Job Discussion Forums

[saint_moi]

Hey all,

I geuss this is directed at all those who frequent this forum and whom are currently working in Japan as EFL teachers and can point me in the right direction, or throw any advice my way.

I'm teachin in Korea at the mo and I'd like a change of scenery so I'm super keen to try Japan. Frankly, bein here in Korea has been pretty hassle free and it wasn't difficult to set myself up here. I've heard the oppesite of doing the same in Japan.

One question first in this thread, and I implore of you all that you don't take it the wrong way as I'm a young lad still and I'm saving to go back to Uni so cash and saving as much as I can to acheive what I need to is high up on my priorities, what is the pay Really like there? In Korea due to my diligence I have a pretty tight schedule set up with super students and it's quite possible for me to save about 2,3mil Yen towards Uni tuition. Is this possible in Japan as I've heard it's Super expensive over there. Just a Q, that's all.

Would love to shoot some after I get some replies. Regards and thanks in advance.

The saint

[foster]

The average wage in Japan is minimum 250,000Yen per month, however, some people have reported a change in the number.

rent can be anywhere from 30,000Yen a month if you are sharing to as high as you want. Depending on your lifestyle, you can save quite a bit there.

[homersimpson]

Without much effort you should be able to save U.S.$1,000 a month in Japan. Many things can alter that projection, however, including rent, entertainment, food, etc. I have been able to save $1,000 a month since leaving the Tokyo area. (Main reasons: no need to use trains/subways, no high-priced foreign restaurants like TGI Friday's, less opportunity to spend on dating women, etc.) Of course not all reasons could be considered positive.

[Kestrel]

It's worth noting that if, as your post implies, you don't yet have a university degree, you may well find jobs to be pretty tough to get over here.

[whatthefunk]

[Gordon]

He probably has a degree, as Korea has the same policy as Japan regarding degrees being a necessity for work visas.

[Glenski]

[Glenski]

By the way, saving US$1000 a month is fairly high in estimation, in my opinion. It really varies a lot on many factors, as written in this forum's FAQ.

Rent may be anywhere from 30,000 to 125,000 yen/month. Average is 50,000 - 70,000.

Entertainment varies tremendously and can cost 30,000 - 50,000 per month just for moderate drinking twice a week.

Groceries are equally variable. 25,000-50,000 per month.

I wouldn't say $1000 is out of the question, but I'd shoot more for $500-700.

[saint_moi]

Allow me to qaush the rumours developing. Quite obviously I have a degree, along with TEFL qaulifications and endorsements.

Well, in my opinion $1000 a month saving isn't exactly fantastic. I work a tight busy schedule that is pretty unique and takes some hard work to put together. It's possible to save that much without too much effort where I already am. I was looking to better it in Japan along with a change of atmosphere.


Any further input would be grand.

[Gordon]

You won't do better in Japan than what you're getting now in Korea. It's a lot harder to get set up and jobs don't fall on your lap like they do in Korea.

[tjpnz2000]

Answering what you asked.

I make about 260,000 a month. If I really try hard and I can save 100.000 a month. If I want to have fun I can easily blow the lot.

Japan is not expensive, untill you walk out the door. There is not much to do that interests me and doesn't involve spending large amounts of money.

It's up to you.

T

[whatthefunk]

I know you can get more for privates in Korea. I never taught any myself, but had several friends who were getting about 40,000 won per lesson in Korea. The going rate around here seems to be 20,000 - 30,000 won.
As far as regular jobs Id say that if you can find one that will pay your rent and give you 250,000 yen per month youd be set. Otherwise youd be saving about the same as in Korea. Or if you can get your visa and work a few different part time jobs you could do better I imagine.

[chi-chi]

Doing privates in Korea is taking a risk, immigration here is quite Nazi-Like...without doing privates the money is quite good. However, I have learned the lesson that some things in life are not worth any amount of money, so I am leaving Korea.
See you guys soon!
Chi-Chi

[homersimpson]

I suppose I should qualify my $1,000 estimate. When I was living in Tokyo, I saved no where near that amount. Since arriving in my "almost-in-the-sticks" current locale, I can easily save $1,000.

[whatthefunk]