U.S citizen planning to move to Japan?

killroy · 11 Oct 2013

Hello everyone
Im planning at the end of college to move to Japan. I would like to live in Tokyo since its been a dream as i a kid i have always had. I am currently going to college for Honda Automotive and would like to maybe work for Honda when i get to Japan or even continue my studies at the manufacturers institution.
I am a little shaky with my current plan and would like the opinions of people who are more experienced and can help me shape up a plan.
I also would like to know what kinds of things i should do in preparation. i have another year here in college but i want as much time to plan as possible.
Thank you in advance everyone

killroy · 13 Oct 2013

anyone??

Majestic · 13 Oct 2013

Hello Killroy,
To tell the truth it sounds more like a dream than a plan right now. But don't get me wrong, its a fine dream. If you wish to stay longer than the 90-days that the tourist visa (or visa waiver) allows, you'll need to have a work visa in hand, or a student visa. What do you mean by "going to college for Honda Automotive"? Are they operating or sponsoring some sort of higher education? If Honda can help you continue your studies in Japan it sounds like that might be the path of least resistance. Of course, if they can score you a job in Japan that would be another option.

If I were you I would see if the Honda connection can help facilitate a student or possibly a work visa for Japan. I would also begin to study Japanese, as even a little bit of Japanese language tends to go a long way, especially as you get farther away from the big cities. Master the relatively easy-to-learn hiragana and katakana and you are well on your way to being able to navigate many signs, menus, etc...

Another option is the JET Program, which helps place college grads and other youngish people in assistant English teaching positions throughout Japan. The net is full of information on the JET program, so that might also be another place to start looking for info.

killroy · 13 Oct 2013

Yes. I admit that its more of a pipe dream right now since I am yet to set up a solid foundation. The reason is don't know where to start yet, but im slowly getting there. Honda has a technical school in the Kanto prefecture where my instructor really pushes for students to go to maximize what we have learned. The is also the JET program I'm going to look into to. it sounds cery intresting. Then lastly I should go pick up a Japanese how to nook from the book store. The sooner I learn the better!

If there's any other advice feel free to share

Thank you so much again! !

Majestic · 14 Oct 2013

Well I wouldn't call it a pipe dream, which is usually something fantastical and unobtainable. Coming to Japan is a good, and achievalbe dream... I was just taking a dig at the "plan" part of your question, since there wasn't much of a plan to comment on. I think now is a great time to start checking into the JET program and checking with your school on education or work opportunities post-graduation. The deadline for JET applications isn't too far away, so definitely look into that. And of course the Honda connection looks good - so you need to start sorting that out as well - what you need in the way of applications, funds, paperwork for the student visa, etc... You want to leave as many options available as possible. With the JET program, you could get assigned to work at any school in Japan, and so you could end up in a very rural, remote location, which some people find attractive and some people find daunting. In any event, it has the advantage of being a good entry point into Japan while earning money at the same time. Good Luck!

killroy · 14 Oct 2013

Majestic said:
Well I wouldn't call it a pipe dream, which is usually something fantastical and unobtainable. Coming to Japan is a good, and achievalbe dream... I was just taking a dig at the "plan" part of your question, since there wasn't much of a plan to comment on. I think now is a great time to start checking into the JET program and checking with your school on education or work opportunities post-graduation. The deadline for JET applications isn't too far away, so definitely look into that. And of course the Honda connection looks good - so you need to start sorting that out as well - what you need in the way of applications, funds, paperwork for the student visa, etc... You want to leave as many options available as possible. With the JET program, you could get assigned to work at any school in Japan, and so you could end up in a very rural, remote location, which some people find attractive and some people find daunting. In any event, it has the advantage of being a good entry point into Japan while earning money at the same time. Good Luck!

Thank you again!!

But I have just 2 more questions on my mind now

How I apply for the JET program

And

How did you get to japan? (Sorry if its too personal)

Thank you so much again!

Majestic · 14 Oct 2013

1. Back when I was a kid we used to use "Google" for this kind of stuff... I don't know what the youngsters are using nowadays.

The JET Programme--Official Homepage of The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme--

2. I came by airplane

killroy · 14 Oct 2013

Majestic said:
1. Back when I was a kid we used to use "Google" for this kind of stuff... I don't know what the youngsters are using nowadays.

The JET Programme--Official Homepage of The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme--

2. I came by airplane

hahahaha! and i was thinking about swimming there too!

i meant to say was when should i send in the JET aplication in by? a.s.a.p?

and what was your plan on getting onto and through everyday life? i wanted to base my plan off of a successful one

Thank you so much again!

undrentide · 14 Oct 2013

killroy said:
i meant to say was when should i send in the JET aplication in by? a.s.a.p?

Did you visit the official site of the JET Programme Majestic indicated for you, and read the FAQ which has a link on the top page?
It gives you the information on how to apply, where to obtain the form, when is the deadline, etc.

If you wish to achieve your dream since your childhood, you should try to find as much information as you can by yourself, and when you cannot find some specific information, or when you have more specific questions, you can always ask here.

Good luck!

killroy · 14 Oct 2013

so read the article on the website and visited the JET page on the US embassy site with the term, conditions, application process, and the due date. by the looks of things on the article it would be best to apply after i have more faith in my Japanese.

Thank so much! guess first thing on my list is to either get a tutor on a step by step how to speak and write book so i can at least communicate with people there.

Thanks again!

Glenski · 14 Oct 2013

What sort of degree will you get with Honda Automotive tech school? If it's not equivalent to a bachelor's degree, you will not be eligible for any sort of work visa.

I'm also really confused about this. You say HA has a school in the Kanto area, but your avatar says you are in the U.S., and you say "when you come here" as if it's in the future. Where exactly are you CURRENTLY attending school?

killroy · 14 Oct 2013

Honda has a school in the United states for students aspiring to become part of the repair, builders or corporate team. I'm in the mechanical program. In the mechanical program we are given the option to continue our education in the honda facility in the kanto prefecture in Japan which is kind of like college.

nice gaijin · 15 Oct 2013

"Kind of like college" doesn't inspire much confidence. Unless the mechanical program is an accredited university, it sounds more like a vocational school. Also sounds like Honda would sponsor your visa, but only while you're working for them/attending their training program. This wouldn't qualify you for the work visa you'd need to work for JET or a private school.

Besides, why would you go through all the trouble of getting training to become a mechanic, then try to get a job as a teacher?

nekojita · 15 Oct 2013

Personally, I would say go for the training opportunity in Japan if you can. You will get the chance to live in Japan for a time, it will be much easier than trying to go it alone, and should at the end of it you decide that actually, you'd rather live in the US, I'm presuming the training will still be relevant to working for Honda or similar companies in the US.

I presume this is the place you could go to. You should read this page closely. It looks in terms of language skills for the college student visa, you will either need to pass JLPT N2, or to get 200+ on the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (not sure what that is equivalent to but probably similar), or to spend 6 months at a language school before you start.

Which course are you planning to apply to and how much sponsorship/assistance with costs will there be? Just looking at the one of the two-year courses, just admission/tuition expenses appear to be over $25000 in total over the two years. It's not clear whether any of the courses (maybe the four-year ones?) are considered equivalent to a university degree for visa purposes.

I also suggest you ask your lecturer how many other students from your course have gone on to attend this college in Japan, and what they did after graduating - particularly those who did not have any connections with Japan prior to attending college. i.e. putting aside cases like returnees or Japanese-Americans with close family still in Japan, are there others who have taken this route and now work in Japan, and if so, in what sort of capacity.

The website says 70% of their students got jobs with Honda after graduation - but it's not clear what the breakdown would be if you split it into the results for the different courses, for local students and foreign students, and then further into foreign students who got jobs with Honda in Japan, and foreign students who got jobs with Honda back in their country of origin (or in another country).

Incidentally, Kanto is a region, not a prefecture. The actual college appears to be in Fujimino in Saitama prefecture (which is in the Kanto region) - worth knowing if you start looking into this in more detail in terms of local living costs.

killroy · 16 Oct 2013

nekojita said:
Personally, I would say go for the training opportunity in Japan if you can. You will get the chance to live in Japan for a time, it will be much easier than trying to go it alone, and should at the end of it you decide that actually, you'd rather live in the US, I'm presuming the training will still be relevant to working for Honda or similar companies in the US.

I presume this is the place you could go to. You should read this page closely. It looks in terms of language skills for the college student visa, you will either need to pass JLPT N2, or to get 200+ on the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (not sure what that is equivalent to but probably similar), or to spend 6 months at a language school before you start.

Which course are you planning to apply to and how much sponsorship/assistance with costs will there be? Just looking at the one of the two-year courses, just admission/tuition expenses appear to be over $25000 in total over the two years. It's not clear whether any of the courses (maybe the four-year ones?) are considered equivalent to a university degree for visa purposes.

I also suggest you ask your lecturer how many other students from your course have gone on to attend this college in Japan, and what they did after graduating - particularly those who did not have any connections with Japan prior to attending college. i.e. putting aside cases like returnees or Japanese-Americans with close family still in Japan, are there others who have taken this route and now work in Japan, and if so, in what sort of capacity.

The website says 70% of their students got jobs with Honda after graduation - but it's not clear what the breakdown would be if you split it into the results for the different courses, for local students and foreign students, and then further into foreign students who got jobs with Honda in Japan, and foreign students who got jobs with Honda back in their country of origin (or in another country).

Incidentally, Kanto is a region, not a prefecture. The actual college appears to be in Fujimino in Saitama prefecture (which is in the Kanto region) - worth knowing if you start looking into this in more detail in terms of local living costs.

Haha true, my mistake.

I plan to look that trough a lot more in detail. I might jump off the band wagon with Honda and see about other opportunities whether its another school, JET or something else.

MichaelMachida · 20 Oct 2013

If I may. The JET program is only one option to living and working in Japan. There are many schools and programs that will offer you a working visa. The JET program is very structured and competitive. However, you might want to check into other paths that are much easier to get you here. I have been in Japan from America for 14 years. So, what I say is from experience. Good luck to you!

killroy · 20 Oct 2013

MichaelMachida said:
If I may. The JET program is only one option to living and working in Japan. There are many schools and programs that will offer you a working visa. The JET program is very structured and competitive. However, you might want to check into other paths that are much easier to get you here. I have been in Japan from America for 14 years. So, what I say is from experience. Good luck to you!

sorry if i sound a bit daft, but are there any programs you could throw out there for me? Its as you said, the JET program has a high competition rate around the world and a high demand for a lot of merit.

MichaelMachida · 20 Oct 2013

Well, for starters you can do a simple Google search or you can check on conversation schools that advertise as well. I can not say much because I don't want to advertise any businesses on this website. It's not allowed. But a bit of search and research on your part may take you a lot of time but well worth it if you want to live and work in Japan. What I wanted to get across to you is that you have options.

killroy · 20 Oct 2013

Understood, i appreciate you telling me that. At least i know there are more options.

Glenski · 20 Oct 2013

If you don't have a college degree or 10 years of experience, you won't get a work visa. Plan around that first. JET wants people with at least a bachelor's degree. Look at their web site. It is full of useful information (and I recommend reading their handbook online).

Other "programs"? I don't know what MM was referring to, and I've been here equally as long. If you want to look into internships, Google them. But in the end you'll still need a bachelor's degree to stay beyond that.

For people with bare bones qualifications (BA or BS degree), about all that is really open is teaching positions (eikaiwa or ALT dispatch or JET ALT). If you want anything else, you'll need a specific degree, work experience, skills, and usually some fairly high fluency in Japanese (speaking, reading, writing).

U.S citizen planning to move to Japan?

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