I'm Successful in Japan. But Only in English.

After about eight years here in Japan, I'm genuinely ashamed of how much my Japanese level still sucks. Sometimes people ask me how I hacked life here. I've built businesses, I have a family, I have a lot of freedom. But when it comes to my career and the things I've built, I'm only successful in English. In Episode 6 of A Day, a Thought, I talk about why that was a deliberate choice, why I could always find a reason to leave studying Japanese for later, how hard I did try, and where the money argument doesn't really answer the question anymore. I also answer a question I often get: do you need Japanese to live in Japan and to have a decent life? My answer is no and yes. These days I'm getting back into studying Japanese. My goal is JLPT N2 in the next 12 months. We'll see if I get there or not. If you study Japanese and you're fairly successful at it, I'm really interested in hearing from you. I'm Axel, a Belgian entrepreneur and father living in Japan. This personal video journal follows everyday life, family, building businesses and the things I'm still figuring out. Chapters: 0:00 Successful in Japan, but only in English 0:31 How did I hack life here in Japan? 1:27 A deliberate choice 2:35 Always a reason to leave it for later 3:03 I did try really hard 4:19 I did give up on Japanese 4:55 "You still can't speak Japanese" 5:21 That success has zero kanjis 6:20 At the kids' table 6:50 When money doesn't answer the question 7:10 Back to studying Japanese 7:48 Do you need Japanese to live in Japan? 8:43 Look again 9:05 The next challenge: JLPT N2 The video I mention, The Expat Trap:    • The real reason foreigners fail in Japan -...   Watch Episode 5: Would I Still Move to Japan in 2026?    • Would I Still Move to Japan in 2026?   Start with Episode 1: Why I'm Starting a Video Journal in Japan    • Life in Japan, Without a Script — My 30-Da...   Watch the series, A Day, a Thought | Japan Vlogs:    • A Day, a Thought — Japan Vlogs   Useful links: Browse ClearPath jobs in Japan: https://go.clearpathrecruitment.com/j... Interested in joining ClearPath as a recruiter: https://join.clearpathrecruitment.com/ Need employer brand or marketing support for your startup in Japan: https://www.innohyve.co.jp/ Connect with me on LinkedIn:   / axel-algoet   #LifeInJapan #LearningJapanese #JapanVlog