FYI, for those who continue to believe that "you only need to be the best". A friend of mine, one of the "BEST" IT Infrastructure guy that there can be, just lost his job in Japan 2 months ago, and if can't find anyone else willing to sponsor him by next week, he is coming back to Canada.

Not trying to scare everyone that "when time is bad, the foreigner is the first one to go", but you always have to remember, the cost to sponsor and support a foreigner is high, and in business term, it is an extreme overhead.

So, to me, thats more "case" to support our statement that the employer really need a good reason to hire/keep a foreigner.

I am already aware of the situation in Japan. Japan is facing tough times, and there have been many redundancies, so it is not surprising that many foreigners are losing their Job. I can understand since there are many businesses here in the UK and local businesses that have gone into administration.

There are a few years before I even graduate, I am hoping the situation would have changed by then, however I have not set my mind on this job alone. I have already considered other possibilities for the worst case scenario. I may consider AI... but I will weigh out my options once I have graduated and may just decide to stick with teaching in the UK.

Why would somebody hire you in your own country if you're a doofus in the world's economy today?

(I love you DQ for letting me have a job this spring!)

Well, at least you and half a dozen of other people understand what we are saying :)... I sometimes wonder why is it so hard to get it through to the rest of the people on this forum :)

You know, I was looking at this thread, a few other "moving to Japan" thread, some "Tatoo" thread........ People, simple as this, you want to live in Japan, you have to play by the rule. That applies to anywhere else. If you are going to find "special" ways around it, then figure it out yourself. We are making recommendation based on personal experience. If you are here to ask a question in hopes for support to your lack of criteria, thats too damn bad, because you won't be getting it from us

Wake up and smell reality.....

みんなさん、今日は。Thanks for all the information in this enormous thread, this has been helpful so far. I've read the first handful of pages and now I have some questions of my own.

My calling is to spread the Lord's Gospel in Japan. I yearn for Japan every single day and can't wait to go there. I know I want to live there, and one thing I am positive of is that what God has called me to do, He has also enabled me to do. However, while He will open the necessary doors, I have an obligation to act as well. So, I am trying to prepare and learn what I need to do while I am still in the US.

First things first, I need a passport. I'm looking into that. As for my credentials, I regrettably don't have much going for me. I'm 21 years old and have been homeschooled most of my life, and still need to take my GEDs and SATs (it's in my plans, I know that's a must). I've taken 5 semesters at a community college and now can get my Associates degree. My GPA is pretty good, my only mediocre semester was one that I took online. Otherwise my grades have been fantastic. I have never had a job, but am applying for one.

My question is, what can I do with what I currently have? I know that my time in the US is short. God has made it clear to me that soon I will be called away, whether straight to Japan, or to somewhere else first. Either way, I feel it's safe to say I don't have time to pursue a Bachelors degree in the US.

I have a couple ideas. First, is what I currently have enough for me even to get a job teaching English in Japan? I don't want to teach English, but if that's what it takes to get a job and live in Japan, I will gladly accept it. If so, how do I go about getting that job (or any other for that matter). Where do I go? What do I need to know?

I've also heard about Temple University, and it sounds like a good place for gaijin such as myself to continue school in Japan. Thoughts? Suggestions?

Finally, can anyone tell me about churches in Japan? I don't yet know where in Japan God will call me, or even how He wants me to spread His Word, but that only gives me all the more reason to explore my options. I'm non-denominational, but I cater more to the Messianic and Baptist denominations than any other. Are there any positions I could take in churches in Japan to get a start and learn more about the ministry there? Are there any churches that would be particularly appealing?

Sorry for asking so many questions, and thank you in advance for any help that is given. God bless!

The national religion in Japan is Buddhism and Shinto. There are Christianity based churches, but rare. Given that Roppongi is a foreigner settlement, that will be the first thing I will try for a church.

If you grades are good enough that you can apply as an exchange student, then do that. But otherwise, you really don't have much of a chance given current economy it will be tough for any company to justify the need to hire a foreigner, especially one without a bachelor degree

I ask everyone this same question: Why do you want to live in Japan? Have you been there to know whether you like it or not?

A placement/internship opportunity has arose at my University for an IT Related role in Japan to take place between 09/10 :D. I will be applying to it soon, I need to gather all of the required information before I apply. Wish me luck guys, they only have a few places!!! :)

kouichisan, good luck!

To Jeikobu, you might want to do a googls search of churches in Tokyo. The do exist, but less than 1% of Japanese people consider themselves Christian. Most Japanese are not very religious people, but it may be worth contact some churches to see if they are hiring.

A passport should be easy to get. What you need is a visa if you plan on staying more than 90 days.

Nice :) Good luck... I wish I qualify for some sort of internship too :)

You'll need a visa to do any sort of work in Japan and that will require either 12 years of work experience or a college degree as emphasized in this thread.