Job Discussion Forums

Alex_Ander · Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2012 5:23 pm Post subject: Changes since 5 years ago.

Hi guys,

I used to live in Japan five years ago and I am returning now. I am wondering how life in Japan is different now from then (aside from the yen).

Thanks!

timothypfox · Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 492

No, not much at all really.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

What exactly do you want to know? "Life" covers such a wide ground.

Visa matters have changed.
Salaries for teachers have generally done down.
Dispatch companies have grown.
JET has shrunk.
Schools and universities have shut down or merged.
The market is far tighter in practically all sectors.

There will soon be a rise in sales tax.
Gas prices have gone up.

Alex_Ander · Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2012 12:58 am Post subject:

timothypfox · Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 492

If you have enough work, the standard of living is about the same.

mitsui · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki

The strength of the yen is positive if you want to exchange money in Japan.

Other things aren't good. The earthquake last year. People are still living in temporary housing.

Relations with China, Korea, and Taiwan aren't good.

Pitarou · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 1116 Location: Narita, Japan

While Glenski's gloomy summary is not inaccurate, the overall standard of living is still pretty much the same. I don't encounter teachers saying, "Boy, I wish I'd left Japan five years ago when life was still good."

I suspect that Japan has become a poorer deal relative to other countries, but that is more a matter of other countries' improvement rather than Japan's decline. For instance, I was recently talking to a teacher who got a job offer from China. He tells me that, while the salary is significantly lower than he's getting now in Japan, when he factors in the lower living costs, free accommodation, plane ticket and so on, China looks like a better deal.

If you're thinking about the long-term, the trend is one of gentle decline. There is also a significant chance that the yen will be devalued sharply in years to come, unless the government can free itself from political paralysis and get to grip with the budget deficit. But if you're thinking about the long-term, Japan has never been a great prospect for English teachers: the career structure is pretty flat. My understanding is that a highly experienced, highly qualified teacher earns a surprisingly small premium over a young backpacker doing his first eikaiwa gig.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Pitarou · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 1116 Location: Narita, Japan

jmatt · Joined: 29 Apr 2012 Posts: 122

While the info was gleaned mainly from job posts on this site, as well as the TESOL.org website, and mostly concerned with eikaiwa style jobs, I was a little surprised that salaries have gone down, if anything, in the last five to ten years. I'd have thought that with the implosion of NOVA and exodus of the "just doing it for the CV/quick money" set, as well as the earthquake/nuclear situation, demand would outstrip supply. Guess not.