Help! Wanting to live(/extended stay) in Japan!

Hello, I'm Niko... and I've got a pretty big question...

(first off, if this post is in the wrong area, please move it if it shouldn't be here, thank you ^_^

I searched for a while on these forums, and did quite find what I was looking for, so I'll just straight out ask ^_^;

I've been studying about/interested in Japan since my first year of High School.
Last summer, I finally was able to visit Japan for 2 weeks! This was my first international trip anywhere, as well as my first airplane trip anywhere, AND I went solo! @_@
The reason I went, was to meet my penpal, as well as finally see Japan, after serveral friends had gone. Well, my penpal and I over the couple years had become quite close, and me and her desided to meet.
I had a lot of fun while in Japan! Although due to her situation, I was not able to do hardly as much as most people do on such a big expensive trip. I spent most my time walking around and exploring Tokuyama. And the second week of the trip, she desided, I wasn't the right kind of person for her Which was devistating news to me at the time... Although I managed to not let it bother me for the rest of the trip, until i got back. Anyway, I managed to get on a bullet train and also explore Hiroshima a bit before i had to go back to the states. I enjoyed the trip overall, and I saw a lot that I don't regret! Even though there where problems, it still didn't manage to loosen my love of Japan... and now I'm iching for more.lol

Thats the background story, at least a shortened version. xD
My question(/most wanted thing to happen in my life) Is:
What are all my options for going to Japan and living there for as long as possible? I've spent 4 years now, desiring this. I love Japan, and everything about it.

I'm 20 now, and at the moment, extreamly poor =/ I've had to stop College for now, just so I can get a Job to save up money for something more in my life. So I don't have a College Degree, just a High School one... I used to want to become a assistant english teacher or something, but I've heard I might need a College degree for that... T_T
I've been taking Japanese for about a year and a half now, although I'd consider myself still a beginner. @_@
I've been wondering how to do this a LOT recently, because at the end of the year, my parents are moving far away to North Carolina! I don't have too many options here either. of course there is stuff I can do here, but I much prefer Japan.

I'm willing to do almost anything toward this goal...
Please, can someone give me some good information on my options toward living in Japan??? Is there anything I can do, knowing my current situation? is there any other info needed?

Talk to military recruiters about signing up with a guaranteed first duty station in Japan. (You did say you're willing to do "almost anything"....)

your story sound a little bit invented, especially as you write you were in touch for several years.

if you plan to go japan again, have in mind doing something else than teaching.

people have the idea they would be good english teachers automatically, but that's not true. probably you are very good in english.

to understand that japan is *not* an additional american county, whose people were recently forced to learn japanese. probably you know this very well yourself.

to be honest, the only way to get established in japan is by serious employment. probably you can try an american company, whatever suits you.

i do not know your case, just what you have posted. probably i can see things you do not see- you have experience with staying in japan, i dont.

Well, I have posted my situation (as it was happening) on here before. Most of my previous post were on things like how to take the train from one place to another... and last minute changes...c_c
My story is only there to try and give some background to show how I feel/the kind of situation I'm in... =/

My only problem with Military... is well, I hate the military, as well as most things to do with the United Stats government... v.v but lets not get into that...

Teaching english in Japan, was just a way I've heard of going to stay in Japan... not that I think I would be good at it... I used to look at it as an option. @_@

Unfortunately, Alex's reply totally missed the crux of your problem, which is not a matter of employment, attitude, or sincerity but rather one of visa eligibility. As you may have already surmised, in your present circumstances....you're not eligible. (Or at least you seem not to be.)

I suggest doing whatever you can in order to continue your college education, whether it eventually results in your being able to come to Japan or not.

Since you are an American you do not qualify for a Working Holiday Visa which allows you to work legally in Japan for a year. I suggest going back to college and sticking it out for 4 years to qualify for a visa. Or you can take a 1 year diploma course and try to get your diploma approved by immigration in Japan, from what I was told from a girl that used to work as a secretary in the immigration department in Tokyo they dont even do background checks on where you went to school they can't even read the English on your diploma half of the time (only a rumour from a person I talked to only once). But you are still taking a chance of getting in some trouble.

ok here's what I can offer you from my experience.

If you are considering military, go Navy or Air Force, that's pretty much the only way to get to Japan that way. You'll never be guarunteed an assignment over there, but you'll have a great chance if you apply for every possible tour. For instance, when you go to put Japan on your "dream sheet" put down every tour length and every base. That's what I did and I got an extended tour in Misawa.

As far as other employment opportunities, there are plenty. Try getting a government job or government contracting job over there. Some good sites to check are http://dod.jobsearch.org (I think) and SAIC | Welcome to SAIC

SAIC is a contracting company that's all over the world working with the military. They have 30 jobs available in Japan as of today, including some helpdesk positions in Yokuska. You probably have to have a security clearance to get those jobs though.

Ok so my advice is this. Call an Air Force recruiter. Try to get a job in computers like I did, a good AFSC is 3c0x1. Tell them that and they will know what you mean. Put in for Japan as soon as possible and hang in there. It does work. You may not go there your first base, but eventually positions will come up and if you're on the list and are willing to stay a long time, they'll more than likely select you.

GOOD LUCK!

Nikorasu85 said:

Well, I have posted my situation (as it was happening) on here before. Most of my previous post were on things like how to take the train from one place to another... and last minute changes...c_c
My story is only there to try and give some background to show how I feel/the kind of situation I'm in... =/

My only problem with Military... is well, I hate the military, as well as most things to do with the United Stats government... v.v but lets not get into that...

Teaching english in Japan, was just a way I've heard of going to stay in Japan... not that I think I would be good at it... I used to look at it as an option. @_@

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now you give out more details, thank you.

the reply to apply for military is not appreciated, as you dislike military right now.

also, japanese usually do not issue "you are not eglible".

you say yourself you have teaching as an option in mind. it depends, if you go to an institute, you have to follow their schedule.

if you set up your own content, this requires good command of english. once you got it, you can adjust it to japanese custom/speak patterns.

my advice is you strongly reduce the time you spend with subjects you do not like. if you do not like military right now, do not even talk about, just leave it as it is.

do things you like, and figure out which job you really would like to do.

and, figure out what japan means for yourself, why you prefer it, what you like there.

probably, some of my sentences are obsolete, because you know these things yourself.

about visa eglibility: this depends if the applicant can proove how to support the studies. the question is answered by the issuing authority, you may prepare to ask there. it is just a formal procedure.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Thor for giving me red rep points because my avatar offends him.

mikecash said:

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Thor for giving me red rep points because my avatar offends him.

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Good to see the system isn't being mis-used for trivialities then.

PaulTB said:

Good to see the system isn't being mis-used for trivialities then.

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You give the customers truth-in-advertising, and still they're not satisfied. Some people wouldn't be happy if you hung them with a brand-new rope, as the old saying goes.

thanks alex ^_^;

Well, I'm still looking for options.
I know that my best option is to save up some money, and try to finish college. Although that also means using some money to support my self here (apartment,food,ect...) so that might take a lot of time... a LOT...

I'm just trying to find options, cause I'm not really tied down by too much here...
I should probably check Visa requirements and see if I fall in any of them... but I'm not to sure about that... =/
Thanks for any help you can all offer. ^_^

Without a College/University degree, there's nothing here for you except working illegally and very, very few companies will accept that. The alternative is as a student, but you'll need large amounts of cash for that and proof of it to show immigration.

You may love Japan now, but after working here you may well have your mind turned upside down. If you want to keep your great image, stay away from work unless you are transferred from a good US company to the Japanese branch. Most of us get treated poorly or badly & it'll hurt your image.

Please elaborate on the "most of us get treated poorly" part of your post. Start by defining "us", if you would.

mikecash said:

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Thor for giving me red rep points because my avatar offends him.

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I've gotten red rep points for GOOD posts, b/c people hit the wrong button. Another one was b/c a 3rd party construde what I said was a personal attack at the person I was replying to. :/ No justice.

PS: I like your avatar

Most of us get treated poorly or badly & it'll hurt your image.

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Why not move then? I was treated quite nicely by my firm. 1 month vacation, housing allowance, fair salary, etc.