In Japan?

[Cit Phil Cit]

So, who is in Japan, working, right now? I have a cousin living there, living by the skin of his teeth I might add, trying to teach English. It's pretty rough over there right now, as I understand it for that sort of work. Is there anyone there right now who might be able to help out or throw work his way?

I'd appreciate any help, he's a good guy - got his degree at the University of Toronto and with what little money he had - flew off to Japan to chase his dreams and has been trying to get by the last few months. I know he is close to Tokyo and could really use the work.

Please, let me know.

[Generation ABXY]

Even if it has never been of much use to anyone at CoG, I usually do well with this sort of thing...however, I don't live in Japan (and don't know much about it). Still, I’d be happy to keep an eye out, just in case none of the local CoGers come through. What sort of pay is he looking for?

[Cit Phil Cit]

Ideally it is teaching English to start, but from what he says - anything that pays regular so he doesn't go through what money he has - quite as fast as he is, would be great.

[Chris_D]

He should find it easy to get work that pays about 200,000 to 250,000 yen a month. The problem might be whether he can manage living comfortably on that, especially in Tokyo. I mean, it is totally doable, but if you are used to the comforts of home and find yourself buying tons of imported foods (like decent cheeses) then the money will go fast. Similarly, if you have trouble grocery shopping and cooking for yourself, then you'll be forced to eat out, and again go through a lot of money. And finally, another problem for newcomers is that you will feel the urge to get in on social circles, especially with other foreigners. This can lead to all night drinking, at least 1-2 nights a week, $100 a night. Take that over a month and thats about a 3rd of your income already, just on bars.

Regarding work so far, if you could give me some idea of the jobs he is getting, how he is job hunting etc. I might be able to come up with some ideas. If you could tell me whether he has any ESL teaching qualifications and / or experience, that would help too. Also, what's his visa status?

[LiquidRain]

Chris_D to the rescuuuuuuuue!

(I'm only visiting Japan in 2 weeks, not living there)

[Cit Phil Cit]

He should find it easy to get work that pays about 200,000 to 250,000 yen a month. The problem might be whether he can manage living comfortably on that, especially in Tokyo. I mean, it is totally doable, but if you are used to the comforts of home and find yourself buying tons of imported foods (like decent cheeses) then the money will go fast. Similarly, if you have trouble grocery shopping and cooking for yourself, then you'll be forced to eat out, and again go through a lot of money. And finally, another problem for newcomers is that you will feel the urge to get in on social circles, especially with other foreigners. This can lead to all night drinking, at least 1-2 nights a week, $100 a night. Take that over a month and thats about a 3rd of your income already, just on bars.

Regarding work so far, if you could give me some idea of the jobs he is getting, how he is job hunting etc. I might be able to come up with some ideas. If you could tell me whether he has any ESL teaching qualifications and / or experience, that would help too. Also, what's his visa status?


I'll try and get the specific details from him. To Facebook! I know he has an official working visa, but not sure for how long. And he lives very frugally ;)

[NoName]

Chris_D to the rescuuuuuuuue!

(I'm only visiting Japan in 2 weeks, not living there)

This, except I'm visiting Japan in 4 weeks.

I guess it's a good time to fly to Japan? :)

[LiquidRain]

Not really... there's not many (or any!) festivals, and the weather's getting a bit chilly in places. It is, however, cheap because it's low tourist season, and it's still warmer than up here in Canada. :)

[MagGnome]

I would love to visit Japan someday. I hope your friend finds a good job!

[Spigot]

He could move out to the country and get a job at Junes. I hear they had an opening recently after a few foggy days... :)

Seriously though, I hope Chris can help out your cousin.

[Chris_D]

Autumn leaf season starts around mid November, most notably the red maple trees, but also gingko trees are popular (yellow). Coming from Australia, I find it beautiful but somehow my Canadian coworkers don't seem impressed :p.

[Spigot]

Autumn leaf season starts around mid November, most notably the red maple trees, but also gingko trees are popular (yellow). Coming from Australia, I find it beautiful but somehow my Canadian coworkers don't seem impressed :p.Yeah, I could see that being the case :) We're a jaded bunch when it comes to the changing of the colours.

[Chris_D]

I'll try and get the specific details from him. To Facebook! I know he has an official working visa, but not sure for how long. And he lives very frugally ;)

If you could ask how he got his visa, I'd be curious. Usually, you have to get your working visa applied for and approved before you come over here to find a job, so does that mean he initially had a job organised but maybe something didn't work out?

Btw, holy blog post resurrection Batman!

Something About Japan - Fall Leaves (http://bit.ly/41TDGT)

[LiquidRain]

Yeah, that's.. just another day in Canada (http://z.about.com/d/gocanada/1/0/G/6/-/-/cape_breton_foliage.JPG) in the fall. :) Actually I'd say ours are more spectacular. (what I'd really like to see is cherry blossom season, which is something you get in Canada only in/around Vancouver)

[Cit Phil Cit]

If you could ask how he got his visa, I'd be curious. Usually, you have to get your working visa applied for and approved before you come over here to find a job, so does that mean he initially had a job organised but maybe something didn't work out?

Btw, holy blog post resurrection Batman!

Something About Japan - Fall Leaves (http://bit.ly/41TDGT)

He previously stayed with a family in Japan for his University language course, and has likely spent over 8 months in the country in the last 2-3 years studying. I imagine he arranged his working visa previously, but I'm not sure.

I was thinking of the Alphaville song when I made the subject.

mXPUkrz7Uow

[Xerxes]

Stripping. He could be a call boy!

[Chris_D]

Oh yeah? Has he taken the JLPT and what level has he passed?

[MagGnome]

We are missing out on the fall colors around here thanks to the crummy weather. :(

[Cit Phil Cit]

Oh yeah? Has he taken the JLPT and what level has he passed?

He says:

I`m working at a business English school teaching company employees, at a children`s English school teaching kids aged 3-8, and teaching private lessons at cafes. No ESL qualifications, but I have about 1 year man-to-man ESL experience, and I was a philosophy teaching assistant at a university for 1 year. I passed JLPT level 2 last year. Working holiday visa.

So, a bit of experience.

[Chris_D]

Oh, his working holiday visa is his biggest problem. He needs a full time working visa for most companies to consider him (this is different from a decade or so ago). All his other stuff is in (very) good shape.

What he needs to do is trawl the classifieds for job ads that offer visa sponsorship. In my area there's the little free newspaper, which covers Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto etc. When I've looked in there, there are nearly always a few jobs that offer visa sponsorship. Usually as Assistant Language Teachers at schools. I'm not sure what best way places to check in Tokyo are, but he could start by asking co workers at his various jobs or at the local international center (the ones that help out new immigrants, has free Japanese lessons etc.).

The lack of ESL qualifications is not a big deal, maybe a few university positions require it (many of those are getting out sourced anyway these days). One big English conversation school that I know of, Berlitz, does require TESL.

One he finds a job at a company or school willing to sponsor him and gets accepted, he will need to leave the country to do the visa application (these are the strict rules, no applying for a working visa from within Japan, something about not encouraging illegal migrants). Ducking over to South Korea or somewhere is usually adequate for this. Ideally, he will get a visa for 3 years at best, 1 year at worst. If 3 years, then he'll be very well set up. 1 year may put some more pressure on him to either stick with the same company or find another company that will sponsor his visa extension.

In the long run, you can actually self sponsor, you just need to be able to show a pattern of regular income, I heard it's something like 170,000 a month.

Anyway, once you get your working visa you can stick with the company that sponsors you for however long your conscience dictates. You don't lose your working visa, even if you quit the job at the company that sponsored you.

Having JLTP 2 is great, it's the minimum level to be able to apply for most jobs outside the field of teaching, and may also help get some university level teaching positions. I predict a bright future!

[Lon Lon Rabbit]

Where in japan is he, too?

My cousin is here in Tokyo right now and it took him a couple months, but he found good work there just through craigslist believe it or not. He was even here on a holiday visa and somehow managed to get it converted with the help of his employers.

He had zero teaching experience before, let alone toefl/tesl qualifications.

Seconding the Tokyo is stupid expensive sentiments... I pay half as much as my cousin per
month to live down here and my place is twice as big/nice.

EDIT: well this post is worthless after Chris D's far more comprehensive one!

Best of luck to your friend.

[Chris_D]

Hah, I don't think so, also, good to get multiple opinions I think.

[Chris_D]

Here's 3 job ads I pulled from the Kansai scene (free classifieds mag). None of them are particularly super duper but they all offer visa sponsorship, which can be your first step to getting a "real" job. I'd say if he's really stuck for something he should look into applying to these kinds of ads. Hope it helps!


EPION, Kids English school
29 hours/week for FT, visa sponsor ship available.
¥200,000 starting.
http://epion.mabuchi.co.jp/english/

FT/PT adults/kids teachers needed in Shiga, near Yamashina,Kyoto.
Training and visa sponsor provided.
F/T - ¥240,000 + transport
Send resume with photo and 2 business references to:
kansailoveryeikaiwa@yahoo.com

FT English teacher wanted in Nishinomiya ASAP.
Training and visa sponsorship provided. Send resume to:
teacheikaiwa@gmail.com