30-Year-Old Hong Kong American Feels Like a 'Slave' After 7 Years in Japan
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 5 hours ago6 MIN
Summary
A 30-year-old man of Hong Kong descent born and raised in the United States who migrated to Japan seven years ago and obtained permanent residency has sparked heated online discussion after describing himself as a "valueless slave" in Japanese society. His candid post on social media platform Threads on October 16 resonated with countless netizens who shared similar experiences, particularly drawing comparisons to the challenges faced by Hong Kong migrants in the United Kingdom .
Key Points
- The poster, who was born in the US to Hong Kong parents, moved to Japan seven years ago and successfully obtained permanent residency (永住權), only to feel increasingly suffocated by Japanese society
- He wrote that when he first arrived in Japan, everything felt new and exciting, but after seven years and permanent residency, he now feels treated as a "valueless slave" whose departure from his company would not be mourned
- Netizens highlighted the fundamental confusion between "tourism" and "actual living" in Japan, noting that visiting for 10 days or even 2-3 months is enjoyable because one is merely spending money and enjoying entertainment, whereas daily life involves taxes, work stress, and social pressures
- Comparisons to the United Kingdom revealed similarly harsh realities: Hong Kong migrants reported high tax rates, soaring living costs, deteriorating public security, frequent strikes, gloomy weather, and unsuitable food, with one netizen noting "a degree alone gets you nowhere" without professional qualifications
- Both Japanese and UK netizens unanimously identified social isolation and profound loneliness as the "most fatal blow" to migrants' spirit, noting that when old friends return home and locals never fully accept newcomers as one of their own, it creates an unbearable sense of abandonment
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers considering overseas migration, this viral post exposes the stark contrast between travel fantasies and the grinding reality of life abroad. The consensus that "no matter which country you go to, if you still work for someone, you are a slave everywhere" underscores a fundamental truth about economic dependency transcending borders. More critically, the unanimous identification of social isolation as the ultimate dealbreaker suggests that material success abroad cannot compensate for the psychological toll of perpetual outsider status .
For Hong Kong readers considering overseas migration, this viral post exposes the stark contrast between travel fantasies and the grinding reality of life abroad. The consensus that "no matter which country you go to, if you still work for someone, you are a slave everywhere" underscores a fundamental truth about economic dependency transcending borders. More critically, the unanimous identification of social isolation as the ultimate dealbreaker suggests that material success abroad cannot compensate for the psychological toll of perpetual outsider status .