Job Discussion Forums

lupin71 · Joined: 22 Apr 2004 Posts: 13 Location: Vancouver

Hello everybody.

This is my first post so my apologies for the length of it.

I have procrastinated for quite some time about whether I should take the plunge and teach in Japan. The ironic thing about it is I have admired and adored numerous aspects of the Japanese culture for years. I really can't say why it has taken so long for me to finally decide to come, but I will be later this year on a WHV.

I am a 30 year old Canadian. I have a 2 year degree from a college, and although I don't have a university degree I have completed the first two years of both a business and a political science degree. I realize I don't qualify for a work visa with my qualifications.

My main worry is this. I will absolutely love teaching and being in Japan but due to not fullfilling visa requirements be forced to leave after only a year. I know I haven't set foot in the country yet and my attitude and feelings may change once I do. But to be honest with all the research I have done and talking to friends and relatives who have been and are still there, I don't think I will be disappointed with my experience.

I hardly doubt I am or have been the only one in this situation. So my question to you all is this.

Short of marrying a citizen is there any way a person can qualify for a work visa to extend their stay? Would the Japanese government look favourably on someone who shows a genuine interest in the country, its culture, people , language, etc...

I have many goals besides earning money I would like to accomplish before leaving Japan.

Thanks to any info, advice anyone has to offer.

Best wishes,

L 71

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

My only advice would be to complete your degree, if it means that much to you. Come on out on the WHV and see what Japan is like, it may not be as great as you think it will be. I know there will be aspects of this culture that you won't admire and adore.
However, I actually like Japan more than I thought I would, but my hopes weren't as high as yours seem to be.

AgentMulderUK · Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2004 7:22 am Post subject: Re: wanting to stay

lupin71 · Joined: 22 Apr 2004 Posts: 13 Location: Vancouver

Gordon thanks for your reply
Very Happy

A friend of mine who has married a japanese woman and hasa daughter has filled me in on the glass ceiling he has and will continue to experience. So to an extent I'm aware of the dark side of living in Japan and dealing with their way of thinking at times. I realize it's up to me to adapt to living there not the other way around.

As far as finishing the degree, it's just not going to happen, at least not right now. I'm focused squarely on spending the next year and hopefully longer in Japan.

lupin71 · Joined: 22 Apr 2004 Posts: 13 Location: Vancouver

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

lupin,

You can spend 2 years finishing your degree, or you can spend 3 years working full-time in Canada doing ESL (if anyone will hire you), and then come here without a degree and try to get a work visa with those 3 years if experience under your belt. Those are the 2 ways to get a work visa.

Spouse visa makes you eligible for any jobs. It doesn't necessarily mean employers will hire you if you don't have a degree.

Have you considered doing a cultural visa and trying to get those 3 years of experience that way?

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Glenski,
Are you saying you can get a work visa without a degree, just 3 yrs of teaching experience?

BenJ · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 209 Location: Nagoya

To back up Glenski's comment, my partner is currently in the process of getting a work visa with 3 years of Childcare experience and a 1 year diploma.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

Humanities visa

The applicant must fulfill the following conditions. However, these conditions shall not apply in cases where the applicant plans to engage in work involving proxy duties in procedures relating to international arbitration cases as designated in Article 58-2 of the Foreign Lawyer's Law (Law No. 66 of 1986).
1. When planning to engage in work requiring knowledge in the humanities, the applicant must have acquired the relevant knowledge by graduating from college majoring in a subject relevant to the knowledge required for performing the work concerned, or by receiving an equivalent or higher level of education, or by accumulating at least 10 years of practical experience in the planned work (including the period of time spent majoring in a subject related to the required knowledge at college, "Koto senmongakko", senior high school, the latter half of unified secondary school, or during specialized course of study at an advanced vocational school ("Senshugakko")).
2. When planning to engage in work requiring specific ways of thought or sensitivity based on experience with foreign culture, the applicant must fulfill the following conditions:

a. The applicant is to engage in translation, interpretation, language instruction, public relations, advertising, overseas transactions, fashion or interior design, product development, or other similar work.
b. The applicant must have at least 3 years of experience in work relating to the relevant job. However, this does not apply if the applicant has graduated from college and is planning to engage in work involving translation, interpreting, or language instruction.

3. The applicant should receive no less salary than a Japanese national would receive for comparable work.

lupin71 · Joined: 22 Apr 2004 Posts: 13 Location: Vancouver

Thankyou all for your advice and input.

Glenski: It never occured to me to look into a cultural visa since most of my time would be spent working but if it's an option I'll certainly look into it.

[quote="PAULH"]
You would be amazed at some of the guys who manage to 'catch' women here. Seems to go with the territory. Especially if you are on a decent income, have a decent paying job e.g. at a university or a high school.

My married friend over there has told me all his friends who have come to Japan have met fallen in love and married or had a serious relationship with a Japanese man/woman. He doesn't think I'd be any different, and if it happens great. What I was getting at was I didn't want to marry someone just to stay in the country. As for your reading suggestion, I read it a couple years ago. Very interesting. Another book people might be interested in for a bit of insight into the Japanese psyche is a business book "Keiretsu". It's a bit flat in some places but overall very interesting indeed.

Best wishes

L 71 Smile

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

My friend came with the exact situation, 2 year college diploma from Langara. When his working holiday was ending, and the schools he was working at (two part-time jobs that equaling 225,000 yen a month) said that if he could get a visa, they would like him to continue to teach. He went to immigration, got the paperwork, had his employers write a letter stating they were his employers, how much he made and that they want to continue to employ him. He took that information, along with his 2 year diploma to immigration, submitted it and got a work visa. He didn't volunteer information that his diploma wasn't a degree. Done deal. It's possible, but I seem to think he got a bit lucky.

joncharles · Joined: 09 Apr 2004 Posts: 132 Location: Beijing

I am happy to hear that you have some ethics and are very reluctant to go the marriage route in order to stay in Japan. When I was at Nova I personally know four guys who were on a WHV became involved in "contract" marriages. One actually admitted it was a contract marriage because he wanted to stay in Japan and she wanted a resident card for Austrailia. The other three got married to stay in Japan, but admitted that they had a contract marriage, but " she doesn't know that," and have no intention of being "husbands." Good luck and enjoy Japan.. and who knows you just might find true love..