Current Events > I'm going to Japan for an interview in two weeks, anything I should know?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I'll be staying in Tokyo for a while, but don't know any Japanese or what to do while I'm there.
Do you guys have any experiences/advice/etc? I heard that anime is quite big there, so I might do something related to that.

Didnt know gamefaqs needed a new mod in their japanese office

Buy used underwear out of a vending machine.
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show up in a Godzilla costume. They both fear and respect Godzilla.
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soulunison2 posted...

Didnt know gamefaqs needed a new mod in their japanese office

People say that the main reason for the Unicode update was to branch out to Japan.
Not many people (or important people for that matter), but some do.

Burgess posted...

Buy used underwear out of a vending machine.

I could do that as a souvenir for some of my friends. Is it completely legal or would I have to do it at night?

KILBOTz posted...

show up in a Godzilla costume. They both fear and respect Godzilla.

That sounds like a good idea, but I'm not sure where I could get a Godzilla costume in just two weeks.
Maybe some low-quality make-up will do, I'm quite tall, so that also helps.

I hope you're interviewing for a maid cafe job. Make sure you look good in the uniform before going.
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TarElessar posted...

I heard that anime is quite big there, so I might do something related to that.

just walk around wearing a naruto headband
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Master_Bass posted...

I hope you're interviewing for a maid cafe job. Make sure you look good in the uniform before going.

Something similar to that, actually.
Should I go to a maid cafe while I'm there? It seems awfully embarassing and I can't imagine me enjoying it unless I'm completely wasted.

SSJ2GrimReaper posted...

TarElessar posted...

I heard that anime is quite big there, so I might do something related to that.

just walk around wearing a naruto headband

Naruto is that one ninja guy who runs in a weird way, right?
I'm not too familiar with him, only heard about the anime when there was an article about someone assaulting a girl while running like him or something along those lines.
Wouldn't people think I'm weird and disrespectful if I do that in Japan?

always bow down and apologize
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Snort some wasabi sauce while you're there
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If I knew I could become a mod with 1k karma on a 2015 account, I'd be an admin by now
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Forget anime

Monster hunter

That is all
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This Twitch streamer I regularly watch went to Japan and made a highlight video of his experience there. You might get some ideas from it. If you enjoyed that, then he has full streams where he showed off more stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSmJ-WRJkBI" data-time="
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I hope you're interviewing for a maid cafe job. Make sure you look good in the uniform before going.

Something similar to that, actually

Are you interviewing for a host club job? I wish i could work in host club in Japan :(

I dont envy that 100 hour workweek.
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_Marka_Ragnos_ posted...

I dont envy that 100 hour workweek.

Thats why you gotta work in entertainment

FightingGames posted...

always bow down and apologize

Should I really do that as a foreigner? I know some Japanese people irl, but they don't seem to do it, so I don't want to seem disrespectful.

Guy_Fieri posted...

Snort some wasabi sauce while you're there

That sounds like a genuinely good idea, I love Japanese food :D

Muffinz0rz posted...

If I knew I could become a mod with 1k karma on a 2015 account, I'd be an admin by now

You'd also have to know how job applications work for that. I'd be happy to help you out if you don't have any experience with that!

Pokegen2013 posted...

Forget anime

Monster hunter

That is all

Monster hunter is that one video game, isn't it? I played it ages ago, but wasn't very good at it.
Perhaps I'll find some cool merchandise though!

OMG I wish I could meet a cute Japanese girl and marry her.
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snesmaster40 posted...

This Twitch streamer I regularly watch went to Japan and made a highlight video of his experience there. You might get some ideas from it. If you enjoyed that, then he has full streams where he showed off more stuff about his trips.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSmJ-WRJkBI" data-time="

Neat, thanks, I'll definitely check that out! Much appreciated!

vocedelmorte posted...

I hope you're interviewing for a maid cafe job. Make sure you look good in the uniform before going.

Something similar to that, actually

Are you interviewing for a host club job? I wish i could work in host club in Japan :(

More like a research position at Todai, but maybe I'll consider part-time work to cover living costs :)

_Marka_Ragnos_ posted...

I dont envy that 100 hour workweek.

randy_123r posted...

I thought the work culture in Japan is awful

I heard a bit about that, so I'm slightly worried, but some people say that unless you're an office worker or alike it's doable? Not entirely sure, I'll ask about it during the interview!

vocedelmorte posted...

_Marka_Ragnos_ posted...

I dont envy that 100 hour workweek.

Thats why you gotta work in entertainment

What is so appealing about work in entertainment in Japan? Does it pay good or are the hours particularly nice?

Veggeta X posted...

OMG I wish I could meet a cute Japanese girl and marry her.

That would be nice indeed, if I find any cute Japanese girls, I'll send you some pictures :)

Watch lots of moe anime and pick up on their mannerisms so you're ready for Japan.
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I heard that the Japanese have a bad attitude towards foreigners not sure if thats true but i would keep that in mind
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TarElessar posted...

That would be nice indeed, if I find any cute Japanese girls, I'll send you some pictures :)

NICEEEEEEEE
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Vultis_Zales posted...

I heard that the Japanese have a bad attitude towards foreigners not sure if thats true but i would keep that in mind

Theyre just jealous that we bang their chicks
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Dont forget to tell the hot women well bang ok and drop your business card between their boobs.
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japanese are extremely xenophobic unless you're white so be careful tc.
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NeonOctopus posted...

Watch lots of moe anime and pick up on their mannerisms so you're ready for Japan.

"moe" is that whole acting cute thing, isn't it? I feel like if I genuinely did it in an interview, they'd either hire me immediately or tell me to never come back...

NeonOctopus posted...

Vultis_Zales posted...

I heard that the Japanese have a bad attitude towards foreigners not sure if thats true but i would keep that in mind

Theyre just jealous that we bang their chicks

I heard that if an MC is half-Japanese in anime, it's always the mother who's non-Japanese because they don't want children to think that foreigners could "steal" their girls (not sure how much of that is true).
Hopefully they will be nice to me, someone told me that they usually only tend to hate American foreginers anyways, so I should be fine :)

TarElessar posted...

You'd also have to know how job applications work for that. I'd be happy to help you out if you don't have any experience with that!

Can I put my karma on my resume?
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RiKuToTheMiGhtY posted...

Dont forget to tell the hot women well bang ok and drop your business card between their boobs.

I'll definitely keep that in mind! Would they understand that if I say it in English or should I phrase it differently though? If you know any pick up lines in Japanese, please do tell me!

Le__seul_dieu__ posted...

japanese are extremely xenophobic unless you're white so be careful tc.

I'm white and have long blond hair (Asian tourists in England sometimes ask me if they could touch my hair or take pictures), so I'm not too concerned about that! Hopefully it won't be too troublesome though.

Muffinz0rz posted...

TarElessar posted...

You'd also have to know how job applications work for that. I'd be happy to help you out if you don't have any experience with that!

Can I put my karma on my resume?

That would be a great way to fill your CV assuming you have nothing or little else to write about, I personally think it shows dedication!

What is so appealing about work in entertainment in Japan? Does it pay good or are the hours particularly nice?

It gives you more freedom for sure

Vultis_Zales posted...

I heard that the Japanese have a bad attitude towards foreigners not sure if thats true but i would keep that in mind

Not openly, but sure. Its more like, you will always be foreigner for them, different from their Japanese friends

Pet Doges
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vocedelmorte posted...

Vultis_Zales posted...

I heard that the Japanese have a bad attitude towards foreigners not sure if thats true but i would keep that in mind

Not openly, but sure. Its more like, you will always be foreigner for them, different from their Japanese friends

I can see this happening, especially since I can't speak any Japanese.
If it's only for a couple of years, it should be fine though, right?
I'd probably see it more as something akin to an extended vacation rather than actually planning on settling down there.

The_Doge posted...

Pet Doges

I'll try my best to find doges and pet them. If I find any good doge cafes, I'll send you pictures!

NeonOctopus posted...

Vultis_Zales posted...

I heard that the Japanese have a bad attitude towards foreigners not sure if thats true but i would keep that in mind

Theyre just jealous that we bang their chicks

You don't bang anyone.
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TarElessar posted...

I'll try my best to find doges and pet them. If I find any good doge cafes, I'll send you pictures!

Wow!
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sylverlolol posted...

NeonOctopus posted...

Vultis_Zales posted...

I heard that the Japanese have a bad attitude towards foreigners not sure if thats true but i would keep that in mind

Theyre just jealous that we bang their chicks

You don't bang anyone.

I ask your mom

son
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vocedelmorte posted...

Vultis_Zales posted...

I heard that the Japanese have a bad attitude towards foreigners not sure if thats true but i would keep that in mind

Not openly, but sure. Its more like, you will always be foreigner for them, different from their Japanese friends

I mean, isn't this totally normal? If you were not born/raised in my country I'll consider you a foreigner because... That's what you are :/
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Start learning at least some basic Japanese. Pick up Genki 1 and download lingo deer to your phone. Pretty much the learn Japanese starter pack. You dont need much to get around.

Know directions, north, south, east, west important for transportation outside of Tokyo. In Tokyo everything has English translations but outside of Tokyo you may run into problems if you cant read basic kanji.

Dont stress about bowing. No one will expect you to bow down like native. You get the pass. And yes, no matter how good you speak Japanese and fit in you will always be a foreigner.

Ive been learning the language as a hobby but Id never live there unless I was rich and didnt have to work.
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Yomi posted...

vocedelmorte posted...

Vultis_Zales posted...

I heard that the Japanese have a bad attitude towards foreigners not sure if thats true but i would keep that in mind

Not openly, but sure. Its more like, you will always be foreigner for them, different from their Japanese friends

I mean, isn't this totally normal? If you were not born/raised in my country I'll consider you a foreigner because... That's what you are :/

Its very different. In Japan some places dont even allow you in if you arent Japanese.
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@_Marka_Ragnos_ posted...

Its very different. In Japan some places dont even allow you in if you arent Japanese.

Oh yes I'm aware but that's another thing entirely though. I've been told those places are quite rare and have been on the decline recently, there's also some [of those places you mention] that allow you in if you're able to speak Japanese.

Of course, I'm just mentioning what I've been told.
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@wonkykong @ssjevot @_____Cait @aizret
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sharpen your katana.
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Well I only have experience interviewing in Japanese here, but the biggest thing is that they tend to act very positive and agree with what you are saying but may actually not be interested in hiring you. You really need to be on your guard because their friendly attitude can give you a false sense of security. It sounds like you will be doing something with programming? I am a research professor here, but I do more programming than anything else. One thing you should be aware of is that even if you work 50 hours a week you will probably have a lot of people in your office working much more. A lot of them won't actually be doing anything useful, but they will appear dedicated since they're there for 12 hours every day. If you bring in results you can get away with working less but there will be an attitude that you aren't as dedicated to the company. Also don't not go to drinking parties. Think of them as mandatory.

Japan is a lot of fun to vacation in, but working is quite hard to get used to and definitely can burn you out if you don't love your job (thankfully I love mine).
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SSJ2GrimReaper posted...

TarElessar posted...

I heard that anime is quite big there, so I might do something related to that.

just walk around wearing a naruto headband

lol
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make sure to use APA hotel and sympathize with ww2 japan. deny they committed any war crimes.
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Dont mention anime
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dont film a dead body in aokigahara and post it on your youtube channel
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Anyway, Japan is kind of easy to live in with no Japanese experience. Do yourself a favor and study your basics though, it is polite and respectful to know a little, and they appreciate trying.

Don't be a weeb.

Make sure your company offers insurance. If not, run for the hills.

Summer is brutal, dress appropriately.

Capsule hotels are cheap and convinient. Dont do air bnb or hostels.

Don't assume girls will be all over you.

Dont listen to any "weird facts about japan", most of them are veyr isolated incidents, or just plain overexaggerations. Everything outside of Tokyo and Okinawa, Osaka, or Kyoto are incredibly normal, and even those non-tokyo cities are pretty normal too.

Visit me in Hamamatsu.
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Beware the Kancho.
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