Recording summary · October 2016
I nearly got married in Japan - the full story
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Overview
Daniel has a disruptive sleep and work schedule, returning home at 6 AM and waking at 5 PM, and showed hesitation about discussing nearly getting married.
Daniel traveled to Saitama Prefecture in November 2011 on a working holiday visa, worked at a convenience store, briefly met Kei at a guest house, and departed after four months amid job dissatisfaction and issues with a French girlfriend.
In June 2014, Kei messaged Daniel on Facebook, leading to daily emails and Daniel traveling to Kyushu in August 2014; after a typhoon diverted his flight to Kumamoto, he took a night bus to stay at Kei's apartment in Oita.
Daniel funded himself by reselling Japanese Amazon sharpening stones on eBay and planned to marry his partner for a spouse visa, obtaining and signing town hall marriage papers and ordering a birth certificate, though embassy appointment delays left it incomplete.
Four weeks into the relationship, both tested positive for chlamydia at a clinic in Beppu following severe stomach pain for his partner; the partner stated she had sex with another man about four weeks before Daniel's arrival, and Daniel developed reactive joint pain lasting over a year.
Suffering from wisdom tooth pain and escalating arguments, Daniel was kicked out of the apartment, waited outside a train station overnight, returned by bullet train after apologetic emails, but permanently broke up after further conflict, departing by train to Korea.
Daniel reflected that ending the incompatible relationship was the correct choice, noted recovery without long-term health consequences, and resolved to only date someone who shares his interests.
Themes
Past working holiday stay in Saitama and travel to Oita to visit Kei.
Marriage plans, town hall paperwork, and embassy documentation requirements.
Chlamydia transmission, testing in Beppu, and resulting joint pain.
Escalating arguments, wisdom tooth pain, and the permanent breakdown of the relationship.
Developments
November 2011: Daniel traveled to Japan on a working holiday visa and stayed in Saitama Prefecture.
Undated: Four months after arriving in Japan, Daniel quit his convenience store job, broke up with his girlfriend, and departed Japan.
June 2014: Kei messaged Daniel on Facebook to share her email address, starting regular communication.
August 2014: Daniel flew to Japan, took a bus from Kumamoto to Oita after a flight diversion, and arrived at Kei's apartment.
Undated: Daniel and his partner signed marriage documents from the town hall and ordered his birth certificate.
Undated: Daniel and his partner attended a clinic in Beppu and tested positive for chlamydia.
Undated: Daniel left the apartment after being kicked out, spent the night outside a station, and returned by bullet train following emails from his partner.
Undated: Daniel relocated to a Beppu guest house, booked travel to Korea, and departed by bullet train as the relationship ended.
Uncertainties & gaps
Whether Japanese immigration authorities would question or reject Daniel for entering on a consecutive 90-day tourist visa stay.
The exact name of the document required from the British Embassy was not remembered.