How is it like working in Japan for a foreigner?

Question

I'm a graphics designer and hoping to find a chance of working in Japane but hearsay its diffcult to get employed and tough. Anyone out there have experienced working there? If so, what measures should I take?

Answer 1

I visited Japan for 3 months as trainee.
I know a little how it is working:

- It is hard if you don't know japanese (speak). Knowing some words is ok for tourist but at job you'll need much more at least a level 3 of 4 or level 2 in an english enviroment.
- They work more than americans in order to earn less. Supervisor earn much more... but they work more too! :D
- As for long term... the prices are unreasonable expensive and to get a little apartment...is so hard.
- You will feel that you are amusing for then and japanese girls will fall in love with blond hair and blue eyes... but then to get closer to them... is also difficult. I'm from Argentina and I like to be close to people in many ways, americans like it too... japanse only in the family or your girlfriend.
-It is really hard to find a GOOD job because all of then are for japanse people (even regardless of language).Only teaching english is ok for a foreigner (gaijin). But for other jobs they'll choose a japanese first if he applies.
-Check a work before go there and ask for the right visa then.

Conclusion: Japan is lovely to visit (I recommended many good places in Yahoo Answers) but it is harder than USA or Canada to live there.

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Answer 2

I am an American living in Japan. I am here because my hubbys company transferred us here. I have been looking for a job for 8 months. NOTHING!! If you want to come to Japan first of all you must get hired BEFORE you come. They are very strict with Visas. You dont have one, you will have to leave. Secondly there are only a few jobs that dont require you to speak Japanese. If you dont know Japanese fluently good luck. The only jobs you can get are teaching English, which is the bottom of the barrel. If you are lucky enough to get a job plan on working until 12+hrs per day. Keep in mind Tokyo is the most expensive city in the world to live. Everyday things are twice as expensive as the US. You may be able to find a shared crappy appartment for 2-3 thousand US dollars a month. So find a job first. Then they will help you with visa and place to live.

Answer 3

I am a gaijin working for a very large and established company. I was tranferred from my office in San Jose California. That means all of my visa and housing was arranged by the company. Visa wise, I am considered as an intra-company transferee. 99% of the people I work with and other gaijins that I have met had their employment arranged before they came to Japan. I have not met anyone who flew over on a tourist visa and landed a job. Just some reality from the ground level.

Through the international school my sons attend, I have met many other gaijin. I can generally classify most of us in 3 groups

1. Government related work and assignments such as US State Dept, or Economic Ministry.

2. Financial and investment related work such as large capital and stocks or investments

3. Engineering, which we are few amonst this grouping. In fact, most o fthe technical people I meet are former engineers who are now IT and engineering managers.

A fourth group would be gaijins who married Japanese and have no visa employment issues at all. But most of them fall into the above mentioned categories.

(all in my experience as a Tokyo gaijin)

Answer 4

I am an American here teaching English. Getting English teaching jobs are quite easy because it is big business and there are employers all over the place. Look on a few search engines and see what you come up with. Contact the Japanese Embassy. Maybe they'll give you names of some places where you can apply.

Answer 5

I have a "Spouse Visa" and no degree and I have managed to build up a good amount of Students who want to learn English.
This is not easy you have to come up with lesson plans,files, and write down student advancement. If you are not married to a Japanese citizen you will need a work visa if your American. Work visa's are only avalible to those who have a dergree. If your Aulstralian,Brittish, or Candaian you qualify for a WHV (Working Holiday Visa). If your American I would check out the websites of the big 4 ekeiwa's here Nova, Geos, ECC and Aeon for starters. also read this page. http://www.letsjapan.org/

Answer 6

I worked in Japan for two years and loved it. Maybe learn a little Japanese, bone up on current events (Japan Times online), cultivate a taste for the food, and learn 1 or 2 songs really really really well for karaoke.

Answer 7

Usually you will need a working permit. Unless you want to be paid lower than the average residents there, they will employ you.
I'm not sure if the salary is enough for you to be there. Cost of living is so high there.

Answer 8

well... if you dont know how to speak Japanese fluently
i think that's the problem... and its hard for you to live here if you dont know any Japanese because there are lots of rules here than was written in Japanese so no one will explain it to you...
and the penalty is really expensive..

and the cost of living here is really high...

Answer 9

I don't think you'd fit into that culture very well. I wouldn't want to, myself.