Speaking of illegals...

I used to live with 3 Iranians in Yokohama who were in their 4th year of stay in Japan doing some under-the-table labor work.

One day, there was a fire in the neighborhood and my Iranian roommates sprung into action as they went around alerting people. One of them went as far as to save the lives of an elderly couple from their burning home.

My roommates were praised as hero's by the neighborhood but their exposure led to one thing. No, not a civil reward but a deportation from the country after a quick background check.

Guys, guys, guys....

I never said I was going to illegally live in Japan. I don't need to.

And dude, are you honestly still hung on that? LOL I think it's really funny. Sounds like someone's a little jealous that they can't find a girl =/

Do you not think that's a bit of an exaggeration? I know way more people that have come here with No job, No Japanese language ability, and indeed some with no visa, that have gone on to do big things than people who came here with a job all set-up or on the JET program. But they all have something going for them, or some kind of spark that would allow them to do the same in any other country (However I suspect it would be far more difficult to get a company to sponsor your Visa in America or Europe)

I don't know where you live in Japan, but in Tokyo it is the polar opposite of this.

People don't want to know their neighbors and nobody really gives a toss about one another. Also, Japanese people are known for being one of the most secretive races in the world and privacy is a huuuge priority.
Might be different in the country or whatever though.

Sorry MMM, I can't hold it in anymore.

As an independent observer, I've got to say I think emotions are clouding the arguments of both sides of this topic on every thread discussing it.

Without analyzing the reasons as to why this is (sub-18 demographic influenced by anime culture vs. 'get off my lawn' syndrome), I believe it's pretty reasonable at this point, as several posters seem to have already done, to chalk this emotional argument up as a lost cause.

- You're unlikely to convince the sub-18 demographic of, well, anything. They're DYING to prove people wrong at this point in their lives.

- Their argument (I don't need a degree / screw visas / etc), while clearly not the best idea, is still a course of action that many, many people of many nationalities in many different countries take. Illegal immigration is not exclusive to Japan. Just because it's a bad idea doesn't mean it can't be done.

- The people who follow the above course either will or won't be corrected by society. Odds are against them, but that's their choice. Don't waste your breath elaborating warnings when they've already been extensively detailed.

- It can be done legally without a degree, it's just hard and mostly dependent on serendipity. I did not graduate from high school, but I'm being brought over to Japan on an ex-pat package for my company. Results not typical, as stated previously, but they do occur.

- For all of you who believe customs/immigration is an impenetrable shield, learn to sail a boat. The vast majority of the world's smuggling operations operate on the water, not air, for precisely this reason.

And most importantly:

- 90% of these posters will grow up -- either chronologically or in maturity. They'll never see Japan, because they'll realize there was no real depth to the interest; it was just a fad. The majority of those who do make it will realize it was not what they thought it was. Those who end up actually living there long term won't need years of preparatory hand-holding from the message board.

Is it really worth your time to argue a moot point with a teenager? I guarantee that you will tire first.

There are lots of other topics.

That guy ^ just pretty much owned all of us. Congratulations.

Alan X, you sound like a broken record and you know nothing. F&%K OFF!

Ok, Thrownaway. Which teenagers are you talking about (apart from Alan X obviously) cos to the best of my knowledge most of the people contributing anything worthwhile to this argument are mid-twenties or older.

The reason I made this thread was not to say 'Screw Visas', it was to illustrate that it's possible to come here without a visa, find a company to sponsor you, and live a pretty satisfying life here. I read a bunch of posts that said otherwise, that's why I made the thread.

@MODS: Isn't this grounds for a little banny ban? And can't a mod check this guy's IP to see if he's really in Japan?