Job Discussion Forums

think_balance · Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Posts: 67 Location: Japan

I realize that each situation differs, however:

Those in the JET Programme, is it reasonable to think one can save 150,000 yen a month and still live comfortably - travel on holiday, eat out once a week, etc. I don't drink, so I know that will go a long way towards that.

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

JET pays 320,000 yen/month before deductions.
Figure less than half of that will go to deductions and basic necessities. It will vary a lot depending on your rent situation!

50,000-80,000 for rent
10,000-15,000 for utilities
3500-8000 for phone/Internet
30,000-50,000 for food
2,500 or 25,000 for insurance (1st year and thereafter, respectively)

What you save depends on how much you have to pay off back home (e.g., student loans) and how frugal you are. I'd say 150,000 is a bit too much to hope to save.

What exactly do you mean by "live comfortably"? I know some people who cannot live without a case of expensive wine every month, and others who will party several nights per week, and others who spend a lot on satellite TV, etc.

Traveling "on holiday" in Japan usually means 3 major times per year (Golden Week, Obon, and New Year), when most of the rest of the country is on vacation. What did you mean?

think_balance · Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Posts: 67 Location: Japan

Glenski,

That's a fair rundown, I think. Thank you. Based on your numbers, 150k might be a bit high.

However, you said JET pays 320k. I thought it was 300k.

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

Sorry about that typo on salaries. You are right.

Some JET ALTs get very reduced or even free housing, so that would allow a tremendous savings, of course. But I wouldn't count on having such a deal as a guaranteed thing. Perhaps ALTs on bigdaikon.com or G Chthulhu here can give a rough idea of how many are in that situation.

G Cthulhu · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 2:56 am Post subject:

yamanote senbei · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 435

Rent is a big item that might end up being free, highly subsidized, or you might be on the hook for the whole thing including key money, deposits, etc. Furniture and other items for your apartment may be free, left from the previous ALT, or you may have to buy everything you need to live yourself.

It's much more likely that you'll be able to save 150,000 yen a month and still live comfortably as a JET than as a illegally dispatched ALT working for a private company. At some companies now, full-time ALT net pay is close to 150,000.