AMA - I've lived in Japan most of my adult life

ok lets get this get out of the way first, we know japan has sex culture with lolicon, shotacon, jav aka adult porn so does that affect crime rates like how big of a problem is sexual assault and rape crimes there? and why are they forgiving of pedophiles like the samurai x mangaka is largely forgiven there? also are lolicon and shotacon called pedo there too like in the west?

@deg It's hard to give a solid "how big", but it's big enough that basically every train station and often other places with escalators will have posters telling people to watch out for people taking videos up the skirt of schoolkids. Most of the crimes are voyeuristic, or exhibitionist, with light touching but rarely beyond that. Not to say it's any less of a crime, though.

I worked with a paedophile once. When I was a teacher. He was, too. Constantly cuddling the elementary school kids. I found out about his massive stash of loli porn, and I reported it.

They did nothing. At all. And the police wouldn't do anything either, because "it's legal". Even though he's a teacher, so it's a clear red flag.

Lolicon translates to "paedophile" in general usage. If you see it being used by normal Japanese people, or in newspapers, then it has the same connotation as paedophile does in the west.

As for forgiveness - good question. There's the idea that it's a victimless crime in many cases when it's just consumption of CSAM. But there are much worse cases where the criminal only got a few years in jail, which I find quite disturbing, because the kid is ruined for life after that.

@LifelineByNature i see thanks for replying also i do have some idea taken from ai chatbots like gemini that underreporting of sexual assault is a big problem there in japan while anonymous surveys will show high sexual assault incidents among young women and teenagers

Sounds more like the birth rate is low mostly due to low fidelity, I mean why would a man support building a family if it's likely he'll get cucked?

are the women there just as evil as they are in the states

Buying a plane ticket as I type this; thanks for the tip, fellow gaijin!

Oh cool an actual person talking about living in japan.

Only got one question, how are the more rural areas in terms of tolerance and hospitality for foreigners. I'd love to have a road trip all across Japan and that'd include a lot of rural areas and spots and really do wonder how they'd react. Probably a plus that I ain't a white american pig

Thank you! I get tired of having to correct people whenever I see them spreading the "age of consent in Japan is 13 lolololol" misconception. It is true that the federal minimum was 13 until recently, but the provincial ages, which take precedence, range from 16 to 18 depending where you are (inb4 "why are you so knowledgeable on this subject?")

Also, as a Canadian who has thought of visiting Japan at some point in the future, would you say the general population of urban areas like Tokyo has gotten sick of foreign tourists? I'm aware no culture is a hive-mind and the general opinion will likely differ depending on the generation, but do you think as long as I remember my すみませんs and ありがとうございましたs I'll be treated well enough?

What are your favorite japanese dishes?

I reckon the median age in Japan was around 45 when you first moved, and is 50 now. Do you see the social services and infrastructure suffer as a result of the higher dependency ratio (worker population / dependent population) that occurred in the decade since? Has it visibly affected in your life in a negative way, do you imagine it will later down the line?

How is the Japanese social studies curriculum? Usually I hear it's pretty bad, though just wondering what they actually cover over there.

Wow lol. That guy should have been fired, and then an inquiry done. Surprised admin didn't do anything, most admin usually have kids, and the last thing you want is creeps around them.

What region do you live in, and whats your favorite part about it? I loved being in Tokyo, but I’d like to know what other places are like!

Oh yeah you're that dude I talked to in the introduction forum. Wow I had no idea you lived in Japan, now I'm even more jealous! 😭

Buying a plane ticket as I type this; thanks for the tip, fellow gaijin!

I dont think there is any scope for me as a medical student to go and live in Japan but still, what are the possibilities and whats the lifestyle for a doctor there.
My dad also plans to visit Japan next year but its quite a short trip. Whats the best and cheap souvenir I can get from there which I can use or wear everyday.

How easy is it to find a church? Language isn't relevant. Mass and divine liturgy are the same everywhere.

@Deathko Careful what you wish for - you can actually get sued if the husband finds out.

How do you feel about visiting your local library and sharing some of the educational videos (https://myanimelist.net/clubs.php?cid=72947)?

(Thank you for sharing your experience, I enjoyed reading your post.)

Can the husband also sue his wife for cheating?

@FZREMAKE Depends on your country - doctors live well here, but Japanese medicine is "non-profit". The clinics are private run, but you pay yourself a wage, and it can't be a ridiculously overpriced wage. The wages seem somewhat set by the government, or some sort of authority.

MDs transfer over, at least. I think you need to do a test (maybe not?) but you don't need to re-do your education at least.

As for souvenir - it depends what you're into, but I guess an omamori from a shrine would be nice. They often have lots of designs, and you can wear it on something like a keychain or charm hanging from a bag or something. It's not super intrusive and doesn't require a lot of commitment like a kimono or something.

@LifelineByNature Ah I see. Thanks for the advise.