What job should I try for in Japan?

[Doctor Stop]

Who here can probably speak the most Japanese?

Jack.

[Tsuru]

Oh yeah, no doubt. Ask him anything.

[Sideshow]

Alright. I'm on my phone and can't multiquote, so I'll go from memory to respond. I want to go to Japan for many reasons. I enjoy the culture. It'd be an experience to start over. I want to learn the customs and culture. Also, I'm not too much of a fan of the location I'm currently in (Tennessee). I'm surrounded by racist rednecks. I'm pretty sure I don't want to live anywhere in North America. I've learned a couple of language basics, but no European countries interest me. There's war in the middle east so that's out. China is communist, don't know/like anything about Korea. I do enjoy most Japanese things. Not blue hair, otaku like them. Seems like the best spot. Also, I've researched for months. Now all I really need is further help from people like you who already live there. That's why I read this board before posting.

To the non teachers (most of you, surprisingly enough to me) how'd you end up in your current field?

[Typhoon]

Alright. I'm on my phone and can't multiquote, so I'll go from memory to respond. I want to go to Japan for many reasons. I enjoy the culture. It'd be an experience to start over. I want to learn the customs and culture. Also, I'm not too much of a fan of the location I'm currently in (Tennessee). I'm surrounded by racist rednecks. I'm pretty sure I don't want to live anywhere in North America. I've learned a couple of language basics, but no European countries interest me. There's war in the middle east so that's out. China is communist, don't know/like anything about Korea. I do enjoy most Japanese things. Not blue hair, otaku like them. Seems like the best spot. Also, I've researched for months. Now all I really need is further help from people like you who already live there. That's why I read this board before posting.

Why not Canada?
Large asian populations in very multicultural Vancouver, Toronto, etc., with few rednecks.
Better career opportunities and you already speak English.

[ChargerCarl]

But their milk comes in bags.

[Typhoon]

But their milk comes in bags.

True . . .



. . . but I could get used to it.

[Sideshow]

Why not Canada?
Large asian populations in very multicultural Vancouver, Toronto, etc., with few rednecks.
Better career opportunities and you already speak English.

Cold weather and everything is spaced out if you don't live in a big city. Trust me, Canada would be a fallback option if Japan didn't work out, but I'd prefer Japan.

[Yokohammer]

OK Sideshow. Seems like you're being honest so here's my honest response.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm guessing you haven't been to Japan yet? If that's the case, and if you can swing it financially, I would strongly suggest that you visit and just hang out for a while to check out the situation first-hand before committing to employment. You might be able to make some useful contacts that way too.

As others have pointed out, your opportunities for well-paying employment with a future are probably much better in the US at the moment, and that initial period right out of college is important for finding and getting essential basic experience in that job. Any time you spend in Japan in a short-term job that you might take just for the sake of being here will probably only hamper your opportunities back home later. Especially if you end up teaching English (that's not in any way meant to denigrate English teaching as a profession, it's just that having taught English in Japan is not going to be a plus on your resume back home).

It might be better to scout for a job with an American or Japanese company in the US that works with Japan in some capacity, with the ultimate goal of positioning yourself to get sent over here. If you're really into challenges you could start up your own company and establish some kind of trade relationship with Japan, and then use that as your ticket.

Having said all that, if you're determined to come to Japan to work and don't give a damn about the consequences for your future back in the west, then just take any job you can find and take it from there. Just be warned that it'll probably be tough to make a decent life for yourself.

Oh, and by the way, there is racism in Japan too. It's just more insidious and not as in-yer-face as it is in US. In some ways that makes it even harder to deal with.

There is no Shangri-La. You'll have to work damn hard to make it what you want it to be.

Best of luck!

[Sideshow]

Thanks for your response. I hope to visit Japan for the first time either thanksgiving week or early next year. That brings up another question. For a week long trip what'd be my cheapest route? As of now, I'm using cheaptickets.com and it'll be around $1900 for flight and a week stay in Tokyo close to imperial palace. Where should I visit and is that the cheapest way?

[pheyton]

Dude, tons of old school hotels in Minami Senju. I suggest staying there and using the money you save for Soap Land or the likes.

[Greji]

how'd you end up in your current field?

Any other questions?

[Samurai_Jerk]

Thanks for your response. I hope to visit Japan for the first time either thanksgiving week or early next year. That brings up another question. For a week long trip what'd be my cheapest route? As of now, I'm using cheaptickets.com and it'll be around $1900 for flight and a week stay in Tokyo close to imperial palace. Where should I visit and is that the cheapest way?

There are also plenty of cheap guest houses near Asakusa. Probably more fun for a young guy traveling alone too as you'll meet plenty of backbacker types.

[Iraira]

There are also plenty of cheap guest houses near Asakusa. Probably more fun for a young guy traveling alone too as you'll meet plenty of barebacker types.

FTFY

[Doctor Stop]

There are also plenty of cheap guest houses near Asakusa. Probably more fun for a young gay traveling alone too as you'll meet plenty of barebacker types.

FTFY.

[Sideshow]

FTFY?

[Samurai_Jerk]

FTFY?

Ever hear of Google?

[Greji]

FTFY

There's also Brokebackcho in Shinjuku 2 Chome.....

[Mike Oxlong]

$1900 return US<->post-apocalyptic Japan sounds steep, but what do I know...

[cstaylor]

There's also Brokebackcho in Shinjuku 2 Chome.....

Which ties in well with Doctor Stop's job suggestion...

[Sideshow]

Ever hear of Google?

A time or two, but only in passing. I assumed it was an inside FG joke which is why I asked.

[Samurai_Jerk]

A time or two, but only in passing. I assumed it was an inside FG joke which is why I asked.

There you go again making assumptions. You know what they say about assuming, right?

[nottu]

[Sideshow]

I'm not seeking a job. I'm seeking job advice.

[Taro Toporific]

I'm not seeking a job. I'm seeking job advice.

"Job advice"??
Avoid Japan (and Korea, China, Thailand, etc. are even worse).

[Iraira]

"Job advice"??
Avoid Japan (and Korea, China, Thailand, etc. are even worse).

You had to mention "Korea". Now you know some uzai roo-person will soon launch into a scud-like rant against Korea.

[Coligny]

You had to mention "Korea". Now you know some uzai roo-person will soon launch into a scud-like rant against Korea.

Dood please, that would be a Nodong or a Hwasong...

[matsuki]

You had to mention "Korea". Now you know some uzai roo-person will soon launch into a scud-like rant against Korea.

Ugh, someone change that guys user name.

[Mike Oxlong]

Ugh, someone change that guys user name.

Yeah, noticed you use "roo" in your Youtube handle...

[IparryU]

A time or two, but only in passing. I assumed it was an inside FG joke which is why I asked.

ok man here you go:
FTFY

[Dreamy_Peach]

I would say that coming to Japan with that level of experience would be straight to English teaching.

Assume that Japan's labour market is in general pretty closed to all skill/experience levels outside of that area.

Whatever your degree/field, trying to get into a Japanese company, while not impossible and unheard of, is a virtual wall. Whether you'd want to actually enter such a company - and if you live here you will look at the recruitment season as one of the most fearful if you care about Japan's future and the future generation. But typically you would need to show some kind of familiarity/experience of living in Japan.

Anyway, after a couple of years teaching English you might want to change your career. In most cases you'll end up doing headhunting. That seems to be the natural progression.

Check the Expats in Japan group on Linked-In. There's a lot of discussion there about careers etc in Japan. Mostly you will end up disappointed at the lack of opportunities; you might even sense some frustration.