Without even reading anything beforehand, I assume one must obtain a workers permit (or visa) through their employer before entry to the country. That’s usually how the cookie crumbles... but to make sure, can someone clarify with me on this?
You got it!
I’ve also heard that Japan does NOT require US citizens to purchase a Visa if staying no more than 90 days... is this correct? Partially correct? Does that mean I can fly to Japan, basically with just my passport and my luggage for 90 days whilst I search for employment?
Yes and no. A 90-day tourist visa is free for any American with a passport. However, you cannot legally look for employment, and more importantly, no company can legally hire you, or promise to hire you.
Also (if anyone here knows), how big is the movie/television industry in Japan, and how high is the demand for skilled people in that line of work?
It's a huge industry. Demand for skilled people:high. Demand for skilled foreigners: low.
And to make it known, I am familiar a little bit of Japanese... though, I’ve forgotten most of what I was taught back in High School (granted I'm 21 now, so it has been 3 years)... I started up again with a program called Rosetta Stone/ Japanese Edition. So hopefully, by 2009 I won’t be as ignorant about the language as I am now.
Unless you are fluent in Japanese, don't expect to find any work outside of the English teaching world.
Anyways, here is a list of all the major studios in Japan. (Feel free to add to the list if you think any other studio[s] deserves a spot.)
1. The Nikkatsu Corporation, Located in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
2. Office Kitano, Located in Akasaka, Tokyo
3. Shochiku Company Ltd, Located in Chuo-ku, Tokyo
4. Toei Company, Located in Kyoto and in Tokyo, Japan
5. Toho Company Ltd, Located in Chiyoda, Tokyo
The Biggest out of the five being TOHO COMPANY...
COST OF LIVING.
I understand Tokyo is an expensive city; that said, I would favor to live just outside Tokyo but near a rail-station for quick commuting. What is the typical cost of living for someone housed near the sectors of Tokyo (as given above)? Or, in other words, what is the typical cost of living for someone living just outside of Tokyo?
Good question. There are several threads dedicated to this question.
(rent, utilities, food, transport WITHOUT car, etc.)
Any help and/or comments are much appreciated.
Also note. The underlining idea is to obtain citizenship... what is the simplest process of going about this? (besides marriage...lol... well, I guess it isn’t THAT bad of an idea.
)
Citizenship? (Not legal permanent resident?) If you want to be a citizen of Japan get really good at soccer, play in Japan for many years while appearing regularly on Japanese variety shows, and then apply.
So, without turning this post into a novel, I say "thank you".
-Josh B.
If you are familiar withyour indusry, as i am sure you are, getting "in" is hard and takes a lot of luck. You need to start finding connections, or else I think this dream maybe very hard to fulfill.