Jobs in Japan?

[obel]

Hi! I'm fascinated by Japan in general, and Japanese clothing and movies in particular. It would be a dream for me to live in Japan for a shorter or longer period. I wonder if this is at all possible. Are there any jobs available for an English speaking person?

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by obel

Hi! I'm fascinated by Japan in general, and Japanese clothing and movies in particular. It would be a dream for me to live in Japan for a shorter or longer period. I wonder if this is at all possible. Are there any jobs available for an English speaking person?

The number of expat openings have reduced considerably since the collapse of Lehman Bros and the continuing slow growth. You now need specialist skills or experience which are in demand by foreign capital (gaishi) corporations, as they are still the major recruiters of expat workers.

To get a work visa, the minimum requirement is a university degree or ten-year experience in the relevant field (more difficult to demonstrate). You fist need to obtain a certificate of eligibility (for a visa), and then apply for a visa itself in your own country. It's now possible to come over as a visitor (Norwegians get a 90-day stay without a visa), and then once you find a sponsor, can apply for COE and work visa within Japan.

For English speakers, the popular way to work in Japan has been teaching English in many conversation classes, but jobs are dwindling because of decline in student numbers and recent collapse of some large language schools. If you are a Norwegian, and thus not a native English speaker, you will face difficulties as schools prefer native speakers from UK and Ireland, Australia, NZ, US and Canada.

[Rube]

A lot of gaijins work in bars or restaurants, the pay is bad, barely enough for rent but a lot do seem to get by. Also you don't get paid here weekly, you get paid on average a month after so plan on a month to find a job and a month before you get paid.

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by Rube

A lot of gaijins work in bars or restaurants, the pay is bad, barely enough for rent but a lot do seem to get by. Also you don't get paid here weekly, you get paid on average a month after so plan on a month to find a job and a month before you get paid.

Most of those who work in bars and restaurants are doing so illegally ('working on tourist visa' as they say), or are in Japan in another category so are legal (such as students, married to Japanese, longterm residents, as a side job, working holiday - Norwegians are ineligible etc).

[Rube]

Originally Posted by Joppa

Most of those who work in bars and restaurants are doing so illegally

Yes.....but they have fun.

[obel]

Sounds very difficult! Is this the case all over eastern asia (korea, china etc)? Anyway, Japan has a special place in my life.
I don't have any prospects of getting a job within a Norwegian (or western) company working in Japan. I have a master degree in art, which is pretty useless most places, but maybe can give me some sort of artist residency within Japan. However, the ones I've checked out seem to cost a lot of money (free/with grant is what I'm looking for) and seems very hard to get. So I'm not sure it's the right plan.

[djrajn]

same here. I also like japan so much! Wish to live deir!
Tryn to find a job..

M frm hotel industry, college almost over,,,,, under trainin for 6months! Till january!

[vaibhav]

I also feel a similar interest. Hence hoping to find a decent MBA programme in Japan where placements are good. DO u guys knw any good insititute i can aim at.

I heard good things about International University of japan, Waseda and keio business Schools so far.

[djrajn]

Originally Posted by vaibhav

I also feel a similar interest. Hence hoping to find a decent MBA programme in Japan where placements are good. DO u guys knw any good insititute i can aim at.

I heard good things about International University of japan, Waseda and keio business Schools so far.

Try on embassy site....... There i hv seen sm scholarship for indians

[vaibhav]

Originally Posted by djrajn

Try on embassy site....... There i hv seen sm scholarship for indians

That is there yes, but what colleges offer good placements?

I will be able to handle the financial aspect of post graduation i feel!