Foreign residents in Japan may be at a disadvantage in some ways, but they are by no means powerless nor on their own, says Tokyo-based nonprofit organization Asian People's Friendship Society (APFS).
In a recently launched program series, the organization is nurturing a new group of volunteers it calls "foreign community leaders" who will assist fellow non-Japanese trying to navigate life amid a different and foreign culture.
"Long-term foreign residents have incredible know-how on how to get by in their everyday lives in Japan," says Jotaro Kato, the head of APFS. "I want people to know that there are foreigners out there who can speak perfect Japanese" and who can provide guidance if needed.