Working in Japan

Bonaparte

Hey,
I'm currently looking into trying to get a job over in Japan for 2years(FAS), got an interview coming up.

I was wondering if anyone has had any expirence living over there?The contract includs accmmoadation in a "Dorm" and is good position. What are these dorm generly like?

Not sure what the tax is like over there so how much would you need to be gettting basic to be equal to 30K euro here after Tax?

Also how easy is it to live over there getting around and socilizing.

Any help would be cool!
Thanks

justfortherecor

Hey,

Im currently on an Internship here in Tokyo. Do you know where you'll be working. I can only give you detailed experience of Tokyo and it seems Tokyo is a bit of an anomoly compared to the rest of Japan.

Having a great time over here, its a really cool city with a great atmosphere. Do you speak Japanese by the way? If not, dont worry. Tokyo is an easy place to get by with only English but It does slightly limit your experience somewhat. Ive seen too many people fall into the usual groups of gaijin (foreigners) expats and simply spend their time enclosed in these groups drinking and chasing Japanese women! This country has soo much more to offer, i guarantee you'll enjoy your experience over here.

Its a great place to come while you're young for work experience. Based on the apperance of many westerners here it seems like prolonged stay induces baldness and obesity, or maybe thats the way they came over here to try and find a wife. Ah im just being cynical again!

Getting around the country is exceptionally easy, without doubt the most effecient transport system ive ever seen. I find myself getting pissed off in Tokyo when the train is 2 mins late in the morning commute so I dont stand a chance back in Ireland.

Not too sure about Dorms, never stayed in one myself but I think they are shared rooms with bunkbeds etc. A better option is to stay in a guesthouse. Private room with shared facilities and rent is good. You can look into getting an apartment once you've settled into the life here.

Here is a good link for a guesthouse place offering accommodation in the Tokyo area.

www.sakura-house.com

Good luck in the interview. 頑張ってください！！！

Dont be at yourself

Check out www.japan-guide.com, it's a really useful site for information on all things Japan.

Bonaparte

Hmm,
Had the interview and the job has a lot of negatives-6 day week with long hours 8 to 5 only 50 min break and then only 10 days off a year. Its located out in science city which is an industryal area of Osaka and out of the way. The pay after deductions is only around 1K euro a month.
The job it self is not really what i'd like to be doing as well.

Is this the normal thing in Japan or would most jobs be a bit better pay time off?
i want to be able to see the country and citys but with this job it would seem that all the time I have would be in work or recoving from the week, and that i wouldnt have much money left after costs to spend on doing things.

jonny68

Bonaparte wrote:

Hmm,
Had the interview and the job has a lot of negatives-6 day week with long hours 8 to 5 only 50 min break and then only 10 days off a year. Its located out in science city which is an industryal area of Osaka and out of the way. The pay after deductions is only around 1K euro a month.
The job it self is not really what i'd like to be doing as well.

Is this the normal thing in Japan or would most jobs be a bit better pay time off?
i want to be able to see the country and citys but with this job it would seem that all the time I have would be in work or recoving from the week, and that i wouldnt have much money left after costs to spend on doing things.

That's desperate money,really bad even unskilled workers would get more than that you would be crazy to work for that money,if i was gonna move somewhere like Tokyo id be looking for a minimum of €4,000 per month.

davros

I presume if you are living in a dorm you will have no commute. So come 5pm the evening is all yours. If you are on a rail line I'm sure you will have no trouble getting anywhere you want to go quickly.

I worked in Japan myself, overtime every day and commuted 1.25 hours each way to the office in a rather desolate location. I still had a great social life and saw loads of stuff in my spare hours. But I was living in downtown Tokyo in a nice apartment, which no doubt helped.

The nature of the job is important, of course, but I was willing back then to trade the best quality of work for a chance to live long term in other countries. Japan is utterly fascinating and different, and two years is not so long really when you look back on it.

It's a tough choice and I don't know what you should do. I just wanted to provide some food for thought.

justfortherecor

jonny68 wrote:

That's desperate money,really bad even unskilled workers would get more than that you would be crazy to work for that money,if i was gonna move somewhere like Tokyo id be looking for a minimum of €4,000 per month.

Remember though that its an internship. And in Japan its typical in Japanese companies for interns not to get paid at all. It's seen as though the company is doing you a favour by providing you with work experience and there is no need for renumeration. In their eyes you'll have plenty of time to earn money using this experience later on.

Im lucky enough to have an internship with an Irish company so I get paid enough to get by on. Im not kidding myself by thinking this internship is about pay, sure if ya wanted that just stay in Ireland and get a cushy job. Its about getting valuable experience in a foreign environment that'll stand to you in the future. I think its well worth earning a small amount for a year if it means you can add a few thousand to your contract when you start work in earnest.

On a side note, I know Irish people who have done internships in Japanese companies and got paid for it. There has been occasions where Japanese employees will pretty much sneer and look down on the Irish person as they are gettin paid (albeit very little) while the Japanese interns get nothing.

Remember this is a different country to Ireland so it would be quite foolish to bring the same ideals about the workplace over here as well.

abetarrush

Man, if you dont like the job, I wouldnt do it

Japan is an amazing country. I went when I was 16 and everyone is really helpful, and its easy to get anywhere with their train system. Also, Some basic Japanese would help, but you could always just carry a mini Phrase book

The Japan part is ok, its the job I'd worry abt