Job Discussion Forums

[SunShan]

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[Mr_Monkey]

I can't advise you on tattoos, but you're eligible for a working holiday visa, which will get you into the country without a sponsor, so to speak.

You can come in and pound the ground in your area.

[nightsintodreams]

I have a tattoo on my right calf and I've taught in Japan for three years with no problems... But (and this is a big but) I've kept it secret from everyone ive worked with. Japan is terribly old fashioned when it comes to tattoos, and I fear that if you can't cover it then you won't be able to find a job.

About one year ago a Japanese teacher in Osaka was found to have a tattoo, it was in national newspapers and he had to make a public apology and promise to get it removed. I hope this puts things in perspective for you.

[RollingStone]

[nightsintodreams]

As a guy who's lived in Japan for three years with a tattoo, I'm well aware of the reasons for tattoos being taboo in Japan. I stand by the use of the phrase 'old fashioned'.

Were things not the same in the UK 50 years ago? Tattoos were the territory of prisoners, convicts, military and sailors, right? A well educated middle/upper class person wouldnt have dreamed of putting ink to their skin, but now people from all walks of life have them.

Japan is going the same way; many of the youth are now getting tattoos and they are slowly becoming less of a taboo. I'd imagine that in another generation or two, they'll be viewed in the same way as in most of the west.

Hence why I used the phrase 'old fashioned'.

Anyway, right now they are still frowned upon. Konami sports gyms are one example of place that prohibits people with tattoos. But if you cover up then there's no problem.

Never get a tattoo that can't be covered by a suit. Isn't that one of the golden rules in life?

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

A young foreigner with a single tattoo who is otherwise a friendly person normally won't have many problems outside of maybe not being allowed in onsens and possibly hotels if it were visible. But tattoo sleeves are another matter. Covering up with long sleeves just isn't a good solution because of the heat during summer (it wouldn't just be during work- it would be all the time that you weren't in your apartment including on your day off etc). Even if you could somehow manage it, it would honestly look a bit strange like you were hiding something and with the one on your neck visible there would be nothing you could do about it other than keep a gauze bandage over it at all times.

Honestly, if you've described your situation accurately , then yeah, that alone probably got you denied from JET and you honestly would look like a yakuza member to **most** Japanese people because that is what many of them look like- not just a single tattoo but a substantial percentage of their body covered. I guess maybe they just start with one, though. But it may be a really BIG one.

[steki47]

Back in summer 2012, Osaka was in the news due to an incident in which school employees "admitted to having tattoos". That may help to illustrate the negativity towards ink. Here's more info:

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120626004417.htm

Another telling quote:

[Pitarou]

For what it's worth, I've known a couple of guys with tattooed arms who work as direct hire ALTs. However:

1. They make make sure the tattoos are never seen by a parent, student, or city employee. In summer months, they cover their forearms with tubular gauzes. What they are hiding is understood, but I think the fact that they go to the trouble despite the heat is recognised.

2. The city hires about 50 ALTs but makes minimal recruitment efforts, so they can't be nearly as choosy as, say, an agency that recruits overseas.

[SunShan]

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[Mr_Monkey]

[Pitarou]

[surendra]

As one person said, make sure tattoos can be covered. If it is ABLE to be seen, it WILL be seen by the kids/students. Therefore, your neck/high back tattoo might literally be a deal breaker for Japan and Korea. China might be ok with it as you said you want to be in Beijing, but I can't imagine you having first choice on jobs.

I'd imagine when you have to explain that one tattoo, recruiters will be a little off put. And if you lie, then you will probably get fired IF someone sees it AND cares.

[RollingStone]

[hagiwaramai]

Well, it's old-fashioned for westerners in the sense that that's what the attitude used to be in the west and has now changed, which is simply what old-fashioned means. I wouldn't say it's like saying cars are old-fashioned, it's like saying the horse and cart is an old-fashioned method of transport, which it is for most people but not for some countries or cultures that still use it.

I don't know if it is changing that much in Japan though. If you're western you can have a tattoo and most people won't bat an eyelid apart from at work or some onsen maybe, but that's like lots of things in Japan where foreigners have long been able to get away with doing things Japanese can't, and I don't know of one Japanese friend who's got a tattoo, including loads who've lived overseas for long periods. I haven't gone round checking if they're got any though.

Another small problem in Japan is that most western style tats for guys are way too aggressive for male Japanese style. A celtic band, forearm tat, or whatever, doesn't fit in with what Japanese guys go for generally.

[kah5217]

A few tattoos here and there are easily overlooked in the hiring process, but a full sleeve is going to get you labeled as "one of those nice guys" and the companies might not want to take a gamble on you. Look for direct hire and eikaiwa jobs since those don't put as much emphasis on the role model part of the job.