new to japan

[Taro Toporific]

[size=75]
Here's what a great expat compensation package should include:
1) Housing allowance (this does not mean you get "free" housing, but rather, your employer provides housing on your behalf and you don't get taxed on the value of that housing)]

YES Kamome! That's the list I've printed out for my "non-negotiable demands" to present at my next contract renewal.

Seriously, can you imagine the resentment such "Packages" cause at companies such as Coke Japan? "Normal" Tokyoite housing is 80,000-170,000yen/m.

Other important points are:
1. Your non-working wife is gonna hate Japan after the first few months of excitement. Expect to become divorced.
2. The "Japan trap" is a career killer as Kamome alluded to in,
"negotiate for a term contract in Japan of no more than 5 years". Japan tends to end the outside-Japan career of all FG that enter.

[Taro Toporific]

- Is it possible to buy Palm, Pocket PC and similar devices in Japan with english keys and english OS?

To contradict myself, this new Linux-based Sharp SL-C860 looks very promising with GPS card. Still the only GPS in English for Japan is for cars and keitai.

Sharp's website suggests that the device will feature English-to-Japanese and Japanese-to-English translation software along with a long list of other software. Among other cool features, the device is equipped to show MPEG-4 movies encoded and downloaded from the Galileo, Sharp's embedded Linux based personal video recorder and networking solution. It can also play MP3s and games downloaded from various Zaurus user sites, according to Sharp.

[kamome]

YES Kamome! That's the list I've printed out for my "non-negotiable demands" to present at my next contract renewal.

...

2. The "Japan trap" is a career killer as Kamome alluded to in,
"negotiate for a term contract in Japan of no more than 5 years". Japan tends to end the outside-Japan career of all FG that enter.

I've got that list memorized. Only problem is, I can't negotiate for much on that list either - like you, I'm stuck in the local hire quagmire/excuse.

And you are very perceptive in point #2. Japan is a trap and can be a career killer if you're not careful.

[GomiGirl]

The Keitai phone solution with TangoTown is grrrrreat out on the street

I know a lot of you are in the keitai business but in real life that's about as useful a moped for a gold fish. At least for reading. It might work as a phrase book, but so will a phrase book.

Reading? What do you mean? There is the largest on-line kanji dictionary (much more depth than an electronic dictionary or PDA) with multiple look-up tools for non-native speakers. Plus you can use it where-ever you are. The phrase book is just a bonus... the real value is for word and kanji look-up and translation of your emails.

[Manarak]

I have also found http://www.nord.co.jp/ on the german embassy's homepage.

Do the japanese really like Germany so much?

[AssKissinger]

I have also found http://www.nord.co.jp/ on the german embassy's homepage.

Do the japanese really like Germany so much?

Sure, that's why they fought on the same side in the war.

[Caustic Saint]

I have also found http://www.nord.co.jp/ on the german embassy's homepage.

Do the japanese really like Germany so much?

Sure, that's why they fought on the same side in the war.

Oh, please tell me I'm not the only one who actually laughed out loud at that.

[Manarak]

Well, I know plenty of historical reasons why the japanese like Germany (before the war).
What I would like to know is if it can be felt in everyday's life or not?

[Big Booger]

I have also found http://www.nord.co.jp/ on the german embassy's homepage.

Do the japanese really like Germany so much?

Sure, that's why they fought on the same side in the war.

Oh, please tell me I'm not the only one who actually laughed out loud at that.

I actually about choked on my bowl of udon when I read your response LOL

[Manarak]

Kamome

Thank you for the helpful list of things to consider.

Could you develop more on "tax return preparation" and "tax equalization"?

Do you mean that they should help with filling the tax papers and make calculations to correlate the wage to tax charge, purchasing power and exchange rates?

[Manarak]

Looks like I am on my way to become a real FG...

The contract offered is of local type (but with housing allowance and home leave as well as other things - don't know all the details yet).

So I am wondering how much a 100% coverage of health expenses will cost. How is the japanese pension plan?

[Taro Toporific]

Looks like I am on my way to become a real FG...

The contract offered is of local type (but with housing allowance and home leave as well as other things - don't know all the details yet).

So why bother to come, just to get screwed? If already have a real job in the real world and you don't speak Japanese you must really love concrete to want to come here. :P

[Manarak]

well, the real job in the real world is a problem of mine right now...

[Captain Japan]

So I am wondering how much a 100% coverage of health expenses will cost. How is the japanese pension plan?

For a foreigner, the pension plan is worth a bucket a chaw spit!! I've been thinking about how to get out of it but I can't figure it out. At the office I've got a link in English that explains the details. I'll post that tomorrow.

But as I recall...If you leave after 3 years you get some sort of pittance upon exit. But in order to collect anything beyond that you have to stay 25 damn years! So from years 3 through whenever you are just donating to the local gov. drinking binges. Unless you do indeed stay for 25 years, in which case, you will likely then have a brain equiavalent to mashed potatoes and incapable of collecting whatever it is you get anyway...right, Taro? :P

[Taro Toporific]

How is the japanese pension plan?

... Unless you do indeed stay for 25 years, in which case, you will likely then have a brain equiavalent to mashed potatoes and incapable of collecting whatever it is you get anyway...right, Taro? :P

It gets better.
Not only have I got a "brain equivalent to mashed potatoes'' but the pension plan is bankrupt on paper now and in few years it will be dead. Not that it matters because even after 25 years, alien cannot collect without perm. residence...I've been here 20+ years without given that.

[Taro Toporific]

well, the real job in the real world is a problem of mine right now...

COME ON DOWN!
Japan will be prefect for ya.
(I thought you were trashing a mid-level management career to come to Japan...a real bad move.)

[Manarak]

LOL, ok will do

Speaking about cost of living, how much are the following in Japan (I try to ask about products that hurt the purse)

- half a liter of beer from the supermarket (sapporo? - is it good?)
- a kilo of reasonable beef steak
- 1,5 Kg chicken
- 1l of mineral water (or is public services water good to drink?)

[Captain Japan]

For a foreigner, the pension plan is worth a bucket a chaw spit!! I've been thinking about how to get out of it but I can't figure it out. At the office I've got a link in English that explains the details. I'll post that tomorrow.

Ok, give this page a look. I won't bet my apato on this info but it is generally what I have heard from other sources as well.

While all attention is focused on the poor state of affairs in Japan's pension system, there is a unique problem for foreigners working in Japan that also needs to be addressed. Not many people know it, but the way the pension system is structured at the moment, foreigners living in Japan for longer than 3 years but less than 25 years, wind up paying 9% of their salary (having to be matched by their employer) into the Japanese pension system without any way to receive benefit from the contributions when they get older. Not only that, with the exception of just two countries, they can't use the Japanese contributions when they go back to their home countries.

[Big Booger]

LOL, ok will do

Speaking about cost of living, how much are the following in Japan (I try to ask about products that hurt the purse)

- half a liter of beer from the supermarket (sapporo? - is it good?)
- a kilo of reasonable beef steak
- 1,5 Kg chicken
- 1l of mineral water (or is public services water good to drink?)

SEE BELOW:
http://tanutech.com/japan/jprice.html

Meat prices have been fluctuating because of the BSE, Bird Flu etc....

[Taro Toporific]

Speaking about cost of living, how much are the following in Japan

http://tanutech.com/japan/jprice.html....

Please note many of the items on that price list are not fit for human consumption and should not be classified as "food".

Such not actually food but industrial waste items include:

JPN White Bread
Meiji Sliced Cheese (Pkg of 10 slices)
Pisswater Pilzner JPN Beer
JPN Mayonnaise
Margarine, Yukijirushi Brand. Regular Price

[Manarak]

ouch 4.60 $ for a liter of beer...

[Taro Toporific]

ouch 4.60 $ for a liter of beer...

Yeah and it's American-style pilzer piss. Real beer like Grolsch starts at least 400yen/250cc.

Me? I drink whatever Rob Pongi leaves in my fridge ((Thanks Rob & crew for the Sapporo.)) Also I use a lot of freebie beer coupons I get for the twice-a-year Oseibo and Ochujen bribes from my salesmen.

[Taro Toporific]

Ok, give this page a look..... with the exception of just two countries, they can't use the Japanese contributions when they go back to their home countries.

Just in the news...

Japan, S. Korea sign pension pact
Kyodo / Tuesday February 17, 9:44 AM
Japan and South Korea signed an agreement Tuesday to prevent double payment of pension premiums by expatriate employees of companies of both countries...
...Japan already has bilateral pension pacts with Britain and Germany, and is currently negotiating one with the United States.*
According to the health ministry, there are about 18,000 Japanese in South Korea, including expatriates, and the amount of pension premiums paid by Japanese companies in South Korea comes to some 600 million yen annually.

*{{Taro's note:This will NEVER be approved with the US because the US makes too much Social Security money from Japanese expats: For every 100 Japanese in America working, there is 1 American working in Japan}}

[Manarak]

hmm, ok looks like I will become a FG...
I got a proposal from the boss, 8 mill. and 300k/month housing. No particular pension plan or health insurance other than jap.
Key money, reloc fee paid, 1 home leave. The best hing in this offer are probably the holidays: about 25 to 30 working days)

How does that sound? Whats the diameter of the "concrete butt plug", if it is one?

Do you know how much would go for jap income&social taxes, jap pension and jap insurances (health, personal and home)?

[Taro Toporific]

Do you know how much would go for jap income&social taxes, jap pension and jap insurances (health, personal and home)?

Wild guess for a guy like you with a FG wife and FG jr.... 30% of gross income (unless you're "special" like me and get huge backbreaks). I've got no idea about the Euro-ass-end of your taxes; those Euro-taxes might bite the big Buddha.

Wha-ja-say Kamome, is that guess 'bout right?


PS: Don't take the F'ed G teasing too seriously---your contract makes you better compensated than 95% of other alien FGs here in Japan.

[GomiGirl]

I think the US is the only country that charges its citizens who are living abroad, domestic taxes.

All other countries that I know, allow their non-resident citizens to only pay the tax in the country where the money is earned. For example, I don't have to declare income earned overseas unless I bring large chunks into the country. And then, all I have to do is proove that I have paid Japanese tax.

Japanese income tax is flat - either 5% or 10% of your income. Then there is the residents tax but that only starts in your second year - not sure how much that is. You may be able to get your employer to kick in for that one instead of a bonus (which you will be taxed on - at a higher rate)

[Taro Toporific]

All other countries that I know, allow their non-resident citizens to only pay the tax in the country where the money is earned. .

I'm thinking of the dread tax nightmares of keeping 2 residences: deducting paying taxes and mortgage in Europe while maintaining a household in Japan. Ouch.

Then there is the residents tax but that only starts in your second year - not sure how much that is.

Good point. The first year is nearly a freebie for residents tax and stuff.
And your health insurance is at the lowest/min rate because it's based on your PREVIOUS year's JAPANESE income (zero). It's the SECOND year will give you a heart attack when your health insurance will skyrocket 300%+.

[Manarak]

OK, so I understand the package is OK
See you soon guys!

About the Euro income tax, dont't worry, in the whole world the rule is that salary income is taxed in the country of residence, EXCEPT for USA, which also taxes US citizens abroad.

Thank you all for your help in sorting things out - I am still a little frigthened, but that will be ok.

[Caustic Saint]

I think the US is the only country that charges its citizens who are living abroad, domestic taxes.

The rule for US citizens is that you only get taxed on income over $80,000 (or is it $70,000?) per year. If you make less than that you pay $0 in tax money. You do still have to file a return, declaring your overseas status though.

I haven't paid any US taxes since 2001.

Korean tax is very low, and you get back all of your 4.5% pension deductions (plus the matching funds your employer kicked in) when you leave. (That rule's for US and Canadian citizens only, though. Everybody else is S.O.L.)

[Manarak]

Some more questions before I sign the contract I got:

- Is the japanese health insurance system good?
Does it pay 100% of expenses, can you choose doctors and hospitals as you wish, how much does it cost? do they pay for dentist, glasses?

- I heard that public utilities are expensive - What do you pay for power, trash and water (and waste water?).

Still pondering if I should sign or not