Getting paid in Japan !!!
 

Hey guys! Just serching for some advice.

It's my senior year this year and I'd really like to spend my last free summer in japan. I can't afford the regular trip, nor can I pay for the exchange programs. I've heard of other people going overseas and getting paid for their time there, and I was wondering if anyone could help me with doing something like that.

If you're American, then you're screwed. If you're in almost every other country, then you are eligible for the Working Holiday Visa. It allows you to stay in Japan up to 6 months with the ability of engaging in paid activities. (jobs)

Unfortunately, if you're American, you have to go through hell to do this, while we watch everyone else sign a piece of paper, then fly to Japan like it's nothing. Kind of weird, but heck, what are you gunna do, you know?

Anyways, here's some more information about holiday working visa: MOFA: The Working Holiday Programmes in Japan

If you're American, and have some degree, it's still very unlikely that someone will hire you for six months. You're basically out of luck. My advise is to find a friend in Japan, suck it up and buy the plane ticket, then live with you're friend for the summer. But you're not allowed to work.

Lucky me, I'm American. >.<

ugh! no way! There isn't even some kind of program I can sign up for? Kina like a volunteer thing ...?

gah! I dunno what i'm talking about ...

Thanks for the MOFA info.

I'm guessing you're American?

Yeah, sucks to be us.

I thought working holiday was a year?

Anyway - you`re basically asking to be paid to go on vacation. This doesn`t happen often in the real world. If you cannot afford even the trip over, then I think you should rethink your plans, or start working really hard to get the money.

There are countless ways to get by cheaply once you`re in Japan, but it will be pretty hard to pull off if you can`t even afford to buy a ticket here.

Yeah, I figure if you cant afford plane ticket's I don't think it would go very well. :P how much would a plane ticket to Japan be anyway?

I've seen signs at some small businesses in Tokyo saying that they want to hire people on the Working Holiday program, but the hours and pay are not great. Most of these jobs are as wait staff, or bar tenders, and most high schoolers are not old enough to work in these places.

Working Holiday visas are good for 6 months, and are not difficult to obtain in the countries which qualify for them.

The main reason that there is no Working Holiday Visa agreement between America and Japan is because so many people who visit America overstay their visas, often for many years (or forever). America is a strange place, rather than enforce immigration laws, they prefer simply make it more difficult to obtain visas while doing little to nothing to those who overstay. A friend of my gf's went to America on a student visa, it expired 5 or 6 years ago, but she is still living and working in America. You couldn't get away with that in Japan.

Ah, I figured out why I was thinking it was one year. Apparently the UK issues 1 year working holiday visas, and the 6 month ones can be extended once to a total of one year.

Unfortunately, for Americans everyone is right. An exchange program will probably be your cheapest option. Hotels and hostels will mean you'll need probably $2500 at a minimum per month to stay.

Like has been said before...Japan isn't going anywhere. It'll be waiting for you when you are ready to make the trek.

I read through his initial post a couple of time, I think he is looking for ways to go there for free.....

"Paid for your time there" Thats what he is looking for....

Getting paid for their time there? Japan may be a homogeneous society but they're not _that_ fascinated with foreigners...

But then again, if you're able to make it to Japan, perhaps you can find some odd jobs which require little work. Like becoming a human guinea pig for the pharmaceutical industry. Or perhaps a slave at an S&M club.

Oh. Well then the obvious answer is "impossible"

If it were "free," then everyone and their uncle's cousin would be in Japan right now.

Hm, of course it depends. But I can go to Hokkaido from North Carolina (round trip, that is. With about 85 days between the arrival date and departure date) for about $1,700-$2,100.

It will vary for everyone, though. But that's just to give you an average price. To those that have traveled to Japan, what was your price? And which airports etc.

I left from Anchorage Intl Airport in 2007 and my ticket was $1050

Hey, that's not bad at all! Niceeee.

What's the average for lets say a 6th month exchange program on the college level?

They are extremely expensive. And IMO, not worth it.
$10,000-$12,000 per semester.

I have never heard someone say the experience they had on an exchange program wasn't worth the price they paid.

There are all kinds of exchange programs at all kinds of prices. I hosted a 3 week exchange for under 2000 dollars.

So very true, I have a couple friends (not from Japan or any asian country) that came to America on student visas and those expired 5+ years ago and there still here. The work and pay taxes and nobody say's anything. LOL.



I have seen on a few website that there are volunteer opportunities, some in Japan where you can volunteer your time. But the programs cost money since they only provide basic hosing and food. the rest you pay for. Your best bet is to save up the money then come to Japan.

That's what you get for testing atomic munitions on a general public. Pity they are not firmer with you yanks to try and stop you teaching AMERICAN ENGLISH to their children.
I am still helping several Japanese recover from learning the yank pronounciation of MIRROR.

xxx Sarc xxx.

Yuuuuuck. Amercian English is horrible for foreigners :<

Well, my trip to Japan was free, and living there now I'm not paying a dime. But my route is probably one you wouldn't consider, USAF.