Similar levels of living costs yet a higher pay even after tax.
A more creative and inspirational environment, there’s no where in Singapore that is comparable to Harajuku or Ebisu in Tokyo, Sannomiya in Kobe, Umeda in Osaka.
More media freedom, less governmental censorship, equats to more possibilites to explore, less of a need to worry about rules. Having lived in Europe, you’re going to find the scene in Singapore bland, cramped and restrictive.
Even with China, Japan has overtakened the US as China’s largest trading partner.
There’s really not much reason to pick Singapore over Japan unless you want to experience life in a totalitarian pseudo-democracy .
Japan’s not all roses though. As a foreigner, you will be treated like a foreigner, whether you’ve lived there for 1 day or 10 years. Many people had considered the Japanese to be racist, the truth is that they’re just unsure of how to communicate with foreigners due to the language barrier, thus come off as cold at first. Once the ice is broken through, you can count on strong, sincere friendships to be made.
Those living in western Japan (Osaka, Kobe) are more open to foreigners compared to Tokyo. Tokyo, however is several times more active and most opportunities are found there.
University education here is a little lacking, definitely when compared to those in Europe. Unless you make it into the top 3 art/design schools here, you’re going to have to depend mostly on yourself. The facilities may be top notch in the other schools, but it’s the lack of motivation in most of the students around you that really pulls you down. As they say here, æµã•ã‚Œãªã„よã†ã«ã€‚ Remain focused and you’ll easily stay on top.