Farewell strawberries and cheese bread

• Published in japan-life
• Date 2026-05-15
• 1 min read

With Japan's economic rapidly deteriorating, it became hard to ignore the mismatch between the compensation I'm receiving from the company and the amount of skill I'm contributing back. Unfortunately, several rounds of discussing the matter with shacho did not turn out satisfactorily for either side.

After seven years of flawless (self-assessment) service I was advised to perhaps seek another employer.

Well, I guess that's the best solution. I'm no longer interested in working in an environment where technology and the management stuck in 90s. And they aren't interested in modern approaches if they cost extra. Fair enough.

Unfortunately for them, it is indeed not hard to find a job with my CV. Even given the handicap of being a foreigner. Unfortunately for me, I wasn't able to find a new position in Ibaraki as quickly as I'd hoped.

After seven years even driftwood like me can become attached. But I rather quit now on my terms, rather than wait for shacho's counter-offer and more humiliation.

Farewell, Ibaraki. The place where I almost found my Ghibli dream.