I have a misdemeanor conviction....

[hanasims]

I have a misdemeanor conviction. Could this prevent me from working or moving to Japan with my girlfriend? It is not a drug conviction or a violent crime. It was criminal mischief. One more question. I have a Bachelor of Science degree. Can I still teach English, or do I need a B.A.? Thanks again.

[japslapper]

...conviction? probably not a problem unless your going on to JET - in which case just lie and say you dont have a conviction on the form -I think they only do a police search on a random few....I think. Anyone else know about this?

As for having a BS as opposed to BA - no different whatsoever. Actually I am not sure if anyone will agree with me but those with a computer/maths/physics speciality or mentality seem to do pick up Japanese a lot quicker than those with BA honours in french and Spanish for example - its just my observation.

Teaching in a NOVA or something. Just be breathing when you go for the interview and wear a suit. The Eikaiwa thing in Japan is really a performing monkey service. If you really want to have a good job in eikaiwa (business school etc) you need to go for a Cert,Dip or even an MA in TESL. Anyone can do these.

BTW does your GF speak good English? if so when your here with hershe will still prefer to use English - its not in your best interest - to survive you dont need it but for your mental health its vital. Tell her to speak to you in Japanese (with minimal english interuptions). Read my thread on "being French"

My first JP girl friend was a graduate of Bangor Uni in the UK. She always spoke to me in english - and I became dependant on her - not good. I dropped her for a cute Japanese korean who didnt speak any english - and my quality of life just got better. Now I am seeing a maried house wife ..but thats a different story!

Good Luck

[japslapper]

....if you wanna get an extra 1man a month working at NOVA get a TEFL cert. Try the CELTA which will cost you 1000GBP (thus take you two years to earn back from the bonus!)

[Steve Bildermann]

I have a misdemeanor conviction. Could this prevent me from working or moving to Japan with my girlfriend? It is not a drug conviction or a violent crime. It was criminal mischief. One more question. I have a Bachelor of Science degree. Can I still teach English, or do I need a B.A.? Thanks again.

No. Only a few types of criminal convictions (drugs being the major one) can be used to refuse entry.

However it is on a case by case basis. If you do get yourself into trouble in Japan *and* they do have reason to check up on you, having previous convictions would probably mean you would be held over rather released pending further action.

[Taro Toporific]

I have a misdemeanor conviction. Could this prevent me from working or moving to Japan...

No. Only a few types of criminal convictions (drugs being the major one) can be used to refuse entry.
However it is on a case by case basis. If you do get yourself into trouble in Japan *and* they do have reason to check up on you...

I agree 110% with that grrreat advice from Steve B.

As a practical matter, the folks at J-Immigration don't have any regular means of checking misdemeanor or felony convictions (aside from Interpol). There's no computer record they can check (even if they knew how to use computers, which they don't).

There are plenty of ex-felons FGs working even in the sensitive positions such as the securities industry here in Japan (JapanInc is well known as the employer of last resort for people busted for securiites fraud). A few big Japanese firms might run a background credit check via Equafax but this is rare unless you're hired outside Japan. If your credit report is really screwed up, it reveal a misdemeanor (but it should not). You might have some concern 10+ years down the road if you want to apply for a perm. visa (Green Card). Immigration MIGHT ask about it (but you can have your "record" expunged by then).

BOTTOM LINE: Don't worry 'bout it.

[GomiGirl]

Whaddja do?

[GargoyleTS]

If he says skateboarding on public property I'm leaving...

[Big Booger]

I bet he was a pot smoker.. hehehe

[Taro Toporific]

I bet he was a pot smoker.. hehehe

Upskirt a transvestite cop?

[Big Booger]

Well, is he gonna confess?

[Taro Toporific]

Well, is he gonna confess?

Criminal mischief occurs when a person knowingly damages the real or personal property of another person. Using the same dollar amounts as the crime of theft, mischief is a class 3 felony if the damage is $15,000 or more, a class 4 felony if the damage is $500 to $15,000, a class 2 misdemeanor of the damage is more than $100 to $500, and a class 3 misdemeanor of the value is less than $100.