Job opportunities?

[Kanchou]

Hey, I was wondering if someone could tell me what sort of (real) job opportunities are there in Japan?

Or, what do you do personally? (just as an example)

I figure the best thing would be in IT, or accounting, etc...

And don't say English teacher

I'm likely going to change my major from economics to business administration, although I wonder what I could do with that car in a starting position (in the US, Japan, or otherwise).

Although I suppose for now that's sort of a Plan B if I can't get into JET...hehehe.

[aljones15]

just so someone replies to this.
your best bet is to find a western or non-jap
company in japan. some japanede would be helpfull.
maybe get into JET, learn jap, then try.
the actual procedure for getting visas and such
has been simplified in japan these days, but ya know etc.

peace,
A

[72hw]

I have been researching the possibility of acting jobs for native English speaking people in Japan, but a lot of info out there is from people trying to sell you thier guide or services.

Any FG around who might be able to shed some Real Life 411 on this for me?

[FG Lurker]

If you are a native English speaker, have a university degree and a pulse you will be able to get a job teaching English somewhere in Japan. (I am not saying that all English teachers here have nothing going for them, but the fact is that a lot of schools will hire damn near anyone as long as they have the three requirements I listed.)

January is a good time to come as many people leave before Christmas so schools are usually hiring. April is another good time as some schools work on a yearly basis from April to March. You can talk directly to companies like Nova or ECC about being hired before you leave the US.

If you are from the US and do not have a university degree then basically you are fucked.

[Edit: 72hw, I somehow missed the word "acting" in your post! I thought you were just looking for any job for an English speaker. Sorry, I have no clue about the acting field in Japan. There have been some people on here involved in it though... Try searching through the post history, you'll likely come across some good info.]

[FG Lurker]

Hey, I was wondering if someone could tell me what sort of (real) job opportunities are there in Japan?

Everything is available here. The limitations are your skills, your Japanese language ability, and your network of contacts. The three are about equally important to get most good jobs, in my opinion. (Yes, there are exceptions to every rule, I mean "generally speaking".)

Or, what do you do personally? (just as an example)

I work in technology management for a non-Japanese company.

[Taro Toporific]

...Edit: 72hw, I somehow missed the word "acting" in your post! I thought you were just looking for any job for an English speaker. Sorry, I have no clue about the acting field in Japan. There have been some people on here involved in it though... Try searching through the post history, you'll likely come across some good info.

Gaijin Actors in Japan

Hi, I'm a new user in this forum, and I've had a burning question that's been growing in me for quite a while. There appears to be an enourmous demand for native English speaking actors in Japan. I can only suspect that there might be an entire subculture of gaijin actors in Japan. I'm wondering if anyone knows anything about this, or what work is like for gainjin actors? Thanks.

Oh no, not another one!
I think Rob Pongi has some openings...

If you want to do TV here, its really not that hard if you can speak some J. But, believe me, you won't get rich doing this. Anyway, here is a contact list of talent agencies from a buddy of mine:

Agency List


Arts C
Atsushi
03-5396-8819

305 TVSES Part 6

1-9-18 Minami Ikebukuro

Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171

E Promotion
Hiro Hagihara
03-3784-9851
e-pro@nyc.odn.ne.jp
2-11-9-1F, Nishi-Nakanobu

Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-0054



Freewave
Koji
03-3467-4311

602 Nk Shibuya Quarters

2-4-8 Ohashi

Meguro-ku, Tokyo

First Class
Ueda
03-3355-5661

Tachinbanaya Bldg. 203

Araki-cho 11

Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Hiragana Times Talent Bank
Junichi
03-3341-8989
planner@hiraganatimes.com
2-6-3-902 Shinjuku

Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022

Hype
Rio Shono
03-3498-7877
bobbie@exileshype.co.jp
2B, Maison De Rose

6-33-1 Jingumae

Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001

ISOP
Nobuyuki Igarashi
03-3405-7151

Office 317

Imperial Akasaka-Ichibankan

8-13-19 Akasaka

Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052

J Planning
Mitsunaga Fukuzumi
03-3770-9831

503 Villa New Century

3-2 Sakuragaoka-cho

Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0031

Japan Fashion Model Center
Chie
03-3408-8833

3-9-1 Sendagaya

Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0051

Junes
Judi
03-5469-5333
jpc@fa.mbn.or.jp
Nishiazabu GC Bldg.

2-24-37 Nishiazabu

Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0031

K&M
Eri
03-3404-9429
kandm@netlaputa.ne.jp
3-40-2 Jingumae

Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001

Lazaris
Yukiko
03-5791-4805
lazaris001@hotmail.com
308-3-36-13 Ebisu

Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0013

Meg IGEI
Meg
090-1420-2761
megmiaow@aol.com
Daiichi Minehouse 105

1-28-8 Eifuku

Suginami-ku, Tokyo 168-0064

Ooh Planning
Shiho
03-3780-0384
eri_ooh@hotmail.com
Oba Bld B-6F

28-4 Maruyama-cho

Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0044

R&A
Nil
03-3225-3561
randa@thane.co.jp
TSI Funamachi Bldg. 5F

5-25 Funamachi

Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0006

Workshop
Ken
03-5778-4788

6-17-15-4F Jingumae

Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001

Zenith
Tomoji
03-5411-7747
zenith@xb3.so-net.ne.jp
1-19-13-402 Jingumae

Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001


GO FOR IT! Good luck!

Rob Pongi

[AssKissinger]

There's probably going to be an opening at this juku
http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/national/news/20051210p2a00m0na021000c.html

[IkemenTommy]

Hey, I was wondering if someone could tell me what sort of (real) job opportunities are there in Japan?..
And don't say English teacher

Russian or Romanian blow job whore making sleazy money in Roppongi. It only works if you're a female though. Green card (visa) not necessary.

[Kanchou]

Yeah... I think I'll pass on that one

I suppose my skills include basic computer skills, some computer hardware skill, and I speak more or less fluent Japanese... which I also suppose isn't really enough to get a job with an international company without experience of some kind.

[FG Lurker]

Yeah... I think I'll pass on that one

I suppose my skills include basic computer skills, some computer hardware skill, and I speak more or less fluent Japanese... which I also suppose isn't really enough to get a job with an international company without experience of some kind.

Google for outsourcing/IT support companies in Tokyo. These places tend to have a fairly high turnover so are often looking for new blood. The pay is not that great, but they will train you and provide visa sponsorship.

[Papa-Lazarou]

Yeah... I think I'll pass on that one

I suppose my skills include basic computer skills, some computer hardware skill, and I speak more or less fluent Japanese... which I also suppose isn't really enough to get a job with an international company without experience of some kind.

Google for outsourcing/IT support companies in Tokyo. These places tend to have a fairly high turnover so are often looking for new blood. The pay is not that great, but they will train you and provide visa sponsorship.

They also are terrible at returning emails and calls, 1 company told me outright that they prefered Indian (cheaper) workers.

Ive got an excellent background in Network Management and SQL Server, yet getting a bite is proving difficult!

[kamome]

Your best bet for getting attention from companies in Japan is to get a few years of OJT in your home country so that you have something to market yourself with. Those skills plus your Japanese should get you noticed. But if you're hired directly into those companies, watch out! Just see the quote in my sig line.

[Kanchou]

Can any of you give me an example of an IT company that give OTJ traning and operates in Japan?

I tried google (my Google-Fu is pretty good) and I couldn't find many specific things...

Out of curiosity, are there any decent-paying jobs in Japan that require some skills but not a four-year degree?

...and doesn't involve turning tricks in an alleyway/love hotel

[cstaylor]

Out of curiosity, are there any decent-paying jobs in Japan that require some skills but not a four-year degree?

No, from my limited experience.

[FG Lurker]

Out of curiosity, are there any decent-paying jobs in Japan that require some skills

It depends on your contacts and how good you are at what you do. You may have additional troubles getting a working visa without a degree though.

[kamome]

Out of curiosity, are there any decent-paying jobs in Japan that require some skills but not a four-year degree?

...and doesn't involve turning tricks in an alleyway/love hotel

Are you planning to live in Japan forever? If not (and you think you'll go back to your home country at some point) you definitely should not relocate to Japan without a degree. You will have a very difficult time repatriating yourself with nothing to show but some odd (as perceived by most employers) work experience in Japan. That's two strikes: no degree and experience abroad without complementary experience at home. You're better off waiting a few years before taking the plunge.

Edit: I bet that other FG members, like FGLurker and cstaylor, who have a long track record in Japan-based IT-related work, first developed their expertise in their home countries before taking those skills to Japan.

Am I right, guys?

[cstaylor]

Yes, I worked for eight years in Silicon Valley (born and raised) for companies like Tandem and Intel (and for some lesser known IT companies as well) before I moved to Japan. I also got a bachelors degree in computer science from San Jose State before I moved to Japan.

I can't imagine coming over here without a degree in an IT related field or some significant work experience and pulling yourself up from nothing, but IIRC that's what FGL and GG did, so YMMV (maybe I'm just a coward, but I don't like long odds).

[FG Lurker]

Edit: I bet that other FG members, like FGLurker and cstaylor, who have a long track record in Japan-based IT-related work, first developed their expertise in their home countries before taking those skills to Japan.

Am I right, guys?

Yes, that is true. I had the skills to get an IT-related job here before I came. After arriving I pissed away a couple of years learning Japanese, and then moved back into IT.

I put this in another thread somewhere but will say it again here too (too lazy to dig up the other thread!): I think IT skills transfer from country to country better than a lot of skills do. Moving from one country to another is not much different than moving from one company to another. Cisco is Cisco, SAP is SAP, Linux is Linus, and MS is MS.

[FG Lurker]

I can't imagine coming over here without a degree in an IT related field or some significant work experience and pulling yourself up from nothing, but IIRC that's what FGL and GG did, so YMMV (maybe I'm just a coward, but I don't like long odds).

Correct, I have no degree. Well, half of one, not that it matters. I had an IT background before coming to Japan, built a consulting business here, and then got hired on by another company. Left that one to join where I am now. I still do consulting on the side though, but I may be giving that up soon.

[GomiGirl]

In my case, as Japan is leading the world in my industry, my skills are very marketable when I leave. But I an unusual case.

There is the trap of falling into the black hole of Japanese corporate structure. Having experience in another country is good but you can have too much of a good thing as the skills and experience you have gained here are not really visible back in the "real world".

Make sure you choose your vocation in Japan wisely. English teaching is a good gig for a while but if you want to move away from it in the future, having 10 years of Japanese Eikawa experience on your resume isn't going to get you far unless you have also added to your skill set in some other way.

Japanese language is really only spoken in Japan except in niche areas such as tourism/translation. A few friends who have left here have found it hard to sell themselves back home. Just beware of what you are getting into.

[GomiGirl]

FWIW I have two degrees (BSc. -Chemistry, Mathematics, Biotech & B.A. - Micro Economics and Japanese) plus a grad certificate in IT business managment. Plus a few other minor qualifications.

Why I came here was the fact that I have a founding directorship in a 14 year old Japanese company - but that was a side project for me and driven by GomiBrother until I joined nearly 6 years ago now.

[cstaylor]

FWIW I have two degrees (BSc. -Chemistry, Mathematics, Biotech & B.A. - Micro Economics and Japanese) plus a grad certificate in IT business managment. Plus a few other minor qualifications.

Very impressive! I knew about the biology degree, but I didn't know about the Math degree.

Why I came here was the fact that I have a founding directorship in a 14 year old Japanese company - but that was a side project for me and driven by GomiBrother until I joined nearly 6 years ago now.

When I first read that, for some reason my brain registered dictatorship...

[Greji]

FWIW I have two degrees (BSc. -Chemistry, Mathematics, Biotech & B.A. - Micro Economics and Japanese) plus a grad certificate in IT business managment. Plus a few other minor qualifications.

Why I came here was the fact that I have a founding directorship in a 14 year old Japanese company - but that was a side project for me and driven by GomiBrother until I joined nearly 6 years ago now.

I had no idea you were so smart! I will hereby refrain from posting any more nasty remarks about you! I will just think them and tell the others behind your back.

[GomiGirl]

FWIW I have two degrees (BSc. -Chemistry, Mathematics, Biotech & B.A. - Micro Economics and Japanese) plus a grad certificate in IT business managment. Plus a few other minor qualifications.

Very impressive! I knew about the biology degree, but I didn't know about the Math degree.

Advanced calculus.. kinda useless in the "real world" unless you want to cacluate the volume of rotating quadratic equasions...

But I do know how to pass exams.. ie attend classes and do the minimum amount to answer the questions that appear on all the past exams. Promptly forgot everything at the end of exams blow-outs..

So not really impressive at all...

[cstaylor]

The two most useful math classes I took were statistics and linear algebra. In physics, kinematics was the most useful for everyday use. Not many software engineers need to calculate the power of an electrical field.

[FG Lurker]

The most useless thing I learned was Lisp, although it was interesting in a masochistic sort of way.

The most useful stuff was probably the business and accounting courses I took, although I hated them at the time.

[cstaylor]

Lisp was fun as an exercise, and some of the ideas like closures were pretty neat.

[FG Lurker]

Lisp was fun as an exercise, and some of the ideas like closures were pretty neat.

Lisp was interesting, but I have forgotten everything about it now. We had a couple of TI (I think!) machines that ran an OS programmed entirely in Lisp. Weird shit. Totally useless knowledge for me now though!

[Kanchou]

Ok, another question... if one was to go around about trying to get a job at Mitsui or another similar large company, I wonder what would be the best way to do so?

The large trading companies are fairly international afterall... or at least they do business internationally.

[Kanchou]

Hmm, well, does anyone have any info on where to look for (paid?) internships in Japan?

Preferably marketing/business administration... for undergrads?


Ah screw it, I'll just go teach English once I get my degree :P

I was hoping to spend another half a year in Japan but I can't seem to find any way to get credit for it at all, so it might not happen (waste of money, at least to my parents).