Job Discussion Forums

[nawlinsgurl]

Hi! I just found out that I will be going to Japan is Sept 04 with Nova. I'm so excited despite all the bad info I've heard about them. I have 43934739484 questions and I'm also in search of any advice,websites, etc you all can direct me to. Also I'm wondering there are any "verterans" of NOVA that could help me with some workplace advice...Thanks in advance!!!!!'

1.What is the best city to choose, if I'm from New Orleans but I live in Atlanta now? I don't want Tokyo, but I've heard Osaka is nice. I want a mid-sized city with a diverse makeup of people (I'm Black,Creole, and Mexican) Plus it needs to be someplace near a beach/place to do watersports...What city to choose??

2.I've read that I should bring $2500 US dollars and I should be ok til I get my first check, but is that accurate? Should I take the NOVA loan or not? Do I bring this in cash? travel checks? american debit card? What about their health insurance?

3.This may sound vain, but I need a GAP or OLD NAVY...some American store that carries women sizes 10?? I know GAP is in Osaka (a city I was thinking of) but any other American places to shop at? Is it really hard to find American sizes?

4. Do I need to bring things I get here like: birth control, mitchell deodarent, crest toothpaste--or can the same things be found in Japan?

Any other good info you can provide:websites,books,mags, anything is great!!!!
Thanks a bunch!!!!

[Glenski]

1. Japan is 99% Japanese people, and the bigger cities have more foreigners (including Korean and Chinese). Not much diversity here.

2. If you take the NOVA loan, you won't see a full paycheck for 3-4 months. Two months of that time you will be on probation with a lower paycheck than usual, so you will have to live on less. I suggest bringing the money in travelers cheques (yen). NOVA's health insurance costs 3 times more than national health insurance (after the first year, NHI increases tenfold). I think with NOVA's insurance (JMA), you still have to pay for the costs up front, then wait to get reimursed. Anyone confirm this?
More info on NOVA from ex-employees:
http://vocaro.com/trevor/japan/nova/level_up.html
www.grassrootdesign.com/stuff.asp
http://markcity.blogspot.com/teaching.htm

3. Can't help you there, unless you don't mind Eddie Bauer shops.

4. All of those can be found in Japan, but...
birth control -- what type? The pill was only legalized a couple of years ago, and getting it is not as easy as in the west. Condoms are not always the right size for western men, and they are thinner (prone to breakage).
deodorant/antiperspirant -- Ban is here, and although I haven't used it, I hear it isn't quite the same formula. Otherwise, I would suggest bringing your own brand.
Crest toothpaste -- It's here, although not super-common. Many Japanese toothpastes contain fluoride, especially Lion brands. The chief complaint from some people seems to be the taste of some toothpastes. I don't mind.

[Gordon]

If there is anything you think you "need" than bring it. Unless you are in a big city, you won't find big western stores and larger sizes are tough to find here for women. Most Japanese women are size 2-4, I believe. If you must have watersports, try Thailand or the Philippines.

[PAULH]

[PAULH]

Foreign Buyers Club weblink

http://www.fbcusa.com/public2/

[joncharles]

There has been some good advice given so far. One idea is that when you come in go ahead and get the Nova insurance just so you will have something to start with. Once you move in to your apartment and go to the local city hall to register for your "Gaijin" card. (Foreign Resident Card) you can apply for the National Insurance. Then cancel the Nova one.

I had the chance to work in the Fujisawa, Chigasaki, Hiratsuka area. I lived in Chigasaki and my apartment was about a 20 minute walk to the beach.. Some friends of mine had a Nova apartment near Enoshima Beach. Just two minutes away. Fujisawa and Chigasaki are about 45 south of Tokyo and 30 minutes south of Yokohama and near beaches and not far from being in the country. Still lots of people, but it less hectic than being in Tokyo or Yokohama.