For a country so famous for robots and futuristic technology, Japan’s love affair with paper lives on. Cash payments dominate; paper packaging is complex and diverse; people still widely use fax; exchanging business cards is a mandatory professional ritual; and businesses and government offices are often drowning in paperwork. 

This system can be very difficult for expats coming from the West to get used to, and it only adds to the stress and anxiety of navigating a new environment. One of the ways to decrease this stress is to utilize technologies that reduce excessive use of paper, such as services that convert your mail to a digital platform. This can make your bills and other mail much more familiar to you, and therefore easier to manage.

Of course, excessive paperwork doesn’t cause all stress. Other ways to decrease your levels of stress are to exercise, connect with the people you care about, and make time for fun and relaxation. Eating and sleeping well can also do well to reduce your levels of stress. 

 If you are concerned that you may be suffering from persistent stress, please take the “Stress Check” on our website (currently only available in Japanese). We offer a multitude of English-language Screening Tests that check for symptoms of mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, alcohol dependency, and ADHD. If the results of any one of these tests leave you feeling concerned, a good first step towards recovery is booking an appointment with a counselor or psychiatrist at our clinic. 

 At Roppongi Clinic, we offer services in English and can provide same-day appointments to those with busy schedules. We’re open on weekends and holidays. To schedule an appointment in English, please email us at @roppongi.clinic.english@gmail.com or visit our English Bookings Page.