How to find a job?

[Sangetsu]

Originally Posted by davidJapan01

Thankyou for all your opinions.

I have heard from many people (with first hand experience) that the Japanese education system is not as good as the American system.

To be honest, the education itself isn't really what I want. I want the Visa to enter the country for a long period of time to practice the language, learn the culture and network. (As many of you know, it is difficult to enter Japan for a long period of time without a good reason).

I was wondering if having two undergraduate degrees is a plus or minus.
I recently had this questioned answered by about 30 people. They all had very different backgrounds and they told me that it would not be a bad idea if I were to aiming to obtain a skill that is unique or in high demand.

Is English and Japanese fluency (and a deep knowledge of the culture) something that is unique or in high demand?

Off topic >> {{Has anyone noticed that many Japanese people speak fantastic English but don't really understand the culture at all. I am sure the same goes for people that speak Japanese?? All of my Japanese friends treated me as though I was some kind of stereotypical western (I am Australian but anyways)... argh }}

I am planning to go to "ICU" in mitaka because the system is similar to the western education system and they have a lot of support for international students.

If I go to an Australian (or American, UK) University for another undergraduate or masters then I really couldn't study Japan in detail.
I did the year long teaching thing in Japan and that didn't really improve my Japanese. In fact, I felt disconnected from the Japanese culture because I was teaching and surrounded by the western culture.
I would try and fit in but my mates would tell me to stop acting Japanese.. whatever that means... being more polite and quite I guess...??

I am planning to enter an undergraduate course that covers business or economics. I don't intend on working in Japan after I graduate.
I could probably make more money outside of Japan (especially in Australia)

If anyone has been in a similar situation people comment.

Japan's economy is in "sunset" mode. Foreign markets which once belonged to Japan are being taken over by China and other Asian countries. As a result, there will be less and less demand for business people who are familiar with Japan and the Japanese. Westerner companies are now more interested in Chinese language skills, and, to a lesser extent, Chinese culture.

You could find some use for Japanese and knowledge of Japanese culture, but it would probably be better suited for tourism or writing. Japan will continue to draw tourists because of it's scenic beauty and historical landmarks.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by Sangetsu

Japan's economy is in "sunset" mode. Foreign markets which once belonged to Japan are being taken over by China and other Asian countries. As a result, there will be less and less demand for business people who are familiar with Japan and the Japanese. Westerner companies are now more interested in Chinese language skills, and, to a lesser extent, Chinese culture.

You could find some use for Japanese and knowledge of Japanese culture, but it would probably be better suited for tourism or writing. Japan will continue to draw tourists because of it's scenic beauty and historical landmarks.

People have been talking about Japan in sunset mode since the early 1990s. China has passed Japan in terms of economy size (a county with 10 times the population) and its population is the foundation for its economical boon in recent years, but looking at the structure of Japan's economy, and the structure of China's economy, which looks more stable? How long are Chinese citizens going to be satisfied being paid pennies on the dollar?

In Japan a handshake is still a handshake, a signed contract is still a signed contract and a promise is still a promise. Can you say the same thing about China? I can tell you story after story of American (and Japanese) businessmen who went to China to get on the gravy train, and come back with high hopes and baloney promises, only to find out they have been bamboozled.

Japanese businessmen, like Western businessmen, look for long-term relationships, trust, and mutually beneficial deals.

From what I understand, to many Chinese businessmen, the foreign businessperson might as well be a dog with diamond studded collar. All they want to do is get that collar off that dog.

If I am wrong, and I hope I am, then what you are saying is right. However if what I am hearing from the front lines is correct, then China is a bully that is frustrating potential clients as well as its own workers. That can't go on forever.

[GoNative]

Still MMM the economic outlook for Japan is hardly rosy is it? Few natural resources to export. Like most other 1st world countries struggling to compete in most areas of manufacturing against developing nations. And not competing in the services industry because of the language issues. Primary production is terribly inefficient and only survives through massive subsidies and protectionism. An almost inconceivable national debt that appears to only be getting worse. The biggest issues of an aging and declining population being faced by any modern nation. All the money made during the boom times is slowly running out which is not exactly stimulating domestic spending. Most peoples wages have been decresing for years and years. Lifetime employment in no longer a guarantee. More and more towns are dying out. More and more businesses are closing down. I love living here but it's definitely not boom times in Japan (and hasn't been for a very long time now) and I don't see anything propsed in the future that is likely to turn this around.
Sure it may not have as many corruption and quality issues faced by those doing business in China but the world hardly appears to be knocking down the doors to try and do business here. And if they are they often find the door is pretty hard to crack.