I am a non-native Chinese speaker that actually learned Chinese. I have many friends that have taken up Japanese. I think the answer to your question depends on where your interest lies because learning either language is quite an undertaking. Here’s the difference, Chinese grammar is very easy but, since it doesn’t use an alphabet, learning the characters is all a memorization game. Once you learn the basics around pronunciation and tones (and this is tough to get a hold on at first), the grammar is pretty easy to learn (e.g. no verb conjugation—> problem with learning many Western languages). As for Japanese, my understanding is that the grammar is much more difficult to learn than Chinese. Japanese also uses some Chinese characters (—> have to memorize) but it also has multiple alphabets. The net of it is, both languages are hard to learn, but in different ways. I’d say that for people whose native language is a Western language, Chinese is probably easier to learn to speak. Again, learning a language is a lifelong process. Regardless if it is Chinese, Japanese, or Russian, set realistic expectations. Fluency in a year is not possible. If you accept that going it, it will be a much less frustrating process. Good luck!