Job Discussion Forums

[NoosaBill]

I am exploring the possibility of doing short term work (i.e. a couple of weeks to a couple of months) in Japan. I am an American attorney and will be assisting Japanese law students, lawyers and businessmen/women with their Legal English skills. There are obvious visa problems with doing this. Does anyone have any personal experience or know of anyone with personal experience in getting a short term (possibly with multiple entries) work visa for Japan? Any experience in getting help form the Japanese Consulate in the US?

I am not doing this to generate a great deal of income, just to interact with the culture more and possibly cover some travel expenses.

Any thoughts would be most appreciated.

Bill

[Gordon]

Are you coming to Japan to work with a particular group? If so, could they sponsor you to get the work visa? Otherwise, you'll be teaching illegally.

[Glenski]

You can check here for visa information, but it doesn't look good.http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/


I would be equally concerned about communicating, especially with such technical language. How are your Japanese skills?



Here are more links for more web sites. I have no idea if the info you need is in there, but give them a shot.
http://www.virginia.edu/iso/ic/library/Work/workres.html
http://www.escapeartist.com/transitions_abroad/Short_Term_Work_Resources.html
http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/1580084494/250-1473174-8519405
www.jobsinjapan.com
http://www.jlaa.or.jp/index_e.html
http://www.romingerlegal.com/japan.htm
http://www.tabunka.org/newsletter/legal.html

[NoosaBill]

Thanks for the info. Based on the lack of responses, I assume there are not many people doing this. I will probably focus on using my law license to gain entry. Oddly enough, being a lawyer often allows me to work in places that English teachers cannot. For example, even though I don't have an EU passport, by jumping through a few hoops I can get the right to work and live in England by qualifying as a "Foreign Legal Consultant". I noted that Japan has a Visa category for Legal Professionals so I will pursue that area. As for my Japanese skills, they are non-existent. However, I have done this in the past as a favor to foreign lawyer friends (in Paris and Eastern Europe), and since all of the students already have advanced English skills, I don't feel that my lack of Japanese will be a problem. I even hesitate to call what I do English language training, since it is more American legal terminology, how to review or draft a contract (i.e. putting in all the "whereas and wherefors" that we lawyers love), etc.

Thanks for the help.

[Glenski]