Job Discussion Forums

[cheryl]

Hi everyone,

i was accepted to go to Japan with the JET program. I'll be leaving in july. My boyfriend has proposed and i don't know whether it'd be a good idea to marry and go to japan together. We'd like to go together but if i can't support both of us on my salary, and if he can't get a job, then we'll just have to "buck up" and wait. Can anyone shed light on what we should do? Can two people live comfortably on an ALT's salary? Can my b/f find work? How difficult would that be?

Here's some information about him. His first language is Spanish, and he has an accent. He's from Argentina, has a degree in biology and chemistry, has experience teaching in univerisities (but not languages), and is not a citizen or landed immigrant of any english speaking country. Could he find a job teaching spanish? or Tutoring? how prevalent are spanish tutors? He's fluent in English but i get the impression that people are prejudiced against 'native speakers'. Any information or opinions would be welcomed!

thanks,
cheryl

[azarashi sushi]

If you lived in the country and had cheapish rent, then your salary would probably be enough for the both of you to live on. You wouldn't really be able to travel though... and your boyfriend would probably go insane from boredom.

In Tokyo, on the odd occaision I see ads for Spanish teachers... but in general there is very little work teaching Spanish.

Good luck anyway.

A.S.

[Glenski]

If you get married, he could come to Japan on a dependent visa as long as you hold a full-time job. If you are not married, he would have to take his chances with getting a visa, and I suggest contacting his embassy to see what his options are.

Your salary is going to be 3.6 million yen/year, or 300,000 yen/month before taxes. If you figure 50,000 yen is an average rent (quite a variable figure because we don't know where you are going to be posted), 15,000 yen/month for utilities, 30,000 yen/month for groceries, 5000 yen/month for basic phone service (no calls, just service), then you have 200,000 yen/month for insurance, restaurants, sightseeing, replacement clothing, travel, souvenirs, paying off your credit cards and loans back home, long distance and local calls, Internet use, reading material, etc. and emergencies. This might sound like a lot of money to some, but it goes fast, and on a normal single person's budget and lifestyle, you should expect to have US$500 a month (perhaps double that with a JET salary) left over to pay your loans and credit cards as well as to save. I'd say it'd be rather tight for 2 people.

Flamenco is rather popular in Japan. Can he teach that?
I'd say forget teaching any science classes unless he's fluent in Japanese. He might land work as a private tutor for Spanish, but how long he can stay depends on what kind of visa he can get. This is the primary focus I suggest you look into. Visa.

[cheryl]

Thanks for both your responses,

it sounds like my b/f won't be able to find work, and i'd hate for him to die of boredom for the sake of our relationship.

Glenski: i was more worried about how our situation would be once we got to japan since he'd have a spouse visa. it never occured to us to go together without being married. Sounds like i'll just have to go on my own. Thanks for your monthly breakdown.

Cheryl

[ESLMaster]

You may be able to get by, depends on where you are! and if you aim to save. If NOT, then yes, it IS enough for two...I know a few married JETs in that situation.

If I were him, I'd try to get a job with NOVA, AEON or any of those other private English schools. Not for a career or for the love of the job, since it seems that NO ONE does, but just to keep from being bored and to make a few more pennies.

Japan (outside of Tokyo and Osaka) is actually quite boring to some people. Travel is expensive, the environment is a dull, dark gray/green/brown for 70% of the year due to cold temperatures and then vibrant and humid for the other 30%... As with most places, you'll have to find a hobby or some type of activity, but alas, in JAPAN being able to afford hobbies is a luxury in itself. I was/AM dissapointed in this too... dance classes, language classes, martial arts, cooking classes, everything costs...and in Japan, when something costs, it REALLY COSTS!!! haha!

Bottom line, having a few extra bucks, no matter how you get them, is ALWAYS the best way to go in Japan.

[PAULH]

Cheryl

You won't have a spouse visa- As you are both foreign nationals you will have a working visa and if he gets work on his own with a degree he can get a work visa.

He may also come on a dependents visa, as a spouse of a foreign national. A spouse visa is for those who are married to JAPANESE, not foreigners. There are restrictions on the number of hours a dependent may work so it may pay to take this into account.

Another aspect you will have to consider is that taxes are quite steep on secondary income, so if you are working full-time and he earns more that 1 million yen a year or about 80,000 yen, you will be hit for higher taxes. Many women who quit their jobs or become pregnant etc work part time and earn under the limit to avoid their spouse paying extra taxes. Work any more than this amount and it becomes self-defeating to work for extra money. Much better if he can try and get a job using his own sponsored work visa IMO.

[Glenski]

ESL Master,

It looks as if you have a serious bone to pick about Japan. Why is that?

As for your comment about "everything costs"...

[Guest]

Doesn't NOVA employ native Spanish speakers to teach Spanish? I could be wrong but I thought NOVA offered more languages than just English.

[ESLMaster]

Oh Glenski...

Well DUH!!! OF COURSE, anyone can be bored anywhere! How BRILLIANT of Glenski to point that out for us all�