Foreign Residents Coaching Japan

🌸  I Understand Your Journey in Japan

I’ve lived abroad for over 20 years myself. life abroad can be vulnerable.

I understand deeply what it means to build a life in a foreign country —
the stress, the uncertainty, the visa issues, and the longing to feel at home.

I know how lonely and confusing it can sometimes feel.　Moreover my wife is from Canada.

That’s why I’m here — to support and guide foreign residents in Japan
so you can live more comfortably, connect more deeply,
and rediscover your sense of belonging.

🌸  Common Challenges You May Face in Japan 

＊　Isolated or lonely, even if surrounded by people

＊　Emotionally distant from your Japanese spouse or partner

＊　Misunderstood in your relationship or marriage

＊　Stressed about work or communication in Japanese companies

＊　Losing confidence or direction in your life in Japan

＊　Tired or sleepless due to stress and lack of emotional support

＊　Stuck in surface-level relationships with Japanese coworkers

＊ Feel uneasy about the growing sense of nationalism or exclusion in society。Concerned about rising  Populism in Japan

* 外国人のパートナーとのすれ違いでお悩み。国際結婚や国際カップルとしてのストレス。（日本語でも相談できます）

 

👉 　Add me on LINE to start a chat

👥 You don’t have to deal with these alone.

Coaching provides a safe understanding space to reflect and adjust.

It’s a supportive and practical space where we work together to:

•   Understand cultural differences in communication and cultural  expectations

•   Learn how to express yourself clearly and calmly

•   Build better relationships (with your partner, colleagues, and yourself)

•   Manage stress and emotional ups and downs

•   Reconnect with your goals and confidence while living in Japan

Find Balance and Connection While Living in Japan! 

The focus is on awareness, understanding, and small, realistic steps that lead to change.

 

👥  Who This Is For

This coaching is for:

•  International couples navigating cultural differences

•  Professionals working in Japanese companies

•  Expats feeling lonely, lost, or drained

•  Anyone feeling emotionally distant from your Japanese spouse or partner.

•  Anyone seeking clarity and emotional balance while living in Japan

•  Foreign residents who want to improve communication with Japanese people
• 　外国人パートナーとの関係でお悩みの日本人の方も、ご相談ください。

 

👉 　Add me on LINE to start a chat

🌸 　About the Coach

Shigenori Murata, Ph.D. (University of Oxford / D.Phil)
Cultural and Relationship Guide for Foreign Residents in Japan: Certified Life Coach based in Japan

Having lived abroad （England, Canada, Australia）for about 25 years,

— even when it looks successful on the outside.

I’ve learned that life abroad can be vulnerable .

There are times when you feel invisible, uncertain, or emotionally confused.

My wife is Canadian, and through our life together in Japan and other places,
I’ve seen firsthand the joys and struggles of adapting to a new culture.

💫 　Why I Started Helping Foreign Residents in Japan

Why I do this work

I started this work because I’ve seen — and lived — how challenging it can be
to build a meaningful life between cultures.

When I was abroad, I saw many people struggle silently:
successful on the outside, but lonely or uncertain inside.

I wanted to create a space where people could speak freely,
reflect deeply, and rediscover their sense of belonging.

Every session I offer is guided by one belief —
that awareness and understanding can transform the way we live,
wherever we are in the world.

I’m married to a Canadian, and through her eyes I’ve also come to understand
how Japanese society can sometimes appear — both fascinating and, at times, challenging.

My mission is simple: to help you feel at home — both in Japan, and within yourself.

🌸 I will be your guide in Japan

Someone who truly understands what it means to live between cultures.

I’m not here just to ask questions like a “coach”.

My role is to walk beside you—　to guide, support, and help you find clarity and peace
so that you can live comfortably and confidently in Japan. I will be your guide.

In the past I’ve also conducted academic research on identity, community, and the sense of belonging.

My studies explored how people build personal and cultural identities in changing societies, and how spiritual or philosophical traditions can help us feel more connected to others.

 

👉 As a scholar of Japanese philosophy, culture, and religious history,

I offer coaching that goes beyond surface-level cross-cultural comparisons—
guiding you toward a deeper understanding of how culture, values, and emotions interact in real life.

As a specialist in Zen philosophy, I also guide you toward inner peace and happiness,
sharing the deeper dimensions of mindfulness that connect thought, emotion, and everyday life.

My approach combines deep listening, cross-cultural understanding, and clear guidance for inner happiness.

 

🌸　こんにちは。村田樹紀です。

村田樹紀　PhD (Dphil Oxon)  ライフコーチ・コンサルタント

世界中のクライアントさんに、夫婦の関係改善のお手伝いとサポートをしてきました。

カナダ人の妻と出会って以来、２０年以上毎日ずっと仲良く暮らしています。

何より、自分自身が「外国人として」、海外で長年暮らしました。

単なるコーチとして質問ばかりに終始するのではなく、

「理解者」「翻訳者」「伴走者」「文化の橋」としてお手伝いします！

表面的な日本論に惑わされず、学識に基づいたバランスある信用できる「日本」の姿についてお伝えします。

 

オックスフォード大学で西田哲学の学術研究を通して、宇宙原理としての「空」や「幸せ」について専門研究しました。（西田哲学の「絶対無」の研究。）

クライアントさんの毎日の日本での関係が快適で「幸せ」になるように、優しく親切にお手伝いします。

 

🌸　外国人と暮らしている日本人の方のご相談もお受けしています： I also welcome Japanese clients who are living with foreign partners or families.

外国人のご家族やパートナーとの関係についても、一緒に考えていきましょう。

文化や考え方の違いで悩んでいる方も、一緒に答えを見つけていきましょう。

🌿 What’s been on your mind lately?

Living in Japan can be wonderful — but also confusing or lonely at times.
If something has been bothering you, or if you just need someone to listen,
you can simply share it here.

Tell me what’s been hardest for you recently —
at work, at home, or in your heart.

Let’s talk about it together.
Sometimes, one honest conversation can change how you feel.

✅ 　Add me on LINE to start a chat

👉　Session Information

Format:  Online (LINE or Google Meet)
Language:  English / Japanese
Duration:  50 minutes
Fee:   ¥10,000 per session
In-person sessions (Tokyo area) are also available upon request, with a higher rate.

Many clients prefer online sessions for convenience and privacy.
You can start with a short conversation on LINE to see if this coaching feels right for you.

👉 　Add me on LINE to start a chat

Living in Japan can be a beautiful journey—

Living in Japan can be beautiful, when you have a space to feel understood, supported, and accepted.

And it is most important for you to understand yourself, wherever you live.

Let’s explore how you can build meaningful connections,
both with others and within yourself.

Client Voices

Many of my clients come from diverse backgrounds — teachers, professionals, international couples, and long-term residents.
They all share one thing in common: the wish to feel at home in Japan and within themselves.
Here are a few words shared with permission, reflecting their personal journeys.

“When I first came to Japan, I was excited — but over time, I started to feel invisible.
Talking with Shigenori helped me find my confidence again.
He understood both the emotional side and the cultural side of what I was going through.
I finally felt seen and understood.”

— E.O., from Canada

“I was struggling in my marriage with my Japanese husband.
We loved each other but couldn’t understand each other’s expectations.
Through the sessions, I realized how cultural values shape communication.
Now, we both listen more — and I feel calmer, lighter, and more connected.”

— M.G., from the U.K.

“After moving to Tokyo for work, I couldn’t sleep well and felt anxious all the time.
Shigenori’s calm, thoughtful guidance helped me slow down and understand what I was feeling.
His sessions are not just coaching — they are like having a gentle, wise guide walking beside you.”

— A.W., from Australia

“I came to Japan for my career, but I didn’t expect the cultural loneliness.
Through our sessions, I learned how to rebuild my sense of belonging — not by becoming ‘Japanese,’
but by understanding myself more deeply.
It was truly a turning point in how I see my life here.”

— J.F., from the U.S.

Each person’s journey is unique, but the goal is always the same:
to find peace, confidence, and connection — both in Japan, and within yourself.

💌 　Feeling stressed or unsure where to start?

You can simply reach out and share your story.

Add me on LINE and feel free to talk about what’s been on your mind.
Sometimes, a short conversation is all you need to begin healing.

👉 [Add me on LINE to share what is troubling you now]

 

💌  Multiculturalism , diversity in Japan

In addition to my personal experience, I have also studied multiculturalism and intercultural coexistence
as part of my academic research in political theory.

This background allows me to offer both personal empathy and theoretical insight
into your personal challenges of living across cultures.

With many years of experience helping individuals and couples,
I understand the invisible emotional and cultural walls that can appear when living abroad.

 

Ready to begin?

You can book a 50-minute online session for ¥10,000 (LINE or Google Meet).
Sessions are available in English and Japanese.
Everything you share is private and confidential.

Prefer meeting in person? Tokyo-area sessions are available upon request at a higher rate.

Or send a quick message first

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🌸 初めての方へ：オンラインセッション（50分／1万円）をLINEからご予約いただけます。
英語・日本語どちらでも対応いたします。内容は秘密厳守です。
東京近郊での対面セッション（割高）もご希望により可能です。