How do you live in Japan?

Sakura · Saku-chan Gender: Joined: 22 Sep 2002

Hello Miniopians! -eyes shift- Yea yea.. I know.. I'm not on that much, but what other Otakus and people smart with the knowledge of Japan could I turn to?

(blah blah for those who don't know me I'm Doot's younger sister, Sakura)

Anyways! I need help... How do you:
• Move to Japan?
• Get citizinship in Japan?
• What kind of jobs can you get for a foriegner besides teaching english or being a hostess?

I will love you forever is someone can help me out... with personal information or links or anything.

faraebie · Rookie Age: 40 Gender: Joined: 04 Feb 2005

The best way I know of to get over there for a length of time is either study abroad (which is only a semester/year, but you can get contacts and work on finding a job while you're there) or finding a company that will sponsor you for a work visa. If you go over before you get the working visa you'll have three months on a tourist visa to find a job, but you'll have a big problem finding a permanent place to stay before you get a job. You'll pretty much be restricted to apartments, and you'll have to find a guarantor for the apartment (either the company you work for or if you go through an agency to find an apartment they sometimes will be a guarantor). Getting an apartment can run (and generally does run) 3-5 times one month's rent, which is pretty high because land is so expensive. Whatever people say, though, it is possible to be frugal and live pretty well. 100 yen shops rule the planet.
Getting citizenship I'm not so familiar with. But here's a website I stumbled upon. http://www.debito.org/
A really good option is to get over there somehow by teaching English or studying and make contacts while you're there, then get the job you really want. As far as I've heard, teaching English is pretty much the only job you can get without any connections and without a working visa (not many companies will actually sponsor you for one).
I'm no expert, though. Just my $.02. >^.^<

KiSin · Reality's Exiled Gender: Joined: 12 Oct 2004

To get citizenship, I don't know exactly how to do it, but it requires you to become a full japanese citizen. They don't have dual citizenship. Any more info it would be best to contact your local Japanese Embassy.

GAAZ · MOD Black Sheep Commander Gender: Joined: 14 Oct 2002

Also citizenship in Japan means you have to take their test.

That requires FULL knowledge of Japanese history, you must know over 2000 kanji, and be able to translate Hiragana and Katakana fluently.

Not to mention an oral exam.

In Japan many things are WAY more expensive than in America and you really need to work your ass off to get anywhere.

There was a guy I knew who moved to Japan and was teaching English in a really good school....He lived in an apt where if he sat in the middle he could touch everything he owned.

Doot · Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 11:04 am Post subject:

You already know my info on this but it's not too different from faraebie's.

It's not going to be long that the world requires a Masters for you to get the type of job you want.

Even dreamers need to be realistic. A good solid education is going to be key before budging into such a huge endeavor and doing it smartly will ultimately pay in the end (or even in 4-6 years).

Get your Japanese in line because you are going to need it. Take formal training in the language and history and culture before you leap across the pond or else you are going to be behind when you get over there.

If it's truly your passion it makes it all the sweeter for you to get over there after earning the knowledge you'll need to get by on a daily basis.

Go to school here (the States) where you can get scholarships (because you are very smart and we both know it) and take the classes they have to offer concerning everything Japan. Sign up for an exchange program to Japan (they may issue you some place else for the time being but don't be discouraged - any trip outside the states for extended learning is worth it.

This is not a decision that will happen with instant gratification. There is effort and work that needs to go into it. Just is more smart to go about it creating your foundation while around folks who can help you when things get tough rather than over in the actual country where it's hard for anything above verbal and moral support.

Ultrawolf · Mr. Roarke Gender: Joined: 04 Jul 2003

Blackmage · Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 1:53 pm Post subject:

You know there's also another way. Join the military and get stationed in Okinawa

Suna-chan · Otaku Master Age: 36 Gender: Joined: 22 May 2003

Blackmage · Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 2:49 pm Post subject:

My little sister is in the Airforce she loves it.

I tried to get in but have flat feet and can't do the running, but with the job I was going for I could have ended up in Japan.

underpants · awesome sauce! Age: 41 Gender: Joined: 07 Jul 2004

To be totally honest (and I'm sure you don't want to hears this) I second what Ultra and Doot have said. Having graduated college I know that it's not always the thing we want to do, because we want to get out there and start our "real" lives, but it's a decision that will be with you for the rest of your life whether you decided to go or not.
I was always the type of person that didn't like school, and I thought that once I graduated college that would be it for me, I'd get a job and be like the rest of the adults out there. However, that wasn't the future for me, I went onto graduate school and now hold a masters degree, something I never though I would achieve.

What I'm trying to say is that college lets you try new things. If going to Japan is really your dream do it through study abroad. So, if things don't work out you can easily come back, and if they do work out you can always stay there. It's a win win situation.