Michael Cash wrote:
> On 30 Jan 2006 21:09:18 -0800, declan_murphy@hotmail.com brought down
> from the Mount tablets inscribed:
>
> >More than 80% of all foreigners from OECD countries leave
> >Japan within 36 months of receiving their certificate of eligibility.
> >Churn churn churn.
>
> I so often encounter via the internet foreigners from OECD countries
> who, although they have never been here, profess a burning desire to
> move to Japan to live forever-n-ever-n-ever. (And who generally say
> they will do ANYTHING to make this dream happen....except whatever it
> takes to make them eligible for a visa, oddly enough).

Indirectly, those with a "Japan fetish" provide me with a not
unsubstantial part of my income.

> I generally point out to them that even the diehards tend to leave
> after three years. It's nice to finally have a percentage to quote to
> them.

I was surprised it wasn't a higher figure, and suspect that if the
period was 5 years it would easily exceed 90%. How many people are
prepared to risk having every single pension contribution after the 4
year mark being unfundable? 20 years is a fair stretch of time.