Creating a comfortable space that you feel you belong to is essential for your quality of life. However, if you are an expat in Japan, it can be challenging because of the lack of information or the language barrier you may encounter. One way to tackle this is to find communities that fit your identity. In this article, we have collected information about communities/groups that may interest expats who are seeking a sense of belonging in their new surroundings.
International Communities
InterNations Expat community in Tokyo
This is part of a global web service that connects expats who are in various areas around the world. A number of meet-up events are actively organized on it, and you can find and connect like-minded expats in your area, if you register your profile.
Otonari-San Family-friend Program (OFP)
With OFP, you will be paired up with a Japanese volunteer who lives in your neighborhood. Your partner will support you in adapting in Japan, help you learn about the local community, culture and customs through in person interaction.
https://j-ii.org/en/otonarisan/
The Yokohama Country & Athletic Club
YC&AC offers the variety of sports activities to promote interaction between people from overseas and Japan.
International House In Japan [国際文化会館]
I-House is a member-only club that was established with support from the Rockfeller family, to enhance the interactions among intellectuals. It is a good gateway for those who are seeking business opportunities, although the application fee is pricy and membership is based on referrals.
Association of Foreign Wives of Japanese (AFWJ)
This community serves non-Japanese women who are married to Japanese spouses. It enhances friendship among them, helps them adapt to the Japanese society. This organization comprises of about 470 members from 50 countries.
Tokyo Camii Mosque/ Turkish Culture Center
Tokyo Camii, which has been built by the community of Turkish immigrants, is the biggest Mosque in Japan that can accommodate 2000 people. It is open for prayer and on Fridays, it holds a prayer assembly. They provide religious education, community events, and support for people from Islamic faith.
They also run an online halal food market. halalmarket.tokyocamii.org
SMA (Shizuoka Muslim Association)
SMA has been established in 2010 as a group of Muslims in Shizuoka areas to assist education, communication and social welfare for the Muslim community. They are working toward its goal of building a Mosque as “Shizuoka Masjid Project”.
Tokyo Pregnancy Groups
This is a unique community that provides support for women who are going through pregnancy in Japan as expatriates. Their website provides English guide about topics related to pregnancy and childbirth in Japan. Also, they are frequently organizing meetup events for those who seek real interaction.
http://tokyopregnancygroup.blogspot.com/
Expat Exchange
This is a community website for expatriates in Japan from all over the world. You can communicate with others and gather information. However, the recent activity seems to be low.
http://www.expatexchange.com/japan/liveinjapan.html
Communities based on nationalities
China
The number of Chinese residents have grown rapidly since 2000, and it is now the largest number of foreign nationals in Japan. There are several China Towns and you can find big Chinese local communities around them, including Yokohama Minami-ku, and Saitama Nishi-kawaguchi. Their presence in the localities are so big that, for example, one of the elementary school in Yokohama has Chinese children who comprise 40 % of the students as reported in the book.
日本の「中国人」社会 Paperback Shinsho – December 1, 2018
Culture wise, they typically find it easy to mingle in Japanese society mainly due to the shared characters that help the Chinese navigate through paperworks, transportation, etc.
The Sinosphere in Japan [在日華人圏]
This organization provides free support for the Chinese living in Japan from Lunar Day parties to couple matchmaking. It also organizes cultural events/activities to deepen the ties between Japan and China.
JAPAN-CHINA FRIENDSHIP CENTER [日中友好会館]
This center is established by the Japanese and the Chinese Governments for commemorating Japan-China friendship in Tokyo. It provides an affordable residence for Chinese students and language education, and it also holds various events like the Lunar Day party.
Korea
Korean culture has become very popular in Japan. Many Japanese are learning Korean language, so language exchange would be easy for Korean speakers. You can also find online/offline events related to Korean culture.
Japan-Korea friendship festival in Tokyo [日韓交流おまつり]
Since 2009, the friendship festival has been held once a year in both countries. In Japan, they invite performers from Korea.
https://www.nikkan-omatsuri.jp
Conclusion
In conclusion, finding a sense of belonging in a new country can be challenging, especially for expats in Japan. However, with the right resources and a willingness to get involved, it is possible to create a comfortable and supportive environment. By exploring the communities and groups outlined in this article, expats can not only meet new people but also connect with others who share similar interests and backgrounds. Whether it’s through a cultural or social club, language exchange, or sports team, joining a community can help you feel more at home in your new surroundings and contribute to a higher quality of life in Japan.