As a FG or as a Nihonjin?

[Bucky]

Son #1 has decided that it is time to head to Japan and seek fame and fortune. Or so he thinks.

He is 23, soon to be 24. Totally bi-lingual AND still has both US and Japanese citizenship and passports. He has a BA in Economics from the University of Washington. For the past 18 months he as been working at the Bank of America biding his time while he looked for a better job. He has not been successful in locating something he felt was better than the bank job so he decided to go to Tokyo and see what he could find.

My question is, what thoughts to do folks have regarding how he should approach entry into and seeking work in Japan? He thinks he wants to enter Japan on his Japanese passport so he does not have any visa issues.

I think he may be better off approaching Japan as a gaijin, look for a job and get a visa as a FG.

I have some concern that if he tries to enter Japan with his Japanese passport that it may draw scrutiny as it will show no endorsements for leaving Japan, entering the US or staying in the US. I guess he could renounce his US citizenship but I think it is worthwhile for him to hold on to it.

On the work side, language is not a problem and I would think more jobs would be a open to someone who did not need support for a visa.

[kusai Jijii]

My guess is that he'll make more cash on a juicy 'ex-pat package' (if he can land one). Me thinks he should try to sell himself as a FG with native level Japanese skills.

[kamome]

Son #1 has decided that it is time to head to Japan and seek fame and fortune. Or so he thinks.

He is 23, soon to be 24. Totally bi-lingual AND still has both US and Japanese citizenship and passports. He has a BA in Economics from the University of Washington. For the past 18 months he as been working at the Bank of America biding his time while he looked for a better job. He has not been successful in locating something he felt was better than the bank job so he decided to go to Tokyo and see what he could find.

My question is, what thoughts to do folks have regarding how he should approach entry into and seeking work in Japan? He thinks he wants to enter Japan on his Japanese passport so he does not have any visa issues.

I think he may be better off approaching Japan as a gaijin, look for a job and get a visa as a FG.

I have some concern that if he tries to enter Japan with his Japanese passport that it may draw scrutiny as it will show no endorsements for leaving Japan, entering the US or staying in the US. I guess he could renounce his US citizenship but I think it is worthwhile for him to hold on to it.

On the work side, language is not a problem and I would think more jobs would be a open to someone who did not need support for a visa.

If his banking experience is something that he can leverage, maybe he should see if Citibank Japan is hiring?

[omae mona]

If his banking experience is something that he can leverage, maybe he should see if Citibank Japan is hiring?

Can I add to the list Merrill Lynch? Since it is going to be part of Bank Of America in a few months, this might just turn out to be an inter-departmental transfer for your son. Merrill still has nice shiny offices in Nihonbashi, and as far as I know they are planning to keep them around.

The big problem: timing. The chances that firms are sending expats to Japan in these economic and market conditions are very slim. Your son may find a lot more choices if he waits until things simmer down. In particular, Merrill is undergoing job cuts as a result of the merger. But if he can find a company to send him over with expat benefits, it's a very cushy way to get to Japan. I think working with his current employer might be a good opportunity, if he can wait.

[halfnip]

As someone who was in this EXACT same position, it really depends. Is your son's name exactly the same on both passports? If they are, I really do not see an issue with him having no record of leaving Japan on his Japanese passport. He can always say that he left on his US passport and that's why the stamp is not there (providing he left on his US passport prior to the 20 year old rule)---he can then say he has since renounced his US citizenship or whatever. The point here to remember is that they cannot MAKE your son give up his US citizenship---they can make his life hell by bugging him with petty shit like a missing stamp, but they can't literally take away his passport right on the spot.

Coming on his Japanese passport does give him the advantage of not needing a Visa, which may or may not be an issue. My view is you can be seen as a Japanese (because he would be "Japanese" officially) who speaks English or an FG who speaks Japanese (but would need a Visa as he would be hired as an FG). To me, it seemed to open up the business relationship a lot more because the Japanese were more casual and open to speaking to an FG who spoke Japanese vs. a Japanese FG hapa who spoke Japanese---it would really confuse them. I don't know--maybe it was all a mental thing, but I really think things became easier once I switched over to FG status vs. being on my Japanese name/passport.

Now I'm just babbling... But my advice is to do it right the first time. Otherwise if he ends up getting married, etc. on his Japanese passport, he'll have to make some tough decisions QUICK. He should enter on his Japanese passport, sniff around for jobs, ask about support for a Visa, get a feel for the market and if he finds that companies are willing to take him on as a local instead of an FG, make the decision then. If he finds someone who's willing to take him on as an FG after he works as a local for a period of time, he can always leave and then re-enter on his US passport with his Visa...

Shit, now immigration is gonna end up calling my arse!

[Greji]

Coming on his Japanese passport does give him the advantage of not needing a Visa, which may or may not be an issue.

First off, if he is hired in Japan, his status or visa will not particularly effect his job. It is just that he won't need a visa from the company. He can be hired either as a FG or J-person.

As far as Japanese employment with a J-company, they are going to be wanting him to stay to retirement as a sei-shokuin, so PR or citizenship is considered. If it is hakken, or any type of part time, the passport won't matter as long as it is a work permissable status.

As far as ex-pat packages, at the middle management and lower level it's hard to get a "good" package in country. Most people receive the offer in their home area, because part of the beni's are the enticement to go to the country to work.

They do exist locally, but are not readily available.

Since he doesn't know for sure how long or where he will be going, I highly recommend he use his J-passport. It is the most flexible for that situation.

[GomiGirl]

As a dual citizen (not Japan) I would say that use the passport for the country that you are in. Just makes it easier. Then let him blow them away with his English skills and cross cultural awareness.

I think that a japanese person with an understanding of the US culture and language is more valuable in japan than an American with an understanding of Japanese language and culture. See what I mean?

At the end of the day, a company in Japan is really wanting Japanese workers IMHO. The fact that he has education and language skills is a super duper bonus that he can use for leverage.

Ditto the Merrill Lynch recomendation.

[American Oyaji]

I think that there is potential to make quite a haul if successful if he goes the FG route, but it's risky.

I'd think it'd be far safer and more secure in the long run to be Japanese.

[Samurai_Jerk]

I'd advise he stay in the States a bit longer and build up some more skills before he comes. The job market is pretty shitty right now.

[Tommybar]

BoA exists here in Japan on the U.S. bases. I know the Yokota office is hiring.

[Bucky]

I think son #1 has gotten a little impatient. He has done quite a bit of job hunting, attended job fairs, even gone so far as to interview in NY. Some things you have to learn and experience yourself.

I appreciate all of your suggestions and observations and I am passing them along to him. He is kinda following in my footsteps as I moved to Japan at 24 myself. Of course the '80's were far different than times today.

Halfnip, thanks for your perspective. It sounds like you have been there, done that and he would be wise to consider your post.

[Bucky]

UPDATE

Well son #1 made it to Aunt Naoko's house in Setagaya ku and has been looking for work.

After some stops and starts he applied at Costco in Kawasaki.

"When can you start?" they asked him. So right now he is at the returns desk at the Kawasaki Costco.

Now from what he tells me he is working 40 hours a week and is still considered Aribito.

Can anyone tell me about the Aribito vs. Full Time employment? I imagine different companies have different set-ups, but is there any employment law that deals with hours worked and a threshold for crossing over to become a full-time employee?

Oh, I forgot, it's Japan. Employment law??? Is that an oxymoron.

[Bucky]

Son #1 has a job learning how to trade currency for an outfit call Yamane Pepon. A starter job in the world of high finance, I guess. He has rented an apartment will need some essentials such as a refrigerator.

It seems that there are sayonara sales with folks looking to unload decent refrigerators, but he has no way to transport a used one to his new apartment in Ikejiri Ohashi.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how he might buy one of these used refrigerators and get it from point A to point B? I told him to as the folks selling them if they could help him move it.

[Samurai_Jerk]

Son #1 has a job learning how to trade currency for an outfit call Yamane Pepon. A starter job in the world of high finance, I guess. He has rented an apartment will need some essentials such as a refrigerator.

It seems that there are sayonara sales with folks looking to unload decent refrigerators, but he has no way to transport a used one to his new apartment in Ikejiri Ohashi.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how he might buy one of these used refrigerators and get it from point A to point B? I told him to as the folks selling them if they could help him move it.

He could hire a mover or buy a fridge from his neighborhood "recycle shop" which will probably deliver for free.