Originally Posted by Kayci (Post 502691)

This is why I love people like MMM so much. Realistic, whether we agree or not. (But in this case, it's the former)

As a junior in high school, I'm struggling...not because I'm stupid, but because it's hard to keep me on track, especially with the past few hard years going on. (No excuse, I know. trying to recover)

I'm making plans to go to a community college up north cali, like san jose or san fran...maybe the tokai university in hawaii when possible.

I'm going because in certain classes in high school, I struggled or have no interest, like math. I got a high school on the CAHSEE, but that's easy anyways...however, it seems to go on from community to university.
My main focus however, is languages. I'll inquire more about taking multiple languages at community, for english is just too boring to be my only language ;D

I know enough japanese to keep conversations and get around, but I will go back to very beginning. I'll be taking chinese in senior year, continue on with it, so I'll see if it's possible to take three languages, along with my catching up classes. (Chinese, Korean, and Japanese)

however, if it's possible to do schooling in japan or Korea, I'll jump at the chance.

I used to be against teaching english in japan, however. I LIED and said it was "beneath me", but really, it's prolly above me. I would make a bad teacher, I fear, and if by some chance I did get to be, that job maybe taken over already with the popularity the idea's given. Basically, I'm scared.

I want to give up my USA citizenship and be considered a "Japanese Citizen" if possible by my 50th birthday.
But on the other hand, I'm afraid of the difficulties behind that too, as one way I'm considering to learn languages in a military linguistics school, where you have to serve, and to me, it wouldn't prolly make sense to the japanese government to give one who served another countrie's fighting/protection force citizenship. (Sorry if this made no sense in proper english. My thoughts are a scramble.)

I know japan is not a perfect society. I know it's VERY difficult, and money is indeed "king".
Plus education. And that I'm a easy-come, easy go person, I guess you can say. I don't act ambitious, unlike most of my japanese friends.

However, I do want to be there. If citizenship isn't allowed, I rather live there for a least a decade, then move somewhere back in US or UK, and just go back every year for visits and such.

By the way, I keep hearing of "JET" program, and other stuff.
Could anyone PM me more info on these programs?
Maybe that could help...

Sorry for such a long post MMM, but any comments/advice/etc would be appreciated. ^^;

Originally Posted by Sangetsu (Post 504295)

One of the things you look at when considering working for a company is vacation time. A job is not just about the pay, you have to look at things like insurance, sick time, holiday pay, and the like. One thing I do like about Japan is the fact that Japanese law requires all employers to give ten days off after 6 months of employment. In American companies you typically get one week off after your first year, and then two weeks off after your second.

Originally Posted by Sangetsu (Post 504295)

One of the things you look at when considering working for a company is vacation time. A job is not just about the pay, you have to look at things like insurance, sick time, holiday pay, and the like. One thing I do like about Japan is the fact that Japanese law requires all employers to give ten days off after 6 months of employment. In American companies you typically get one week off after your first year, and then two weeks off after your second.

Originally Posted by SSJup81 (Post 504343)

Wow...benefits! Something else I've never had, and I've worked in offices.:p If I get into JET, that would be my first job with some type of benefits...like health insurance. I so miss having that, but I've never had a job that's offered me it.

Anyway, my father has been at the same company for almost 20 years, and he only gets 3 weeks vacation. Sad, isn't it?

Originally Posted by godwine (Post 504439)

Well 3 weeks vacation is considered decent, many company still give 2 and you don't get 3 until you hit like 10 or 15 years of services. Guess I am just lucky that they gave me 4 per year to start with

But what you said earlier someowhat inspired me to say something that is along the line of what MMM originally posted. I think it is true that the priveledge to travel also belong to those who can afford it, in terms of both money and time. And to get that, you really need to land a good job that offers both. And this type of job NEEDS a University/College degree.

Not suggesting that the University/College degree will guaratnee it, but not having one will definitely not help :)

MMM I feel your pain, so are you still working as a translator? I guess being self employed also mean that you manage your own time. One of my ex-partner in photography decided to withdraw from our operation and go freelance, he quit his full time job and basically take pictures for a living, self employed as well of course, with a small home studio. It sounds great, but I guess in that field, it will end up what you are doing, not taking vacation at all.

Originally Posted by godwine (Post 504439)

Well 3 weeks vacation is considered decent, many company still give 2 and you don't get 3 until you hit like 10 or 15 years of services. Guess I am just lucky that they gave me 4 per year to start with

Originally Posted by akisan (Post 505247)

then i suppose its good that i plan on going to college for 8 years......XD

which i am doing as up this moment. but that off topic, as though i may only be 17,(very young) i understand that japan isnt a lala land full of anime....etc..but of course i respect, its half of who i am...i have relatives there. i plan on visiting them soon too. i hope it will help my japanese alot.
since they only come over for thanks giveing here in america, but thats off topic as well......

it is sad to see evryone jsut wna go to japan for the anime..i suppose its a reason. if that what they realy want, who am i to stop them?

of course i am just as young......

Originally Posted by Sangetsu (Post 504305)

You have the order a little wrong. In Japan, education is king. If your resume shows you attended Tokyo University, you will have no shortage of job offers, and you will have little trouble making good money.

Japanese know this, so they work as hard as they can in junior high and high school so they have a chance at passing the entrance exams from the better universities. The exams are very difficult, though the courses at the "best" universities are not any more difficult than those of lesser schools, and are actually easier than the courses at many western (American/European) universities.

If you want a good job in Japan, you need to attend a good school.

Originally Posted by blackswan321 (Post 530152)

Im a high school senior in the US and i was planning on going to college to teach english as a foreign language. im wondering if there is anything else i could go into that could get me a good job in japan. Im just trying to see what my other options would be thanks. :)

Originally Posted by Hisuwashi (Post 533206)

That wouldn't be a bad idea, though would it?

I need to ask a question actually, and I'd be really, really grateful for any help.

Does the type of degree I take have bearing on my opportunities? Silly question I know, but I plan on taking two languages (Japanese and French). What kind of opportunities would I have, anything other than teaching?

I need some expertise on this matter please, and no flaming or trolling thank you. :)

Originally Posted by MMM (Post 533212)

In my experience, basically no. As long as it is a 4-year college degree...

Originally Posted by Hisuwashi (Post 533219)

Thanks MMM I really appreciate the quick reply.

Yes, it's a 4-year college degree (though I'm from the UK and the system is a little different to that of the US I believe). Is the money decent in translation if I may ask? I'm not exactly sure what I want to do...

Originally Posted by Hatredcopter (Post 533309)

Translation work pays a lot more in Japan than it does outside of Japan. Experience, as well as freelance vs. in-house, can make a big difference.

Originally Posted by Hisuwashi (Post 533831)

Thanks everyone for the advice and help... I wasn't expecting so many replies...

Working for Nintendo would be pretty cool... even if the pay (at least at the start) wouldn't be so great.

If money is better in Japan though I'd definately rather work there, of course it's not just about the money, but any kind of opportunity to be a translator would be great.

Originally Posted by godwine (Post 533835)

Working Nintendo to do what? Majority of their games are created by a vendor, so its likely that the job will be a hardware job of some sort if you are interested to be part of anything to do with games....

Originally Posted by Hisuwashi (Post 533839)

Well they need some people to translate their games, or if not I believe there is localization testing.

Originally Posted by godwine (Post 533875)

Ah, thats true, forgot about that... yeah, testing is fun.. good luck:)

Originally Posted by godwine (Post 533875)

Ah, thats true, forgot about that... yeah, testing is fun.. good luck:)

Originally Posted by MMM (Post 534033)

Nintendo has a growing in-house group of translators. The volume of Wii and DS games coming from Japan is growing exponentially.

Originally Posted by MMM (Post 534225)

Actually it is a sticky in the Living in Japan section.

Originally Posted by godwine (Post 534527)

MMM and AnimeGuy2, you know what the interesting thing is? I looked at the thread and picked out the individuals that was as described by AnimeGuy2, look at their previous post, most these kids are interested in the Otaku and Rock culture of Japan more than the "True Culture" or living environment...

seeing a link there?

Originally Posted by Cheers (Post 543469)

The most important thing is to be able to speak the language properly and function within the culture.

That is tough enough. A degree is important if you have the motivation and wish to become successful and rich.
The lack of money would be a consequence some of the people without a degree would gladly live with.
Do you actually realise that you are putting your priorities on others?

It´s easier with a degree, but that´s about it. It´s not so special after all. I know more than enough unbelievably dependent people with a degree and hard- working, wonderful ones without one. The kind of job you have in the end does not have to influence your success in Japan. Success being wellbeing and comfort.

Originally Posted by jupiter (Post 547115)

awesome input everyone.
I love the art of film making in Japan (well, those that actually have some artistic value) so I want to make films. Actually I want to write scripts but I can do that in the United States. I would like to write in Japan because I like how their films are made. Now my situation is different right? Because I can sell a story to any country.


Need input, please.
Thank you.

Originally Posted by jupiter (Post 547115)

awesome input everyone.
I love the art of film making in Japan (well, those that actually have some artistic value) so I want to make films. Actually I want to write scripts but I can do that in the United States. I would like to write in Japan because I like how their films are made. Now my situation is different right? Because I can sell a story to any country.


Need input, please.
Thank you.

Originally Posted by godwine (Post 547173)

Hello Jupiter,

But then, purely from a business/marketing perspective, if I am a film maker, what is the benefit of me sponsoring you? As you said you can write a script anywhere, so why wouldn't i negotiate to just have you write it in the state and i purchase your script?

So, for the sake or arguing, let say you want to write something ABOUT Japan, its culutre, history or people, whatever the case is, and you need to do your research INSIDE Japan, it will still only be a temporary stay, most film maker will not offer you to "Come in do some research then write us a script, we will sponsor you". When they negotiate to purchase a script from you, they expect it to be done well enough or the idea is good enough that they can make a film out of it.

Even if they are willing to pay you (Just say you are that good and famous by then) to do a script for them and let you in to do the research, it will just be a temporary stay till you are done, no film maker will sponsor someone to work for them long term when they don't know that all your work is worth investing in

NOW, if you are to become a film director, thats a different story, this open up many other opportunities, maybe longer term stay, but it still goin to be temporary. Take lord of the ring for example, Peter Jackson have this great idea that Newline bought in to, and the funded him to travel around to look for location and to do the actual filming, but they didn't pay for him to stay in New Zeland permanently....