion
Reid said that one of the things that surprised him about living in Japan was how kind and humble people are.
“You think Canada is humble until you come here and have people bowing at every shop you go to,” he said. “The few homeless here don’t ask you for money. People really take friends to heart when they connect with you.”
According to Reid, it’s also easy to get by without being entirely fluent in Japanese. Self-checkout counter screens can be changed to English in most places, and most government employees can speak English or communicate using a tablet.
Reid singing in a choir (Supplied)
He said the key to adjusting and adapting easily is to see things from the locals’ perspective rather than simply viewing things from a Canadian perspective.
He married four years ago after meeting Lydia at an English as a Second Language (ESL) class at a Church.
“I still wondered why she was there because her English was good, and I thought this girl was out of my league when I heard her talk,” recalled Reid.
It turns out that the two had a lot in common: Lydia had visited Toronto several times and also loved the city.
Reid said that despite being married to a Japanese national, he won’t be getting Japanese citizenship anytime soon.
“You have to choose one or the other,” he explained. “This may change because there hasn’t been any population growth in years, so they are considering dual citizenship. I might consider this in the future.”
There are some downsides to being an expat in Japan. Reid said that he pays a lot of taxes and that, as a foreigner, he tends to stand out from the crowd.
“Only 1 to 2 per cent of the population looks different,” he said. “You often get kids staring at you like you’re a rockstar.”
When asked about the work-life balance, Reid said that “work is worshipped” in Japan.
He advises finding your “tribe,” whether it’s a volunteering group, a running group, or people to party with.
“You have to do something and belong somewhere outside of work,” he advised.
The Canadian connection
There are plenty of ways for expats to connect, according to Reid.
“There’s a community for every type of person,” he said.
For example, musicians can meet at music venues called live houses, and expats can meet fellow students at free Japanese classes. There are also communities for snowboarders and skiers, foodies, and anime and manga fans.
“For Quebecers, there are French areas and lots of French events,” Red shared. “This country worships French wine and culture.”
Last year, he met with fellow Canadians at a Canadian Thanksgiving mixer in Shimokitazawa, where they even served poutine.
After two years, Reid recently travelled back to Toronto, where he observed several differences, such as the diversity.
“Toronto is like the United Nations,” he stated.
He also noticed that food has gotten more expensive and serving sizes have increased. In comparison, food in Japan is around 10 per cent to 15 per cent cheaper, and there is no tipping.
“A lot of friends got bigger,” he shared. “Everyone here walks 10 to 25 minutes a day just to go to work. I eat a lot healthier, and it’s affordable because the food usually never has recalls because of the high quality standards.”
Reid said he would return to Canada if he got a job at CBC, Citytv, or another radio or TV show.
“Friends in Ontario repeatedly tell me to visit only unless I have a solid job,” he said. “[Being] an actor or filmmaker is not easy with productions down in Vancouver and Toronto.”
Just like his home city, Reid said that he has changed, too.
“My family noticed quickly that I was bowing and, to their amusement, I called for a waiter in Japanese by accident a few times,” he said. “I think growing differently is very natural, and we should embrace it.”
Although Reid has settled down in Japan, he still misses home.
“I miss Toronto always,” he admitted. “But you learn to adjust to where you are and enjoy what’s around you. The includes [making food] — I make poutine often.”
Once, he even found cans of Molson Canadian beer at a supermarket.
And although American Thanksgiving is more celebrated than Canadian Thanksgiving, Reid said you get used to these differences.
Breaking down the cost of living
Reid and his wife have found ways to reduce costs. For starters, they live in an area outside Tokyo’s busier districts.
“I used to live near Shibuya, kind of like the University of Toronto downtown, and I mostly stayed a train ride away from where I socialized, like near Eglinton, to make going home easier,” he recalled.
“Now, I’m more settled and live close to the equivalent of near Scarborough. Rent is a little cheaper outside the city center, and [living around] eight minutes from a station will keep your rent down.”
He said their main expenses are about $2,000 a month. That includes $800 in rent and utilities such as phone, internet, gas, water, and electricity. It also includes food.
“We often cook rather than eat out,” said Reid, who added that his wife manages their finances.
He said that rather than spending money dining out or going for drinks, they spend the weekends doing free things in Tokyo.
The monthly cost of transit for the couple is around $200, which can be reimbursed depending on your company. Reid said some people can save money by living closer to work or riding bikes. He also supports a program that feeds the homeless and donates $20 weekly.
One of their biggest expenses is taxes and insurance, which Reid estimates comes out to about $400 to $500.
Expats also pay into the National Pension System.
“Here, like in Canada, you can have a private [pension] or the company one that the company contributes for you,” he explained. “If you leave Japan for Canada, you can take it in one sum, or you can bring your Canadian pension here if you’re retiring.”
Although he admits to never visiting a doctor while living in Japan (which he attributes to his “strong Canadian genes”), Reid said that people are well looked after there.
“People do fret over the doctor speaking English or if they are getting good advice,” he stated. However, despite not speaking the language, he assures visitors they’ll get the help they need.
For those considering life abroad, he urged, “Do it already. You need a break from Canada and [to] see a different point of view.”
