I want to work and live in Japan!

[golgolak]

hi all, i'm new here and this is my first post. i'm just wondering if anyone could give me some advice.

first off, a brief info about myslef. am a 32-year old filipino based in singapore as an IT consultant (Systems Analyst). I've studied Nihongo Elementary I & II but that was like 12 years ago. I'm currently studying again (EI). I've been to Tokyo 5 times in the past and each trip was a bliss. I totally love Tokyo.

For the past couple of years I've tried applying for work (via internet) in various agencies and/or companies but to no avail.
well I'm not giving up so I thought I should probably pass JLPT Level 3 at the very least.

Well, I'm planning to go to Tokyo next year (1st/2nd qtr) as a tourist.
So here are some of my questions, any tips or advice is greatly appreciated.

1. Can I enroll for language courses with a tourist visa
2. Granting that I get 3-6 months visa, could I do arobaito?
3. Know any good school that also provide accomodation?
4. Know any jobsites/companies that hire foreigners?

yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

[samokan]

1. if you mean in a university , I think you need a proper student visa for that. Other than that, you can enroll.
2. NO, if you have tourist visa. On student visa, you need a consent from the school. Basically it all depends upon your visa status.
3. Sorry can't help on that. But some big universities have dormitories so you can save on the rental cause its cheaper.
4. Types.jp , JDV International is good place to start.

Goodluck.

[MMM]

1. Can I enroll for language courses with a tourist visa
Not likely
2. Granting that I get 3-6 months visa, could I do arobaito?
Again, not likely. Not for anything legit.
3. Know any good school that also provide accomodation?
Waseda has a very good exchange program
4. Know any jobsites/companies that hire foreigners?
NOVA, The JET Program, ECC

[golgolak]

Hi Samokan, MMM,

Thank you for your feedback. Greatly appreciate it.
I'll be visiting the embassy for consultation and see what
option are available to me.

cheers!

[samokan]

hello golgolak, since you are an IT engineer, try looking into the big companies, like SHARP, Mitsubishi, Honda, NEC and others.

just wonderin, why are you transferring in japan when IT industry in singapore is really good, and no language barrier ??

[MMM]

Best of luck! Tell us how it goes!

[Nyororin]

1. Can I enroll for language courses with a tourist visa?

Yes. You can engage in any educational activities in Japan as long as you stay within the limits of the tourist visa. That means that the course you would be taking would have to be tailored to fit the 3 month visa. There are countless schools which will work with you on that.
All the ones I know of require prepayment, and house in dorms.

2. Granting that I get 3-6 months visa, could I do arobaito?

If it is a tourist visa, no.

3. Know any good school that also provide accomodation?

There are quite a few. Just do a search for "Japanese language school", read through the many many options, and look for ones which offer housing. Many do.

4. Know any jobsites/companies that hire foreigners?

There are tons of topics on this.

[golgolak]

hi all, thanks for the replies.

Samokan, basically i wan't to work and live in Japan. =p
maybe not for a very long time, but at the very least, i'd like to learn and practice my Nihongo and most importantly, get to travel around.

Hi Nyororin, thanks for the info too!


Now for the update, i emailed the local embassy and I was referred to Senshu University (Senshu University - International Center)

I'm now waiting feedback from Senshu. I'm planning to drop by Feb '08 for
a couple of weeks vacation and at the same time enroll at Senshu... the Fall term looks great. They also provide dorms which is good. The rate is just crazy expensive...

So now I have to work and save like hell. =p

[johnnyboydave]

I posted this in my thread "Seeking advice" and figured I'd post it here too.

I'm primarily wondering what other options I have for work in Japan other then teaching English. Of course, I realize their is no other option if I'm not fluent in Japanese. I'd really like to go to Japan and teach for a few renewals of my visa and study full time on my free time the Japanese language until I am absolutely fluent in both reading and writing. But once I'm fluent enough, I'd like to do something other then teach English.

I can understand if teaching English is the only option until your 5'th year in Japan, when you can become a permanent resident, but is their anything else available once you've become totally fluent in Japanese besides teaching? I mean anything at all that pays well enough to live off of besides a teaching job. I was thinking once you've become a permanent resident of Japan and can speak Japanese almost as fluent as any Japanese native that your options for landing a job increase. This is just speculation (and my hopes).

[Orcrist]

Due to me searching for somewhat the same (japanese classes + 3 month apartment stay) I came across the following within a nice budget (or well, its not so expensive like the many other alternatives I came across ):

Japanese Language School - MLC Meguro Language Center (in Tokyo, Japan) 2.5 month beginner class for 118k yen.

As for housing in tokyo, sakura-house.com provides a great deal of guesthouses/apartments across Tokyo. Easy system focused on short-term staying foreigners (1 month - 1 year) and it aint too expensive.

And johnnyboydave, you seems to be missing some information; after 5 years of staying in Japan you dont become a permanent resident but you will just have completed _one_ of the qualifications of becoming a permanent resident.
Read this story, it may make things a little more clear for you: click.