Job Discussion Forums

[juliecao611]

My boyfriend and I are planning to make the move from the States in March. We have some interviews lined up and hope to have jobs and visas before we go. We know the intial start up cost make be a bit pricey and hope to offset this by importing some things that are easy to carry on the plane and have mark-up potential. We have been told that the Japanese love American/Western things and that they love to consume. We are not exactly sure what we should bring and wonder if some of you could offer some suggestions. Also a friend who has done this told us he would sell his goods at night in front of bars and nightclubs. Is this a good idea? What should we bring? Also any info on where to look for jobs on Kyushu would be greatly appreciated as well.

[Glenski]

Usually, you need a license or special permission to sell good on the street. As your friend.

If you think you're going to have time to do this while you settle in, think again. You will have to get used to your surroundings, your teaching assignments, lesson preparations, local transportation, etc. You will likely be working noon to 9pm five days a week (not necessarily with 2 consecutive days off, either).

Just what did your "friend" sell? I think it's a mistake to bring stuff over here to sell anyway. Japan has tons of things that Japanese people buy anyway, and many go overseas to buy trinkets. Are you going to be able to discuss costs and haggling over prices in Japanese? Besides, toting a suitcase full of stuff (jeans, jewelry & beads, whatever) will only raise suspicions at the airport (either here or at your home country). And, if your employer or students see you peddling turquoise belt buckles or Lee jeans, they are going to have some serious questions about you as a teacher, I would think.

You should really plan on filling your bags with what you need anyway, not what you figure you can sell in your dearth of spare time.

[PAULH]

[JimDunlop2]

Um, yeah -- the first cop that sees you will put you in a lot of hot water. You are not allowed to engage in business that's outside the scope of your visa.

Ergo, if you are on an instructor working visa, peddling goods is illegal for you. Plain and simple.

My recommendation: don't do it. As the other people who have responded pointed out already, there are many sources of American goods in Japan -- unless you have an idea for something OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD that isn't already being brought in by the boxload by many import shops, then you may be onto something.... But then again, ensure you go through legal channels.

Like others have pointed out, friendly neighborhood yakuza will otherwise have something to say about it.... And they don't even need to bust your kneecaps -- all they need to do is just call the local police station... Simple.

Sorry to be discouraging.....

JD

[JimDunlop2]

P.S. I know of a number of Western shops near me (in rural Japan) where I can buy belt buckles, Lee or Wrangler jeans, felt cowboy hats, snakeskin boots, etc.. etc... even a friggin' horse SADDLE..... And the prices aren't even THAT much higher than back home in Canada.

Unless you figure out a way to make Louis Vuitton knockoffs that are indistingushiable from the real item, and can get them for next to 0, I'd say there isn't much of a market....

[Billy Chaka]

If you want to make some extra money, I would think a better approach would be to go to Japanese flea markets while in Japan, find goods that are rare in the West, and then sell them on eBay. I've often wondered if there are many people doing this. However, unless you put a lot of time and effort into it, I doubt that you could make much more than you could make just picking up a part-time teaching job on the side.