If you want to live and work in Japan, there are a number of ways to do it.



Anyway, (let's) Enjoy!

Ja ne! bi bi!

You DO need a university degree if you want to be a full time NOVA teacher. If you want part-time you don't need one, but for Americans getting the VISA for aprt time work (working visa) is impossible I've heard. The no university degree is best for aussies, kiwis and brits.

NOVA is good for one reason. If you have a degree they sponsor your VISA. So you can do what many folks do. Use NOVA. Come to Japan employed by NOVA so you get the VISA, then quit after a week or too. NOVA can't do diddly and you have a VISA valid for a year or so. Then find better work elsewhere if you can. All quite legal, and fun.

NOVA is evil empire. Itsa hell easy ob with good money. But theres alot of office politics, the folks in charge are bootlickers and techers can get screwed over.

Plus there no interaction rules is painful in the extreme.

If oyu get a good branch its an ok job. But yeah, the easy ticket to a VISA is the best thing.

my friend came to Japan with NO degree and works full timne, I think..could be wrong.

anyway, NOVA have just been reprimanded by the Japanese lawyers Commission, but just like Japans lax racial discrimination laws, there are NO(ZERO) legal penalties, so NOVA told them to stick it where the red, rising sun, does not shine.

Yeah.
Oh well, one of my ex's was a student and student - tecaher interaction and more is rife theoughout the compnay. Don't ask, don't tell.

for him, its a real pain. he lives in the middle of nowhere and the NOVA office is a small, country-side affair, far removed from the ones found near stations in Japanese cities.

This means that if some kindly old dear asks him to join her and her family for a nice tea cermony/visit to a shrine etc, then he has to say "no". talk about profits before people.

If NOVA were to create an incentive scheme, based on how many new customers an employee gets to sign up, or how many customers want to be taught/stay with a certain teacher/the company, then at least NOVA would be USING the whole "student teacher interaction" thing to its own benefit.

It would also create a much more resonsible teacher (do I want to be naughty with the cute highschool girl or make her come to more lessons so I can get a raise/bonus/free holiday time, etc?)

Preferably both

But yeah, its such a restrictive stupid policy. Most students didn't even knew it existed pre-Osaka ruling.

Plus, NOVA has a very HIGH turnover of staff. The same as McDonalds, possibly.

NOVA has a REALLY bad rep with foreigners. Expect the company to go bust unless it changes its ways...

I wanna work for "Takara!" Heck I love Transformers so much I'll live in Japan!!

Hasbro would be better! Try them! Japan doesnt employ many foreigners, unless its in English teaching or factory work. Im sure Hasbro needs more liason peeeps to work wuith both Hasbro and takara!

Also, for a GREAT site to find jobs in Japan:

http://www.gaijinpot.com

Please tell me what I need to do!! If I could stay here in America, but still work for Takara Toy/jp; I would do it in a heartbeat!!

Im not sure. You could try asking Hasbro and some other companies about any jobs. perhaps they hire from a company or have "in house" reps who deal with the Jzapanese end of the line. i guessing that your job could range from translation or just answering the phone to going to japan and helping with inter company liasons.

Anyway, Im SURE studying Japanese like a demon would be a good start!

hasbro careers:

http://www.hasbro.com/careers/careers.html

If you wanted to work for Takara, this MIGHT be the place to start:

http://www.takaratoys.co.jp/ir2/eng/toi.html -The site is in English but is meant for foreign investors. However, the staff understand English and might be able to referre you. Perhaps you could be a takara rep in the USA?

Also, there are many companies that are in need of qualified Japanese literate staff. Many videogame companies, toy companies etc. Dont limit yourself to just one company or two. Ask MANY!

also, for another site devoted to finding jobs in japan:

http://www.jobsinjapan.com/

I would love to live in japan mainly for the car culture but me being dislecsic(sp) means i find it hard to write even in english still i would not mind lerning japanese just form the hell of it

People with "disabilities" are welcome to join the JET scheme as it is an equal oppurtunities employer. As long as you have a degree. In fact, having dyslexia would be great in away, as you could explain to the kids what it is and that its OK to make a mistake.

One of the biggest problems with Japanese people is that their whole culture is geared towards "not making a mistake or standing out in the crowd". THus, many kids wont bother to communicate or write because they are afraid they will make a mistake. Also, the school system is geared towards "perfect" results.
For example, in many tests, a typical question would be:

Q: What is "Okasan" in English.

A: Mother.

"Mum", "Mom", "Mommy","Mummy", etc would be marked as "incorrect" by many japanese graders, even though they are all correct, depending upon context.

one thing myself and many other JETs have to do every day is to convince the Japanese that there is no such thing as perfect English and that it changes all the time depending on time and context.

If you have a degree, i would say that you would be right at home here. I mean, i havnt got dyslexia and I STILL cant read any of the bloody road signs!

well in 2 year after i finish my siquential illitaion or graphic disign which ever i choose i might be tempted to give it a try but only for a year or so

and so long as im not in a small villige i will be fine (i live in one now and its not nice) and what is driving like do i need to get a japanese liecence ive herd you need to be sponserd and pass 1 paper test and 1 road test or will my UK liecence do? we have pritty much the same laws we both drive on the right etc

Graphic design, eh/ Ive got a degree in Illustration me self!

Anyway, driving in Japan is fairly safe. the Japanese drivers Ive seen and encountered are not a boisterous lot, but they ARE indecisive and rude (they seem to leave their politeness at the door). Many dont look both ways before turning, take too long to signal and a whole host of other stuff (their driving lessons are not based upon the real roda, just simulated go-cart tracks in a special area).

That said, you can drive in japan for one year, regardless of country on an "International Drivers Licence", providing you have a valid license from your own country.

if you are from Canada and the Uk (amongst others) you can get a driving license without needing to take a test (Only a medical exam and perhaps an English language written test, although that too might be not needed).

USA and other countries need to take a full test (English written and JAPANESE driving practical).

Either way, you will have to go to the relevaqnt office to get the paperwork done. thing is, due to Japans inability to accept foreigners properly, you will have to go by 1pm but have to wait by 3 pm or until every last Japanese person has been served, even ones coming in after you!

I don't like Japanese people at all. Okay, not all of them, but I remember this one time in Hawaii when I walked into a store. This Japanese sells lady literally turned her back on me as if to say "your not welcomed here" and I was thinking like...b*tch...you're on U.S. soil, not Japan. I've also talked to alot of people that lived there for years about how racist they are.

Screw the Japanese! they raped the Philippines and China 55-65 years ago.

I'm not fond of their women too. Too damn trendy for me with their freaky styles....yuck!

Give me a Pinay anyday.

You say this, and yet you claim that the Japanese make the best robot toys, always...

Wow.

Yeah, they do make the best toys, cars, and electronics.

But living there socially?

Hell no



Edited in: Atleast I don't have a *cough* FETISH *cough*

Yeah, what's the matter? too much truth to my statement 90210/Priestly fanboy.

Truth to fuel hatred. That's what inspired the "wow".

This is true! There was serious genocide going on around WWII. Like 6 million Chinese killed. People think Germany was f'ed up. Check out Japan around the same time. It was a very scarry place back then.

Yes, the invasion of Manchuria (etc.) was terrible, but using that to fuel a hatred for a race just makes the original problem worse.

Agreed, and sorry if I gave the impression that I hate Japan or the Japanese. In fact just the opposite, I am in awe of them in many ways. I am ready to visit, but I dont think I could live there.

I am currently a secondary certified teacher in mathematics with six years experience. What are the perks for me going over there, besides snatching Takara Products?

Actually that is loosely correct, the Japanese military did invade those countries and raped, destroyed the lives of many innocent people. To this day, the government completely denies ANY wrongdoing. In fact there are actual celebrations in Japan as of today, for the "fallen soldiers" that occupied and raped other countries. Ignorance is not bliss and the sins of the forefathers do get passed down, especially when the forefathers deny any responsiblity for wrong doing.

I am not joking about this, the current generation is unaware of the extent of Japans involvement in damaging other countries during WW2. Also, feel free to check the textbooks in Japan, they do not mention the slaughter and widespread bowwww bow bow bow bowww and atrocities committed. I.e. placing firecrackers within the Clampdown of gang raped women, babies tossed into the air and shot for fun, crucified people later beheaded, live burials up to the head and then urination, etc. The list of atrocities is quite long and disgusting. A book with graphic pics is the "Transufomah! of Nanking", some of the facts and sources are the not the best, but you must remember many of the survivors were so badly damaged they could not be found. Also, the entire occupation of Japan in CHina was and still is considered a national shame, even for those that managed to escape to other countries.

It is no surprised then that in liberal universities across America, they stress Japans current stance and reiterate, what was historically done. Simply, appalling.

Personally I want to leave the hatred with the previous generations and move forward and get to know the current generations. I do however empathize quite strongly with the perspective of the survivors. Part of the irony with what happened at the hands of the Japanese during the Sino-war, is the fact Japan at the time, had a superiority complex. But much of Japans culture and language originate from China. Discrimination on so many levels it is wrong, even to this day, there is no love between the two countries and much of the older generation, 40+.

Just think about it.

Fort Max,

You forgot their atrocities in the Philippines.

And Singapore and jsut about everywhere else in Asia.

Ignorance is a BIG problem in Japan. Many Japanese believe they are a "Developed" nation, but if you compare social infrastructure and social development with the West, in many ways, Japan is about 50 years behind the west.

Anyway, to the Maths teacher:

If you want lots of advice from a range of people (good and bad), try:

www.bigdaikon.com (go and sign up at the message board)

www.livejournal.com/users/jetjapan

www.gaijinpot.com (message board).

It really depends on your interests, but you wont be teaching a lot of maths, merely reciting English.

Most people say that if your interest lies outside the classroom (travelling, collecting toys, learning Japanese, money, etc) then the JET scheme can be very rewarding.

In many, but not all instances, however, the school system has little or no time for foreign asssistants to "interrupt" the standard English proceedure of making the students remember complex (and incorrect) grammatical forms and (sometimes incorrect) spelling for the all-important final year exams.

Anyway, PLEASE go to the other sites I mentioned and ask the posters there to give you the good, bad and ugly reasons for teaching/not teaching in Japan.

I didn't forget about them, my family is from there. I did not mention them b/c it was already mentioned. Everything I mentioned about China happened there and undoubtedly in other regions of Asia, at the hands of the Japanese during their occupation. But it should be noted the widespread actual documented slaughter in China by the Japanese appears to be the highest.

Also noteworthy is one distinct difference and that is in the Philippines, the older generations do not bear as much of a grudge against the Japanese as Chinese. In the Filipino classes I've taken when I was in the Asian American Studies dept in my university, the events during WW2 were not stressed as much they are stressed in the Chinese classes. The need for awareness is very important, but it is sad that other ethnic studies departments do not stress this and certainly parents of survivors often hide their experiences in shame. Ignorance is not bliss.

Now back on topic, there are many other English teaching programs that offer people with Bachelor degrees to teach in Japan. Consider the AEON program too.

Isnt AEON a private language school? I dont think its an actual "programme" as such. Unless Im wrong. Any web sites?

AEON is a private language school that targets children and working adults for their English programs. THey are one of the largest companies providing a service for English to Japanese in Japan. THey have a site, just do a google search.

They seem to like to hire from out of Japan, but I recently attended their interview session and they were quite vague and contradictory. For example, they claim they have the "right" to hire all the applicants that attended that day, if the felt they were the BEST. However they showed a information video that shared testimonials from people who worked in Japan in the program. Many people had NO TEACHING or training prior to the program. The ads and the videos indicated that ANYONE could do the job and that AEON would trade them.

In reality, the recruiters were EXTREMELY selective what they based the selection process on is anyones guess. I have not received a call back yet, but I imagine they are looking for people who are enthusiatic, proactive, creative, professional and strongly focused.

However, I get the strong feeling that they are looking more for non-Asian teachers and especially, females instead of males. In any event, the pay is less than 25k USA dollars. There are certain perks but by and large you can make considerably more money elsewhere and in other sectors.

I'd only recommend them or other teaching abroad in Japan programs ONLY if you are completely serious about it and can accept the fact you will be paid peanuts. Sure you can survive and they will help you out considerably in Japan, but, you need to also bear in mind conversely, they are not there to help you advance yourself financially. The pay does matter, but so does your priorities and where you are in life. Just some overlooked points to consider IF anone ever considers teaching in Japan.

Yes, they ARE the same AEON that Ive heard about. They are similar to NOVA and normally want non-asian/oriental people, preffering white females (and some males too) as these types of people are seen as "proper" foreigners/English teachers (regardless of how qualified you are).

Aeon has a reputation like NOVA. I think the internet links that I provided at the beginning of this thread have links to testimonials from people who have some knowledge of AEON.

Japanese companies are not looking for people with ideas (unless they are non-confrontational ones taht do not affect the statis quo). They are looking for people who are prepared to toe the company line an do EXACTLY as they are told.

One good thing about AEON, NOVA, etc, is that you canuse them to get a visa, come to Japan and as soon as youve found a better job, ditch them They cant do a thing.

They, like NOVA, also hire two kinds of "teacher"; ones with degrees/teaching experience/Japanese skills and those without.

The more qualified you are, the better your position at the start will be.

Still, even without a degree, its interesting and challenging for people who have never left the country and never thought they would be able to to visit Japan. So have a go. A year spent doing it might help you with life skills, even if you come away thinking the Japanese, on the whole, are a bunch of misguided nit-wits (which many foreigners do).

Thanks for sharing. But to clarify NOW AEON has a clause that specifically states you CANNOT WORK FOR ANYONE ELSE when you are in Japan EXCEPT THEM. F'ers! They claim the visa they get for you is specifically for just working with them, which I highly doubt. I cannot even imagine how they'd know if you worked for someone else if that person or company paid you in cash. Again, m’fers!

As for the companies preference in Anglo-men and women, I would NOT BE SURPRISED at all. Not to sound racist or anything, but many Japanese do not respect and/or acknowledge other Asian ethnicities and they certainly do not acknowledge other minorities. The White Supremacy thinking is still observable, despite the fact race has absolutely NO CORRELATION with how good your English is. Again, if I knew this beforehand, I would not have wasted my entire weekend, my time, money and energy. All the work, I and other applicants went through could’ve been avoided if AEON simply took the time to say what they were looking for! Worse yet, after all was said and done, they did not even bother to tell how we could improve individually. Sharing this information is a professional courtesy, something I guess only is practiced by American companies.

Oh, I also get some updates, since I never got a second round interview, I emailed them politely asking for feedback on how I could improve. IMO this is a reasonable and professional request that people ask whenever they interview for a job. If you are not accepted, it is only natural that you would want to know, where you were inadequate in their eyes; so you can improve yourself. When I wrote them they replied and informed me they cannot share any information with me, even though I am the applicant. WTF?!

This is complete bullcrap simply b/c I AM the applicant and I am asking only about myself, bakas! More importantly as I mentioned in my reply, they NEVER revealed anything about the CRITERIA/STANDARD that they’d use to select and eliminate applicants with, prior to, during and after the group interviews! If you apply for ANY job, they always tell you what qualifications you need. With this m’fers they DID NOT even have the professional courtesy to clearly state, we will be evaluating you based on such and such standards. Thus, you as the applicant had no idea whatsoever what they are looking for and/or if you are wasting your time.

Lastly, they replied and told me I should do an internet search? WHAT THE smurf?! On what you morons?! Without the evaluators direct input I have no idea how to narrow my search, even if I could find something, it would never be specific on point and more importantly, ABOUT ME! Dumb asses! I will NEVER apply for another teaching position in Japan thanks to my experience with this company and I intend to warn any and everyone about their unscrupulous and unprofessional nature!

How long does a JETteacher work in Japan? Are there time minimums or maximums?

Typically one year, but the terms vary depending on your contract. More info can be readily found on the JET website.

Thanks. I have considered doing this for years and I am getting my BA this spring.

Fort Max - Sounds just as unprofessional as in China. I'm working as an english teacher there. I'm always the last one to know what it is they really want.

Really Jimoninj? Care to share you story of woe?

So you base your judgment on the whole Japanese nation just because of one single experience with one Japanese woman, and some hearsay on isolated events? And you call them racists.

I'm a Filipino-Chinese, and I don't despise Japanese, in fact their culture is welcome here in our country. They may have some unorthodoxed behavior, such as they're inability to be frank and give you straight answers especially saying "no" in some occassions, and they're "gaijin" treatment, but it is more on their flawed culture, just like any other country.

Americans tend to speak their mind, but because of this, some Americans end up not just being frank, but being tactless as well. Some Americans are also racists-in-denial, regardless of color. Does that mean that all Americans are jerks? I think not. Think before you speak, dude.

Oh, and one thing, one of the reasons why Japan attacked the Philippines during WWII was because it was an American colony. And how did the Philippines become an American colony? Because they double-crossed the Filipinos by having a peace treaty with the Spanish which they were waging war with, who were the original colonizers behind their backs, and were able to purchase the Philippines from them at a cheap price. So instead, of being liberated as promised by the Americans, the Philippines just ended up getting taken over by another foreign power. Did your American history teachers tell you that?

For Japan's erasure of the atrocities they have done during that time, yes, that is really depressing, as if they are in total denial of their sins in the past. But history has always been manipulated, and is actually more subjective then factual, with what is written on the books based on the biases of the historians. The Americans were treated as heroes in early Filipino textbooks, because of the imparted colonial mentality that historians had during that time. Still, despite all of this, we don't feel real hatred against the Americans? Why? Because it was the fault of their government during that era, and they were also Americans who wanted to free the Philippines. American civilians also didn't really have a say so we can't really blame them as well. The same thing goes to the Japanese. They may have committed evil deeds in the past, but does that justify condemning their entire nation for eternity? I think not.

Interesting comments peeps1 Im amazed at just how long this thread has lasted!

Anyway, Ive been reading the cooments again and have some other stuff for u:

1/ As far as I know, you CAN work for another company as well as AEON. They say you cant work for another comapny AT THE SAME TIME as them, which may be true, but, providing u have the right paperwork and another employer who will sign for ur continued/new visa, you can do it.

Mostly, as soon as your employement ends, so does your visa. Your visa might be up to 3 years but it will end on the day of employment. Some people negate this by leaving the country (as near as Korea is fine) on that date, and come back the next day/week to start a new job with a new company. Check with your and the Japanese embassies or even ask at teh sites Ive already mentioned on the previous pages.

2/ JET contracts are for a minimum of one year and can be extende for most JET participants for a further 2 years (3 in total). These extensions are up to your contracting organozation, but its normally the Japanese Headmaster/Principal (known as Kocho-Sensei) who normally approves/disaproves for u to stay on.

In some circumstances, a 4th or 5th year can be obtained, for Elementary or Liason officer duties. Yyou normally need exceptional Jpanese skills for these positions, as you will be dealing with teachers and STUDENTS WHO HAVE non eNGLISH SKILLS WHATSOEVER (ironically, there are many Elementary JETS on their first years with no Jpaanese skilss in very much the same position, but thats Japanese logic for u!).

Also, SOME schools/contracting organisations like their JETs SO MUCH, that they let them stay on for many years to come as PRIVATELY HIRED AETs. In some rare circumstances, they stayed indefinitely.

JET is thinking of extending contracts for up to 5 years max for all JETS, allowing (with training) JETs to become full time Japanese-recognised teachers (with full salary benefits), ex-JETs being allowed to renew after leaving the scheme, increasing the oldest age (currently 45) and other schemes in order to attract more people, as numbers of JETs are decreasing every year.

3/ Racism: for more info on Jjapan's mainly institutionlized racism, check out the following sites:

http://www.debito.org/ - a major campaigner for human rights (especially foreigners' rights) in Jpan. My own photos of Isesaki appear in his "list of shame" of racist places to visit in japan.

http://www.debito.org/ - old and somewhat subjective accounts of racism in japan (Takasaki, mentioned in it, is near Isesaki, where I used to live)

http://www.magenta.nl/crosspoint/japan.html - site devoted to Japans treatement of its own "underclass" or "caste", the "Burukamin".

The main point with japan with regards to racism, isnt the WW2 stuff, but rather its position with the UN.

If u read Debito's stuff, it and other critics of japan say this:

"Japn signed the UN treaty to become a member ages ago. It also made a (US created) constitution after its defeat in WW2.

In both papers, Japan promised to defend the freedoms and liberties of all people living in Jpan, both foreign and japanese.

However, many cases of racism have been unchecked in Japn as it hasnt actually created any laws enabling anyone to be criminally convicted of racism. This means that, although illegal in both its constitution and in its membership of the UN, Japanese people are allowed to ban foreigners from any establishment (indeed, most began in the mid 1990's, coming to light most notably during the World Cup 2004 where a fanous Brazillian female journalist was banned from a small shop for being a foreigner, just like many others at the same time throughout Japan) without fear of prosecution.

The Japanese government have repeatedly said taht foreigners wishing to pursue protection or redemption of their rights have to take it up with the civil court and that the Japanese gov. have NO obligation to intervene"

Ironically, Prime Minister Koizumi wants to do several things internationally:

1/ Attract more foreigners to work due toa shrinking population.
2/ Attract more foreign tourists, especially other Aasian tourists (like Koreans, etc)
3/Lobby for permanent UN Security Council Membership.

However, he has:

1/ Visited a infamous shrine, honouring convicted WW2 War Criminals and, although a district court judged it illegal, he vowed 2I WILL visit it again". This angered many Asians, including many ethinic Kkoreans living in Japan and many Chinese (who booed the Japanese and rioted at the recent Asian Football Cup in 2004 in response to this).

2/ Refuses asylum to many refugees recignised internationaly as such but offered refuge to Perus former dictator due to his "Japanese blood". Japan sent many of its own refugees to Brazil and Peru and allowed many to return (even 2nd and 3rd generation) to work in its factories as it felt these foreigners still had "pure Japanese blood". Today, many peruvians living in areas with Brazilians (mainly Ota, Isesaki, and the surrounding areas) are still angry about this.

3/ Refusing to submit to the UNs numerous demands to alter its human rights policies; ncluding its foreigners rights (see above), womens rights, human rights (in prisons, which are like Thai prisons) and others.

4/ Refusing to listen to World Bank, US Embassy, third world countries and European Union demands/advice to open up its markets and streamline its corrupt and money leeching dual-economy/government.

(see more about japans "racist" economy, read here and click on the relevant link for the essay:

http://www.geocities.com/japanfaq/FAQ-Prices.html )

5/ Allowed the creation of a "Big Brother Site", enabling Japanese people to report suspected terrorists and/or visa overstayers to the authorities"

In Japan, the givernment allows, due to a legal loophole millions of illagal imma=igrants to enter the country and work for shady corporations and the Japanese mafia (Yakuza). Many work in the sex industry and yet every now and then, the giv will make new laws to "expell" the bad forigners. Many lies explicitly detailing "crimes" commited by forigners abound in Jpan, although the actual "crime" is actually illegally overstaying thier visas. Mmany of thees cases are merely a genuine foreigner, employed by a school, company etc forgetting to renew it after a day, week, etc and STILL being punished esverly and their case being referred to inthe national press as "an increase in foreigner crime in japan".

Thus, Japan wants desperately to be seen as developed nation, yet will do little or nothing in order to achieve that goal.

Ssoem have said this is partly due to the USA's post WW2 goals, which was to battle the communists. Its been said that Douglas McArthur, the bloke in cahrge of Hapan during the occupation, ignored and at times encouraged the corrupt elements of Japans super-structure to thrive in order that Jpaans population were docile, easily kept and thus ensuring America could use Japan as a permanet base agaisnt China.

Anyway, hope this stuff is interesting. Nothing here is actually 100% fact and reflects what I have felt and still feel about Japan.

I would advise anyone interested in Japan to conduct their own research for themselves and to bear in mind that, although Jpaans racism is certainly different many other countries', its not unique. Britain has its BNP, America its KK (or, at a stretch, its Bush administration), etc.

Domo arigato, Mina Roboto-san!
Ja ne!

Good stuff and thanks for sharing the links. I know about the internal discrimination existing in JP and within the working classes, the WW2 shrines the considerable hypocrisy existing in the government, in regards to being a developed nation, but not protecting human rights and equality. But I agree, people need to research for themselves and not take as face value all that is advertised about Japan, especially if they are serious about working there.

Yes. The Japanese government tales its image overseas very seriously and some have said taht the strange image many foreigners have of japan (good or bad) is due to either lack of information due to japan controlling the "press clubs" (which foreigners are not always allowed to join, meaning news is stilted and "drip fed" to western journalists) and the japanese governments foreign affaisr division which tries hard to restrict the (outward?) flow of negative info.

Also, for a taste of weird japan and some of the seedier, ugly or weirder aspects (including Nationalist thugs, Yakuza, silly jobs, ugly views, etc), go here and have a look around:

http://www3.tky.3web.ne.jp/~edjacob/

Thanks alot for the info Primal! Ive recently met a japanese girl studying abroad here in Canada and we've pretty much fell in love. She has too return too Tokyo too finish university and start working though, so I think I want too follow her back.

Ive always had alot of interest in Japan and Japanese culture, ever since I was really young. I would love too live and be part of that. The only problem though is I was a total slacker in high school, and honestly never graduated. I am a much more motivated and hard working person now, and have the ambition too do whatever it takes too attain a job in Japan.

Im not at all unintelligent or slow witted, I simply smoked too much ganja in High School and became very lazy and unmotivated. Im actually currently running a succesful distribution office, working with safeway and crosslink distribution, and im only 22.

My question is, do you think its possible for me? should I go back too school and get a bachelors in something basic?

Well, Im not the oracale of knowledge here!

JET is the most popular way in for foreigners wanting to work in japan. Its safe (ish), easy and the money is pretty good if youve just walked out from University.

Jobs for foreign workers are not the best. Apart from the "white collar" (not really, but in terms of image at least) language teaching positions, such as JET, and private "schools" such as NOVA, etc; there are factory jobs (mainly employed from Brazil, Peru, India and other developing nations), "mizu shobai" (night-time entertainment jobs, usually reserved for women, such as a "hostess" job) and starting your own business.

Japan isnt that keen to give up its jobs to foreigners and, just like the USA, isnt that welcoming to foreigners (thank you Bush JR).

If you try looking at websites such as gaijinpot and others, you may find you could work for domestic companies in your own country taht may send u to work ontheir behalf in Japan and other countries (many Asian girls like us westerners, Korean girls are very similar to Japanese girls in the "cute girls love western guys" approach and are very similar lookswise).

However, although cute girls are a good thing to get anywhere, it shouldnt be the only reason to motivate u to move somewhere else.

There are plenty of books detailing how to work your way around the world and many jobs mentioned do not require a degree.

However, getting some sort of degree MAY help you if you want to travel and get employment in places like Japan. Its not the only way. My friend is doing an apprenticeship and working his guts out so he can become a courdon bleur chef and go to Aaustralia and my Brother, who is far from acedemic, is taking a Nursing (degree?) course, will spend 2 years working for the UK National Hhealth Service, before he will travel to foreign countries to work.

There are many ways. Obviously, if you have a goal, like going to other countries, then GO FOR IT! Having agoal will motivate you better to study. Just think: "i wont slack...even though my chums are getting laid and drunk right now, Ill finish this essay, get good grade, pass and then Ill wing my way around the world and have me a great time!"

No matter what happens, good or bad (and their ARE problems living abroad), youll certainly change and develope in ways you would never had done if you had just stayed where you were!

Good luck!

I have a japanese girlfriend that I've been dating for 6 years. We meet at college and she has finished her degree and returned to Japan. I don't know what to do since we have been dating 6 years. We should either get married or break up but that is 6 years of our lives and working in a relationship gone.

I am thinking of following her to Japan and some how getting some form of employment. Her mother is critically ill and she has to stay there for the forseeable future.

Thanks for the Info Primal-Convoy. Great info if I ever decide to live there.

And to comment on the Japanese people thing. I've visited Japan on 2 occasions and have stayed with my g/f's family. They have treated me like a son. I'm chinese and I've always been told by my grandmother that Japanese people are evil. She told me horror stories of how she witnessed Japanese soldiers gang bowwww bow bow bow bowww women and then cutting off their breats to hang on the wall. They also played a game of how many heads they could chop off in 1 minute. I disregard this because that was the past.

Of my experiences in Japan and of Japanese people, I can say that there are good points and bad. I can safely say that my g/f's father spend at least $2000 on me in 1 month going out to eat almost every night and taking me to resorts and buying me stuff. But, some of my g/f's friends ignored me once they knew I was Chinese, like someone said, turned their back on me, not even asking my name.

When I was there, I was often mistaken for Japanese since I look similar. If me and my girl was at a restaurant or something, they would always address me but after they found I was a "GI JIN" they would ignore.

But it is certainly FUN there man! Everyone must visit. I promise it will be the best time in your life. But you must have loads of money. Fortunately for me, I was living with my girlfriend's family. Technologically, Japan is lightyears ahead of the U.S. So is the fashion there. People with Orange hair there is common place.

I'm pretty sure you NEED a degree to get to Japan.

Its a visa requirement.

Optimus Tarza: thanks for sharing! Its nice to get another personal account of life in Japan! I too was treated with respect and deep friendship by my ex-girlfriend's family (except the father, but that was due to him being a knob, not being racist) and my adopted family in Japan.

The Matsumoto Family and I are still friends. The man, my good friend Matsumoto-San, is deputy postmaster of Oya post office. Ota is near Tatebaiyashi, home of Hobby Link Japan. Matsumoto san gets a discount there as he knows the owner. He has also entertained my parents and my Brother when they visted on seperate occasions.

There are many Japanese people who arenot racist. Ignorance is rife, but the same could be said to our own countries. The main problem is the Government, which is still comprised of very conservative and nationalistic individuals (and its also very geriatric..as many are elderly). Tthis means taht change is very slow and the power the government has over the public is very great, as the media are basically controlled by the Ddiet.

Pooka: To work in JET, you need a degree, however, working for NOVA, etc doesnt require u to have a visa.

Also, other jobs, such as factory work dont require a degree, as those working in them tend to be unskilled workers from developing countries such as Brazil, Peru, Pakistan, etc (although many may actually be degree holders, they are not needed for the job).

Im not sure if an "american" or other white westerners from "approved" developed countries would be welcome to work in a factory, as it might be thought u are over qualified. I dont know anything about this and ud have to check at the websites above.

Also, please bear in mind thta working for Japanese companies will mean working, in many cases, to a Japanese regime. Eexpect long hours and lack of career prospects (lack of promotion beyond a certain level, etc). My Brazilian chums tell me factory work is very interesting, but in some places, the Japanese bosses FORBID them from speaking in their native tongues when any japanese people are on the factory floor.

Also, giving up lunch breaks, staying after work (no overtime), cancelling holidays and other factors are not uncommon when working for a Japanese contract (in many cases, there is NO contract).

Anyway, please have a look and research yourself. It is possible to work in Japan without a degree!

No, Americans need to get a full visa to work for NOVA, which means they need a degree. To get a work visa you need that degre (not sure how that applies to unskilled workers, but they may be on spusal visas etc.

Actualy anybody who works for NOVA NEEDS a visa, even a working holiday one or spousal. Dunno where you heard that NOVA employees dont need visa's but its wrong.

People from commonwealth nations can work in Japan on a working holiday Visa, which you don't need a degree for, but that option isn't available to Americans. Americans need a degree.


Its possible to work in Japan without a degree mybe. But for Americans especially its very risky and you may find yourself at the mercy of very unscrupulous employers.

Plus it makes things bad for the rest of us. If you come working here on some dodgy visa nonsense that may be quasi legal you have no rights as a worker. Therefore an employer can do what he wnats in terms of contract, conditions and salary. That lowers the standard for all foreign workers.

If you're American and wanna come here either get that degree or marry a Japanese worker. Don't scrape the bottom of the barrel just cause you have a girlfriend and like manga.