Is it possible to live in Japan?
- Thread starter SK3
- Start date
millions of people do m8, but if you mean you want to emigrate to japan, youll need a degree for a start, simply no degree no job, not even as a waiter, then youll need to find a job (for most gaijin this will be language teaching unless you have an exceptional skill) then the easy part finding a place to stay most start in a gaijin house and move on to a flat later, and of course youll need a fair amount of cash at your disposal it is possible to go there then try and get a job but then youll need even more cash to support you while you dont have a job. unfortnatly none of this is from personal experience (i cant afford it and dont have a degree 
) its just the things ive read while dreaming about it, i picked up a fairly good book on it called "living and working in japan" although its a little out of date now
) its just the things ive read while dreaming about it, i picked up a fairly good book on it called "living and working in japan" although its a little out of date now
- 8 Jul 2004
- 675
- 27
There really should a prominent posted FAQ for this stuff.
sorry m8 didnt realise you were from the us, i think its called a diploma or something over there, but without successfully completeing higher education you wont get a job in japan, all im saying is you cant just grab a flight to tokyo and say im qualified give us a job, there are a lot of people looking for work so jobs can be thin on the ground especially if you want to work in a specific sector. just make sure you read up as much as possible because theres a lot more to it than speaking the language and getting a flight there even if you are qualified
TheKansaiKid
後輩
- 18 Mar 2005
- 92
- 16
It is possible to live there
As far as jobs go the large English schools don't pay that well, but they recruit from several US cities. They will usually set you up with a place to live and work for a one year commitment. I have known many people with zero language skills that spent years at a time in Japan. A couple of things to be careful of: You will convert your wages to dollars and think " I can live the high life" remember EVERYTHING in Japan is expensive and you will not be getting rich. Japanese culture is different and it is very likely you will get homesick a lot of the ESL teachers I knew medicated their homesickness with beer which is expensive.
That being said if you want a unique culture experience for a few years Japan is terrific the people are generally nice, the scenery is varied and beautiful, the experience can open your eyes to some twisted American thinking, and ultimately it may really make you appreciate your home.
I am an American that lived in Japan for seven years and wouldn't trade a day of that experience
As far as jobs go the large English schools don't pay that well, but they recruit from several US cities. They will usually set you up with a place to live and work for a one year commitment. I have known many people with zero language skills that spent years at a time in Japan. A couple of things to be careful of: You will convert your wages to dollars and think " I can live the high life" remember EVERYTHING in Japan is expensive and you will not be getting rich. Japanese culture is different and it is very likely you will get homesick a lot of the ESL teachers I knew medicated their homesickness with beer which is expensive.
That being said if you want a unique culture experience for a few years Japan is terrific the people are generally nice, the scenery is varied and beautiful, the experience can open your eyes to some twisted American thinking, and ultimately it may really make you appreciate your home.
I am an American that lived in Japan for seven years and wouldn't trade a day of that experience
gokarosama
gokarosama
- 1 Mar 2005
- 46
- 1
Of course it's possible.
You might be asking "Can I get a job in Japan?"
If that's your question, well, it depends.
You might be asking "Can I get a job in Japan?"
If that's your question, well, it depends.
Keiichi
Hi
- 9 Mar 2003
- 1,023
- 19
Yeah, buying a house might be one of the last thing on your plans. Japan's really small on land and does have that issue with bringing foreigners into the subject of these things (renting apartments, too). Most people owning houses or a certain land area are often the same houses/area passed down from older generations. I think your best bet would be to marry a Japanese person to get one with you. 
Keiichi
Keiichi
TheKansaiKid
後輩
- 18 Mar 2005
- 92
- 16
As far as buying a house in Japan
It really isn't that difficult to buy a house, but as in the US you have to have good credit which takes time to establish. So if you can get a job good enough and get the proper visas then buying a house is just a matter of coming up with a wheelbarrow of money. There are plenty of homes for sale in the outlying areas or "bedroom communities", but they aren't cheap.
It really isn't that difficult to buy a house, but as in the US you have to have good credit which takes time to establish. So if you can get a job good enough and get the proper visas then buying a house is just a matter of coming up with a wheelbarrow of money. There are plenty of homes for sale in the outlying areas or "bedroom communities", but they aren't cheap.
- 11 Mar 2005
- 21
- 0
Maybe.........
I have read some things about Japan. I don't know how true it is, but I heard that the Japanese are some of the most educated people in the world. I was once told by a Japanese exchange student that Americans are lazy and that they don't like to study. He went on further to tell me that the work here is not hard for him because he likes to study. The point is that most Japanese probably don't think that foreigners (especially americans) are in their league education wise. It is said that a high school diploma over there is like a college degree here. So yes, I do think that it would be wise to get a college degree in something,(Preferably business) and then start working on getting a job and carry out your plans.
I hope that this was of help to you.
Good Luck!
I have read some things about Japan. I don't know how true it is, but I heard that the Japanese are some of the most educated people in the world. I was once told by a Japanese exchange student that Americans are lazy and that they don't like to study. He went on further to tell me that the work here is not hard for him because he likes to study. The point is that most Japanese probably don't think that foreigners (especially americans) are in their league education wise. It is said that a high school diploma over there is like a college degree here. So yes, I do think that it would be wise to get a college degree in something,(Preferably business) and then start working on getting a job and carry out your plans.
I hope that this was of help to you.
Good Luck!
gokarosama
gokarosama
- 1 Mar 2005
- 46
- 1
It depends it depends it depends.
I depends on which "hospital" you want to work. Japan has a gazillion small clinics/hospitals in almost every mid-size town, not to mention the larger cities or places like Osaka. I would guess this would improve your odds.
"On-the-job-training" is quite common in Japan, though it could probably be best characterized as "apprenticeship." I am not positive about the nursing route, but suffice to say there are systems in place for most professions--career tracks beginning almost from where you attend high school on up.
This is not to say that a foreigner cannot break in. Still, I've never met a foreign nurse here, or doctor for that matter. But my experience is just my own, and I'd caution against taking the word of one person.
One thing I can say definitively: You must learn Japanese, and well. That means Kanji, too. Good luck.
I depends on which "hospital" you want to work. Japan has a gazillion small clinics/hospitals in almost every mid-size town, not to mention the larger cities or places like Osaka. I would guess this would improve your odds.
"On-the-job-training" is quite common in Japan, though it could probably be best characterized as "apprenticeship." I am not positive about the nursing route, but suffice to say there are systems in place for most professions--career tracks beginning almost from where you attend high school on up.
This is not to say that a foreigner cannot break in. Still, I've never met a foreign nurse here, or doctor for that matter. But my experience is just my own, and I'd caution against taking the word of one person.
One thing I can say definitively: You must learn Japanese, and well. That means Kanji, too. Good luck.
epigene
相変わらず不束者です
- 10 Nov 2004
- 4,354
- 179
Because of the aging population (that is, more people needing nursing care), the Japanese government is considering "import" of foreign nurses. The Philippines is the top contender (because Filipino nurses can speak English and therefore communicate with Japanese doctors and they have a good track record offering their specialized skills in other countries). Of course, they will be required to pass Japanese language examinations. (On what level? I'm not sure.)
Besides this opportunity, there are foreign-trained nurses in Japan. I found an article here, for your information:
http://metropolis.japantoday.com/tokyobusinessarchive299/285/tokyobusinessinc.htm
That means if you complete your studies in nursing and study Japanese (diligently) at the same time, you get your chance to come to Japan!
HTH!
Besides this opportunity, there are foreign-trained nurses in Japan. I found an article here, for your information:
http://metropolis.japantoday.com/tokyobusinessarchive299/285/tokyobusinessinc.htm
That means if you complete your studies in nursing and study Japanese (diligently) at the same time, you get your chance to come to Japan!
HTH!
TheKansaiKid
後輩
- 18 Mar 2005
- 92
- 16
Apartments are easy to find in Japan, depending on the area
There are property management companies that specialize in helping foreigners, but any reputable company should be able to help. Many places have exorbitant nonrefundable deposits to keep people from changing apartments often. Those without this deposit are often more epensive monthly. If you want to live in the city as in Boston New York or any other city it is expensive. My wife has some apartments that are about a 20 minute train ride from Osaka which go for about $700 for a 2 bedroom unit, which I think is quite reasonable when compared to what some people pay in the US.
There are property management companies that specialize in helping foreigners, but any reputable company should be able to help. Many places have exorbitant nonrefundable deposits to keep people from changing apartments often. Those without this deposit are often more epensive monthly. If you want to live in the city as in Boston New York or any other city it is expensive. My wife has some apartments that are about a 20 minute train ride from Osaka which go for about $700 for a 2 bedroom unit, which I think is quite reasonable when compared to what some people pay in the US.
- 17 Jul 2002
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- 385
SK3 said:
Just breathe normally. The air is not si different or unique (as they would like to have you believe), and it shouldn't cause foreigners any health risk even with their alien lungs.
Most of food is also edible and actually recommended. Note that only a part of human beings (Japanese included) can ingest a local aliment called "nattou". Just try to see if you body has the right immunity for its consumption. If it hasn't, you shouldn't worry too much about side-effects as your body will automatically reject it as it enters your mouth.
You should beware of policemen, who are preying on gaijin, which they like to acuse to cover their own wicked pachinko business.
Watch out for earthquakes too, and avoid renting an apartment on the lower floors to avoid being crushed once a M8 quake will crush your 'mansion'.
Other notable risks are 'tepodon' and 'tendon' (I heard they were developing 'katsudon' too) launched from the North Korean Empire of Evil, whose leader think he is cool but is in fact a buffoon.
Major health concerns include AIDS (esp. in the Roppongi and Shibuya areas), 20cm long centipedes, biting monkeys, ogres, flying grandmothers and foxes that steal your spirit by entering under your fingers.
