Job Discussion Forums

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

What would you need in order to consider living in Japan permanently?

Obviously many stay here for spousal/family reasons, and I'm sure there are bureaucratic obstacles but aside from those type of things what would the place have to offer for you to think about making Japan your home.

For me,
1. A permanent job not necessarily (in fact not likely) in ESL, that paid at upwards of 600K/month with opportunity to make more.
2. The ability to buy a house.

Pretty simple really.

Quibby84 · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 643 Location: Japan

My entire family moves here...that would make me stay...

JaredW · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 2:27 pm Post subject:

I married a lady from Japan, but I teach in California. What would allow me to live in Japan--and I really do want to live there--is a job that pays me almost the same as I make now as a teacher in California with the benefits and the retirement package.

As it is, the only job that is in Japan that come close to that job description is working on the military bases teaching the military brats. And, I'm preparing for that by getting credentialed in more than one subject area.

The_Hanged_Man · Joined: 10 Oct 2004 Posts: 224 Location: Tbilisi, Georgia

User N. Ame · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 222 Location: Kanto

I can see one scenario which might bring me back permanently:

I win the lotto, give my Japanese wife enough cash to return to Japan and purchase (or build) a small onsen ryokan in the Nagano Alps....

JaredW · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 6:22 pm Post subject:

johanne · Joined: 18 Apr 2003 Posts: 189

Dear Jared,

I teach at an international school and if you are married to a Japanese you are just as hirable (if that's a word) as the single teachers. I came here 3 years ago with a Japanese spouse and 1 child and had 3 job offers from international schools. If I were you I wouldn't rule it out as a good possibility, assuming you have a teaching certificate which it sounds like you do.
International schools here would consider you a "local hire" if you are coming with a Japanese wife, so wouldn't pay for you airfare over or your shipping costs, but they would enroll your kids for free (or almost free - you might pay 5-10%). Depending on the school they may help you out with housing. You are an attractive prospect because you already have support from your wife for adjusting to the country and are more likely to stay long term.

Anyway, it seemed to be in my favour when I was applying so good luck. PM me if you have any specific questions.

Wasabi Bomb · Joined: 03 Jul 2007 Posts: 33 Location: Osaka, Japan

Financial stability. Basically that means at least doubling my current income of 265,000 per month, and having full medical/dental benefits and hopefully a retirement fund that my employer makes partial payments to.

Whether the doubling of my income comes from my main employer or from other sources is irrelevant to me, so I'm working on ways of doing that while still in my current position.

Odango · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Posts: 36

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Reasons to stay?

If my man, who's an IT speech specialist from Europe, could get a career foothold here.

If I could find just the right fit with a school. It seems either I have no responsibility and no say on curriculum/syllabus design and get deathly bored and despondent because I feel I'm not serving my studentsand get paid a good salary...

...or I'm a HR teacher, get great satisfaction from seeing the students progress in their subjects and grow as people and get paid peanuts.

I'm hoping my next teaching gig splits the difference. Pray for me, folks.

stuhiggers · Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 12

A pair of X-ray spectacles which had a magical microchip which would allow me to see through the clothes of every Japanese woman aged between 17 - 35 and ONLY if they were totally hot. One does have standards in these matters of course!

6810 · Joined: 16 Nov 2003 Posts: 309

Why stay in Japan?

Why not ask Bobby Ologun:

On July 26, 2007, he announced on Mezamashi TV that he had become a naturalized citizen of Japan, taking his wife's surname and becoming Bobby Konda (近田ボビー Konda Bobi)"

Still looking for a concrete English language link for this story.

sidjameson · Joined: 11 Jan 2004 Posts: 629 Location: osaka

Liz if those xray specks were available do you know what percentage of men would be wearing them?

The moon would soon be one crowded bit of real estate.

If you find Stuhiggers "offensive" then what word would you use to describe the war in Iraq or the fact that a baby dies every 6 seconds from easily preventable illnesses?

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

Mr. Kalgukshi · Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 11:43 pm Post subject:

Several Report Post complaints resulting in two off-topic postings deleted and thread locked. This will remain the case until and if there is a second try at hosting a civil and on topic discussion.