Could you hack it for life in the salaryman world?

On the surface, Tokyo is overwhelming at first. Avenues lined with neon-clad buildings give the major areas a futuristic look while back alleys and shotengai give the place either a run-down look or a local feel. During rush periods, Shinjuku and Ikebukuro Stations take most foreigners, even those of us from big cities, to a new level of survival-of-the-fittest living; We learn quickly that nobody stops for anyone else. I’ve gotta get to my train so don’t get in my way or I’ll run your ass down. Finding your way …

Jason at j2fi.net posted something recently about overly negative foreigners living in Japan and it reminded me of a conversation I had with a friend over some beers last year. I remember commenting on how lucky I thought he was for thoroughly enjoying his working stay here in Tokyo. It’s not that I wasn’t enjoying my situation at the time; it was just that he seemed so much more jacked-in as far as having a fulfilling Japan experience. Anyway, upon hearing my comment, he replied with a question. “Which Japan …