Marie In Japan

In 2025, a lot of things happened to me. How was yours? I wish all my readers to be happy and start a fantastic 2026!

•I got laid off(illegal in Japan)

•Made a new friends with MMA gym

•Dumped by Boyfriend

•Started a new job and already freaked out

•Read few books

•Gave up on marriage

The project have been intense and I can’t take a real vacation. I know this way of working might not be long lasting but I have to catch up on my career.

Lately, I’ve been really into MMA. I love going to practice, and I genuinely enjoy spending time with my classmates. I usually train two to three times a week.

But recently, I felt like my muscles had hit their limit—even though I’m only training a few times a week. It was frustrating to realize how weak my body still felt.

So I decided to take a five-day break and go get a massage. My favorite therapist opened a new studio two years ago, but I hadn’t had a chance to visit it yet. It’s pretty far from where I live, but my body was desperate for some recovery.

I hopped on a train and made the trip out there. The massage lasted 120 minutes, and afterward, I felt completely renewed. My body finally relaxed.

Quoting Takeshi Mayuzumi’s article on LinkedIn, “Why So Difficult Recruiting in Japan-5, Internal Recruiter,” delves into the unique challenges of hiring internal recruiters in Japan, particularly for global companies.

Key Insights:

1. Expectation Gap: There’s a significant disparity between the expectations of global companies and the realities of the Japanese recruitment landscape. While direct sourcing and social media are prevalent recruitment tools internationally, they are not as commonly utilized in Japan. Consequently, finding candidates with experience in these areas is challenging.

2. Traditional HR Systems: Japanese companies often employ a “Sogo Shoku” system, hiring new graduates into generalist roles without specific assignments. This approach emphasizes internal development over specialization, making it difficult to find HR professionals with deep expertise in recruitment. 

3. Career Development in HR: In Japan, HR roles are typically seen as stepping stones rather than long-term career paths. Many HR professionals rotate through various departments, limiting the development of specialized skills in recruitment. Those who wish to specialize often seek opportunities outside their current organizations or start their careers in global companies.

4. Operational Perception of Recruiting: Recruiting is often viewed as an operational task focused on high-volume hiring rather than a strategic function. This perception can deter professionals from pursuing long-term careers in recruitment within Japanese companies.

I still have anger towards my previous-previous company. Fuck

Hopefully, I can fit into their culture…I realised that my personality changed and became more introverted. I might become traumatized from my experiences in few companies but I have to motivate and present myself as a cheerful person.

Also, I stop studying and improving myself. I am very sad that I stop doing so many things. I haven't read books for few months now..

Alright! I broke my rib!

Probably, sparring for MMA…ah shit! I can't do anything for my happy unemployment times.

Day 1: I thought it was just sore muscles.

Day 8: I went to the clinic because my rib hurts terribly. An X-ray showed that my 9th rib is fractured.

Day 9: I can't do any workouts, but my back, shoulders, and butt started hurting. I found that I can use the aero bike. (Biking outside gives my ribs a shock.)

Day 14: Getting really better. I think I can start a rowing machine and lightweight training for back.

Day 24: Pretty slow healing…rib has numb ache…I came for onsen treatment, which is Japanese folk remedy. While I am in the Onsen area, I just staying in my bed and watching Youtube and Netflix. I really want to go back to gym.

Day 30: I attended Kickboxing for beginner class. Not bad! It was not hurting!

First of all, layoff with package is legal in Japan. Many people thinks layoff is illegal in Japan but it will be legal with package.

Why? — Unemployment rate in Japan is 2.4%. Everyone is employed! Not many available people in the market for foreign national companies.

None of the companies will do layoffs under 2.4% unemployment rate, so searching for a job while unemployed will be difficult because no one expects the candidate is jobless at this point. However, the process is clearer and faster than in the US so I can reach to many first rounds of interviews.

Interviewer asked me, “Why did you leave XX?”

I am jobless now. I was laid off and I am applying for jobs. What I am doing everyday is MMA practice. Kick and punch, takedown, jujutsu…many things to work on. I am improving a lot but the most outcome I got was my body changed. I became fitness woman body! (A little more to improve around my belly)

I came back to Japan.

Today, I will go finish the paperwork for unemployment. Hope all my documents are ok.

I was watching the young girls pass by and having fun hangingout. Also, I checked the MMA gym around me…when I was in the US, I didn’t have time, I didn’t have money. So couldn’t hangout with other girls and couldn’t go gym…if it is now, I would definitely attend gym at least…

I went to lululemon, the sports wears that I couldn’t buy when I was young. I couldn’t find the yoga pants the cool school girls wear.

Also, I love horror. There are many haunted places and Ocult store here…I will definitely visit today.