Current Events > Got the job! Looks like I'm moving to Japan in 6 months!

(+) Yeah! (+)

One of my interviews came back successful, it was the easier ALT one. Still waiting on the IP Law firm but either way, I've got a secured position. Damn it feels unreal that my dream is being realized.

Congrats bro, I wish u all the best.
Have a great journey

congrats

ayy, congrats

I remember your topic from a while back.

that's really cool

Thanks guys really appreciate it. Still trying to take it all in.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]


Definitely. I missed my chance last time.

Congrats!

At the risk of sounding stupid, I'm assuming from your OP that you are a lawyer?

Congrats man!! I'm jelly >_> You have achieved every weeb's dream! Hope you crush mad vajayjay and have fun with all the lifestyle there

Congratulations!

Kronca posted...

At the risk of sounding stupid, I'm assuming from your OP that you are a lawyer?

I graduated Law school a while ago and used to work as one back in 2016 - 2020, but now I work mostly as a data analyst whilst also dabbling in legal work as a paralegal in the same job. Working in Law firms didn't really vibe with me, although I did really enjoy the court hearings.

Edit: That doesn't mean I'll never work in a firm again. If its in a place like Japan, I'd definitely do it.

How much Yen?

Do they supply you a work visa?

Trumpo posted...

How much Yen?

Do they supply you a work visa?

Starting low at 250,000 and yes I get a visa. I'm hoping that once I get started in Japan this will be my first step into a career there for other jobs.

The IP firm offers way more but its harder to get. I think there were quite a few applicants on that one >_>

I hope that's 250k USD and not 250k JPY

Ce cheering for you OP

Well done chap. Brush up on your Japanese so you can woo the foreign humans.

DKBananaSlamma posted...

I hope that's 250k USD and not 250k JPY

250k yen monthly >_>

250k USD would be insane for any job lol

enjoy the hours

Oh monthly lol.

Er... that doesnt seem like a lot, especially with how weak the yen is compared to the dollar >_> Is the cost of living cheap where you're going?

Well guess you'll be leaving us soon, huh

send me some ramen

DKBananaSlamma posted...

Oh monthly lol.

Er... that doesnt seem like a lot, especially with how weak the yen is compared to the dollar >_> Is the cost of living cheap where you're going?

Cost of living is a lot lower there, most likely going to be based in Kansai too and not Tokyo but I haven't been allocated yet. And yeah the money isn't the prime motivator atm, but after the first year I'm definitely going to find a better job whilst on the visa.

Congrats!

achieving your goals feels amazing

SpiritSephiroth posted...

Cost of living is a lot lower there, most likely going to be based in Kansai too and not Tokyo but I haven't been allocated yet. And yeah the money isn't the prime motivator atm, but after the first year I'm definitely going to find a better job whilst on the visa.

That's cool. Yeah if you can make it work, definitely go for it! I'm happy for you

Congratulations.

Do you also get a housing allowance on top of the salary? This is common for jobs that employ people from abroad.

Congratulations

Dai suke desu!~~

SpiritSephiroth posted...

That doesn't mean I'll never work in a firm again. If its in a place like Japan, I'd definitely do it.

Why is that?

You speak Japanese?

Ive lived in Japan for over 6 years. Done the ALT thing. Words of advice:

Tokyo is extremely more expensive than other areas.

Learn to cook, if you cant. Eating out sill burn through that low gaijin pay really fast.

If your job gives you insurance and pension, it will cut that pay down even lower. Expect to bring 200000 a month home.

If you cant speak Japanese, it will be difficult to do more than the typical gaijin jobs. If you want to be a lawyer there, you will most likely need to be fluent.

Speaking Japanese isnt a skill. Many foreigners come to Japan thinking they can get jobs here using Japanese, but realize that they know nothing of the culture, the nuance, etc. Anime and games are not representative of Japan, just like Simpsons and Madden arent representative of the US. You actually need to be able to do the work AND get around cultural barriers.

Dating sucks out here. Dating standards and love out here do not match that of western countries. Of course everyone is different, but. Youll see.

Daiso and Seria are your friends when it comes to kitchen stuff, bathroom stuff, utensils, decorations, etc. you can do a lot with the cheap stuff here.

Summers are brutal. Always wear sunscreen and always have a towel and water on you.

Ride a bike to save money. It is normalized here.

Never open the door to the NHK man, and if he comes, know that you are NOT legally obligated to pay them. Even if they tell you so. Do NOT ever give them money, unless you just really feel charitable.

Dont complain at work. Not even just to joke or let off steam. They take that stuff really personally. Also, never just say you have an idea. Come to them with a plan, they really dont do hypotheticals well. Very show dont tell culture.

Vending machine coffee is good, but buy from a shop and make it at home to save money. Get a good water thermos.

If your job doesnt give you pension or insurance, dont take it. Seriously. Some companies will scam naive foreigners.

Biggest bit of advice. If your boss is Japanese, the best way to make them happy is to be loyal. Come to work on time, do your job exactly the way they like, dont complain about things that dont matter in the long run, and be positive. It goes a long way here. Im not saying overwork yourself. Always stand up for yourself there. But just show them you are interested in being there, they will trust you.

Good luck. Have you been to Japan before or will this be all new?

Financially it almost sounds like the US 20 years ago. You'll be making $10 an hour, average rent for a 1 bedroom is $400 not including utilities, food, etc.

If that was a place like Vietnam you'd be living huge on that salary. Some of them only make $10 a day.

LeoRavus posted...

Financially it almost sounds like the US 20 years ago. You'll be making $10 an hour, average rent for a 1 bedroom is $400 not including utilities, food, etc.

If that was a place like Vietnam you'd be living huge on that salary. Some of them only make $10 a day.

Can confirm. I live in Vietnam and I live like a king over here.

Congrats!

Did you choose Japan for a reason or is it a weird weeb thing

_____Cait posted...

the best way to make them happy is to be loyal. Come to work on time, do your job exactly the way they like, dont complain about things that dont matter in the long run, and be positive

quote seems almost identical to US job requirement. but it's all true.
except for the 3rd thing. maybe 4th unless we're all depressed as hell.

also to note. Cat Cafe so fortunate. especially if given the chance to pet a few cats.

Congrats, good luck, and safe travels.

I knew you could do it. Congratulations! And good luck!

SpiritSephiroth posted...

250k yen monthly >_>

250k USD would be insane for any job lol

Exchange rate says close to 1700

vycebrand2 posted...

Exchange rate says close to 1700

yeah i googled the same thing and was like uhh 1.7k/yr doesnt seem right

Congratulations, though I do hope you're able to successfully adapt to the work culture there.

japanese work culture probably reflects the worst aspects of how the japanese treat foreigners, so i hope you're ready for that

Glob posted...

Congratulations.

Do you also get a housing allowance on top of the salary? This is common for jobs that employ people from abroad.

Yes, have to check it again to see how much >_>

emblem-man posted...

Why is that?

I wouldn't do it here in London, since I'd just work a job I prefer. But if it means I can live in a place I want to live in, I would take the job.

St0rmFury posted...

You speak Japanese?

Yup, conversational. I know Hiragana, Katakana and Probably a few hundred Kanji. No where near an advanced level, but hopefully living there would boost my language skills.

_____Cait posted...

Ive lived in Japan for over 6 years. Done the ALT thing. Words of advice:

Tokyo is extremely more expensive than other areas.

Learn to cook, if you cant. Eating out sill burn through that low gaijin pay really fast.

If your job gives you insurance and pension, it will cut that pay down even lower. Expect to bring 200000 a month home.

I totally understand. Yeah the money isn't the primary objective, its getting there and working.

_____Cait posted...

If you cant speak Japanese, it will be difficult to do more than the typical gaijin jobs. If you want to be a lawyer there, you will most likely need to be fluent.

Speaking Japanese isnt a skill. Many foreigners come to Japan thinking they can get jobs here using Japanese, but realize that they know nothing of the culture, the nuance, etc. Anime and games are not representative of Japan, just like Simpsons and Madden arent representative of the US. You actually need to be able to do the work AND get around cultural barriers.

I speak basic Japanese, but I don't see that as a skill at all. The jobs I applied for, including the law firm, require fluent English. But hopefully I'll be able to pick up more Japanese living in the country.

_____Cait posted...

Dating sucks out here. Dating standards and love out here do not match that of western countries. Of course everyone is different, but. Youll see.

Dating isn't a primary thing for me. I recently broke up with my Ex-Girlfriend of 5 years (She was Japanese) after she returned to Japan. Not thinking of dating for a while.

_____Cait posted...

Daiso and Seria are your friends when it comes to kitchen stuff, bathroom stuff, utensils, decorations, etc. you can do a lot with the cheap stuff here.

Summers are brutal. Always wear sunscreen and always have a towel and water on you.

Ride a bike to save money. It is normalized here.

Never open the door to the NHK man, and if he comes, know that you are NOT legally obligated to pay them. Even if they tell you so. Do NOT ever give them money, unless you just really feel charitable.

Dont complain at work. Not even just to joke or let off steam. They take that stuff really personally. Also, never just say you have an idea. Come to them with a plan, they really dont do hypotheticals well. Very show dont tell culture.

Vending machine coffee is good, but buy from a shop and make it at home to save money. Get a good water thermos.

If your job doesnt give you pension or insurance, dont take it. Seriously. Some companies will scam naive foreigners.

Biggest bit of advice. If your boss is Japanese, the best way to make them happy is to be loyal. Come to work on time, do your job exactly the way they like, dont complain about things that dont matter in the long run, and be positive. It goes a long way here. Im not saying overwork yourself. Always stand up for yourself there. But just show them you are interested in being there, they will trust you.

Thanks for the advice. I think I'm going to respect the culture and their standards above all. That's the most important thing. A lot of people have culture shock, and for me the culture is one of the things I've loved. I'm not a weeb and I don't even watch anime or read manga. I'm specifically drawn to the culture, its people and their way of life.

That's not to say there won't be any difficulties, I know it'll be hard.

Zikten posted...

Good luck. Have you been to Japan before or will this be all new?

Been before and going again next month for another holiday.

DarthAragorn posted...

Did you choose Japan for a reason or is it a weird weeb thing

I am fond of Japan. I don't watch anime or manga, but I am into videogames. That's not the reason I'm going. I'm going because I love the language, its people and the culture there.

I mostly watch documentaries and J-drama about the Japanese way of life. I try to be well versed in all the downsides of its societies and upsides. I know people have this romantized view of Japan after digesting a lot of fictional media, however that's something I'm definitely not going to do. Again, I the only anime I even keep up with is Dragonball lol >_>

ELI__2__SLAYTON posted...

yeah i googled the same thing and was like uhh 1.7k/yr doesnt seem right

Its low but their living expense standards are also really low, especially outside of Tokyo. The money for the first year or two isn't a problem for me. I just want to get my foot in the door and work as hard as I can whilst looking to grow a career there.

Humble_Novice posted...

Congratulations, though I do hope you're able to successfully adapt to the work culture there.

Kaiganeer posted...

japanese work culture probably reflects the worst aspects of how the japanese treat foreigners, so i hope you're ready for that

Yup, totally understand. Who knows, I might end up hating it. But I won't know until I go there and actually try.

If I do end up loving it, my plans would be to work there in the future, hopefully settling down if I can.

SpiritSephiroth posted...

Its low but their living expense standards are also really low, especially outside of Tokyo. The money for the first year or two isn't a problem for me. I just want to get my foot in the door and work as hard as I can whilst looking to grow a career there.

yeah especially since you said there's a housing stipend

_____Cait posted...

Dating sucks out here. Dating standards and love out here do not match that of western countries. Of course everyone is different, but. Youll see.

What's dating like in Japan?.

ELI__2__SLAYTON posted...

yeah especially since you said there's a housing stipend

Yeah, housing allowances can make a massive difference. Mine is an extra $1,400 per month, after tax. That gets me a very nice place and $500 change here. You can get a liveable place for like $300-$400