Fed up with base life and the SOFA ball and chain.

[oyajikun]

I want out!! Three years ago I came to Japan on a 90 day tourist passport stamp to visit friends I had know when living in Misawa some years back as a kid. After a few weeks in Tokyo I decided to look for work, playing with the idea of staying. By chance one of my freinds knew someone on Yokota Airbase that was able to give me a job that offered SOFA sponsorship. I jumped at the chance believing that this was the was forward. ERRR..

Let me tell you , this is not what I planned on at all.. It's like I'm not even in Japan. The military mentality, the surrounding areas and the security issues have just got my head down in a serious way..

Last week I ran into a Canadian "English Teacher" that told me about how he was hired by a school and given a working visa, only to quit a couple of months later, getting to keep the visa that was good for 3 years!

I was so envious of his freedom to do what ever he wanted in Japan for three years!

I have been wanting to pursue a career in skateboarding here since arriving. I have the skill and I know all the people to do it, but because of the risks involved with losing my SOFA status if I ever lost my job and getting sent back to the states, I never have.

Maybe I should just submit and marry a Japanese girl?

[American Oyaji]

I've been on the SOFA thing too. As an airman AND a civilian.

I don't know what your living conditions are, whether you are living on the base or not.

I was working at Misawa Air Base, but LIVED in Hachinohe. I drove back and forth to Misawa everyday. I had SOFA status, but it was just a job and since I was married at the time, it wasn't a big issue for me if I lost my job.

But in general, what I've heard is that life is easier up north because the cost of living is a bit cheaper and you can get a decently large place for reasonable amount of money. That makes the military BS a little easier to take.

See if you can get a transfer up north or down south. A change of venue might alleviate some of your problems.

[oyajikun]

I lived in Misawa as a dependant, so back then I didn't have to worry about anything. I would like to make it back up there someday. Hachinohe is my favorite place in Japan. I've been in Tokyo now for 3 years and still have not had the chance to go up there and visit my old friends in Hach.

What years were you there?

[American Oyaji]

I was there from 1992-2000

[Kurofune]

I was stationed at Yokota for three years and have lived on the economy for five. Both situations have their good and bad points. If you'd like, we can chat on MSN Messenger about it. Let me know.