Job Discussion Forums

[Pushok]

I am thinking seriously about going to Japan with my family to work. My wife is not a native speaker, so more than likely can't find work there and we have a child (pre-school).

I have about 6 years experience, BA Hons in English, CELTA, DTEFLA and will be halfway through my MA. Does this mean I can get a good job?

Is it possible to live and enjoy life and maybe even save a little, considering all the above?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[matko]

You can get a good job. However, I hope you have a fair bit of money for start up costs. Be careful about the kind of job you choose. From the tone of your post it sounds like this will be your first time to Japan to teach. I know that many people who have families and work in Japan have either started their families here or have been here before. Culture shock can be a hard thing on an individual and I can only imagine what it would be like if I had a family to worry about as well.
There are so many variables involved. Please post more specific questions so that I, as well as others, can give you more information.
Just to give you some encouragement, it IS possible and I hope that we can help.
Look forward to hearing from you
Matko

[Glenski]

Daycares are scarce and expensive in Japan. International schools are terribly expensive.

The fact that your wife is not a native (English?) speaker isn't so important as the fact that she will still have to survive in a world of Japanese language. What were you planning on her doing? If she can teach something on her own (cooking, dancing, sewing), there may be a market for under the table income. I know someone in a similar situation who does that, and she makes about as much as her husband, but they have no kids.

As for Pushok, your qualifications are suitable for anything except full-time university work. Expect baseline salaries to be around 250,000 to 300,000 yen/month before taxes. To support a family of 3, you'll definitely have to scramble to make more money than that. Perhaps take on privates (not easy to get for a couple of months or more) or several part-time jobs teaching. That means you hardly get to see your family, but they can still eat. Consider this move SERIOUSLY.

What did you plan to do with your half-finished MA?

For what it's worth, school terms begin in April, so the ads for jobs will soon start increasing in Feb and March.

[Pushok]

Thanks for the info. so far. Sounds like it's a bit of a struggle to survive there with a family.

I can assure you that I will consider the move very seriously. As, for culture shock (and I don't want to belittle the difference between England and Japan), but I spent 5 years in Russia and almost a year in Saudi Arabia - so I know what it is.

Also, sorry Glenski, but with my 'half-finished MA' - well, I plan to finish it. You also said that I won't get uni. work. Will I be able to get uni. work with an MA and will the pay be significantly better?

However, I've seen other posts and I realise they are for single guys, but they say saving 115,000 yen out of 250,000. How does compute into a family struggling with full timetable + extra work? I would like to also say that I am not only looking for the money, but would not like to scrimp all the time I am there either.

[Sherri]

Your wife may be able to find work teaching her native language part time. She will qualify for a dependent's visa once you get a fulltime job and a sponsor.

For your child check out http://www.tokyowithkids.com/

There is a lot of information on living in Japan and Tokyo in particular with a child, pre-schools, daycare and a discussion board.

The longer you are here, the more contacts you will pick up and the better work you will find. University work tends to be the best paid but there is a lot of competition for it

[Gordon]

I also have a young family and am living in Japan. Like the other posters have said, it isn't easy to support a family here. My wife looks after our 1 year old, so it can be difficult to survive here, but possible. There are many here who do it. If you have any specific questions, please ask.

[Glenski]

Pushok,

Full-time university work requires a minimum of a master's degree plus 3 publications. Part-time work doesn't always require the publications, but the master's is still in high demand as a minimum qualification. If you can get the FT work, the pay is very good. 4-6 million yen/year.

That figure of 115,000 comes from me. I don't have figures on how much you could save from 250,000 a month if you have a family. Everyone I know who is married or who is married with kids makes more. Up here in Sapporo, many people in that situation make over 300,000 yen/month just to make ends meet. And, as I wrote earlier, all of the teachers scramble for work. Daytime classes plus several nighttime privates really tires one out with all of the travel. People hardly get to see their spouses or children.

[Lucy Snow]

Think seriously about what your wife is going to do while you're scrambling to earn enough money to feed them.

It can be very isolating for a mother at home, with a child, if she doesn't speak Japanese, or if she isn't meeting other mothers who speak her language.

If you're going to do this move, try to live in an area where it'll be easy for her to connect with other women.

Part-time university work pays pretty well, but I spent a lot of time on trains getting from one place to another. And I had a lot of homework to look over every week.

[chi-chi]

I don't know if you're also willing to consider other countries, but it sounds like you may have an easier time of it (with a family) in Korea.
I've never been to Japan, but a couple at my Korean school brought their children with them (they are home-schooled.)
I only recommend Korea in this situation because of the very low start-up costs (free airfare and housing), and I know that would probably help if you have children.
Good luck.

[scot47]

My feeling is that it is easier in Saudi Arabia for families than in Japan.
You write that you did "almost a year in Saudi Arabia" If you could not endure KSA I am not sure about betting on your chances in Nippon.

[The_Prodiigy]

[drifter13]

You'd definately want to find a job that is going to pay you at least 300,000 a month, otherwise things would be very hard for your family. As others have said, a good amount of savings will help you start up here, I brought about 2 grand with me, but I came alone and didn't make any really big expenses. I would make sure you locked in a job before you even think of coming over, now is definately not the time to to come over and look around for work on the fly, much less with a family. How good is your Japanese? Being able to speak will definately help the job process. Research is going to be key, so look around as much as you can and start contacting employers and asking questions. Also, try and keep an open mind for other countries in Asia, many of which have a lot higher demand for workers right now, and lower costs of living.

[Glenski]

Do you realize you're responding to a 4-year-old thread?

[drifter13]

[G Cthulhu]