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Farren
Baron
Registration Date: 07.18.07
Location: Tasmania, Australia
Posts: 2163 |
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hello,
i have been strongly considering getting a working visa in japan for about six months and i feel that it would be great for me.
but i have no idea what it would be like or what i'd do once i got there, i've been trying to contact my old japanese teacher but i can't seem to track him down so i thought i thought i'd start here.websites haven't been much help..
i have learnt japanese for two years but i stopped at the end of 08', the knowlege is still there so i think i'd be ok and i know that living over there would make me learn very quickly. Basically i just want peoples experience and opinions on what to do, where to start etc. i have never been to japan even for a holiday, even though i'm sure i'd love it,some ppl have told me to holiday there first and perhaps if i enjoyed it return to work? it is a good point but i'm impaitient and i want to go now! and it would take me ages to save the money to go over again.... i'm a virgo and hopeless when it comes to decisions  ,
my parents are on a south pacific cruise and going round new zealand so i haven't been able to talk to them about it yet, i think mum might say yes but worry about me and dad would proberly get angry and pick flaws in my plan till i felt like an idiot..
help?!
__________________
pigeons funk the impossible
Post last edited by Farren on 12.14.2010, 12:03 AM.
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 12.14.2010, 12:02 AM |
  
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dballred
Ohmu
Registration Date: 04.24.06
Location: Oklahoma City - Seattle - Tokyo
Posts: 406 |
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quote:
Originally posted by Farren
hello,
i have been strongly considering getting a working visa in japan for about six months and i feel that it would be great for me.
but i have no idea what it would be like or what i'd do once i got there, i've been trying to contact my old japanese teacher but i can't seem to track him down so i thought i thought i'd start here.websites haven't been much help..
i have learnt japanese for two years but i stopped at the end of 08', the knowlege is still there so i think i'd be ok and i know that living over there would make me learn very quickly. Basically i just want peoples experience and opinions on what to do, where to start etc. i have never been to japan even for a holiday, even though i'm sure i'd love it,some ppl have told me to holiday there first and perhaps if i enjoyed it return to work? it is a good point but i'm impaitient and i want to go now! and it would take me ages to save the money to go over again.... i'm a virgo and hopeless when it comes to decisions ,
my parents are on a south pacific cruise and going round new zealand so i haven't been able to talk to them about it yet, i think mum might say yes but worry about me and dad would proberly get angry and pick flaws in my plan till i felt like an idiot..
help?!
First of all, you're not at all alone--so there's no reason to feel like an idiot whatever slings and arrows of outrageous fortune head your way. Getting a working visa in Japan seems to be a very desirable thing among many.
The first thing you need to assess is whether you have a skill that would make you a valuable asset as an import. If you have a skill that Japanese workers can and want to fill and you present no value added as a foreigner, you might find it quite difficult to get a sponsor.
One safe thing you might consider, if your Japanese is sufficient enough not to butcher name pronunciations, is to find a local office of a major Japanese company near your home. If you get in with the company and they consider you a valuable member, you might get an occasional visit to the home office or even an assignment to Japan.
While it's a personal choice on my part, I would far prefer to visit Japan than live there. I've done both and it's a lot more fun to visit.
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| 12.14.2010, 12:24 AM |
 
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Mush
Baron
Registration Date: 07.30.07
Location: South of Canada
Posts: 1810 |
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Do it!
In order to go there on a working visa, you'll need to find a job before you leave. Then your company can arrange for you to get a visa. It takes a few months at least, so you'll have time to brush up your Japanese in the meantime.
There are programs such as JET which employ foreigners to teach English in Japan. As far as I know, it doesn't take particularly demanding qualifications, and English teachers earn an absurd salary, much more than I did as an engineer there. I think English fluency will be your main asset.
dballred has a point about skills, but a lot of Japanese companies see inherent value in having a foreigner, whether it's so that the employees can improve their English, or so that they can boost their "international" cred. That said, in the current economy, it might be difficult to find someone willing to hire you. Taking on a foreigner is a major burden, since the company will pretty much be responsible for you, and they'll have to arrange for your papers and everything.
I'm really glad I went to Japan to work, instead of to vacation. First of all, I got to integrate way better into the local culture. You don't get to see it from the inside if you're just visiting. If I went on holiday, I'd get to enjoy a lot of onsen and take the Shinkansen around the country. But I wouldn't get to know the lady at the grocery store, and the neighbours wouldn't have me over for dinner. Worst of all, I'd need to plan out my time -- no sleep-in mornings and unexpected adventures!
Secondly, working and earning a salary is much cheaper than vacationing. You'll be able to stay longer, and if you're frugal, you might come back with savings.
If you're serious about it though, don't go unprepared -- study up as best you can! I went through my university's program, which helped prepare me, and put me in touch with other students who were also going there. If you can find any similar kind of thing, that's going to be much easier than figuring everything out alone. There's a lot of resources online for foreigners visiting, working, or living in Japan.
You should let your parents pick flaws in your plan until you feel like an idiot!  It's the safest thing. Write down every issue they bring up, make a list, and do your best to address all of them. Sometimes there's not going to be anything you can do to prove that you'll be safe, but at least you'll both know you've done your research.
dballred is also right that if you can find employment with an international company that has offices in Japan, they might be happy to let you work there. Some of my friends are going that route; when they're interviewing with multinational corporations, they ask about getting positions overseas, Japan specifically. The response is often "no problem".
I say do it!  If you need more advice, let me know. I'll do what I can!
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Post last edited by Mush on 12.14.2010, 02:15 AM.
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| 12.14.2010, 02:14 AM |
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Farren
Baron
Registration Date: 07.18.07
Location: Tasmania, Australia
Posts: 2163 |
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thanks very much both of you that was very helpful.
hmm yeah i was thinking about english teaching but i';m unsure wheather i have what it takes for that, i'd be ok with tutoring up to 5 people but i don't know how i'd go teaching a class.
i still haven't talked to my japanese teacher about this yet.
i thought that when you get a working visa those people find work for you in a specific area?and they fix everything up for you?
i have seen websites that allow you to do an online english teaching course for $500.00 aussie.
thats interesting about japanese companies boosting there international cred, with having a foreigner.
I'm not being lazy but i don't really want to work 6 days a week, i'd prefer to work casual so that i can see the sites etc.
this is something i want to do alone, is that advisable?
i live by the sea and bush, the local city is basically just a large town, there isn't any japanese companies nearby. but our states capital might have one..
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pigeons funk the impossible
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| 12.28.2010, 07:48 PM |
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Calforsale
Totoro
Registration Date: 01.19.10
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 866 |
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I'm not totally sure about this but with a working holiday program you don't need to provide a skill you can provide over a Japanese i think. Because the main purpose is to holiday and you are only meant to have a small casual or part time job.
Edit: wait you might have to :S
if you go to 4. on Application Procedure for a Working Holiday Visa
it says (http://www.au.emb-japan.go.jp/e_web/embassy_guide/Wvisa.htm)
'including details of prearranged employment'
But then maybe thats just if you have prearranged. Lol i dunno really.
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Post last edited by Calforsale on 12.28.2010, 09:28 PM.
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| 12.28.2010, 09:22 PM |
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Farren
Baron
Registration Date: 07.18.07
Location: Tasmania, Australia
Posts: 2163 |
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@calforsale
this is actually a really helpful site , thanks
but it doesn't really go into organising your own employment, or a company doing that.
"Applicants should be aware that they may submit an application only at the Japanese diplomatic or consular mission responsible for the Australian State of which they are a resident. Applications are made in person and the applicant may be interviewed. The processing time may vary with the diplomatic mission at which the application is submitted."
this confuses me.
i think i need to do some more research 
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pigeons funk the impossible
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| 12.29.2010, 12:17 AM |
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Calforsale
Totoro
Registration Date: 01.19.10
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 866 |
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quote:
Originally posted by Farren
@calforsale
this is actually a really helpful site , thanks
but it doesn't really go into organising your own employment, or a company doing that.
"Applicants should be aware that they may submit an application only at the Japanese diplomatic or consular mission responsible for the Australian State of which they are a resident. Applications are made in person and the applicant may be interviewed. The processing time may vary with the diplomatic mission at which the application is submitted."
this confuses me.
i think i need to do some more research
Ah i think that you can't just send it in, you have to hand it in at your consulate or embassy and they will have an interview with you to make sure you have done everything right on the application i think. Your Tasmanian right? I think you'll have to go to melbourne to do this. http://www.au.emb-japan.go.jp/e-web/about_consulates.html
I think then after this they will process it, and send you soemthing if it has been accepted?
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| 03.07.2011, 08:55 PM |
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