Job Discussion Forums

mrichardson · Joined: 09 Dec 2005 Posts: 9

Thank you for all the good comments. It certainly is helpful to get feedback from people who have worked in Japan. My friend has invited me to stay as she loves the country but was looking for some company this year as she has lost 2 family members within a 6 month period. She makes very good money but of course, I would contribute what I could to household expenses. She claims that her co-workers dependent made $4000 per month doing private tutoring. I would prefer to have a teaching job that provided a private apartment but again I have not found a company that will hire someone with a dependent. Obviously, for many good reasons as some of you have mentioned. We may just have to go for a visit but wanted to explore the idea.

kitano · Joined: 18 Nov 2004 Posts: 86

Why dont you try doing a cultural visa? The most obvious route would be to study Japanese full time. In reality you can go to school and still teach in the evenings and weekends for a few hours and make enough to live on especially if you can live with your friend for minimal money. If you apply you have to prove you have enough money to live on etc up front but then living with your friend for free would be a real plus on your visa application. The base would likely have more reasonable daycare than a regular Japanese town. It is worth looking into if you really want to come.

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

abufletcher · Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2006 9:19 pm Post subject:

Everest · Joined: 07 Jan 2006 Posts: 195 Location: Shenzhen

You clearly have your heart set on Japan - in which I briefly worked and generally liked - but have you ever considered China? I make about 15000RMB a month here (with some private work thrown in). That's about 210,000JPY, not much below what you'd make working in Gifu or Nagoya or wherever.

Furthermore, your accomodation in China is included with your contract and is usually very good (Mine is currently a brand new apartment in a gated compound). Yes, Japan is more sophisticated in so many ways, but is also much, much more expensive. Don't necessarily believe all the hype you read about how backward China is. It's changing - fast - particularly in the south. I live in Shenzhen which I think is a far nicer city than say, Seoul, though perhaps not as well endowed as say, Tokyo. Having said that, my wife and I and our baby daughter enjoy a fantastic standard of living here. Just a thought. Good luck with everything.

Rorschach · Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Posts: 130 Location: Osaka

If I had to bring a four year old with me to China I would be worried about them all the time. I've read reports of young kids being snatched over there being a common occurance.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

mrichardson · Joined: 09 Dec 2005 Posts: 9

This is what NOVA had to say when I asked about dependents...

Dear Melanie,

Thank you for your email and interest in Nova Corporation. You are receiving this e-mail as you have asked specifically about partners and/or dependants.

What if I would like to apply with my partner?
Partners are encouraged to apply together and can be housed together. Accommodation cannot be arranged for partners who do not arrive in Japan on the same date. It is possible to have at least one day off together. This needs to be discussed at the interview stage.

I have a non-Nova partner or dependants. Will this affect my application?
No not at all. You may need to do a little more research when applying for the position. The salary is usually considered to be insufficient to support another adult. International school tuition is not affordable on the Nova salary. In Japan there are very few childcare facilities, especially during the hours that Nova operates. The accommodation options are limited to accommodation arranged through a private real estate company, which may affect placement.

What type of accommodation does Nova arrange?
Nova arranges accommodation in semi-furnished share apartments or guesthouses. All accommodation has single occupancy rooms with shared common facilities. Average size rooms in Japan are 4 to 6 �tatami mats� (a tatami mat measures 1.76 by 0.88 meters). Accommodation details (exact rent; share details; furnishings; address; etc) are sent to recruits approximately 2-3 weeks before arrival in Japan. Employment contracts are separate from rental contracts. As long as certain conditions are met, recruits may move out of the arranged accommodation.

What type of visa would need to be arranged?
Applicants from the US are generally limited to Sponsored positions. Visas for Flexi-schedule, i.e. �Working Holiday Visas,� are not available for US citizens.

For Sponsored Visas: Nova Corporation sponsors recruits and organises a work visa. Applicants need to meet the criteria set by the Japanese Government for this visa. This requires applicants to have completed a Bachelor Degree in any discipline. A dependant visa can be arranged before departure once a work visa has been granted. A dependant visa allows the dependant to work a maximum of 20hr/wk after successfully obtaining a letter of permission to work from the immigration department in Japan. This can only be obtained in Japan.

earthmonkey · Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 188 Location: Meguro-Ku Tokyo

Nova's response translated to English:

NO.

mrichardson · Joined: 09 Dec 2005 Posts: 9

Exactly! Well, I will just have to support my friend from afar and plan a short trip this summer to Tokyo. I may work on my teaching certificate this year which would open other possibilities next year, like working for the DOD. Thank you, Melanie

Rikki · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 8

Have you considered working in an international preschool/ kindergarten? Your child could attend the school you work at, likely for a discounted rate. You might need a degree in Early Childhood Education, but some seem to be willing to take native speakers who love children.

mrichardson · Joined: 09 Dec 2005 Posts: 9

Yes, that is what I am looking into next. I believe my friend will be leaving Tokyo after a year and probably state side by then but the way my friends like to travel... I have one teaching (with a degree) in Kuwait (loves it) and one who will be in London next year so, it is something to consider. I was a Realtor for 4 years when I suddenly became guardian of 3 children. I found it difficult to manage that career and children. I got a job with the State for the schedule, steady paycheck and benefits. I have gotten into the swing of motherhood and am ready to get back to a career I can enjoy. I thought teaching abroad might give me an idea of what teaching here would be like while supporting a friend. I need to get some more information about teaching here because the pay seems very low but with benefits and time off, it might even out.

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

mrichardson · Joined: 09 Dec 2005 Posts: 9

Yes, if I do the "fast track" to Teacher Certification here, I will be able to teach and go to class at the same time and take the test after 1 year. Evidently, this will allow more opportunities to teach in actual schools on or off base in other countries. There would certainly be more opportunities to have my 4 year old in the same class that I am teaching.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Int'l schools usually want about 3 years of teaching experience in your home country, not someone fresh from teacher training. Japan is also more selective than many other countries when it comes to int'l school hiring.