I’ve come across a site for English speaking families in Japan. The site is located at http://www.piqniq.jp. The site design is simple in it’s layout and seems to be very user friendly.
Families living in Tokyo or any other area of Japan can get online and talk with other English speaking people. They might start a conversation about raising children, or talk about great places to go while in Japan, even the ultimate family getaway.
The goal of the site is to create a community that English speaking families in Japan can use to help them in their day to day life within the country. It’s not always easy to make your way in a country if you don’t speak the national language so it makes sense to get online and talk with other people that are making their way just as you are. You can discuss ways to find babysitters or daycare centers, doctors or dentists, and even talk about schools and activities to do with the kids.
I can see this site being a life saver for couples who have moved to Japan to work but don’t know anyone and perhaps feel lonely and out of place is a society that is very different from the one they left behind.