I think he expects some of them to look like models even ;]

In answer to this question, I would have though failure = no chance of being a resident. I'm sure some form of qualification. Unless you married a Japanese citizen, but then I'm not too familiar with paperwork.

I began reading the replies already posted but it seems like a lot of negative responses that are less helpful than anything.

Though, some of them do have a point.

There are ways to accomplish gaining residents in Japan but if you cannot live here and sustain yourself here you will most likely have trouble anywhere else you go. The trick is having the money, the dedication, and that attitude. It is possible and I'm sure much less daunting or difficult as it may seem. The people here have offered many suggestions into how to accomplish such things. I say the first thing that you should consider changing is not your financial situation rather than attitude. If you see yourself as a failure truly then you will fail. I wish you the best of luck and wish that I could help. I myself would love to live in Japan for a couple of years but I don't want to teach english and I'm not sure if my Bachelors in Design means much over there. I figure I should work on the language and my life here though before I can truly consider a life there.

They're not really negative replies. People are simply suggesting it takes more effort to try and scheme to beat the system than it does to simply shut up and get a degree.

Your post made me laugh... But what is sad is that some people actually think this way.

Even if you have a proper visa, you`re LESS likely of finding a job in the Tohoku area right now because people have less money to spend on "luxuries" - like learning English (which is really the only possible position for someone who isn`t very specialized.)

For any new user who isn`t all that familiar with the more regular posters - taking Bobby`s advice on ANYTHING is not something I would advise. Unless you feel, as he apparently does, that Japan is a perfect heaven on earth filled with the most advanced examples of human evolution - and a culture to match. :rolleyes:

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To answer the original poster though;

No job guarantees you access, to put it bluntly. Nothing guarantees you access. Japan has some fairly strict laws on immigration - and 99.99% of the time, you need a degree to be eligible. There are very very few cases where people can get into the country without a degree - but there are also about the same number of people who become millionaires by winning the lottery. You can throw your money at that and hope you become one of them, or you can actually take a normal route.

When it comes to degrees, the reason people will tell you to do whatever you want is because the main route into the country for English speakers is teaching English. There is no specific requirement for a degree - you need one, but it doesn`t matter in the slightest what the degree is for. It`s just a yes or no sort of question - either you have one or you don`t.

My personal suggestion would be to go for a degree in something Japan related. Not because it will get you a job more easily in Japan, but because a) you`re clearly interested in Japan to some extent, or else you wouldn`t want to live there, b) if you`re going to live in Japan, learning the language in a formal setting can`t *hurt*, and c) there are often opportunities to do part of the degree in Japan - something that will help you set up some connections for life there after you`ve graduated. Also, being a student in Japan will help you come into contact with other people who might be in the same boat as you, so give you ideas and possible paths.

I won`t comment on your motivations as at least you haven`t been praising Japan for being the best place ever, or saying it is all you`ll need to have a perfect life, etc.
You should be aware, however, that without some niche skill or specialization you may find it harder than the average Joe to find a position based on your ethnic background. English teaching is your best bet with little skill, but 90% of the English teachers in Japan are white. There are very few with an Asian background, so you`ll have to look that much harder.

I don't know if its applicable for a US citizen but check this one out:

Government-sponsored

It a scholarship to Study in Japan. Good Luck.:ywave:

I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out that Bobby's friend who went there on a WHV and managed to stay actually turned out to have a degree of some sort. It's the one thing he didn't mention.

He MUST have. To change your visa status from holiday to working , COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY DIPLOMA is required.. No matter which country you are from.

No, No Degree at all!

It's not about that. If you go to Japan with the Working Holiday Visum and you work for a teaching company for lets say 6 months and then your WHV runs out, but you would like to stay even longer.. then this company if they want to keep you, will promote for your working visa even without a degree. The company decides if they want to keep you or not and the government won't do a thing about it if your company promotes for you. You need a Company which is willing to Sponsor you, thats the key I guess.

It's more about your personality and attitude then having a degree or not. There are hundreds of examples out there guys.


The rule of having a degree to stay longer is complete false information. It might be a lot easier, especially for guys who can't apply for the WHV.. but it is in no means neccessary.

To get a work visa you need:

* a valid passport;
* an application form;
* one passport-size photo; and
* a certificate of eligibility issued by the Japanese Immigration Bureau (your employer must apply for the certificate).

Talk about oversimplifying things. :rolleyes:

That's like saying, to drive a car, you need:

* a licenced vehicle
* car insurance
* a drivers license issued by the province in which you reside.

In other words, perhaps you can break down the requirements for a Certificate of Eligibility for everyone.

To save you the hassle, you can check out these links :
Japan Visas
How to Get a Teaching Visa for Japan | eHow.com