Working in Japan after the expiration of a scholarship period

[RinRin]

Hi I am an Indian national with a BA(hons) in Japanese (Graduated April 2014) and am currently in Japan on a one year scholarship from MEXT for Japanese studies. In India you need to attend university for 3 years to get a degree, compared to 4 years in other countries. My current situation is that I am a double graduate, with Bachelor`s in Hospitality and in Japanese, and my classmates from other countries are still in their 3 year of study and will graduate a year later (after returning to their respective countries).

I want to work in Japan after completion of the scholarship period. But my supervisor says that due to the constraints of my scholarship I am not allowed to work part time, job hunt or give job interviews, this includes not being allowed to consult the university placement center. And that one of the clauses is that I will have to return to my country and continue my studies. She also mentioned that upon the successful completion of my course in the first week of August, I have about a month during which I can gather information about the job market. She didn`t give any more details about the do`s and dont`s therefore I have no reliable information if I can apply for jobs and then give interviews later or if I can only gather information and am not allowed to apply for jobs and give interviews.
I have put this question to my teachers back home and their advice is to pursue my higher studies in Japan. Which I do not have to funds for.

I was not planning on looking for a job here but my private situation has changed (I got dumped), and am looking to do a bit of soul searching while living and working abroad. I am aware that my scholarship clauses are an impediment but I also believe that where there is a will there is a way. I welcome advice, suggestions and Ideas that are practical.

With love from Okinawa .

 

[Mike Cash]

Have you actually seen these clauses with your own eyes and verified them yourself?

I was also once on scholarship and was told I "have to" return to my own country at the end of it. This was simply the university feeling they should return me back to where they got me after they were finished with me....much as you would feel you should put your dishes in the sink after you finish eating.

I got a job and remained. (I also switched to a spouse visa at the same time, so my situation may have been a bit different from yours).

 

[Glenski]

What kind of visa do you have?

 

[RinRin]

Mike I have not seen them but various teachers kept saying that to me. The only thing I`ve signed that looks anything like a pledge is as follows

PLEDGE（誓約書）
To: the Minister of Education,Culture,Sports,Science and Technology,Government of Japan (Monbukagaku-daijin)（文部科学大臣 殿）

1. I understand that the Japanese Government Scholarship aims to promote friendly relations between Japan and foreign countries, and as a recipient of the Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho:MEXT) Scholarship, I pledge to abide by the following articles.
私は，国費外国人留学生制度が，日本と諸外国との友好親善を促進することを目的としていることを理解し，日本政府（文部科学省）奨学金留学生として，留学生の模範となるよう努め，次の事項を守ることを誓約します。

(1) To obey the rules set by the university or the enrolling institution and devote myself to my study and research in order to accomplish the aims of the Scholarship.
（この制度の目的を達成するため，日本の大学等における学則その他大学等の定める規則に従い，学習又は研究に専念すること。）

(2) To refrain from violating Japanese laws and regulations.
（日本の法令等に違反しないこと。）

(3) To refrain from bringing the MEXT Scholarship program into disrepute.
（国費外国人留学生の信用を傷つけ，又は不名誉となるような行為をしないこと。）

(4) To accept responsibility for any expenses incurred beyond those covered by the Scholarship awarded by MEXT.
（文部科学省から支給される奨学金の額を越えて必要とする金額については，自己の責任において支弁すること。）

(5) To accept responsibility for payment of any debts I might incur in Japan.
（日本において債務を負った際は，自己の責任において弁済すること。）

(6) To refrain from receiving other scholarships (excluding those specified as being for research expenditures.).
（他の奨学金（使途が研究費として特定されているものを除く。）の支給を受けないこと。）

(7) To acknowledge that the scholarship awards will be tenable during the period stated in the notice of selection.
（奨学金の支給期間は採用通知時に記載した期間内であることを了解すること。）

2. I understand that my scholarship may be terminated if I am found to have violated any of the articles above, included a false statement in my application, been subject to disciplinary action such as expulsion or removal from the university register, or if it has been demonstrated that I will not be able to graduate within the standard course term because of poor academic performance or a suspension. Furthermore, I will not lodge any complaint regarding the Minister's judgment even though it may involve the termination of my scholarship. Additionally, in the event that I receive any scholarship awards that are not intended for my use (such as in the situation previously described), I will return said awards to the Japanese government or an organization that the government specifies.

上記の事項に違反した場合，申請書類の記載事項に虚偽が発見された場合，又は大学等において退学等の懲戒処分を受けた場合あるいは除籍となった場合，若しくは学業成績不良や停学等により標準修業年限内での卒業（若しくは修了）が不可能であることが確定した場合には，文部科学大臣より奨学金の支給を取り止められても，不服を申し立てません。また，前述の場合等，本来支給されるべきではない奨学金を受給した場合，当該奨学金は，日本政府又は日本政府が指定する機関に返還いたします。

3. I understand and accept all the matters stated in the Application for Japanese Government (MONBUKAGAKUSHO: MEXT) Scholarship for 2014.

(2014年度日本政府（文部科学省）奨学金留学生募集要項に記載されている事項をすべて了解します。）

During the interview with the person from the Japanese Consulate, he had asked me what I plan to do upon my return after the scholarship. I answered, as I had been told to by my teachers and seniors, that I will continue my studies. I was told that they dont usually follow up so what you say there isnt necessarily binding.

Glenski
My Visa category as it is given on my Visa is a Category (G) As Student.
And my Residence card under Status 在留資格 says Student 留学
But I was warned that I would not be allowed to work part time.
Actually I was warned to not do a lot of things. I was asked to turn down invitations to be part of a circle because they may be involved in shady activities. Not to attend drinking parties 飲み会, to turn down invitations by male students (which probably means they dont want me dating a Japanese guy).

I own that I was a very distracted with the break up, as it happened a couple of days after I reached Okinawa, so I did not perform as best as I could during the semester.

 

[Mike Cash]

I would ask them to show me in writing where it says I am not permitted to use my own free time now to seek employment beginning AFTER my scholarship term has finished. This sounds made up.

 

[WonkoTheSane]

Keep in mind, even if it's made up, the person might wholeheartedly believe it.

I recently had a conversation with someone where I was told, with immense feeling, that I needed to buy sponges and cleanser made for the bathroom instead of just using ones that are made for the kitchen. It's a sponge... And a bottle of watered down bleach... The picture on the package doesn't really change any of that.

Point being, I wouldn't try to argue it, just ask to see the rules and if they can't be produced go on about your business.

 

[Glenski]

As a student visa holder, you need special permission from immigration to work part-time, but it's easy to get, and you definitely can work on that visa!
Immigration Procedures Guidebook

Your school or adviser seems to be extremely strict. Maybe they had bad luck with previous students bailing out of the program to work instead, and are therefore just trying to head things off.

 

[GuyJean]

As far as I know MEXT scholarship receivers don't get the work permit as they're supposed to concentrate on studies only. That's what I was told by someone receiving it a few years back.

The no dating and circle stuff is totally made up and as someone who attended uni here I definitely recommend you to join a circle if it's otherwise gonna be hard for you to make Japanese friends. Spending your year here with other foreign students will keep you from learning a lot of natural Japanese. I don't know what kind of "shady stuff" students at your uni usually do through circle activities, but can imagine it's referring to underage drinking. And even though all my Japanese friends were drinking underage, as a scholarship receiver you may not wanna get wasted in front of university staff.

As for dating, no one has the right to stop you from seeing anyone. So don't worry about that. Once you got a boyfriend you should actually pay the oversea students office a visit holding hands.

Anyways, if you are talking about finding full time employment, you should be able to take interviews with firms that recruit for let's say April next year, assuming that's when your studies and scholarship will end. The best thing is to ask for a written document signed by you that explicitly states that you are not allowed to interview for full time employment in japan for after you are done with your studies.

And don't sign anything new they may try to push on you without understanding it 100%.
The uni staff can't just cancel your scholarship as they wish without valid reason.

 

[Glenski]

As far as I know MEXT scholarship receivers don't get the work permit as they're supposed to concentrate on studies only.

Permission for work is separate from the visa itself, although they both come from immigration (Ministry of Justice, to be exact). So, a scholarship has IMO nothing to say about whether someone can work or not. It just gives you the money to defray costs of tuition, and therefore you become eligible for the student visa.

I'll ask foreign students at my uni, but 99 percent are grad students who have no time for work.

 

[Mike Cash]

I still can't see any grounds for prohibiting seeking post-scholarship employment. That's just bizarre. There are good opportunities available for someone with the OP's educational background and language skills.

 

[GuyJean]

It is likely that the government doesn't have a problem with it, but university administration does in some cases. And you need to get some papers signed by them to apply for a work permit on a student visa.

I wasn't on a MEXT but another scholarship. I do remember getting some sort of 'permit slip' showing that I was a full time student and my grades were alright and they agreed that it's not problem for me to work on the side each time I got my work permit renewed.