I’ve decided to return to Japan!
I moved here hoping to stay for a long time, but when my wife said she wanted to go back, I’d already resolved to return without hesitation. (In reality, I was really reluctant, ha ha)
You’re amazing, not seeing a future where you don’t return to Japan.
You’re amazing, not even considering it for a moment.
That’s what I was told.
Because I truly believed every day would be filled with joy. I’m sure of it.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Portugal may lack many things, but I feel content because I have family, friends, and the people of the town.
Japan seems to be losing that sort of thing, perhaps filling the void with entertainment, he says.
Taking shelter from the rain, you might chat briefly with a stranger; there are people selling paintings or playing music to entertain those around them; people start dancing in the glow of the setting sun; the streets go mad for football; if your engine stalls, someone might burst out laughing (though they’ll help you properly later); if someone is in trouble, people lend a hand, and if it’s clearly impossible, they walk away cleanly.
Such small moments of communication overflow in the city.
And yet, time flows slowly.
My wife says she’s changed since coming to Portugal.
Work used to be the centre of her life. She’s given that up.
Back in Japan, it was tough – everything was out of balance, and she was swamped with work. I think she was just scraping by back then.
What she wants now is simply to cherish her family and look forward to eating something delicious tomorrow. That’s all.
Apparently, I’ve started laughing happily more often.
So people tell me, ‘That makes us worry about you when you go back to Japan.’
I worry too. But precisely because it’s such a turning point, I want to embrace the change. Where shall we live?
We’re returning to Japan in just under two months.
