Job Discussion Forums

[harliqueen]

We were told to being ~250,000 yen to cover first months expenses. I was going to being about 300 000 just to be safe. But now I have been told to bring $250 000 at least and take another 250k in loans from them as this is what will be required to cover first month expenses. If I can bring more, I don't need to take as much in loans.

Do I really need Y500000 for one month? Or are they just getting us to take out loans so we have to pay them back (the loaned money gets cut from monthly salary) and there is an administration fee for taking the loan.

I probably can take Y500000 but I'd rather not because I'd just like to leave a bit of money behind to cover my school loans here and things.

So essentially I am asking how much money I need to bring to survive the first month. I will be in the Kansai area.

Than you!

[jtea]

How much is your rent?
Do you need to pay stuff like key money?
Do you plan on buying furniture or do they provide you with a furnished apartment?

Little stuff is just factoring in money for food, basic necessities, transportation costs, etc until you get your first pay check. That can't be more than 50,000-100,000 yen.

Also, check to see when they pay you. Is it at the end of your first month?

[rtm]

Like jtea said, it really depends on how much your rent is, whether you need to pay key money and/or a deposit, whether your apartment is furnished or not, and when you get your first paycheck.

Deposit is usually 1 month's rent. Key money is usually 1 month's rent. Sometimes there's an agent's fee of 1 month's rent also. Plus, you'll likely need to pay the first month's rent up-front. If your rent is, say, 80,000, then it's very possible that you'll need to pay over 300,000 up front, just to move in.

If your apartment is unfurnished, you'll have to buy not only furniture, but also appliances (refrigerator and table-top stove, at the least) and possibly light fixtures also. You can buy these second-hand, but they still add up quickly.

You will likely get your first paycheck at the end of your first month, at the earliest. That means you'll not only need to pay your set-up costs, but also need to survive for a month on the money you bring with you.

Or, if your apartment doesn't have any fees, and is furnished, you can get by on a LOT less. Basically, 500,000 isn't ridiculous, but it really depends on your situation and what you'll need to buy to get set up.

[Inflames]

IIRC ECC pays on the 12th (of the following month) and pays 1000 yen an hour for their training period (which was like 2 weeks or something), so that's a lot of money lost there. I can see 500,000 being reasonable, especially if you have to pay key money.

Have they given you a breakdown of expenses (or how they arrived at 500,000 yen)?

[Rooster.]

If you do have money back home to pay student loans then you'll be set. I would bring 250,000 to 300,000 if you will have to pay for your apartment out of pocket for the first month. Remember, you wont get a full month's pay until your second month. 500,000 is way too high. If you need that much money then you will not make it in Japan.

80,000 is a bit expensive for someone coming from out of the country. I would look for an apartment that's furnished and around 40k to 50k (definitely doable without utilities) for your first few months (assuming ECC doesn't set you up with one). It can be a real pain to furnish if you have never been here before and don't speak Japanese.

[harliqueen]

Thanks for the replies.

No key money and the apartment should be furnished with the necessities (bed, appliances, fridge, bedding, and possibly even some kitchen stuff to cook with etc..) Not sure about the rent yet, but according to all the info I've been given it shouldn't be more than Y70-80000.

From the info sheets I would be paying roughly Y100000 when I arrive for admin fee, security deposit and rent for the remaining part of the month that I arrive. I'm getting there pretty early in the month so I'll have to pay almost a month's rent. And I won't be getting my first cheque until July 12th.

[jtea]

It doesn't sound like to me that you'll need more than 250,000-300,000 yen, if even that, for your first month unless you plan on spending A LOT of money on shopping, traveling, eating, etc during your first month.

[Inflames]

[kah5217]

I advise against taking loans from the employer. What if you decide the job isn't for you before the loan is paid off? Then you have to pay in full, immediately. Not worth the risk if you ask me.

[nightsintodreams]

[Pitarou]

[nightsintodreams]

Haha, good point.

Still, if you decide to leave then your final check is used to pay back the money you borrowed. Hardly the end of the world now.