Job Discussion Forums

[shinju_chan]

I hope this question is not so exclusive in nature that it wouldn't help others looking for answers regarding at potential move to Tokyo. (Also, thank you Glenski for offering your advice on a different site; I'm posting here for lack of response at that site and because of a preference for the kind of minds inhabiting the boards at this site.)

I've been on JET for 3 years having planned for some time to move to Kanto in August of this year and find work, presumably in education. I'm a musician, and living in the inaka is seriously hampering my opportunities to play out. I passed JLPT 2 and have experience teaching English to kids and adults with JET.

Until yesterday I was 99.9% sure I would go through with it, particularly because I was told by 2 friends of mine who work in Tokyo that with my experience it wouldn't be hard for me to find work. I also got a response from one company I applied to that said they would be hiring again in August and consider my application for then.

But then yesterday an eikaiwa student of mine recanted on previous advice to me that moving to Tokyo would be ok after he found out that his company, which deals with buying used paper from the U.S. and recycling it, would be trimming down to a minimum number of staff. He said he thought it was best for me to work for a public rather than private company.

It is obvious that an industrial company would be taking a hit right now. But, I've also noticed an increase in part time work in Kanto. If I take part time work, my visa expires in October and I was under the impression that I can't renew my work visa working part time. I'm also worried about not being able to buy health insurance.

I was hoping someone can offer me some objective advice about this situation and whether it would be a huge mistake to plan on moving to Kanto in August. I know this recession has the potential to be very bad. But I also read that in Japan education has been, along with basic needs like housing and medical, one of the sectors least influences by economic conditions.

I would like to know where private English schools fall in this situation and if anyone is predicting a major lack of full time jobs in August 2009.

Thank you immensely for any advice you can offer.

[Brooks]

there is work available as long as you don't mind making less than you did in JET.
But lots of people come to Tokyo, so the competition for the best jobs is pretty fierce.