I loved teaching English and I was better at it than most other things I did. But it was useless teaching English to people who don't really need it. Its great to do for a year or ten (I did it for three). After a while I just wanted something more fulfilling.

It's also sort of dead-end. If your good you can work at a coorporation or a college. But competition for those jobs is steep and you'd better have goo Japanese skills to boot.

its not worth me going to collage i already have more skill in web design as well as web graphic design that spending the money as well as time would just be wasted.

so I'm sorry but i don't agree with the original post.

It's not just about the skill. It's about the paper.

Yeah, as Henbaka said, it's mostly about that paper. You need that paper for a Visa, although, if I'm not mistaken, it is possible to get a job in Japan without a degree if you have a lot of skill, but, to do that, you'd have to convince whatever company you wanted to work for to hire you and then sponsor you for a visa.

It doesn't matter if you agree or not. You'll find that a lot on Japan.

Right... Japan tends to be much more "by the book". They don't just handwave away requirements and laws, or look the other way. You need to learn the rules and follow them in order to maximize your chances of living and working there.

Japan is not always "by the book". There are some laws and regulations which are overlooked by employers as well as the government. For those of you who are ALTs, you may not be aware that Japanese law says that dispatch companies (Interac, etc.) can supply your services to a public school for only one year, and after one year's time that school is required to hire you directly. In real life this practice is almost unheard of, as it would quickly put dispatch companies out of business.

For any foreigner who works in Japan, you'll always anywhere from one to three items on your labor contract which are contrary to Japanese law. But that doesn't stop employers from adding these clauses, and the Japanese government rarely acts in a serious manner to punish employers for this behavior.

I guess my point is that Westerners often feel a sense of priviledge. That thier opinion should always be considered. I learned quickly in Japan that, in fact, on many issues, people had no interest on my opinion whatsoever.

So thinking getting a 4-year-degree to work in Japan is a waste of time because you are already talented is fine. Convincing employers and the goverenment that issues your visa you are right is a whole 'nother matter.

I dont know much about this, and it is a hard subject.
But I know very few years back it was not possible to get a degree in
game design but still Western ppl started working in japan. (without degree)

And it is a school named HAL, Multimedia school in Japan that last 4-years but you do not get a degree, only a diploma, and still ppl get work visa and work in Japan after finnishing HAL.

But I dont know if it is the degree or the years that is important,
like I get my Bachelor after only 3 years at University.
other countries get's it after 4years at University.
But in US you can get it after college, (if Im right)

:s

I haven't been around these forums much, but hope to be around more often from now on :)

I admit, my dreams of going to japan started with mere anime and video games but as my age increased, so did my maturity and desire to accomplish and see things more culturally related. I am currently in school working on a degree in the field of Computer Science to be a software engineer. I do hope to get into games, but my path will present itself at its own time. I do plan on visiting Japan and possibly working there if the opportunity presents itself. I am only 20 right now, but i am fully aware of the obstacles and hardships that stand in my way. However, I am willing to fight through them to obtain what I wish.

And yes...as the very seemingly educated MMM says, a degree is very important. Even for those staying or trying to find work in the states...I took a semester off of school to work out family problems and just worked a pretty dead end job...I knew without a degree or very good fortune, this would be my life. I am now back in school sitting on all "A's". I made a choice and that choice was to get what I desire. I understand dreams and fantasy is one thing, but without dreams and fantasy you just don't have the drive needed to get where you are going. However, one must realize that with dreams and fantasies, there in the dark lies its counterpart, reality. We must tame this beast in order to live out our dreams. So all you kids, adults, or whoever you may be that wish to journey to Japan, Go for it! Just realize what has to be done to get there and heed the advice posted here. Thanks for reading.

~Wolf