Job Discussion Forums

[bluetortilla]

Does anyone know of a source (in Japanese) that details the obstacles Western English teachers face here when trying to pursue a career in Japan? Also should be included the fact, with the exception of a few talented entrepreneurs, that pursuing a career in a Japanese company is equally difficult. I am trying to get a Master's Degree in TESOL now and move my family out of here. However, none of my Japanese in-laws are sympathetic with my plans and seem to think that if I just worked harder (earning wages cheaper than when I came here nearly 20 years ago), everything will be fine. I'd like to give them some literature that shows otherwise.

Thanks,

Philip

[Chris21]

Do you speak perfect Japanese? If you don't, the obstacles you face should be pretty obvious.

[markle]

[bluetortilla]

Wow. Sensitive responses. Well, I've passed the 日本語能力試験一球(does that read in your browser?) so I must know something of the language. Been here nearly 20 years to boot...

I don't think it's a matter of assumption that just because you're a Westerner you're rich. I think they just DON'T GET IT. Japanese can be myopic in that way: 'hatarakerba ii,' 'daijoubu,daijoubu,' 'ganbareba ii,' 'bochi bochi yatte ikou,' 'nantoka naru sa.' Well, I got jack, no savings, no pension, no future, two children who I want to take back to America, and a wife who's irate day and night cause there's no money!

And you're wrong: I've seen anit-discriminatory literature out there before. Mostly to discourage racism towards Asian workers. I'm just as ignorant as you guys. Maybe some gaijin or sympathetic wife of a gaijin has posted something in Japanese on the net. It was at least worth asking. If you don't know, why reply?

I'll try to find something.

Philip

[Chris21]

Not to sound unsympathetic, but with level 1 Japanese, you should have more options than many foreigners in Japan. Perhaps you should consider moving to a place that has more jobs for fluent foreigners, like Tokyo or Osaka? If it's teaching that you're interested in, you're going to need at least a MA to get something good. But if you're interested in a Japanese company, I've known people working in Tokyo IT and Finance companies, with only their Japanese ability as a decent qualification.

[bluetortilla]

Chris, you're a wonder.

Yes, my best friend is an IT guy and a millionaire here in Japan. We went to school together in Tokyo. Only problem is that I'm inept at business, a scholar who just wants to ponder languages in a small city like Chiang Mai or even smaller like Udonthani. Lol.

What I mean is that some people just aren't cut out for that sort of thing, you know? God knows I love my friend but I could never do what he does. I have a hard enough time negotiating a translation!

Teaching and studying is what I love.

Philip

[Apsara]

Never mind, seems like I still can't get kanji into my posts...

[Glenski]

[J.]

If you're wife isn't presently working outside your home, then one way to (almost) double your income is to ask her to take a job. That might improve her sense of happiness as she will be directly contributing to the family finances.

I doubt that the in-laws will be swayed by literature about discrimination in jobs here, and probably they don't care. Likely they are just concerned to keep you and their daughter ( and grandchildren if any) close by, so no matter what you say to them they won't give you a reasoned response.

You would probably do better to talk with your wife about moving countries, and get her agreement to that. If she agrees you can go ahead no matter what the in-laws say. Alternatively you could all stay here and she could get a job.

If she already has work, then ask her to get a better job with more pay. The difficulties facing most women here in advancing in employment are similar to those faced by "foreign" employees. She might be able to understand the problem based on such an analogy, and actually feel the problem based on experience in the work culture.

[bluetortilla]

Well, I've done a lot of things, including a stint at Sophia University for two years. My first 10 years was mostly regular eikaiwa and I was absorbed in self-study, but then I started my own school. For the first five years I did really well and bought a condo (technically my father in law's). Then business soured so I ordered a bunch of marketing books and tried everything. Been in the doldrums ever since although still better off than an eikaiwa job. As for a pension, I'm not saving anything at all as it is though I make 3-400000 a month. Do you people have children with college funds and condo payments?

Where does this extra money come from? I do translations, private lessons, proofreading...intermittent and doesn't seem to add up to a whole lot, though it helps. Fake priest? No offense, but no thanks for me. I have good friends who have done it but boy does that ever sound tacky.

Point is, there isn't much 'real' work here is there? Not a whole of prospect for a nice 'ripe old age.' When I'm 65 a quarter of the population will be over 65 too. After 40 you really start to feel it. Japan, unless you have excellent business skills, is for the young.

As for my wife, she refuses to get a job and refuses to leave the country. And sadly, I don't think we're going to last much longer.

Philip

[markle]

This going to sound really obnoxious but it needs saying.
Grow some 'nads dude.

You've been here for 20 odd years and all you have to show for it is a condo (you technically don't own) and an eikawa that is going nowhere.
My advice (take it I'm not using it):
1. Give the wife a choice: get a job or come with you to the States. Both of these are problematic for her but then nothing is easy. Should this become a problem...
2. Get lawyered up, so you can at least get some access to your kids when you and the wife go Splitsville.
3. Unless the inlaws are going to support the family they can butt out. If they are getting to the wife against you refer to 2.
4. If you want to faff around being "a scholar who just wants to ponder languages in a small city like Chiang Mai or even smaller like Udonthani."
then do it, you can make a meagre but comfortable living, don't know about college funds though.

[bluetortilla]

Not obnoxious at all Markle. Hits the nail right on the head.

[bluetortilla]

Oh but! A caveat and be warned all. I delved into investigating visitation rights and even if you get them your ex can make extremely difficult for you to see your kids if she wants. I know a brah now who hasn't seen his three year old in eight months even though visitation was part of the divorce agreement and the ex wife has been issued two court orders to let him see his son. He's still fighting. Some people's advice is NEVER get divorced in Japan. You can make it really hard for your spouse to divorce you (unless she forges documents) by submitting a certain form (forget the name) every six months.

Anyway, divorce in Japan is all about blood lines, and whoever has custody technically has the right to make all the decisions about visitation.

Philip

[markle]

I can empathise, I find myself in a similar situation, luckily with a wife that is part of the solution not the problem.
Still I need to keep the courage of my convictions to get myself (and mine) to a better place, no-one else is going to take me (or you) there.

Now before I really start talking like a self-help guru, I'll shut up.

Oops posted after the divorce post... yes I really don't envy you that.

[Glenski]

My wife has worked, but not since she got pregnant. That means since our kid is almost 4, I have been the sole breadwinner. She wants to work, but there is nothing here for her.

As for kids college funds, we just started our kid's own bank account.

Pension funds. I'll be just as obnoxious as markle and say you have been extremely foolish. You could have been putting into the pension fund all this time and you blew it. Any reason why you didn't sign up for it (or why your wife didn't push you for it, especially with kids in the family)? Seems rather narrow-minded on both your parts.

So, you own your own business, do outside projects, and despite not putting into a pension plan, you still can't save a penny? Where the heck does your money go? My wife is very conscious about saving, and although we eat well, she does a great job of shopping for sales at the supermarkets. We only eat out once a month, too. How about you guys?

Mentioning the wedding priest thing was just an option. I know one guy who does it, and I have your feelings. Not my bag, but I felt it was still something to mention because it is fairly lucrative.

My own freelance proofreading deserves a kick in the pants. I have 2 steady customers right now, but I could get more easily enough if I advertise. What's your situation?

One more brow-beating, as I see you can take it. You make only 300,000 to 400,000 a month after being here 20 years?! Get with it! I am not a millionaire but I started pulling in more than that after far less time.

Ditch the marketing books and start figuring out how to actually SAVE money. Coupons and point cards don't hurt, but they won't pad the bank account. Someone is going to have to do a lot more work or a lot better work. I don't know Fukuoka, but I've heard it is pretty poor for job prospects. You shouldn't let that deter you. How far away is Kurume University?

Headed for divorce city? Get your act together now! Friend of mine was here as long as you, had 2 kids, and they are on their way out, too. Know what he's living like now? Got a 1-room apartment and is in the red because of payments he is making to his wife and kids. No way to live, and unless you wise up, that's what is going to happen to you.

Do you have a spouse visa, or have you even had the smarts to get permanent resident status? Without PR, you are going to be up a creek without a paddle should divorce actually take place. No spouse. No spouse visa. I hope you have PR.