Jobs in Kansai area

Hi all,
Its been a while since I have posted here but I'm back with some questions now. My wife is with me in the US but she is really not liking it here at all. If we move to Japan (and I get a spousal visa) is there any chance of a decent job for me? I'm an IT admin for a k-12 school district now and I have quite a bit of experience and two associates degrees but no certs. I am open to doing something other then IT work but I would rather stay in my field as it would be difficult to get back into it later. I would even be open to the idea of filling vending machines or working in a park (maint) or something as long as the pay was livable and the hours weren't too ridiculous.
My wife feels certain that she can get a good job even with the current economic problems though I am a bit less certain about this. She had a very good job before working for Panasonic in Osaka but I don't think she could get it back or even if she did I think she would be at a lower pay scale then before.
I think we would be looking at Osaka or Nara mostly but I think that somewhere within the Kansai area would be acceptable. I know that we are looking at this in just about the worst time economy wise but some things can't be helped. Also could someone let me know if I would be allowed to work full time on a spousal visa? I read somewhere that a dependent visa only allows part time work and that you need special permission for that, though I am not sure if the two are the same visa or not. I actually haven't found more evidence of a dependent visa.
Thanks for any info you guys can give.

Petaris said:

Hi all,
Its been a while since I have posted here but I'm back with some questions now. My wife is with me in the US but she is really not liking it here at all. If we move to Japan (and I get a spousal visa) is there any chance of a decent job for me? I'm an IT admin for a k-12 school district now and I have quite a bit of experience and two associates degrees but no certs. I am open to doing something other then IT work but I would rather stay in my field as it would be difficult to get back into it later.

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Think about it a little. No experience, but you want work in another line of work.

Help us out here, too. How's your level of Japanese? If it's not at least JLPT2, forget most non-teaching jobs. Spouse visa only makes you eligible to do the work; it doesn't mean a darned thing about being eligible in the eyes of an employer who needs people with skills and certain language ability.

As for filling vending machines, can you read a bill of lading? Do you have a Japanese driver's license (or can you pass the test)? How about read a Japanese map to the customers, especially considering buildings are not numbered in consecutive order here?

My wife feels certain that she can get a good job even with the current economic problems though I am a bit less certain about this.

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I would tend to side with you, but hard to say. Don't know a thing about your wife.

Also could someone let me know if I would be allowed to work full time on a spousal visa?

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As I wrote above, and as clearly stated in the MOFA regulations, people on a spousal visa are permitted to work, and that means FT.

I read somewhere that a dependent visa only allows part time work and that you need special permission for that, though I am not sure if the two are the same visa or not. I actually haven't found more evidence of a dependent visa.

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Dependent visa is for foreigners married to foreigners that have visas. It sounds like your wife is Japanese, right? So, DV does not apply.

Want to look for jobs in the Kansai area? Read Kansai Time Out or the Kansai Flea Market. Both online.
kfm.to
http://www.kto.co.jp

Also, this one.
http://www.kansaiscene.com/classifieds.shtml

My list of other non-teaching job sites.
www.jobsinjapan.com
仕事探しのお手伝いをします 全国 日本 | Bestjobs.jp
Jobs in Japan | Workcircle Global
www.daijob.com/en
Work in Japan · Jobs with International Companies · Jobs that Use English · CareerCross
http://dotjapan.com/
http://jobdine.com/japan/
http://jobs.3yen.com/jobs
http://seekjapan.joblet.jp/jobs
http://www.umich.edu/~iinet/cjs/resources/opportunities.html

Hi Glenski,

My Japanese level is pretty poor. I wouldn't even say basic Japanese. I am still studying but most of what I know is just phrases. The other lines of work I was referencing shouldn't require much in the way of experience and they were just examples.

Good points about the filling vending machines thing. I didn't think of that. I will take a look at those links as well. I am just looking into this as it is becoming more of a possibility of happening.

I had posted here a couple of years ago as well and was re-reading that thread too. You can see it here: IT jobs in Japan
You actually had responded to that one as well.

But things are a little different now so just wanted to get refreshed.

Thanks for the info!

Petaris said:

Hi Glenski,
My Japanese level is pretty poor. I wouldn't even say basic Japanese. I am still studying but most of what I know is just phrases. The other lines of work I was referencing shouldn't require much in the way of experience

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It is better to give examples of what you would accept or what you feel you are qualified for, than to just say "general work".

Think about what a non-English speaking person would have the chance to do in the USA. Then, think about how hard it is for that person to get directions/instructions in his native language, especially if it differs vastly from his own? Unless there is a translator of some sort on hand, it is unlikely that they will get the job, even if it is picking apples off trees.

That, by the way, is just an example, too, and I realize that many Hispanic migrant workers get by, but their native language is closer to English than Japanese is, plus that sort of job has the advantage of people from the same language background working together, whereas you are unlikely to land such an opportunity.

I'm curious how your spouse feels about you taking such menial work. Most Japanese women want the husband to be the breadwinner. Got plans for kids? Ka-ching!

EDIT: Looked at your previous post.
August 20, 2007 you said "I am studying but I am not even at a basic level for now." C'mon! It's been 17 months and all you can muster is "phrases" in Japanese? If you have the least bit of seriousness in coming here to live and work, study a helluva lot harder as I told you 17 months ago!

Have you since that time even looked further into finding an employer abroad who has a branch here and is willing to hire you without the need for much Japanese? I can't say who hires such people, but I read forum posts all the time that say such work is available.

I did study during that time and have learned more then I knew then but I am a slow learner when it comes to language. I ask my wife questions and she helps a bit but soon gets frustrated if I can't understand quickly which is often the case. I also have Rosetta Stone and have been working on that when I have the time but I often have to query her on that as well as somethings I just don't understand the meaning or at least am not sure if I am understanding it. I think I would learn quicker if I was surrounded by the language but I can only guess about that for now.

Also much of that time was taken up with immigration. As for the menial work I was only thinking of doing that until I could find a job in my field which should pay more.

All I can say about your studying is, step up the pace if you want any chance of a working life here. Ashcan the Rosetta Stone. Try something new (or just something more).