Work in Japan
The MSN/Windows Live team in Japan moved to Akasaka this May. While the office is miles away from the metro, I do have much better view from my workspace when compared to my previous office at Amazon *but*! I get less space for figures ToT.
Speaking of work, I get a ton of mails from folks who are interested in coming to Japan to live and work. Here are some *general* (and I mean general) pointers off the top of my head.
Depending on the type of company and position, there could be the possibility of an international transfer. If you are being asked to come over, make sure you get a good package. You should look for things like a moving bonus to cover any misc expenses that are incurred ( like selling your dog or something ).
You should expect things like Key money to be paid (read about Key money for apartments) for your apartment, corporate housing while you are looking for a place to stay (even better if the company pays your rent), car rental etc. Regarding moving expenses, usually you will get an air and sea shipment. Stuff that you really need when you touch ground in Japan ( like a bunch of figures ) should obviously go by air – stuff that you don’t need straight away ( like clean clothes to change into ) can go by boat. If you have Airguns like I did – chuck them in with all the toys.
This was the path I took with Nature. I found the job listing at a recruitment company that specialized in English and Japanese speaking persons. I was interviewed in the UK and then sent to Japan for a week of interviews and tests. I got the job and went back to the UK to hand my resignation into Japan Airlines, packed and got the hell out of that dump! Joke. Its not that bad in the UK – its just not where I want to build my career/live/play. Your company should sort out the visa for you if you choose this path.
The site was London based People First - crap website but legit company.
The Japanese Exchange Teaching program is run by the Japanese government. Each year, they take English speaking persons and ship them to Japan to teach English in schools throughout the nation. While you are not going to get rich quick ( annual salary of roughly 3,600,000 yen ), it is a good way to get in to Japan. Many people I know who were on JET looked for other opportunities while they were on the programme. One of my university colleagues came to Japan on JET and went on to become the CEO of a top recruitment firm in Tokyo within just a few years. He just recently bought a house for about 90,000,000 yen to house his newly born baby (expensive baby). He is a good example for those who do intend to initially come over on JET and move on to other things - I hope his story keeps you focused if you choose this path ^^.
And if you are wondering, you dont have to be an English native speaker. I know a few Malaysians and HK folks on the program.
All the people who I know who are still on JET want out. Many don’t want to make a career out of it. Some of the folks I knew had to leave Japan when their time was up - JET don’t keep you in Japan forever. JET may also stick you in the middle of nowhere like some small suburban town far far far away from Akihabara ^^;
What I advise is to look for opportunities when you are on JET. Always keep your options open (which you should do where ever you are.)
English schools like NOVA also ship persons over to Japan but I hear that they treat you like something that you wipe off the bottom of your shoes after a brisk stroll through a pig sty. A friend of mine came over on a Nova visa but was offered a job from another company when he arrived. He gave Nova the bad news and they threatened to sue him! This guy now runs his own company conducting tours in Japan.
I believe you get some sort of teaching visa through JET or other schools like NOVA.
JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization ) have guides on how to set up a business in Japan. If you Parents have a business, get them to set up office here and ship you over. Once this is done you will be able to apply for a business visa.
Some folks who I know came over to take an economics course (or something) at university. I have no idea what the cost is but once your course has been officially confirmed, you can apply for a student visa.
A Korean guy I know came over as a student and ended up working part time for me as a perl programmer. He went on to work for a net related translation service and is doing rather well for himself (he just had a baby too ^^). Have a look at the links at Meikai University or Waseda University for pointers.
Many courses involve staying for a full year in Japan. While you obviously have to go back to your home country to finish the course, the time spent over here will be invaluable and give you a taste of what its like to live over here. You may hate it after all (unlikely though ^^). Network as much as possible while you are here in the area that you are interested in working in.
This is not an option and if you do it once then you probably wont be allowed back into Japan.
A ton of asians do this and give the rest of the asians who are over here legitimately a bad image. The info showing which nationality is the worst at overstay is at the Immigration page but I cant find it.
Job Dragon.com, Daijob.com cover a lot of jobs available in foreign capital companies over here. Have a look on those sites and apply online. If you have a glowing resume then you could potentially come over for interviews. If your resume glows so bright that one would need sunglasses to read it then the potential employer may pay for expenses or arrange for you to interview at one of their branch offices in your home country. If your resume glows so brightly that one is at risk of going blind from the sheer quality of your skills then contact me - I can put you in contact with the right recruiters to place you ^^.
It costs a company nothing to sponsor your visa. The immigration needs to see your company’s brochure and some document available from the local ward office to prove that the company you are going to work for is legit. Other things needed are a letter of employment and a statement showing how much you earn (I think – I forget). But that’s generally it.
Well that obviously depends on the type of work that you are coming over for and the company that you are joining. The national average wage in Japan per person is 4,094,000 yen ( stats from Ministry of internal affairs statistics bureau - figures from 2004 ). But that doesn't exactly go far when you have expensive hobbies like figure collecting ^^;
The numbers below are what I have personally experienced as a hiring manager at Amazon and Microsoft and through friends in related industries.
Disclaimer: I am not saying that these are the numbers that you will receive in either AMZN or MSFT.
- Director or VP (internet/IT related) = 20,000,000 yen+
- Country Manager (internet/IT related) = 40,000,000 yen+
- IT/Dev Program Manager internet related = 7,500,000 yen to 12,000,000 yen
- Editorial Manager (internet/IT related) = 4,500,000 yen+
- Site dev Manager (internet/IT related) = 10,000,000 yen to 16,000,000 yen
- QA/Tester (internet/IT related) =4,500,000 yen - 6,500,000 yen
- Web developer/Software Development Engineer (internet/IT related) - 7,000,000 yen - 9,000,000 yen
- Deskside support (finance related) - 9,000,000 yen+
- Financial analyst (finance related) - 12,000,000 yen+
- Translator (IT/finance) - 5,000,000 yen
Depending on the type of visa you receive, you are usually given a year the first time round. To get your extension, you need to be working ( but not necessarily at your original place ) full time. You should try to stay in employment with your first employer for at least a year and then you will get a three year extension. I hear that if you quit jobs within the first year that you will only get a one year extension (can anybody confirm?). In my case, I stayed with Nature for about a year and a half. When I left Nature, I still had a visa sponsored by Nature but that does not matter as long as you go to report to immigration that you have changed jobs. You should also go to the ward office to report changes to your visa status too.
Things can get a bit dodgy for you if you remain unemployed on a working visa for more than 3 months.
Once you reach five years of fulltime employment in Japan, you are entitled to apply to naturalize to be a Japanese. Alternatively you can wait for ten years and then apply for permanent residency.
Once you are over here, you may want to buy a house after a while...
If you are interested in reading about life in Japan, seeing photos taken daily around Tokyo, like Japanese subculture (anime, manga, figures, Dollfies) then you may want to start delving into the Japan or Figure categories for a start or have a gander at all photo articles.
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student
"If your resume glows so brightly that one is at risk of going blind from the sheer quality of your skills then contact me - I can put you in contact with the right recruiters to place you ^^."
...so umm could you define this sheer quality of a blinding resume... i wont to make sure mine looks that good :P (and i believe im well on my way to doing that :P)
hehe umm im shooting for things like valavictorian (ok so what my spelling might be bad... but umm i usually do better)
anyway i wont to know what you mean by this i could possibly pull this off... im only in 10th grade right now but i want a goal lol :P believe its a good i dea to start looking at this possibility as soon as possible lol
anyway could i have some tips to make sure you lose your sight?
student/ programmer and web developer in the training
http://www.hoolan.wordpress.com
Hey Danny
Just wondering if you know how to go about getting a job as a freelance web Developer/Programmer
or do that in a buisness, and would would be better a degree in japanese studies or in Programing?
Or can you take both?
PS. What would be a blindingly good Resume??
business analyst
http://stevethefish.net
It seems to me that IT workers have a much better chance of landing a job in Japan that doesn't entail just teaching English. There seems to be many more opportunities. For someone with more of a business background and used to only the business end of IT like myself, opportunities seem to be rather scarce unless you are totally fluent in Japanese.
Radical Dreamer
Hey Danny. I've served in the military for four years. Now that I'm getting out, I'm thinking of moving to Japan and look for work. Do you think Japanese employers see military service as a positive accomplishment? I'm not quite sure what Japan's feelings are toward the military but here in South Korea, there are still many that hold a bitter grudge towards the US military. Do you think it's the same for Japan?
Senior designer (Permanent Exhibits)
http://www.coroflot.com/rediver
Hi Danny,
I know this might have been posted for over a years. But i still hope to ask more question in relates to my quest of the land of the raising sun. Just want to really know base on ur experience, What are the kind of demand for 3d designer which specialised in exhibition, retail, shopping podium, events and POP display with 3 years experience. Backing with a 4 years of advertising (print/online) agency experience as a senior graphic designer. Above that, Having to obtain JLPT 3 as a start. Base on the experiences, how do garge the personal net value that able to meet the demand in Japan and also.. any recommandation? :p
Just need to have a garge here and perhaps u're the best person which i can ask. Thanks in advance Danny and will really be appreaciates of ur billiant advise. :D
Hear from u soon.
Jacky :)
Student
http://paradise.honest-lies.com
This is an excellent article. Though I am still young yet my dream is to go and live and work in Japan when I'm older.
lol... To get to Japan I'd probably have to teach english, I'd get stuck in the middle of nowehere and be really bad at it :P
One question though, next year for A levels I'm focusing on science and will probably do science at university- what sort of Jobs are available in Japan for a scientist or engineer? (If you know)
Graphic Designer, 3D Modeler
http://graphikista.deviantart.com
Ohayo Danny san
I'm jay Im a successful graphic artist here in the philippines i have
relatives there but despite of their hectic schedule they couldn't find me a graphic design job there onegai hope you help me in this matter.
P.S
you can reach me here soclose_zhaowei23@ayahoo.com
Manga store owner
http://www.otakuland.org
Im 35, I have a decent knowledge of english but not in japanese...My job experience is only in having a comic shop since 15 years... I dont think I will have any opportunity to find a job in Japan...
Journalist
nice view!
Otari Vader, Sith Lord for Hire, will fillet Makoto Itou for free
http://coffeebugg.blogspot.com/
I SO envy the view from your office.
Graphic Design student | Receptionist | Otaku
http://sukidesho.blogspot.com/
Thank you very much for the informative post, Danny.
There were definite misconceptions in my ideas of how to start a working life in Japan but, I it's all clear now. Such a pity (and a blessing) that I'm still working and haven't studied yet ^^;
University Student
http://www.cruxay.com/
I've read this article before, but now that I'm a member I can comment on it.
The information here is priceless, and should be treated as such. It takes many people years to figure this out on their own (if at all), and very many people aren't as capable as you as laying out ALL the potential options so that everyone can find something for themselves. This website really is an resource/hub to those wanting to pursue life in Japan.
Student Engineer
http://www.tgwnetohh.blogspot.com/
I am currently studying the Japanese language (so I can speak it!), and I will definitely add it to my resume.
With company X, which I am looking at, you are given a lot of room on which projects you can work on- and knowing Japanese to near fluent levels may present me opportunities to visit.
With company Y, I would probably not be able to receive opportunities, and I cannot revoke any US citizenship for any of the comapnies I am interested in working for due to the highly sensitive nature of the work (ie it's classified). I like living over in the USA though, and I probably would not live anywhere else.
That is indeed a nice view! I would love to have something like that to work out of. I am left brain dominant and I am an engineer, so language is not my strongest trait- but I do pretty good with it.
Student Engineer
http://www.tgwnetohh.blogspot.com/
gah! I keep commenting to year old posts! lol. Oh well, it's a more up to date post =p.
Medical Student
If I want to serve as medical personnel in Japan, hwat might the prerequisites be?
Medical Student
Sorry about the spelling error. I was typing in a hurry. I will try to refrain from that in future.
Medical Student
Sorry about the spelling error. I was typing in a hurry. I will try to refrain from that in future.
Student
(sic) view...It would be absolutely cool/thrilling to work in Japan..I sure hope to one day
University Student
http://plurk.com/Fuyumachi/invite
i hope i can work at Japan.. That has become my future plans for a year, after i graduated at my university..
i hope i can do my Masters there, learning to adapt in japan in the process, and finally get to work there
Thx though, for telling me that there is a JET program.. Gotta have to look at that opportunity in the future..
IT Expert / System, Network, Security Administrator
http://www.digitalanime.com.br
The big problem (to me) is the language, other than that I could easily earn over 16.000.000+
IT Expert / System, Network, Security Administrator
http://www.digitalanime.com.br
Btw, if you're into IT, and have probs with language, just study SAP. They easily pay USD$60.000 at start (but you'll need to have a certificate at least) and can go until $120k. Not bad, huh?
Student
http://www.idestiny.org/blog
Hey!! I was wondering about the JET programme.
I'm wondering besides the pay, are accommodation sponsored?
computer science Student / Programmer
hi danny
do you still reading the comment for the job in japan well if you do am a computer since student and am studying nihogo for about 2 years now and am not bad at it and the place that am studing in is jica but the only problem is that am from iraq and it in war but ilive in other country now so is it hard for Arabic to live and work in japan and amtrying to get a master in japan so can you give me any advice for me to work there
i wish to get any answer from you dude ^_^ .
Incident life cycle coordinator
this is really good stuff .Thanks for the inside 情報
I'll soon work there when my "training" here is over ^w^ probably mid January ~ because they have to process the visa and stuff ^^ I'd like to meet you sometime - heheh somehow your articles encourages me the idea that I could actually live and survive in Japan :)
Programmer
Finding a job in Japan can be a real challenge, especially when you need visa sponsorship. Someone had already mentioned Gaijinpot, but there's a new site that has a few IT jobs on it called Jobcube http://jobcube.com which is worth checking out as it never hurts to post that resume everywhere. Given the sour economic climate of late, let's hope the job market holds up.
Student
http://musou-enrai.deviantart.com/
Most invaluable info(as always)! ^_^
Service
helllo, any japanes company, I am Masud Rana here, I working Malaysia, I have total 12 year experiences in IT. any company can recruit me for Japan. Who can help me to find employer.
Masud Rana, rana.bangladesh@gmail.com, 0060163080336
web design & Drawing
http://cybermario.deviantart.com/
I assume, if you apply for JET, you need to have certain knowledge of japanese language already isnt? hard to teach if you cant speak japanese.
http://www.myshigoto.com
To be a teacher on JET you don't need to speak any Japanese - your attitude and competence (and whether you have a university degree) are more important.
I'd recommend learning a little beforehand but as long as you are enthusiastic, it's easy to pick it up once you're here.
Supreme Commander of NERV Co.
Wow I see the rates there are very good, If I ever get the privilege to work at Japan, I wont hesitate ^^
Student
I will Have to wait a long time to get to japan. I have no school degrees at all. Poopey.
bum,hachi roku driver
My Favorite post in DC.com. Thank you very much for the very informative post, i will try some of your pointers in moving.working.living in japan in the future :D
student please:)
http://worldincircles.blogspot.com
I didn't know the JET teachers earned as much. I know it cant buy luxury in Japan but I think it's more than enough. But the JET program really is a good way to start one's career in Japan. I was a ryuugakusei in Osaka two years ago and many of my friends (who I met during the exchange program) went back to Japan a year or two later for the JET. They were English-speakers anyway. The Japanese need the English and the americans need the japan experience. and the money of course.^^
Another Otaku Shoujo
http://otakuhimesama.blogspot.com/
Thanks a lot danny for this info XD
i'll be visiting Japan soon <3
Student at Univ
http://animetland.blogspot.com
i would like to have more info about this situation: it's whene someone wants to start a his own company in japan, what should he do? i mean the administration thing, visa, how much money to bring with... ?
I'm preparing with my best friend in two years to move to Japan and start our e-Business company.
Thank you ^^
fashion designer
very interesting as I may come to work in japan in the near future. thanks
Student
I would LOVE to work in Japan.
I hope to someday in the distant future. So thanks for the info~
http://www.flickr.com/aoi-azumi/
Is one of my dreams!!
maître d'
I own a Business in Australia, anyone had experience opening a branch in Japan?
90's F1 Afficionate and Anti-Otaku
http://www.livestream.com/f1action
I don't own my own firm. But when it comes to kit car business, Akihabara's my only place for the Main HQ
Otaku Programmer/Gamer/Artist/Photographer
http://argylebolivar.wordpress.com
That is an epic view!! ^^