Jobs in Japan for english people?

[Kamichuchu]

hey! i've pretty much decided that im learning japanese in univercity and want to live out their for a while, i know the most obvious job would be to become an english teacher...but i dont really want to. i know a few other sorts of jobs available out their, but if you could help me, maybe with just a list of options and stuff i would be really greatful. Also, i am quite skilled at art, enlgish, and most basic subjects aswell if that helps Arigatou!

[godwine]

Originally Posted by Kamichuchu

hey! i've pretty much decided that im learning japanese in univercity and want to live out their for a while, i know the most obvious job would be to become an english teacher...but i dont really want to. i know a few other sorts of jobs available out their, but if you could help me, maybe with just a list of options and stuff i would be really greatful. Also, i am quite skilled at art, enlgish, and most basic subjects aswell if that helps Arigatou!

How high of an education do you have? How long do you plan to stay and work? Do you need sponsorship?

[Kamichuchu]

nope, im literally just starting college next year, so i wanted to know what kind of job careers i could aim for, therefore what subjects to apply to. i know you might think im being too hasty with this but im already starting a course in the subject and am definate about it!! i still have no idea on how long i would stay there, i think its just more about whether i enjoy working there first.

[RobinMask]

Post Deleted.

[spicytuna]

Here's an original idea.

You're going to be spending the next 40 years working until retirement. Why not choose a profession which you'll enjoy?

[sarasi]

There is not actually that wide a range of jobs available to foreigners in Japan, especially for people who will need visa sponsorship (i.e. are not married to a Japanese national).

Other than English teaching, most foreigners I know working here are either yoga teachers (that's what I do as well so I know a lot of them), translators, or work in IT or finance. None of these jobs are easy to get, and most of them require that you are in Japan already, i.e. you cannot find these jobs from outside Japan. Most require very good Japanese language skills, including spoken Japanese, and it is hard to reach that kind of level unless you have lived in Japan.

Just about everyone working in Japan that I know started off as an English teacher, and then moved into other fields later. Other than the translators, they all had experience in their fields before coming to Japan- there aren't really a lot of entry level jobs for foreigners other than English teacher, ordinary companies want to hire experienced people.

I'm afraid that studies in art, English and Japanese aren't likely to get you anything but English teaching jobs here- if you want to work here but not teach English, your best bets are probably finance or IT, but it doesn't really sound like those areas are among your interests. First you will need to graduate from university with at least a bachelor's degree in order to qualify for a working visa here.

Since you are from the UK you do have the option of coming here for a year on a working holiday visa- if your Japanese is good enough you may be able to find waiter or other hospitality jobs here, but that's not a long-term career option obviously. Do more internet searches as well- there is loads of information on the internet (including on this site) if you do a search for something like "jobs in Japan".

[godwine]

Originally Posted by sarasi

There is not actually that wide a range of jobs available to foreigners in Japan, especially for people who will need visa sponsorship (i.e. are not married to a Japanese national).

Other than English teaching, most foreigners I know working here are either yoga teachers (that's what I do as well so I know a lot of them), translators, or work in IT or finance. None of these jobs are easy to get, and most of them require that you are in Japan already, i.e. you cannot find these jobs from outside Japan. Most require very good Japanese language skills, including spoken Japanese, and it is hard to reach that kind of level unless you have lived in Japan.

Just about everyone working in Japan that I know started off as an English teacher, and then moved into other fields later. Other than the translators, they all had experience in their fields before coming to Japan- there aren't really a lot of entry level jobs for foreigners other than English teacher, ordinary companies want to hire experienced people.

I'm afraid that studies in art, English and Japanese aren't likely to get you anything but English teaching jobs here- if you want to work here but not teach English, your best bets are probably finance or IT, but it doesn't really sound like those areas are among your interests. First you will need to graduate from university with at least a bachelor's degree in order to qualify for a working visa here.

Since you are from the UK you do have the option of coming here for a year on a working holiday visa- if your Japanese is good enough you may be able to find waiter or other hospitality jobs here, but that's not a long-term career option obviously. Do more internet searches as well- there is loads of information on the internet (including on this site) if you do a search for something like "jobs in Japan".

I just want to add to your suggestion of IT work, I fully agree with what you said about not easy to find an IT job, especially if you are OUTSIDE of Japan, and even if you are IN Japan, there will be a LOT of competition.

I am in the IT field myself, I have been doing managerial work for the last 7 years. 13 years of technical experieince and have a Master in ISM. I have been searching for a job in Japan since 2006, submitted easily over 100 resumes. I only got a few calls, but the first question they all asked is that if I need sponsorship to work in Japan, as long as the answer is yes, thats the end of the phone interview.....