Gaijin Bouncer?

[Edsheadsaid]

Hey, I'll be moving to Japan in August, for 1year+ teaching English in an undisclosed location.

Just a quick question really; from time to time, when I've needed some extra money, I've done some door work over the weekend, here in the UK. Its a mindless job that, at least here, pays pretty well.

Having not been to Japan before, are there foreign door staff around, are there any specific training/qualifications required to get a job in the first place, or is it an unregulated area?

Thanks in advance for any sensible advice!

[Mulboyne]

It's unregulated but clubs and bars who do get trouble are more wary these days about having someone on the door without the right visa because it can put them on the spot if the police get involved.

[GomiGirl]

It's unregulated but clubs and bars who do get trouble are more wary these days about having someone on the door without the right visa because it can put them on the spot if the police get involved.

What kind of visa should a bouncer have? Just curious!!

[omae mona]

What kind of visa should a bouncer have? Just curious!!

I'd guess the "Specialist in Humanities" visa.

[Mulboyne]

What kind of visa should a bouncer have? Just curious!!

A bouncer is just down as an ordinary club or bar employee so any visa which lets you do that work is fine (I suppose if you occasionally play in the bar band or dance on stage then you could even be on an entertainer visa). A lot of African doormen in Tokyo are on spouse visas. The police don't automatically ask bouncers to show their papers if they are called in - unless they are there on a raid - but if charges are involved then they probably will check. If you remember, the bouncers at 911 who made statements against skier Tae Satoya disappeared when they realized they might be needed as witnesses.

[Edsheadsaid]

Thanks for the info Mulboyne, so considering I'll have a working visa shouldn't present any problems I take it?

You wouldn't happen to know if its a well-paid job, at least in the more urban areas?

[Iraira]

What kind of visa should a bouncer have? Just curious!!

"Just curious"....look, you work hard enough as it is. You don't need to take another job, especially one where you have to rough up rowdy Japanese club goers. Just remember to always put my name on the VIP list, okay...thanks.

[American Oyaji]

Speaking from experience, you should:

1. Have a visa that lets you work legally in the country.
2. Be able to handle your alcohol
3. Not be afraid to rough someone up.
4. Be single. Girls WILL come on to you.

[Edsheadsaid]

Thanks for the checklist, AO. Lets see.

1. Have a visa that lets you work legally in the country. Check
2. Be able to handle your alcohol. Bouncers in Japan drink on the job? (Check)
3. Not be afraid to rough someone up. I'm not a meathead, but I can handle myself fine. Sober > Drunk! (Check)
4. Be single. Girls WILL come on to you. Excellent

Thanks all for the comments, I'm not certain I'll have the time or energy to take on an extra job like this, but if I need some more cash, its good to know whats needed in advance.

[Visitor K]

Bouncers in Japan drink on the job?

everybody who works at a bar in japan drinks on the job (and a bunch of other people too... like english teachers!)
sure, thats a hyperbole and you really dont see people behind the bar way too drunk, but most people working at the bar will drink.. i know in oregon that is completely illegal, but i dunno about your part of the world.
another thing i noticed that doesnt exist in bars that is a rule where im from was no cut offs.. ive been served and ive seen people served well beyond their limit.
take both as you will, i took them as positives!

..(i just remembered else to add something else to the list of things i like about japan)..

[nottu]

[kusai Jijii]

About 10- 12 years ago I remember that (what was then) a popular gaijin bar in Osaka had this middle eastern dude working security. If memory serves, he thought he was a little bit handier than he actually was, and his big mouth got him sat on his punk arse wondering which way was up. Hell, he was smacked so hard he looked more fucked than a Tehran trannie...
Ahhh, those were the days...

[nottu]

[Cyka UchuuJin]

You seem to have experience from what you say, but I'm wondering - do they really hire gaijin for bouncers? - maybe in Tokyo - I'm not so familiar with Tokyo - but I've never seen it anywhere else in my travels in Japan - or maybe its because I imbibe in other places..

i've not really seen any gaijin bouncers in osaka. bartenders, yes.

Ed...a lot of the english teachers i know take on private students for extra cash. i'm not an english teacher, so only know what my friends tell me, but most of them have anywhere between 2 and 5 private lesson students that they do an hour or two with in a starbucks a couple evenings a week. you'll be working all during the day, you really want to then do the night shift at a club? (regular bars that would be closing around midnight won't have bouncers anyway)

[MudDiver]

And my limey newbie, don't be afraid of getting the shit kicked out of you by a pissed off MUDDIVER LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[American Oyaji]

Yeah. Forgot to add you must be willing to work from 10 to 5 (7 for special events) am on Friday and Saturday nights.

I worked in Aomori near Misawa Air Base. Club Garo


Lots of people like the work, so there is a lot of competition for hat kind of job, so you'll want to befriend the staff before hand to help grease your way in.