Foreign Residents Coaching Japan

I support foreign residents in Japan with:

1) 　Relationship Support (International Couples in Japan)
Communication, connection, and relationship challenges when your partner is Japanese
— roles, money, affection, family expectations, and emotional distance.

2) 　Adjustment & Well-being Support in Japan　
Support for daily life adjustment and emotional well-being　
— loneliness, stress, workplace communication, confidence, and belonging.

👉 　Add me on LINE for a quick, confidential chat

No pressure — just message me when you’re ready.

🌸 　Relationship Support for International Couples in Japan

• 　When Your Partner Is Japanese: Communication & Connection Support

• 　国際結婚・国際カップルのすれ違いでお悩みの方へ（日本語でもOK）

• 　Different expectations about roles, money, family, and affection

• 　Feeling unheard / emotionally alone in the relationship

• 　In-laws and family pressure in Japan

• 　Parenting stress in a bicultural home (if you have children)

 

　🌸  I Understand Your Journey in Japan

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

I’ve lived abroad for over 20 years myself, and I know how vulnerable life abroad can feel.

I understand what it’s like to build a life in a foreign country —
the stress, uncertainty, visa worries, and the longing to feel at home.

I know how lonely and confusing it can sometimes feel.

My wife is Canadian, and through our life together I’ve also seen Japan through her eyes.

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

Shigenori Murata, Ph.D. (Oxford) — Cultural & Relationship Guide in Japan

 

If any of these feel familiar, you’re not alone.

🌸 Common Challenges You May Face in Japan

1:   Relationship challenges (international couples):　

•  Conversations feel shallow or “stuck” — you can’t reach the real issue

•  Communication feels indirect; you’re unsure what your partner really means

•  Differences in affection/romance (frequency, style, reassurance)

2:   In daily life / work in Japan:

• 　 Feeling isolated or lonely, even when surrounded by people

•  　Work stress or communication difficulties in a Japanese company

• 　 Losing confidence or direction while living in Japan

•  　Feeling tired, overwhelmed, or unable to sleep due to stress

•  　Stuck in surface-level relationships with coworkers

• 　Feeling exhausted from “always translating yourself” in daily life

•  　Feeling uneasy about social exclusion or tension

•   Guidance for Building a Comfortable Life in Japan

👉 　Add me on LINE to start a chat

No pressure — just message me when you’re ready.

 

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

I offer a safe, supportive space to talk things through — calmly and confidentially.

In our sessions, we work together to:

•  Understand cultural differences in communication and expectations

•  Express your feelings and needs clearly and respectfully

•  Improve relationships (with your partner, colleagues, and yourself)

•   Manage stress, anxiety, and emotional ups and downs

•  Reconnect with your confidence, clarity, and sense of belonging in Japan

Small, realistic steps can create real change — at home, at work, and within yourself.

Find Balance and Connection While Living in Japan! 

 

🌿 Why My Support Is Different

Many services offer surface-level “cultural tips.”
But in real relationships and daily life, what matters is understanding the deeper structure behind communication.

As a scholar of Japanese philosophy, religion, and cultural history,
I help you see why Japanese society often works the way it does — not as stereotypes, but as patterns shaped by values, social expectations, and historical roots.

This deeper understanding can reduce confusion, ease emotional stress,
and help you communicate with more clarity, confidence, and calm.

表面的な日本論ではなく、思想史・宗教史・文化史の視点から「なぜそうなるのか」を整理してお伝えします。

👥 Who This Is For

This support is for:

• International couples navigating cultural differences

• Foreign residents working in Japanese companies who struggle with communication or workplace stress

• Expats who feel lonely, drained, or disconnected in daily life

• Anyone seeking clarity, emotional balance, and a stronger sense of belonging in Japan

日本語でもご相談いただけます。
また、外国人パートナーと暮らしている日本人の方のご相談も歓迎します。

 

👉 　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

Shigenori Murata, Ph.D.

I’ve lived abroad for about 25 years (England, Canada, and Australia).
Even when life looks “fine” on the outside, living between cultures can feel vulnerable —
invisible, uncertain, and emotionally exhausting.

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

What makes my support different is that I can help you understand Japan beneath the surface.
With an academic background in Japanese philosophy, religion, and cultural history,
I can explain why Japanese society and relationships often work the way they do —
so you can respond with clarity, confidence, and calm (without blaming yourself or your partner).

💫 　Why I Started Helping Foreign Residents in Japan

Why I do this work

I started this work because I’ve lived the challenges of building a life between cultures —
and I’ve also watched many people struggle silently: successful on the outside,
but lonely, anxious, or disconnected inside.

I wanted to create a space where you can speak freely, reflect deeply,
and rediscover a sense of belonging — in Japan and within yourself.

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

 

🌸 A Guide — Not Just a Coach

I’m not here only to ask questions.
I walk beside you as a guide — with empathy, structure, and practical support —
so you can live more comfortably and confidently in Japan.

My background in identity and belonging helps us understand what’s happening beneath the surface
and take realistic steps forward.

 

👉 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：

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。