Returning to Japan after 50 years in the US
Fumio Ouchi, who moved to the United States at the age of 25, joined the chemical company DuPont after earning his doctorate at the University of Florida. He is an expert in materials engineering and taught at the University of Washington for many years. When Ouchi retires from the university in June 2022, his final position as professor in the Department of Materials Engineering, he has chosen Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, as his next home.
"I lived in America for nearly 50 years, and had many enjoyable times and a sense of accomplishment. I look at 25 years as one unit. I spent the first 25 years in Japan, the next 50 in America, and then when I thought about what to do with the next 25 years, I decided that I wanted to live in Japan again. Then, driven by the desire to try something completely different if possible, I decided to start making violins.
The COVID-19 pandemic played a major role in my decision. During the time when I was cut off from other people, I wanted to take on a new challenge again. There are many musicians in my family, and I am the only scientist among them. My wife and daughter are pianists, my daughter's husband is a composer and violinist, and my granddaughter plays the violin. So I thought that one day I would like to make a violin for my granddaughter. I have no experience in making violins (laughs)."
When he told his wife Sumiyo that he wanted to move to Japan and dedicate his life to making violins after retirement, she immediately accepted, saying, "Then let's go (to Japan)." However, the place that the Tokyo-born couple chose to move to was Matsumoto, a place with which they had no connection whatsoever.
"There was no point in starting a new life in Tokyo. Sendai is a nice place, but I've been teaching at Tohoku University for many years, so I didn't think it was worth the effort to live there. I was looking for a place with a good climate and a thriving academic and artistic scene, and Matsumoto came to mind. There was no particular reason behind it; it was just inspiration."
Obtaining a Japanese residence status
However, the problem was that they couldn't travel back and forth to Japan because of the COVID-19 pandemic. So instead of going to Matsumoto, they bought land online and built their new home while meeting online with the architect and construction company. Another problem was that the Ouchis, who are American citizens, needed to obtain a residence permit to live in Japan.
"It shouldn't be difficult for green card holders to return to Japan, but dual citizenship is not recognized for us because we acquired American citizenship of our own volition. This means we have to submit a notification of loss of Japanese nationality to the consulate to have it removed. This information is often not explained well, so it's important to be careful. So we obtained Japanese residence status in order to live in Japan (as Americans). This status is valid for three years. After that, we will be able to obtain the equivalent of permanent residency in Japan, so we intend to do that."
The Ouchis arrived in Matsumoto in August 2022, and after living in an apartment for two months, they safely started living in their new home in October. We asked them what difficulties they faced as they returned to Japan for the first time in 50 years.
"Although we did have some issues, we were able to resolve it in the end, so I don't think it's a problem at the moment. However, the government officials don't always know everything, so we have to look into it and explain things properly. Also, because I registered my name as an American, when I register my resident card and personal seal certificate, or open a bank account, my name is written in alphabets -- Ohuchi Fumio -- instead of kanji. The name on my credit card is also in alphabets, so when entering my name on a website or the like and it asks you to write it in full-width kanji, it causes problems."
He also said he had trouble proving his address when he was in the United States.
"In Japan, there is no problem because we have a resident registration card, but there is nothing like that in the United States. Japanese government agencies often tell you to go to the Japanese consulate to get a residence notification issued, but this is only for Japanese nationals, and American nationals won't be taken seriously. So, as an alternative, we have people sign an Affidavit of Residence prepared by a Notary Public, and then attach to the affidavit a copy of their driver's license showing their current address and a copy of the Benefit Verification Letter issued by the Social Security Administration. This is valid for purchasing land, registering a house, and changing their driver's license, and I think it would be very difficult if this document didn't exist."
The secret to living a happy life is not to compare
What are the great things about Japan that I've come to realize for the first time in a long time?
"First of all, the food is delicious. Next, I'm impressed by how kind the people are. When they help me with something, they do it sincerely, which makes me really happy. Just yesterday, I called to inquire about a misunderstanding with my national health insurance payment, and the clerk helped me properly and was really kind. In America, people come from all kinds of backgrounds, and each of them has different ways of thinking and responding. But in Japan, everyone is treated the same, which makes me feel at ease."
However, he says that when it comes to software, the US has the advantage.
"When you try to register something online in Japan, you are asked many more confirmation questions than necessary, and it is difficult to proceed. It feels like you are being overwhelmed by these confirmation questions. As a result, you end up not knowing what you are doing. I think this is because Japanese software is not developed with the user in mind. For example, internet banking screens are full of advertisements and unnecessary information. All you need is your ID and password to log in. You have a hard time finding it. This is rare in America. Also, (in Japan) the explanatory materials provided when making a proposal are extremely long and full of various information. I think that ultimately it is an issue with education."
Ouchi currently travels once a month to Tohoku University, where he serves as a professor by special appointment, and plans to soon begin training in violin making. When asked about his future plans, he replied, "I intend to stay here forever. I'm also thinking about spending the summer in Portland, where my daughter lives," and immediately confirmed that Matsumoto will be his final home.
Finally, he asked for advice for people who are about to return to Japan from the United States.
"During Japan's bubble economy in the 1990s, some people who came to America from Japan would compare the two countries and say negative things about America, saying things like, 'If it were Japan, it wouldn't happen like this.' But there's no point in making comparisons, and I think the key to living happily in another place is to recognize that Japan is Japan and America is America. The key is to find the good in another place without complaining. I would like to live my life that way myself."
© 2022 Keiko Fukuda
