JOBS IN JAPAN

Employment opportunities abound in Japan and one job position often leads to other free-lance work. For instance, you may be teaching Business English to a company and a manager asks if you would be interested in doing an in-store promotion gig on the weekend because they need a foreigner to promote this foreign food item. Such peculiar stories are common in Japan (and usually involve a very attractive fee). This is why always maintaining a positive attitude and professional image is important.

So where do job opportunities come from? Like above, some arise under strange circumstances. Some you may find in the Classifieds of various publications - (see Tokyo? No Problem, Chapter 17 for a list of these.) Others can come to you via social networks for networking is big in Japan. So if you have a special skill or talent (such as playing an instrument, website development, juggler, etc.) or are simply looking to offer private English lessons, be sure to let others know. (Do so in a somewhat humble manner when informing the Japanese). You never know who is listening or when an opportunity will present itself.

Moreover, as your Japanese language proficiency increases, so will your range of job opportunities and earning potential. This is why putting in the effort to acquire the language early on is so important. Speaking Japanese opens doors, both  professionally and personally. And this is part of the reason why Tokyo? No Problem is the ultimate guide for newcomers to Japan and a guide like no other. In additon to the highly practical information, Tokyo? No Problem provides its readers with the tools and techniques, as well as the encouragement, to use Japanese every day in everyday situations.

Jobs that often require minimal or no Japanese language proficiency

• English teacher: (language schools, private schools, private lessons, JET Program)

• Assorted computer work: (software developer, web designer, technical support, etc.)

• Acting / Modelling: (You are responsible for contacting the appropriate agency and providing your portfolio.)

• Bar/restaurant work: (kitchen help, door person, server - only pay ~1200 yen/hr.)

• Hostess: (usually female, night-club environment, late hours, pay can vary greatly)

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JOB SITES FOR JAPAN

• CareerCross

• Daijob.com

• Findateacher.net

• JET Program

• Jobsinjapan.com

• Seekjapan.jp

• Tokyo Connections

• Tokyo Employment Service Center for Foreigners

RATE OF PAY

Japan ’s minimum wage is ~800yen/hour but you would never work for this. The standard monthly salary for a full time entry-level position at a large language school is about 250,000 yen per month – about US$3000/mo. (It may be a little more at smaller schools.) If it is less than this, you may want to think twice about working there.

Gradually, you can increase this amount by offering private English lessons and taking on other types of free-lance work as it becomes available. Free-lance work is often more lucrative per hour than salaried work, but less reliable.