Careers in Japan*
 

Hello Everyone I'm new to the forums. I am wondering what are good choices as a career in japan? I know one of them is an ESL teacher but I figured if one can learn/speak the language at a fluent level there could be better choices. I start college this July. I enrolled in International Business but I'm not sure, because this does not concentrate on one country if I'm not mistaken. What I want is simply to be a business man in japan. Another way is to work for a Japanese company here in the states and transfer.

What are your thoughts/Advice?

Are you majoring in International Business? If so, you can minor in Asian studies or something like that. With International Business, I'm quite sure it's mandatory to have to take some type of a foreign language or cultural study or a particular country.

That aside, if you become fluent enough, maybe you could work as a CIR (Coordinator for International Relations). I know this is an option through JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) program, so maybe one can pursue a career in this without the assistance of the JET program or something similar. All I know is that to work as a CIR, you have to be really really really fluent in the language. IIRC, someone here was saying you have to pass at least the level 2 JPT.

CIR's are usually former JET's. My advice, study Japanese like there's no tomorrow, do a study abroad here if you can, keep your grades up, and you will have no problem getting a job at a multinational in Tokyo or somewhere without going the teaching route.

Cultural studies, other than business culture, won't do anything for you as far as jobs. It is nice though to understand more about where you are living and keeps you from looking like an idiot in some situations.

Hello, and I just wanted to say that my life long dream is to move to Japan and become a Japanese Architect. I'm working on it now, but I'm only a High School Freshmen so I've got some time to wait on.

I think an IT degree is always good. Also, a great advantage is being fluent in Japanese. There is always the option of teaching languages, though...

When I applied to be a JET I had the choice between ALT and CIR. I think they are both hired through the same system.

They are... they're both part of the JET Program, along with the newest category, SEA (who help to coach sports). When you apply to JET, you must choose 1 (and only 1) job to apply to, and by FAR the most openings are for ALTs (about 95% of openings, if not more). CIRs make up most of the rest, and they only take a few SEAs right now, though it may grow in the future.

Wonder if airlines in Japan ever accept foreign pilots?