Career choices in Japan and living there.

[Paul11]

There are shows on Japanese TV that feature foreigners, but usually as comic breaks, oddities or curiosities. For example, there's the Beat Takeshi show with a panel of foreigners from all over the world who yell and scream at each other over various issues. Very much like Japan Forum

There have been a few that parlayed that into something more. Like Zomahon (spelling?), the African dude from that show who wrote a book and sold homself as a personality. I met him in the bathroom of a bookstore is Osaka as he entered the toilet. Tiny dude. Looked bigger on TV.

What's the point? Well, there are avenues of success. THis is just another example of how maybe it can be done. But if it were that easy, we'd all be there. Joshaussies post, however brutal, appeared sanguine. Also, learning Japanese as well as you wish before going is nearly impossible. I think you need to be there to acquire those language skills. I think your plan will require more charisma than most can muster.

[Salvanas]

Originally Posted by Paul11

There are shows on Japanese TV that feature foreigners, but usually as comic breaks, oddities or curiosities. For example, there's the Beat Takeshi show with a panel of foreigners from all over the world who yell and scream at each other over various issues. Very much like Japan Forum

There have been a few that parlayed that into something more. Like Zomahon (spelling?), the African dude from that show who wrote a book and sold homself as a personality. I met him in the bathroom of a bookstore is Osaka as he entered the toilet. Tiny dude. Looked bigger on TV.

What's the point? Well, there are avenues of success. THis is just another example of how maybe it can be done. But if it were that easy, we'd all be there. Joshaussies post, however brutal, appeared sanguine. Also, learning Japanese as well as you wish before going is nearly impossible. I think you need to be there to acquire those language skills. I think your plan will require more charisma than most can muster.

Aye. I'm not one to give in however, I will keep on trying and trying.

Josh had a very good point, I over-looked the bluntness of it because it was true. I'm going to need to have a good plan. And I'm willing to go to the ends of the earth to get the chance to live in Japan.

For now, it seems one of those english teaching courses might be my best bet. It'll also give me a much better time to get used to the Japanese language too, although not as perfect as I'd want it.

I'd like to thank everyone for replying with such good help so far.

[Saffy85]

Let me get this right.

Your studying at university for a degree in? But once you get that degree you wish to jet off to Japan and try and live out some dreams you have?

Please take a cold shower and wake up. I do not mean to be rude or try and hate on your dreams (we all have them), but for you to think you could just step into Japan and become the next Speilburg, it is a bit of a doolally dream.

Firstly, there are thousands of young Japanese in the film industry, what makes you think the Japanese would want you as a director when there own people are there to fill the job role (and majority of them would be as good or better than you, plus they have more backing from thier own people so movies would gross more than you would). The same goes for your other choices, why would they want to break a westener (who is new and unheard off either side of the world) into the Music or Photography scene. When there are thousands of native Japanese perfectly capable of doing this.

Secondly why not try to gain employment in your degree field?

Finally you do not have to jet off to Japan to fulfill your dreams, try it out in the USA (or wherever you live) firstly, if you have sucess then you could take that sucess along with you and stand a chance in Japan.

Basically, teaching is probly the best bet outside a good corporate job. If you have no experiance at teaching, why instantly dismiss it? Try it out first, if you like it stick at it, if not move on.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by Saffy85

Let me get this right.

Your studying at university for a degree in? But once you get that degree you wish to jet off to Japan and try and live out some dreams you have?

Please take a cold shower and wake up. I do not mean to be rude or try and hate on your dreams (we all have them), but for you to think you could just step into Japan and become the next Speilburg, it is a bit of a doolally dream.

Firstly, there are thousands of young Japanese in the film industry, what makes you think the Japanese would want you as a director when there own people are there to fill the job role (and majority of them would be as good or better than you, plus they have more backing from thier own people so movies would gross more than you would). The same goes for your other choices, why would they want to break a westener (who is new and unheard off either side of the world) into the Music or Photography scene. When there are thousands of native Japanese perfectly capable of doing this.

Secondly why not try to gain employment in your degree field?

Finally you do not have to jet off to Japan to fulfill your dreams, try it out in the USA (or wherever you live) firstly, if you have sucess then you could take that sucess along with you and stand a chance in Japan.

Basically, teaching is probly the best bet outside a good corporate job. If you have no experiance at teaching, why instantly dismiss it? Try it out first, if you like it stick at it, if not move on.

Back off a little, man. You may not "mean to be rude". But you are being a bit harsh.

[Paul11]

Originally Posted by Saffy85

Let me get this right.

Your studying at university for a degree in? But once you get that degree you wish to jet off to Japan and try and live out some dreams you have?

Please take a cold shower and wake up. I do not mean to be rude or try and hate on your dreams (we all have them), but for you to think you could just step into Japan and become the next Speilburg, it is a bit of a doolally dream.

Firstly, there are thousands of young Japanese in the film industry, what makes you think the Japanese would want you as a director when there own people are there to fill the job role (and majority of them would be as good or better than you, plus they have more backing from thier own people so movies would gross more than you would). The same goes for your other choices, why would they want to break a westener (who is new and unheard off either side of the world) into the Music or Photography scene. When there are thousands of native Japanese perfectly capable of doing this.

Secondly why not try to gain employment in your degree field?

Finally you do not have to jet off to Japan to fulfill your dreams, try it out in the USA (or wherever you live) firstly, if you have sucess then you could take that sucess along with you and stand a chance in Japan.

Basically, teaching is probly the best bet outside a good corporate job. If you have no experiance at teaching, why instantly dismiss it? Try it out first, if you like it stick at it, if not move on.

I wanted to be an Anthropologist, which is part of the reason I went to Japan. I didn't become one, but I lived a life-changing dream in Japan. Once you try to lilve your dream at home you get locked into a career and probably a family and will probably never travel or make it to Japan.

[Sangetsu]

Some of the foreign "oddities" described as being on Japanese tv shows are Ivy League educated, and speak Japanese even better than the natives here do. Many of the others aren't much better off financially than English teachers.

There is much less market in Japan for entry level entertainment jobs than there are in Europe and America. A foreigner can get a job here, but unless you are something of an "oddity" yourself, you aren't going to have an easy time.

You may imagine Japan as a place where you can be more creative, but in reality that will probably not be the case. After the initial giddiness of being in Japan wears off, you may begin to find it stifling, as so many other westerners have.

As for myself, I'm a teacher. I "pigeonholed" myself into this job after growing weary of my career in America. I make about 1/4 as much money as I used to, but I'm enjoying myself much more.

[Saffy85]

Originally Posted by Sangetsu

As for myself, I'm a teacher. I "pigeonholed" myself into this job after growing weary of my career in America. I make about 1/4 as much money as I used to, but I'm enjoying myself much more.

Glad to hear your enjoying yourself more in Japan. You may be making less but your not wasting your life away doing what you so not like.

Consider this though, in one year in the USA you made 4 years worth of one year teaching Japanese? What if you were to work 5 years in the USA and save as much as possible (live like a pauper almost lol). That would equate to 10-15 years worth of money to live comfortably in Japan, during those 10-15 years you can easily gain futher qualifications, start out in a new career and work you way up the ladder etc. All the while never haveing to worry about your income. Just food for thought.

[Paul11]

Originally Posted by Saffy85

Glad to hear your enjoying yourself more in Japan. You may be making less but your not wasting your life away doing what you so not like.

Consider this though, in one year in the USA you made 4 years worth of one year teaching Japanese? What if you were to work 5 years in the USA and save as much as possible (live like a pauper almost lol). That would equate to 10-15 years worth of money to live comfortably in Japan, during those 10-15 years you can easily gain futher qualifications, start out in a new career and work you way up the ladder etc. All the while never haveing to worry about your income. Just food for thought.

Both your posts are well worded. I agree with you on this, because one can retire early or take afew years, etc.. But some people just aren't concerned or motivated so much by financial gains.

[JoshAussie]

I tell my mum ill never move out of home because i can save to much money. My sister tells her the same thing lol.

[nvthangkt]

初めまして。