Job Discussion Forums

[The Canadian Ninja]

I'm currently studying Japanese at college and next semester I'm finally
heading out to Japan for six months of intensive language training. The gigantic leap towards Japanese fluency will be taken in Sapporo, and in order to get to Sapporo, we'll first have to take the plane to Tokyo. The plane tickets are open, meaning that I can't choose when I want head over. This semester, my last exam is in early-June, and the semester in Japan doesn't start until late September, so me and some friends were thinking of heading out early and spending some quality-time and catching some bands in Tokyo. How long we can stay depends on how much money we have, and being students, our economy sucks.

So, with over three months of summer to take from, I'd like to spend as much time in Japan as possible, meaning I should probably get a job. With a student VISA I can work 25 hours a week while school is in session, and more during vacations.

Is there any possibility of landing a job for around three months in the
Tokyo area? If not, what about eight months in Sapporo?

My guess is that most foreigners looking for work pick English teaching because they need a certain kind of job to get a visa. Since I'm already allowed to work on my student visa, is it possible to get any other type of short-term job? I've heard there are a number of bars and restaurants in Tokyo that will hire foreign staff for the exotic appeal.

From what I hear, it's much easier to get a job once you actually get there, but it seems a bit risky to leave for Japan without knowing if I'll be able to afford food in two months time. Has anyone here tried this approach?

Regarding teacher jobs, I'm not a native English speaker, but I am fluent.
Do English-teaching jobs require a native speaker or is there some sort of
test you can take to prove you can perform competently? I don't foresee me having any luck finding teaching jobs in my native Norwegian.

Thanks.

[shmooj]

Two things you might want to consider very carefully...

Tokyo is stinking hot and humid in the months you want to be there.
Tokyo is a pretty expensive place and extortionate if you have no income. Your biggest hurdle will be finding a place to stay that doesn't drain your money. Having cash left over to catch some bands, as you put it, would then be a pipe dream.

Getting work for three months from scratch is not very likely though possible. It would all depend on how much homework you do before you go and what contacts you have.

But if your economy is bad, as you said, Tokyo is probably one of the worst places on the planet to help it recover

Sapporo on the other hand is gorgeous int he summer. If I were you, which of course I am not, I would head out to Japan early and spend those summer months hitchhiking and camping around Hokkaido - even rent a bike and cycle it. It is stunning and the climate is perfect for this in the months you want to go. You will be the envy of every Japanese you meet after that.

I for one would certainly envy that experience.

[The Canadian Ninja]

Thanks for the reply.

I'll decide what to do as soon as I get my VISA issues sorted out. Your hitchhiking and camping idea sounds tempting though.

Regarding work, I just talked to this guy who left for Japan with no job, no VISA and very little money and he still made it! Not something to go by, but talk about luck! Jesus!

Anyway, how much do you need to get by in Tokyo provided you stay in a gaijin-dump?

[Glenski]

Figure on spending at least 120,000 to 150,000 yen/month for bare necessities. Of course, living near the center of the city will cost you more in rent, even at a "gaijin dump", but this figure includes rent, utilities, transportation, and a couple more basics.

Anything else you plan to do will cost money, of course, so budget that into your itinerary. And, setting yourself up in that first month will cost you a little more because of deposits and installation charges and such, so figure that the first month will run you 35,000 to 50,000 yen more.

[Gordon]