Job Discussion Forums

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I'm 4 weeks from arrival in Tokyo, and I'll be working for Interac in the Kanto area.

I have a few questions about Interac -

1. Interac uses Global Health Care for coverage. How much does the plan cost? I know there are three packages to choose from, but don't have any dirt on costs.

2. When do we receive our first pay check? How much should I budget for the first month or so?

3. For the ALTs out there, how likely is it that Interac can offer LC work in the evenings?

4. How often do we have to report to the branch office (Tokyo, Chiba, Hammamatsu)?

5. Which phone option do you guys recommend - pay as you go, or get J-phone/DoCoMo right away?

6. What are the costs of getting an ADSL line? Connection fees? Per month?

7. Silly Question Time - I'm 5'4", which I believe isn't too big in Japan, so I can probably get clothes there. However, I have serious gaijin feet - 25.5 cm. Are my shoe-shopping expeditions doomed to failure in the Kanto region? Any women help me out here?

8. Where can I find out about Sayonara Sales in west central Chiba?

Thanks for helping me out, folks!

Sherri · Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2003 11:16 pm Post subject:

I can't help with qs 1 to 4. You should really ask Interact directly. If they don't/won't answer them, you should consider working elsewhere. They are fair questions to ask your employer.

I don't have a mobile--perhaps I am the only one in Japan without one. I hope someone else can help you here.

As for number 7, I have size 25 and it is really hard to find shoes. They usually go up to 24.5 in the shops and is frustrating! You can find big shoes but they are usually the ugly clumpy ones that no one else wants. I buy all my shoes when I go abroad or from catalogues. Victoria's Secret has a good selection and ships to Japan.

Try http://metropolis.japantoday.com/classifieds.asp for a list of classifieds on line that have Sayonara Sales. The Daily Yomiuri on Weds also has a classified section. Good luck in Japan

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Liz,

1. Why don't you ask Interac or Global? Sounds like an elementary question they'd be happy to answer.

2. Again, ask Interac. This should be a standard question they've heard a hundred times and would be happy to answer. As far as how much to budget yourself, bring US$4000. That first paycheck may be 6-8 weeks away, plus you want something for emergencies.

3. What is "LC"?

4. Again, ask Interac. This should be a standard question they've heard a hundred times and would be happy to answer.

5. What is "pay as you go"? A phone card? Cellular phones give you the ability to receive as well as send, so if you think it's important to GET calls, buy one. If you expect calls at home, get one.

6. ADSL costs about 5000 yen per month. Installation is about 10,000 yen.

7. Sorry. I can't help you with women's shoes.

8. Sorry, I don't live in that area.

ne01 · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Posts: 23

i'm in the same situation as you tokyoliz. i've asked interac some of those questions too. here are some of the answers.

you don't want to hear this but the first pay isn't until 2 june!! yes that was no mistake.. june! Mad

sounds like interac are up to their old tricks even on the first pay Rolling Eyes

so i'm bringing all of my money with me.

as for phones, i'll probably use phone cards until i get a ketai because fixed lines are totemo takai!! but i want adsl for the net so i'll check things out when i'm there. daijoubu.

jyane!

shazbot · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 4 Location: Japan

Shoes - yep, get them OS. I have 26.5 cm feet/flippers and I have enough trouble getting shoes at home, let alone Japan. Mind you sneakers/trainers are okay to get here, most styles are unisex.Inside the schools you can wear any sort of sneakers. Even the Western shops (e.g. Gap, etc) have dropped most of their larger size range clothes, so bring as much as you can with you. Your height won't be a problem for clothes, it is more your width that will be the issue. On the other side stockings/pantyhose are easy to find even for us tall gaijin women (the LL size will fit women up to 170cm or so)

Keitai - You should get one ASAP on your arrival. Depending on where you are living (I am also in Kanto), you may have trouble getting a keitai without a gaijin card...only AU would supply the ALTs I was with and that was only because I could pay by credit card. The inner city Tokyoites had no such problem. Interac will want you get a Keitai ASAP and should help you to get one. Believe me, it is not worth waiting or using phone cards, the pay phones are few and far between).

ADSL - I pay a total of 5000 yen per month for the ADSL Line/modem rental (NTT) and the content provider (your choice of Yahoo, OCN, etc). Glen is right, it costs about 10000 yen to set up. BUT you don't need a telephone connected to your house as well, only a telephone line.

First Pay - Interac pays at the end of the following month you worked. So no Interac tricks here, this is the way that they do it. So for the month of April you won't get paid until the end of May (which is June 2nd due to the last day of the month falling on the weekend). Bring a barrel full of cash coz you will hemorrhage money in the first few weeks.

Health Insurance - You get basic health insurance paid by Interac, but the catch is that when you do visit the doc you have to pay upfront and then get reimbursed by the health insurance company. Things might have changed though, it has been a while since I started. A great incentive not to go to the doctor though. That is not an Interac problem, just a insurance problem. You can get additional health insurance if you like.

LC work - close to zero chance. there is just not the work available in the evenings, most LC work is now during the day and is fairly sparse from my LC contacts.

Happy to answer any other chicks in Kanto Questions. Smile

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Thanks for your answers, folks.

Shazbot wrote

ne01 · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Posts: 23

can anyone provide me with some info on the national health insurance. interac uses global healthcare and it's relatively cheap but i want to compare the two. what's anyone's recommendation? thanks.

Spiderman · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Posts: 13

As to Health insurance, an employer in Japan is required by law to provide some sort of health coverage for their employees. One of Interac's old tricks is to talk the newcomers into getting their own coverage. Then, if the person falls ill, Interac's premiums don't go up because Interac's insurance wasn't used.

Have you people really researched this company so you know what you're getting into? A word to the wise is sufficient... Twisted Evil

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

neo,

Japan's National Health Insurance covers you for about 70% of your medical costs. When you visit a doctor, you have to pay the remaining 30% right then and there. Most doctors get (legal) kickbacks from prescriptions, so they have direct connections to their pharmacies, and as a result, they prescribe a lot.

Monthly payment for the first year of NHI is about 2000 yen. You pay this for 10 months, but coverage is for 12. HOWEVER, after the first year, Japan now has a record of how much you earned, and they use that to determine subsequent NHI payments. They can go up astronomically to over 20,000 yen/month, so beware. Also, if you opt to go with another health plan your first year (or more), then shift to NHI, they will ask you to make back-payments.

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Neo1,

I was told that the monthly cost has yet to be finalized - Interac told me between 4500 and 5500 yen a month.

As for you other folks out there, is this a typical price for health coverage?

G Cthulhu

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

How do you apply for National Health Insurance?

G Cthulu wrote

G Cthulhu · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2003 5:36 am Post subject: Re: National Health

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

G Cthulhu wrote

As Das Fads · Joined: 06 Mar 2003 Posts: 44

Sorry, I am getting a bit confused by the talk of health insurance.

I thought that if you get a sponsored working visa in Japan then your Japanese employer must supply you (i.e. pay) for your health insurance. My Interac contract states that I must 'acquire' Japanese Health Insurance or 'enrol' an insurance plan offered by an Interac. Given what the other ALTs are saying about having to purchase insurance I am quite concerned that "enroling" means "you have to pay for". My friends who are currently with Interac said that last year the company paid for the insurance for them.

Also does anyone have any provision for paid leave (i.e. sick or otherwise) in their contract. My contract says nothing, only my regular school holidays. A year without any form of paid sick leave is a long time methinks. Again, my friends said that last year Interac gave them some paid leave (5 days or so). Is this normal for contracts in Japan?