Job Discussion Forums

[PAULH]

Work in Japan on the Working Holiday visa

It used to be fairly easy to find a job as an English teacher, but due to the large numbers of foreigners coming to Japan seeking jobs in this field, it has become quite difficult. On average, it takes newcomers about one to two months to secure a teaching position. During this time it can be quite difficult emotionally, mentally and financially. Most English schools only employ people who are university students or who possess a university or college degree of some kind. This is especially so in Tokyo. The average wage for teaching is about 3,000 yen/hour, but this can vary depending on your qualifications. There is not much demand for teachers for teachers of languages other than English.

The chances of finding a job in specialized areas such as designing, landscaping, hairdressing, etc. are quite limited. The fact that you have a specific skill or degree may have no bearing on what kind of jobs are available to you. On the other hand, manual labour work in restaurants and hotels can be quite easily obtained, especially if you have some Japanese ability, though the wages are relatively low (on par with the standard wages of young Japanese workers, i.e. ranging from 650 yen/hr to 1,000 yen/hr). Ski resort jobs are very popular amongst the Japanese as well as foreigners. These jobs are very hard to get and usually require being in the right place at the right time and a lot of luck. Modelling jobs are also available, but contrary to popular belief, they are not handed out to any and every Westerner. Experience and a portfolio are usually required. Live-in and au pair jobs are very uncommon in Japan because of limited space and the fact that most Japanese consider their homes very private.

There used to be a limit for working hours, but not now. Also you are permitted to do any type of work that you wish except to work at bars, nightclubs, hostessing/host clubs, gambling establishments or any other similar premises.

?ACCOMMODATION

The cost of living in Japan is very high. This holds true especially when it comes to accommodation. For example, in Nakano-Ku, Tokyo, the average rent for a small room with shower and toilet is 70,000 yen/m. Your initial outlay for such a flat would come to about 6 months' rent. This is calculated as follows:

(YACHIN)
One (1) month's rent.
SHIKIKIN
Deposit, refundable upon termination of the lease providing no damage has been done.

(REIKIN)
Key money' payable to the owner, is obligatory and non-refundable
Normally two (2) months' rent.

(TESURYO)
Commission' payable to the agent, is obligatory and non-refundable.
Normally one (1) month's rent.

Some places charge only one month's deposit or Shikikin and some places do not charge. Key-money or Reikin it may seem cheap but they may charge you extras when you decide to leave. It is advisable to look into the contract and understand the conditions fully before signing.

Getting your own apartment through a Japanese real estate may be difficult as a guarantor may be needed and because your stay is short. Sub-letting is prohibited and share accommodation is gradually gaining popularity but still not common amongst Japanese, as it is with foreigners. Inexpensive international boarding houses, or 'GAIJIN' houses are also an alternative (usually one month's rent deposit is required), but it is difficult to maintain any degree of privacy. Advertisements for the above types of accommodations can be found in our office and in certain English publications. Although there are very few 'Gaijin' houses outside the main city areas the rent for apartments is cheaper. Homestay accommodation is difficult to arrange in Japan, although sometimes we have a few in our office. The best and virtually the only way is through personal contacts.

Example of the costs for a 'GAIJIN' House in the Tokyo Area:

Rent(Include Utilities)

Single
55,000 yen/M 4,000 yen/W

?2,200 yen/Day

Double 82,000 yen/Month

21,000 yen/Week 3,300 yen/Day

Room

6 tatami-mats room with Air-conditioner (\100/D)
(1 tatami is 176 cm � 88 cm)

Others

TV(Bilingual), English Paper, Public Phone, Cooking Facility, Hot Shower & Bath, Washing Machine & Dryer, etc.,

INSURANCE

Travel insurance is strongly recommended, and is usually sufficient in most cases, but check the policy carefully, as sometimes work related injuries are not covered. In general, Working Holiday Makers are unable to join the Japanese National Health Insurance, but in some ward offices or city halls, Korean, French, German and U.K. citizens whose visa validity is 1 year are sometimes able to join.

Alien Registration

If you are intending to stay in Japan for more than 90 days, you must register in person at either the ward office in the ku, city hall in the shi, town hall in the cho, or village office in the mura where you are living within 90 days of your arrival in Japan. You must take your passport and two paspport-size photos of yourself. ( Alien Registration Law, Article 3, number 1 )
About two Weeks after registering, you will be given an alien registration card, or "Gaikoku-jin toroku-sho", which can be used as a means of identification in lieu of your passport. You must carry your alien registration card on you at all times. ( Alien Registration Law, Article 13, number 1 )
Note that police and immigration officers have the authority to ask to see your alien registration card at any time. ( Alien Registration Law, Article 13, number 2 )
Don't forget that if any of the details on your alien registration card
change ( e.g.address, extension of your visa etc.). You must notify the issuing office within 14 days.

More About Alien Registration Law

TAX
Working Holiday Makers are required to pay 20% income tax that will be automatically deducted from your pay check. On all purchases that you make you are also required to pay 5% consumption tax which is added to the price of the article at payment.

TIPS

Although Japanese prices and services are considered one of the highest in the world, it is not common nor custom in Japan to tip. Usually taxis, restaurants, service stations (gas stations), etc. have a service fee included in the price.

JAPANESE LANGUAGE

There is a range of Japanese language study possibilities from language exchange which are available from our office and from a few English publications. There are some free or inexpensive lessons mainly for beginners run by public institutions e.g. City Hall or Ward Office and private language schools. You can find information for these in English newspapers, magazines, City Halls or Ward offices, etc. They range from reasonable to the very expensive.

Visa

1.Visa extension (for Australians, New Zealanders and Canadians):
For Australians, New Zealanders and Canadians, and initial stay up to six months is granted. If you want to stay in Japan longer than six months, you will have to extend your visa at one of the immigration bureaus
(Nyukoku Kanri-kyoku) in Japan. You must take with you your passport and alien registration card. There will be a small extension fee. If you are not employed at that time, simply explain how you are spending your time and how you are supporting yourself. Make sure they know that you have a Working Holiday Visa. For Korean, French, German and U.K. citizens, the validity of your visa is ONE YEAR, and it cannot be extended.

2.Re-entry Permit
If you plan to leave Japan and return again before the expiration of you Working Holiday Visa, you must obtain a re-entry permit from the immigration bureau before leaving. Without this re-entry permit, your visa will automatically expire as you leave Japan and you will be unable to return on the same visa. The expiry date of your visa will not be extended to allow for the time that you have spent outside of Japan.

[ronin]

I've done a WHV and I know for a fact finding a teaching job without a degree is not that hard I've known many people who got good teaching jobs without a degree they just had their WHV with them. The reason why it is not that difficult is because there are WHV offices in Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka that will help you find work with many job posting you just have to come to Japan at the right time to find work. And those job posting are strictly for WHV visa holders, and with every job interview you go to the WHV office will give you a letter of recommendation to help you get a job giving you a leg up on the rest looking for work in Japan that is why WHV holders have an advantage over some guy with a degree that decides to come to Japan without any support from an office like the WHV offices in Japan. Here is the website below.
http://www.jawhm.or.jp/eng/

[prlester]

What if you have less than one year left on your visa, or, separately, your visa is not for teaching? Is it hard to find jobs if your visa is less than one year. Do employers not like to sponsor?

[PAULH]

[Jared]

I thought that a Working Holiday visa only lasted one year and a Canadian could only apply for it and get it once. Has there been a law change that you can now get a working holiday visa more than once in your life?

[PAULH]