Taiwanese Celebrity Mariko Okubo Challenges Notion That Alcohol Tolerance is Key to Working in Japan

Taiwanese celebrity Mariko Okubo, who is married to a Taiwanese man and has embraced Taiwanese culture, recently explored the experiences of Taiwanese individuals working in Japan. Okubo, known for sharing insights into Taiwanese-Japanese cultural differences on her YouTube channel, visited a Taiwanese woman named Kana working for a prominent company in Kumamoto, Japan.

Okubo gained access to Kana's office, describing the environment as "really special." She acknowledged that working abroad presents challenges but believes it offers significant rewards. This experience prompted Okubo to ask her followers on Facebook about the biggest challenges they perceive when working in Japan.

One follower suggested that key challenges include Japanese language proficiency, cultural integration, possessing unique and irreplaceable skills, and alcohol tolerance. Okubo responded humorously to the alcohol tolerance point, stating, "It seems the fourth one is not necessarily required nowadays. My brother doesn't drink well, but he works in sales."

Okubo's comment suggests that while traditional expectations might exist, individual circumstances and evolving workplace dynamics in Japan may not always prioritize high alcohol consumption, particularly in sales roles. Her interaction highlights a nuanced view of the Japanese work environment for foreign professionals.

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It seems the fourth one is not necessarily required nowadays. My brother doesn't drink well, but he works in sales.