Job Discussion Forums

[jabberjaw]

Hello. I am an American with a B.A. in French, 6 years experience teaching English abroad (2 of which were in Korea) and no TEFL/TESOL certs or teaching license. I've never taught in Japan before but am thinking about making the move. I've heard horror stories about the cost of living in Japan. I'm interested in medium sized cities like Fukuoka and Osaka. What kind of pay could I get in places like that? I'm pretty frugal. (In Korea I saved about 1100 USD per month on a 2 million won salary with housing provided but I had to pay utilities). How much money can I expect to save in a medium sized Japanese city? Thanks.

[Hoser]

Where are you thinking of working? University? Eikaiwa? High school?

[Glenski]

With a B.A., he's not going to find work in a university.

High school is possible, but probably only through a dispatch agency.

Eikaiwa is the most likely job. That and ALTs in HS pay roughly 250,000 yen/month. Figure half of that goes to basic necessities, so deal with the rest as you will.

Of course, you could be really frugal and save more and spend less. Depends on circumstances. I'm giving you average numbers.

Have you looked at the "cheapskates" thread or the FAQs?

[Miyazaki]

[GIR]

[jabberjaw]

Well, I've spent the last two years in Saudi Arabia and have saved 93% of the money paid out to me by my employer. I'd say I'm pretty frugal. However, food is cheap here (about $2.66 a meal) and housing, utilities, furniture, satellite TV, a company car and gasoline, and two flights home a year were all provided by my employer. My only costs really were food, about $60 a month for Internet and $26 a month for my cell phone costs and then just whatever I felt like spending money on. My biggest vices have been chocolate, ice cream, and soda which have cost me $60 a month. There's nothing to do in Saudi Arabia, so there is less temptation. Saving money has been nice but the boredom, (not to mention the incompetence, sloth, and corruption of the locals) has not been. Plus, in Saudi Arabia you have to drive to get anywhere and the locals drive like madmen on crack and the traffic was horrible where I lived. That shouldn't be a problem in Japan with the developed mass transit system (I won't have to drive) but I'm sure transporation costs will be high.

In Korea I went out two or three times a week and had a lot of fun. I'd spend about $200 a month on beer (about 10 to 15 beers a week), about 90 on gas, electricity and water, 36 for the Internet, and about 30 for my cell phone. That came out to $356. I must have spent $1000 on start up costs/furniture and electronic products for my apartment. That would average $83 a month. I took my time and shopped around for good deals. Food and transportation probably hurt me the most. Food is more expensive in Korea than Saudi Arabia. I'd say it's 50% more expensive.

Thanks for the info about Osaka. I only ever spent a day there, so I didn't know. I did really like the vibe of the place though. From what I've seen of Tokyo on TV I would feel swallowed up in that city. Maybe Fukuoka would be more up my alley. I take it that it is cheaper than Osaka? What are some cities that are comparable to Fukuoka in population density.

Thank you for the responses.

[Glenski]

[Mapleblondie]

Glenski, I think you are right on the money as to the liklihood of getting a fulltime uni job in Japan. I am a certified teacher but without a masters degree or a PHD, the chances of being hired are quite slim. Even asa part-time prof at a university, the positions typically have MANY applicants--most of whom are overly qualified for the job. Other countries like Korea and China seem to be a fair bit easier in terms of getting university jobs. So, if that is one's aim, perhaps those would be better countries to look at for employment. Still, it's not IMPOSSIBLE to get a job at a Japanese university. It DOES happen sometimes (though quite rarely, and often through personal connections).

[GIR]

[Mapleblondie]

I loved teikikens when I lived in Japan before! It was great to know I only had to buy other cards for odd trips to Osaka with my friends. And as for rent prices, Nishinomiya is a smaller city than Osaka but it is DEFINITELY NOT cheap for rent. It is more expensive than a lot of other places, as it is fairly affluent in a number of areas. I guess if depends if you get lucky enough to find one of the mashions typically rented out to students because those are a fair bit cheaper...but otherwise, the rent there is not that great. I LOVE Nishinomiya and Takarazuka though...I wish ECC would place me there. Unfortunately, I won't find out my specific placement or housing until much closer to when I leave in September.

[Caliroll]

Not really sure why uni posts were even brought up. The OP simply asked about salaries. With the qualifications stated, the options are either an ALT-type job or working in an eikaiwa (and Westgate placements on university campuses are included in the latter)

So for those types of jobs the OP can expect anywhere from 230-280,000yen a month.

[Glenski]

[jabberjaw]

By the way, I was offered a job in Yokosuka a few weeks ago that paid $42,500 a year. Housing and relocation were not provided. I asked some friends about the cost of living there who are former US military. Two of them said they had been stationed there and the housing was expensive. They made it sound like it costs $2000 a month just to rent a 700 sq foot apartment. Is that correct? How much would an apartment that size cost in that area? Then, how much money would I be out once I cheaply and stingily furnished the place?