I live in Japan!

[Orandagirl]

Hello,

I had a Question..

How can someone come to live in Japan?
I mean you have to pay for the trip,your home,food etc.. but how do have that money?

I really want to go to Japan before I die. My parents won't let me
If someone knows a cheaper way to go to Japan please let me hear it!

Thank you! ^.^

[SSJup81]

Originally Posted by Crane

SSJup81: I never said "going there illegally".

I'm sorry, but that was the impression I was getting, especially when you mentioned the part about not being in a position to get a visa. You can't stay in the country without one and the only other alternative is to be there illegally.

Nyororin: I do speak the language, and the reason why I don't have enough money to save is because none of my family had enough money to go to college, so I was already at a disadvantage by being born into poverty, so when I finally did get a job, I had to pay for everything myself, therefor not having any extra money. I could find employment quite easily in America, even without a family, and without any help from friends, so that's not the problem there. Also, I never said/assumed I would "just marry some random girl" to get a visa.

I wasn't born into poverty, and neither of my parents went to a university, but I could never afford college on my own. I never made enough money to even remotely consider it. My parents didn't (and haven't) paid for me to go. I did the whole two year to four year thing. I took out student loans and used grants (which don't need to be paid back). As I pointed out, the grants didn't help as much as say a nice scholarship, but it's still helping. Sure it'll take a good while to pay off my student loans (luckily, unlike some, it'll only be about 20k or so), but I will get it paid off someday.

Originally Posted by Crane

Before, when I said "get a simple, unskilled job, and eventually get citizenship.", I meant that as a separation of questions, so I apologize for the misunderstanding. I pretty much knew I wouldn't achieve citizenship, but I still asked, like anyone would. My only concern was of getting any sort of job, and that has now been cleared up for me, so that part of the conversation is over.

It's unfortunate that without a work visa (which you need a Bachelor's for), you can't work, unless you just happen to luck out, and know someone who could use you for a job and could sponsor you and you get it that way, but as I said, you'd need a lot of luck in that regard.

Where I'm getting with this is that even if I had the money, no college would ever want to take me, and honestly, even if I did get into a university so that I could move to Japan, I don't want to spend at that money and all that time just to get a normal unskilled job.

It's probably rare for a foreigner in Japan to get any of those "unskilled jobs", then again, I do recall hearing about some foreign immigrants getting jobs in like construction and stuff like that. *Shrugs* Who knows.

Anywho, I still could see a Japanese employer hiring a Japanese citizen/native for a job like that before hiring a foreigner.

I might go to college and if I still feel like it then, I may go to Japan.

You should just start it up now. Just take a class here or there. A little bit at a time. At least that way, it won't cost you as much as a full time student. There are such things as Adult Education, which allows classes to be flexible, so that it doesn't interfere with things like work schedules. You could also take courses online. Usually for that, it's one class at a time, unless you choose to take more than one. In some regards, it's a bit cheaper than going as a traditional student, but like with all schools, books will always be a problem, as aid usually doesn't cover that, but there are places like Amazon and Barnes & Noble where you can buy them used.

But anyway, thank you for all the information. If I have any more questions, interests, or curiosities, I'll be sure to ask again

Sorry that the answers couldn't be of more help, but seems that regardless of what route you take, a degree would more than likely be the best way of getting there, unless you're going there for maybe vacation reasons (tourist visa).

Originally Posted by Orandagirl

How can someone come to live in Japan?

Well, could always look for a job there, but one of the main requirements to get a Work Visa is to obtain a four year degree from an accredited college/university.

That aside, why do you want to go to Japan? What interests do you have of the country?

I mean you have to pay for the trip,your home,food etc.. but how do have that money?

Some people just have jobs in their home countries and save up. Some people go to Japan through work programs, such as JET, Interac, GEOS, etc. Of course these programs mostly cater to those who work as Assistant Language Teachers of English language. JET, for instance, pays its employees for the plane ride over.

I really want to go to Japan before I die. My parents won't let me

To me it's odd that this would be an issue. If you are an adult, your parents shouldn't have much say as to where you want to go or what country you would like to visit, unless they're the ones paying for it. If you're a child, though, I can understand why, as they would probably have to pay for you to go.

If someone knows a cheaper way to go to Japan please let me hear it!

Nothing comes to mind. I would've been there myself by now if I had the money to visit. lol

[Nyororin]

Originally Posted by SHAD0W

Wow! Thank you both for your responses! I think I might buy one from that website, but I'm dubious how well they would turn my name into Kanji.. Also, I'd like some awesome kanji.. Don't want to be Mr.FlowerToilet or something silly like that.

In order for it to be legally binding, or even to count as yours - it has to be your name. Making some with Kanji attached might be fun, but in reality if you were ever to need one in Japan it would have to be in Katakana. Highly stylized, no doubt, but not Kanji - therefore with no real meaning. (Unless, like me, your last name IS Kanji, and then it`s okay. )

Another question, If I may?

I was reading Crane's post (and your responses) about working in Japan. I don't think I want to leave England.. but if I ever did decide on moving to Japan, how likely will I be able to get a job that will provide a comfortable living?

[cut]

How employable will I be? (if this is the wrong place for me to post this question, Please point me elsewhere and I'll edit accordingly, but I'd appreciate your opinion)

Also, I wouldn't want to go through JET or anything like that, I'd want to apply for a job like i would for a job in England if possible?

All that will really count toward you in Japan will be your degree and your past experience. Teaching certification is different here, and I doubt would carry over. However, if you`re aiming for JLPT1 there should be nothing stopping you from taking the tests and receiving certification in Japan also. Will it carry any weight is another story - Chances are anywhere that would be open to hiring you will want you to teach English... And teaching English doesn`t really draw from certifications. In fact, to teach English even in a regular school, you don`t need to have anything other than an arbitrary degree for visa purposes. Of course, having real certifications will certainly give you the edge when applying.

Elementary school English classes are growing in popularity so you may have quite a chance of being hired. It would really be down to luck - finding a school with an opening that would be willing to hire someone from abroad and go through the visa process with them.

[Nyororin]

Originally Posted by SSJup81

I'm sorry, but that was the impression I was getting, especially when you mentioned the part about not being in a position to get a visa. You can't stay in the country without one and the only other alternative is to be there illegally.

This. You may not THINK you`re talking about living in Japan illegally, but you are. No visa = No legality. As the only way to stay in the country legally is by getting a visa, your other option is one that leaps straight into illegality.

It's unfortunate that without a work visa (which you need a Bachelor's for), you can't work, unless you just happen to luck out, and know someone who could use you for a job and could sponsor you and you get it that way, but as I said, you'd need a lot of luck in that regard.

Even if you know someone who can sponsor you, they still have to prove that it is sufficiently difficult to find someone to do the same work inside of Japan to justify bringing someone in. So even if you know a hundred CEOs, unless you have something that people in Japan do not, it`s a no go.

It's probably rare for a foreigner in Japan to get any of those "unskilled jobs", then again, I do recall hearing about some foreign immigrants getting jobs in like construction and stuff like that. *Shrugs* Who knows.

There are opportunities for people from Asian countries taking part in the Asian Apprenticeship Program (I forget it`s official name), allowing limited numbers of workers from participating companies to stay in Japan for periods of time learning skills. There are also openings for those from Brazil, as Japan has a very liberal immigration policy for Brazilians... Otherwise, you`re out of luck.

That aside, why do you want to go to Japan? What interests do you have of the country?

I too am curious about this. What makes you think that life would be better in Japan?

[Nemhy]

Originally Posted by SHAD0W

Sorry, its just that ive seen a similar thing plastered around here 1000's of times and I was worried you were going to be added to the list of weirdo's that reside here. Thank god you're not

EDIT:


AHA! there we go! See what I mean?

...It's like That post was MADE to show as an example in yours XD


Question about the Hanko Stamp, Whats makes it personalized? Like if 2 people have the same name wouldnt that cause an issue?

[SSJup81]

Originally Posted by Nemhy

...It's like That post was MADE to show as an example in yours XD


Question about the Hanko Stamp, Whats makes it personalized? Like if 2 people have the same name wouldnt that cause an issue?

I guess it just depends on the Kanji used to spell the name.

[Nyororin]

Originally Posted by Nemhy

Question about the Hanko Stamp, Whats makes it personalized? Like if 2 people have the same name wouldnt that cause an issue?

Because it isn`t as if they print the name out from some font. The ones that you actually register are pretty much unique as they are hand carved, and use very stylized script... Not to mention the design itself, fitting the characters into the shape and space.　The more important, the more complex the design becomes.

A decent example - all the same name, in different styles and levels of complexity;

[Nyororin]

Originally Posted by JoshAussie

I have a question,

I guess i could google it but i thought it might help some other people out and less complicated.

What happens with citizenship if a foreigner marries a Japanese woman do the couple then have to choose what country to be citizens of? or do you get some sort of like.. citizenship to both countries? Can you go and work in both countries?..

They both keep their prior citizenships. Nothing happens in the citizenship department at all. You will be able to get a spousal visa granting residency in Japan (and the other way applies to her - she would most likely be eligible for residency in your country.)

You`re still going to need that visa, just as she is still going to need a visa to live outside Japan.

It will make it easier to apply for and receive citizenship in Japan (for you) or elsewhere (for her) - but absolutely nothing happens automatically.

[SHAD0W]

Originally Posted by Nyororin

In order for it to be legally binding, or even to count as yours - it has to be your name. Making some with Kanji attached might be fun, but in reality if you were ever to need one in Japan it would have to be in Katakana.

The website above said they would "transform your name into kanji". Thats why i was dubious... If its all Katakana then its all good.

In England, primary teachers (although they must have a specialism) teach all subjects. Does it not work the same way in Japan?

If i moved to japan with JLPT1, i wouldnt want to use English, I'd want to teach Japanese children in Japanese language. I wouldn't want to join the "gaijin teaching English" que (no offense to anyone thats doing that).

If you don't mind my asking Nyororin, whats your job?

[Nyororin]

Originally Posted by SHAD0W

The website above said they would "transform your name into kanji". Thats why i was dubious... If its all Katakana then its all good.

I didn`t check the page - chances are, they will "transform" it into some random kanji for you. Particularly as outside Japan it`s just going to be for novel value, and we all know how popular and cool kanji are!

In England, primary teachers (although they must have a specialism) teach all subjects. Does it not work the same way in Japan?

I do believe that it does... but....

If i moved to japan with JLPT1, i wouldnt want to use English, I'd want to teach Japanese children in Japanese language. I wouldn't want to join the "gaijin teaching English" que (no offense to anyone thats doing that).

The thing is, well, what do you have to offer to a student other that cannot be offered by a Japanese teacher - other than English? If you are going to be teaching the Japanese curriculum in Japanese, there is no reason to go through the pain of hiring you. You would be no better qualified for the position than the other Japanese teachers available... Not to mention the fact that unless your Japanese is absolutely perfect you`ll be at quite a disadvantage - I imagine it`s the same in the UK, but children are supposed to learn proper grammar and pronunciation from their teacher. It is extremely hard to convince a school (well, more like their parents) that you will be able to fulfill that role.
The only place that it would be "easy" to get a position would be an international school - but that would be in English and not Japanese.

If you don't mind my asking Nyororin, whats your job?

Right now I`m not really employed.

But at one point my ultimate goal was to be a normal junior high school teacher... In the process of getting the certification, I gave up as there wasn`t even a school that would let me do an internship - let alone think about hiring for anything other than English conversation teaching. (I wanted to do English grammar, which is taught in Japanese...)

But back to employment - I was an interpreter/translator for a while. Also worked with a number of elementary / junior high students who had issues preventing them from attending a normal classroom. (Bullying, health issues, etc) Connected with that, I still tutor one of them (even though he has returned to school normally) in most subjects.