Job Discussion Forums

[articulate_ink]

I'm back, after a detour. Looking into options for Japan, likely to start applying in the next few weeks. ECC seems promising but I'm concerned about the costs. According to their website, their base salary is JPY 252,000/month, but unlike AEON, they neither subsidize housing nor offer paid health insurance. The site lists their insurance premiums as being around JPY 80,000/month. That leaves 172,000 to work with. What are people paying for housing, if ECC coordinates it? How much are they finding they have left? ECC looks very promising, and I'm interested based on what I've read about them so far, but not offering insurance kinda makes me scratch my head. BTW, I realize there are lots of posts on the cost of housing and such in Japan, and I've been reading them, but not as much has been said specifically about ECC.

[DoctorPayne]

I believe you misread the cost of insurance, it is 80,000 yen per year, not month. That's only about 6700 yen per month or $70.

[Glenski]

Employers of all FT people, foreign or otherwise, should make copayments for health insurance, I believe. Some employers are using a legal loophole to avoid this. You put in less than thirty hours in the classroom, for example, and this is what the employer says you work per week, so he doesn't have to pay because you are PT, not FT. It's a sad affair,and the union is fighting to change this.

80,000 yen/month for insurance? Outrageous! Get on national health insurance, and you'll pay 2500 yen/month for the first year, then about ten times that thereafter (depends on your location, salary, and number of dependents). Far less than 80,000.

Housing can run people anywhere from 50,000 to 80,000 yen/month for an average apartment. (This also varies, and in some rural areas could be even less than 50,000, but these numbers still represent a fair ballpark figure.) Utilities will cost 15,000 to 20,000 per month (seasonal and based on your habits). Basic grocery costs are 30,000 (although some people who don't shop wisely or who prefer to buy mostly western foods will pay 50,000 to 60,000).

Figure after your paycheck, half of it is gone for basic needs (I have not included phone here). The rest is up to you to do with as you please. Buy a stamp, souvenir, movie ticket, bottle of Coke, etc. Go sightseeing in town or further away. Have emergency medical expenses not covered under your insurance plan. Put some cash away for savings or to pay for student loans. Whatever.

[articulate_ink]

Oops. Yup, it's JPY 80,000/ year. That's a lot more palatable.

[Mishark]

[PAULH]

[Mishark]

Thanks for the info, PAULH. It's good to know. I've done a bit of research over in Canada and it looks like the health coverage plan that ECC is affiliated is about the same cost as some of the overseas or travel plans offered by companies in Canada.

The only thing is is that I'm not sure how accesible the services of the plans offered in Canada will be once I'm in Japan. The only reason that I would be leaning towards getting the plan they are affiliated with is that at least I would know for sure that I would be able to get English services in Japan.

[DoctorPayne]

Be very careful of any Canadian plans, because you want to avoid connections to Canada for tax purposes. If you get involved with Canadian medicare they will be after you for the tax difference from your year in Japan! That's a lot of money! The Canadian government loves taxes, remember.

[Gordon]

The real benefit of getting Japanese medical insurance vs. overseas coverage is that everyone you deal with (doctors, hospitals...) is familiar with the Japanese coverage.

[Glenski]

[Li-ka]

t your interview, you should get a hand-out with housing details specific to the areas of Japan where ECC schools are located (Osaka, Nagoya, Tokyo). It tells you how many rooms, what the rent is, deposit, utilities, furnishings. Everything you need should be on that handout.

As for insurance, ECC doesn't provide for it's native employees because you are contracted to work less than 30 hours a week. Although you are called a full-time employee, you aren't full-time in the Japanese employment system (as far as I understand it). But it's not like NOVA where they don't count your breaks in between teaching as non-working time. You really work 6 hour days, or less. Anywho, at training, they'll give you brochures for two health insurance companies. They are basically travel insurance, like what you might find in Canada. The difference between them - if I remember correctly - is that one is cheaper, but the other gives you coverage outside of Japan. And I think the cost is a little more than 8,000yen/month.

ECC is a good company to work for. My school directors rarely seem stressed out (most of them are very relaxed), and I get a different one every day of the week, so if they are stressed out, it's unlikely that I witness it. The kids are ok, the FTLs are easy and there's nothing for me to complain about. Despite all the expensses, you can still save almost 1,000 USD per month if you're careful.

Best of luck!

[ellethecat]

I am on Japanese national health insurance, and I can tell you about the procs and cons. It was a good choice for me, becuase i got a reccurent lung infection and had to go to the hosptial several times. It cost me about 1000 yen upfront at most hospitals, which is 30 of the cost for the visit. If I had private insurance, i would have to pay the whole cost up front, and get reimbursed later. I used to work for an insurance company and i know that some insurance companies will find ways NOT to reimburse you. If you dont send you receipt in in a certain amount of time, or if an I isnt dotted or a t isnt crossed. ITs good not to have to worry if i had been admitted to the hopstial. I pay about 2000 a month now, but I understand it will be about ten times that amount next year.
My area may be cheaper than others.