Job Discussion Forums

[MrCAPiTUL]

Haha. You guys and gals crack me up a bit.

Whilst many of the answers are accurate and give insights about types of careers, you are over looking the most important success factor for staying in Japan (or any foreign country) for the long-term....

Having a Japanese Husband or Wife!

Honestly, this is above all else the ticket to longevity.
- the number 1 reason for expats leaving any given country is because the spouse doesn't like it
- having a local spouse ties you to the country and gives you roots, which helps reduce flight risk
- having a local spouse indicates you appreciate the culture on a deeper level

Honestly, whilst business is a good field for long term prospects, the number of business professionals who are anywhere near fluent in Japanese is VERY VERY VERY low. It is quite hard to climb the corporate ladder in Japan as a foreigner, as well, which makes flight risk as your career grows more of a possibility. Dare I say it is similar for professional educators, as well.

Now now now, I know somebody will point out that there are always exceptions, and they'd be accurate. However, I think most will find it hard pressed to disagree with what I'm saying as a (more than) general rule of thumb.

Want to stay somewhere for the long term? Find and marry a local.

[PO1]

My girlfriend is Japanese and we've talked about marriage extensively, so I think that's a strong possibility.

I've been working in the US for a bit and I have a job lined up to get my foot back in the door to Japan. I was taking marriage into consideration when I was thinking about long term jobs. I just don't see myself doing ESL work at the level I've been doing in the next 5 years or so. I'm hoping to continue working dispatch, eikaiwa, etc. for the next couple of years, improving my Japanese steadily, and eventually transitioning into other fields after we are married. I have some experience in publishing and I'm interested in doing translation, localization, stuff like that. That's what my goal is anyway.

[Glenski]

Marrying a local may give one roots, but then again it may not.

Lots of foreigners marry Japanese and try to take them back to their homeland, but relationships can often fail when they do that.

Marry a Japanese and try to stay here, and some people might feel miserable, especially when you consider how little it takes to get into TEFL and what bleak prospects the industry holds unless one vastly improves oneself. Being a breadwinner (for you males, usually) on a 3 million yen salary won't cut it if your wife starts having kids. Heck, even without kids it's no picnic!

[PO1]

I guess I don't like to think of someone I love as "a Japanese", haha. Maybe some people objectify marriage to a foreigner or think of it as "a way out." I don't. I actually met a woman who told me she was "happy her husband lived far away so she could enjoy her time to herself." She was married to a Japanese guy and seemed to be in love with Japan and not her husband. I don't work that way. The only reason I'm coming back to Japan is for her. That's why I want to look for long term options. If they work out, great. If they don't, I'll keep trying.

[MrCAPiTUL]

@Glenski: Indeed, there are always exceptions. But, honestly, how many long term foreigners have you seen in any given country that weren't married to a local? Other point being that, if you are married, you don't have to worry about leaving the country if you (and obviously your spouse) want to stay. Additionally, you qualify for unrestricted work access in most cases. Also, you have some means of support within the country. All of these make long term-ness (can I make that a word? XD) a greater possibility.

@PO: Sounds like you got your ideas sorted. Keep in mind, though, that if you are moving there to be closer to her and you end up working for a Japanese business, well, you'd be moving there for nothing because you would never see her - you'd be working all the damn time! hahaha XD

Jokes aside:
if you like teaching, but want something different from cram-school style work, you could always go back to school for a phd at a uni in Japan. Get the degree, maybe in something language based if you prefer, and then teach at a uni.

If you want translation/localization, then yes, build your J up and then get a marketing job with a local firm that has good sales volume overseas and could, possibly, use English for its global marketing assets. Many companies use English for their global assets because their largest sales volume is often abroad in English speaking markets.

[PO1]

@MrCAPiTUL: Thanks for the info. If you happen to know of any resources of getting into translating/localization type work, I'd appreciate any help in that regard. I've thought of studying for a PhD before, but never really considered studying in Japan. Hmmm...

Any good programs (online or software) that teach upwards to advanced Japanese (with the exception of Rosetta Stone)?

I don't mind starting off slow and working my way up. I've just always been fascinated with the idea of translating etc.

[robertokun]

[PO1]

@robertokun: I took it to mean that people who have Japanese spouses are often taken more seriously for long term work. Perhaps it shows that the applicant is further ingrained in the culture or at least understands cultural differences if they have a spouse that is Japanese. I could be wrong, but that's what I took it to mean.

[Glenski]

[TokyoLiz]

[Apsara]

[flyer]

[PO1]

I hate to say this, but I think there are lots of people who marry only to get a visa or PR. They have loveless marriages to live in Japan and then they cheat on their husbands and wives all the time. This isn't hearsay either, because I've heard foreigners openly admit it. They are in love with JAPAN and not their spouse. It's almost like the old "mail order Russian bride" thing. Marry someone just because of their citizenship. I don't believe that's the case with any posters here, I just noticed that trend a couple of times last year when I was there.

When I told a fellow teacher that I had a girlfriend back in America at the time, he cynically said, "If you plan on staying here long, you won't." I guess he was right in some ways.

Fortunately, everything worked out and I'm very happy with my girlfriend! That's why I want long term work, to be with her. I love Japan, don't get me wrong, but I love my girlfriend more!

[MrCAPiTUL]

I tried replying to this..... twice.... but don't see the reply! ><
This is my third time. The first two were lengthy, but now, I'll just keep it brief and direct it at Po.

Po:
PHD:
if you want to do a PHD in anything English related, there are plenty of programmes in Japan using the English language as their mode of communication. I've been looking at PhD programmes that cross the boundaries of International Relations/Asia Studies and Business (in English) and have seen quite a few English programmes in English (hell, if you are studying a PhD in something English related, it should be in English, right? Very logical. ^^). This would give you the benefit of finishing a PhD in 3 years isntead of 4 back west (assuming you can finish within the initially projected timeframe, many J PhD's are 3 years I've noticed), as well as give you some time to improve your J ability. Then, the professor's or mentor you work with can help you build contacts in the Uni sector in Japan, and help you find post-grad work (if you have a decent mentor, at least).

Language:
check out: http://smart.fm
Smart is a good resource for learning kanji. I won't say it teaches indepth grammar, per se, but you'll get a feel for the grammar by how they use the kanji in context. For advanced grammar, though, get a good book (grammar is usually very rigid at a formal level), and then use what you learn with your girl to help take the grammar theory and mold it into nuanced native-like communication.

check out: http://www.thejapanesepage.com
This is a really good resource with a LOT of information and quite a few people in the community who really know their stuff. You can get good grammar points here, for sure.

[flyer]