Sharing my experience of returning home to China for the first time in four years!

First, I would like to thank the company for granting me leave.

I will share my experience of returning home to China for the first time in four years.

Overall, I find it convenient.

As four years ago, people pay almost everywhere, whether at supermarkets or restaurants, without using cash, by cashless payment. When going out, all you need is your mobile phone. To prevent the phone battery from running out, there is demand for chargers, and self-service rental stations for shared chargers can be found everywhere.

A shared charger refers to a portable charger that users can share. Users can rent a charger through a smartphone app or a vending machine. It is used when charging is needed. After use, the charger is returned to a designated location or vending machine. For example, if you rent a shared charger from Company A in Akihabara, and if there is a return station for Company A's shared chargers in Shinjuku, you can return it there as well. With the advent of shared chargers, charging has become more convenient outdoors and while traveling. Even in emergencies, you can charge your smartphone to maintain communication and convenience.

Also, restaurants now offer online menus and online ordering, so you can place orders without having to call over a staff member. Thanks to improved efficiency, the chances of incorrect orders in restaurants have also decreased.

The biggest rival to dining out now is delivery. Delivery, which became popular four years ago, feels even more advanced now. Delivery is very convenient, with fast shipping and reasonable prices. Many stores are open even late at night. Delivery fees in Japan are 200-500 yen, while delivery fees in China are around 20-100 yen.

Not only food, but also daily necessities and home appliances, people buy various things through the internet. In the past, I mainly used Taobao, but now it is different. More people are now using PDD. I also did a lot of online shopping on PDD this time. Even though my hometown is in a remote area, many items offer free shipping.

Pinduoduo PDD is a very popular online shopping platform in China. Users can purchase a variety of products at discounted prices through the smartphone app or website. A key feature of Pinduoduo is that users can get products at lower prices through group buying and sharing with friends. In addition, Pinduoduo offers many items with free shipping, making it a very attractive option for users. Simple procedures and fast delivery services are also features of Pinduoduo, and many people use it.

The above are things that already existed before I came to Japan, and I feel that they have evolved. Things that existed before have now evolved, bringing convenience to me.

Then, let me talk about the areas where I felt major changes.

First, in the past I used proxy shopping services to buy Japanese cosmetics and daily necessities, but now I can get almost everything in physical stores, and the prices are almost the same as in Japan.

Next, let me talk about waste sorting, which started two or three years ago and brought major changes. In the past, people simply collected and threw away their trash together, but now it must be sorted into various categories such as paper, plastic, glass, and food waste. This effort promotes recycling and also helps reduce waste. Rules and initiatives may differ by region, but in the area where I live, awareness of waste sorting has increased, and efforts toward environmental protection are progressing throughout the community.

Lastly, I have heard from friends that neijuan is a big issue, but I myself did not feel any neijuan during my vacation.

Neijuan refers to a phenomenon in which intense competition in a certain field or group causes individuals to work excessively in pursuit of success or a sense of superiority, leading to overwork. Neijuan often appears together with problems such as work stress, overwork, and fierce competition, and it can negatively affect a person's physical and mental health.

Finally, I would like to introduce the dish I ate most often while I was back home: Xinjiang fried rice noodles.

Xinjiang fried rice noodles is a traditional dish from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. In this dish, rice noodles are stir-fried and cooked with ingredients. Common ingredients include beef, lamb, celery, and spices. Xinjiang fried rice noodles are characterized by their unique flavor and spicy seasoning, and when you eat them, the spiciness and umami spread throughout your mouth. The rice noodles also have a chewy texture, making them satisfying to eat. Xinjiang fried rice noodles are a dish that represents the food culture of the Xinjiang region and are popular with local people and tourists.

Finally, I would once again like to express my gratitude to the company for granting me leave.