How do I find a job and/or sponsor in Japan?

Question

I would like to live and work in Japan for six months to a year. I have applied at an organization that handles teaching english, but I was also wondering if there are any other opportunities for people from the US? I am also interested in taking Japanese at a school there and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations? I am interested in the area around Yokosuka, as I have been there twice already and like that area and south. Any suggestions about getting an apartment would be an added bonus!

Answer 1

Lots of major English language schools in Japan hire directly in the US. Try these links:
http://www.jobsinjapan.com/jobs/teaching.html
http://www.teachinjapan.com/ [NOVA]
http://www.aeonet.com/ [Aeon]
http://careers.gaba.co.jp/ [GABA]
http://www.ecc.ac.jp/japan/eng/index.html [ECC]

Or you can try some of these:
http://www.jetprogramme.org/
http://www.gaijinpot.com/
http://findateacher.net/
http://japanese.about.com/od/jobsinjapan/Jobs_in_Japan.htm

OR:
http://www.metropolis.co.jp/specials/678/678_top.htm
http://www.kansaiscene.com/current/html/home.shtml

There's work here, though it isn't like the boom days. Happy hunting!

Answer 2

The sites suggested by Kansai T... are all great and you should definitely check them out. A problem that you will run into with many of those however, is that a vast majority of English Language schools only want to hire people who are in the country already with the proper visas. It can be difficult to get here the first time, but once you are here it is relatively easy to get a job. The easiest way to get to Japan the first time, I think, is by far the JET Program (http://www.jetprogram.org). They pay your way, set you up in a house or apartment, pay you (roughly) $30,000 a year, and take care of all kinds of orientations that will prepare you for life in Japan. Another organization that is not quite as supportive, but still a good place to work is Interac (http://www.interac.co.jp). Both of these organizations can place you in areas of Japan that you otherwise might not get to see and will get your foot in the door in terms of visa's and sponsorship that can lead to long term japanese employment. If you want to do something other than teach english, there are a few of those around as well, but by and large, 99% of the employment opportunities for foreigners in this country are for English teachers.

Answer 3

There is a lot of good info from the previous answers, but let me add my two cents.

You will have a hard time getting people to hire you for only 6mo. to 1yr. Teaching contracts that are renewable are usually given to people that WANT to renew them. Terminal contracts are usually about 3yrs. There are usually TONS of part-time teaching gigs available, but then the problem would be a visa. The only thing I could suggest is to try to get a "Cultural Activities Visa" for studying Japanese. The catch though is that you have to have a certain number of hours a week at your "cultural activity". You are permitted to work to support yourself, but work hours are limited also. The CAV is also very difficult to get now, but IF you are serious about learning Japanese at a school, you could get a CAV, or even a student visa to study Japanese.

Good luck to you!

by the way, about getting an apartment, if you do get a sponsor, they can take care of that for you. Then, if you don't like the place (which you probably wouldn't) you can find one on your own, with the assistance of friends you are bound to make.

Answer 4

You could search and apply for jobs in Japan on job websites like Hotjobs,Monster, Careerbuilder and Craigslist. More information at http://www.pcworkathome.net/jobwebsites.html

Answer 5

Oh, you better go to un.org for job placement. I am sure, with your qualification you will be able to find your preferred job.
Happy job hunting :)