The allure of Japan's distinctive culture has long been a siren call to foreigners, beckoning them to its shores with promises of ancient temples, steaming hot springs and delectable cuisine. If you're drawn to this enigmatic land and contemplating making it your home for an extended period, rest assured that we'll delve into the vast majority of concerns and queries that plague would-be expats below. Like a delicate cherry blossom, Japan's culture is a fragile beauty that requires careful nurturing and attention to truly appreciate its splendor.
As you prepare to embark on this incredible journey, a multitude of questions will inevitably arise, like ripples on the surface of a serene lake. Common issues and questions loom large, like a towering skyscraper on Tokyo's bustling streets. Foremost among these is communication, an obstacle that can seem insurmountable at times.
Venture beyond the bright lights of major cities, and you'll quickly discover that the level of English spoken is generally as rare as a unicorn sighting, particularly amongst the older generation, where it's often as elusive as a will-o'-the-wisp on a moonless night.
It is always recommended for expats to learn as much as possible about the basics before arrival, which will at least give you confidence to handle your settling in; progressing to further confidence in learning more advanced parts of the language. A local friend will help you a lot or your employer will nearly always have spare english speaking employees to help you get settled but don’t expect them to provide assistance all the time. Either way, As technology is developing fast, you can now have English to Japanese dictionary on your smart phone or some applications offering real conversations pronounced by natives and sorted by various scenarios which come in very handy!
It is pretty well known that Japan is one of those countries with very stressful working environments. Punctuality is vital and the standard of being Back home, it's a breeze to saunter into work a quarter of an hour before your shift begins, but in Japan, the standard is to arrive at least 45 minutes to an hour early. In fact, the Japanese take punctuality so seriously that working overtime is not only common but also a badge of honor – staying late is seen as a display of devotion to one's job and company. This zealous dedication can be quite draining, which is why you'll often spot people dozing off or catching a few winks on the subway during their daily commute. As an expat, you're not expected to conform to these lofty standards, but being punctual is still essential – so, make sure to arrive at your classroom before your students do if you're teaching English in Japan. Getting along with the Japanese can be quite a challenge due to their natural reserve around foreigners, which is often exacerbated by language barriers and a struggle to converse fluently in English. In addition if you know some Japanese, it would easily motivate them to speak to you as they are
You nearly always have to make the first move and introduce yourself to them; however afterwards they warm to you and become some of the closest friends you'll ever have.
Types of work in the current job market
For expats coming from English speaking countries, the best and easiest job to find is teaching English.
The general salary of an ESL teacher is 200,000 - 250,000 yen per month (approximately 1660 - 2075 USD), and teaching hours vary from 30 hours to 35 hours (40 – 50 min per class). You will be teaching from 8:00AM to 4:00PM with weekends off, including office hours and unpaid preparation time.
Your curriculum is pre-prepared and you must use provided teaching materials to teach, or have ESL games with children to make learning English more fun(teaching jobs in Japan).If you prefer a non-teaching job, the likelihood of getting one without fluent Japanese is quite low for expats in Japan. The main reason is that it is tough for expats to jump over the language hurdle. Plus, you are required to have a bachelor’s degree and at least 2-5 years related work experience as well.
Generally, the easier option would be working in a Japanese company in your home country and applying to be relocated to Japan (non-teaching jobs in Japan).
Apply for jobs in Japan
To apply for the jobs, first please register your account on Find Work Abroad, uploading your CV and relevant documents, including a recent photo of you, photo of your passport, a degree and certificates (if you are applying for an English teaching position, it's advised for you to have a TEFL certificate. No TEFL? Click here. Although most employers do not require a TEFL in Japan) Use the top left drop-down menu to choose “Japan” and click the job section below. Remember to use the filters (type, city and salary) to quickly reach the job you want. Once you confirm an online interview time with us, you should prepare for the interview and show the best of you to the interviewer. If the interview is successful (occasionally there is a second round interview or more), you will receive a contract after a few days and when the contract is signed you, the position is secured by you. Meanwhile, don’t forget to communicate with your employer about your application of
After successfully submitting your application, you will promptly receive a call from us and you can discuss how to select the best job for you with our consultant.
Future Prospects
Once your contract is completed, you can either stay in Japan or work in a neighboring country such as South Korea or China.
There would be a number of options for you since you would be an experienced teacher by then.
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