Life Abroad in Japan

Since December of 2007, I have lived abroad in rural Japan where I have started a family, a business and, somewhere along the way. become fairly capable in the language and culture here. I suppose you could say I've achieved something of the "immigrant dream", so to speak. But it has not been an easy task and one that, still to this day, I question as to whether or not it was worth undertaking. That said, I cannot deny that my time away from my home has lent me something that would have been all but impossible had I stayed in my comfortable little nest back home all these years: perspective. Perspective on the differences between life in the US and life outside of it.

My conclusion from this hard earned perspective is that the US is unique and continues to play, as cliche or "nationalist" as it may sound, a crucial part in the evolution and direction of the modern world. And perhaps this is what makes we Americans so utterly vocal and willing to fail in the eyes of others. Because our heritage is one of doing exactly that. We have, since earliest days, been at the task of creating our world by improving the one in which we currently live. Naturally, that last statement has not all been roses and puppy dogs and many have suffered and lost in its wake. But, it is true to say, that this unique American spirit, first begun by the coloniallis

It would be an understatement to say that recent times in the US have been tumultuous. Some would say interesting. Others disastrous. And still others maybe something approaching Vaudeville theater, that is, an over the top drama with no clear direction or connection to reality. Call it what you will, we are living in unprecedented times. Or are we? One thing about historical perspective is that it requires just that: historical perspective. And so it can be quite difficult if not impossible to accurately place current events in the historical timeline in a way that makes sense.

The average German citizen had know way of knowing what they were really supporting during the rise of the Nazis in the 1930's. And the same is true of the average Japanese citizen in the same era, although they had already grown long accustomed to living in subversion and oppression to the point that it was considered more or less normal. And history is replete with such examples. Often the "glorious triumphs" of ages long past were usually what we would call atrocities today. The story of humanity, despite its beauty and relentless, if occasionally delayed, rise toward better conditions and greater freedom for individuals is one rife with corruption, politics, loss, waste, murder and plain old tomfoolery. And yet, progress we do.