For the final podcast of our series, we have a second look at the second life. Find out what life is like after retirement in Japan.
Momoko, Baku, Koki
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Script
A）”Long time no see.”
B)”Yeah, how have you been?”
A)” After retirement, I live a full life. I’m really into running now.”
B) “Why? You didn’t like exercise. What’s the matter? ”
A) “Surely, I didn’t like exercise, so I was fatty. One day, my doctor advised me to do exercise for health. I want to stay hale and hearty into old age and then just popping off painlessly, what is called “pinpinkorori”, and I decided to start running and lose weight. At first, I ran reluctantly. However, once I ran, I realize its pleasure. For the time being, I aim practice running along the perimeter of the Imperial Palace. My goal is to run in Tokyo marathon. ”
B)” You are really enjoying your “Second Life”. “
A) “Second Life?”
B) “It means just life after retirement. I envy how you enjoy your life.”
A) “You also retired and have more money than I. You can do all you want. What are you dissatisfied about? ”
B) “To tell the truth, I want to live in the country and grow vegetables. In the country, communing with nature, we can get our humanity back. Moreover, I used to live in the country, so I want to come back there. These days, local governments also give support to people like me. However, my wife doesn’t agree. She wants to live abroad.”
A)”Umm…why don’t you give me your wife, don’t you? I also want to run in Honolulu marathon. ”
B)”Stop joking! It’s not funny. ”
A)”Sorry.”
B)”My wife said that living in the foreign country of which prices are cheap costs less money than that of Japan and we can live a comfortable life because of mild climate. However, I think it has a lot of trouble. We may not be able to master the language and we cannot speak to local people. Then, if we don’t have Japanese friends there, we become alone there. Moreover, if prices will go up there in the future, the advantage may be lost. Then, we will be in trouble over money. Living abroad is too dangerous. So I can’t agree with her.”
A)”I understand your idea, but living in the country also has disadvantages. If you want to get a job, the number of jobs is limited. If you can get a job, your pay is lower than that in the cities. Your family can’t get used to peculiar customs of the countryside, like the ways of ceremonial occasions. In addition to, public transportation isn’t often developed, and there isn’t a well-equipped hospital near there. It’s inconvenient.”
B)”I know what you said. So I think an agreement by my family is indispensable for living in the country. I don’t know what to do.”
A)”Then, try both ideas. Of course, you have to talk the problem out, but you never know how something will turn out until you’ve given it a try. These days, people often make a long stay abroad to know how they live abroad. And you can also try to live in the country for a short time. After that, it may be possible that you find the satisfying answer with each other.”
B)”That’s a good idea. I’ll at least have a try at it.”
A)”Go for it! Whenever you want, I’ll give advice.”
B)”Thank you. ”