I live and work in Tokyo. If you need help about Tokyo, just ask

[zmcnulty]

I've accepted an offer to work in an investment bank in Tokyo from April of next year. I don't necessarily need advice about living/working in Tokyo, since I've spent a decent amount of time there and did an internship at a Japanese bank this summer.

But I am interested in meeting more people, or at least finding ways to meet people outside of the company. Especially people in a situation similar to mine (foreigners working in finance/related industries in Tokyo). Is there a secret handshake or something? Is it even acceptable to hang out with people working for the competition?

I mean I know how to meet people in general, and I'm sure I'll make a lot of friends of and through people at the office. But I wasn't sure if there was some kind of organized effort to get foreigners in the industry together. Apart from Roppongi, it seems like most of the "foreign community" even in Tokyo is comprised of English teachers (not that there's anything horribly wrong with them, just making an observation). As far as I can tell, it's as though all the foreigners in finance are hiding somewhere. Am I missing something, or are there just not as many foreigners as I think there are?

[jasonbvr]

Unlike English teachers, they are probably working because they have a real job.

[adama]

All the foreigners in finance are probably hiding in Toranomon with the recruiters, insurance guys, and other movers and shakers. Hop the train out there, show up at CHANGE (bar) or something and ask around.

*Edited to add that CHANGE is a bar and to fix some typos. While I'm at it, Roppongi is a cesspool. There, now you owe me a beer.*

[lilmochiball]

Hello, not sure if you're still here but, would you happen to know anything about Meiji Gakuin University in Yokohama? I'm thinking of studying abroad there and was wondering if it would be of benefit to go there. The program will be focusing on global studies (relations with east asia, japanese economy, etc.) Thanks much =)

[jpdrag0n]

Originally Posted by TokyoFerrari

This depends yeah.... If you go to Sophia or Temple then you will have a great time. If you are at Toudai or Gakushuin then be prepaired to study your ass off. Do you have a University in mind?

come to Chuo. its a good size, nice teachers, cool students, lots of clubs for you...its just in Hachioji...kinda far

[Uriko]

hey white guy in tokyo [or whoever else is here that lives in japan that can answer my question.]

OK, so i clicked on the link about the whole visa thing. but i'm terrible at stuff like that, so i need some er, clarification??

so anyway, i'm in the US right now & when i get my bachelor's in nursing i want to go to japan& work there as a nurse. so .. what kind of visa do i need? the 90 day one?? & then i get job..then what happens???

[kunitokotachi]

Originally Posted by Uriko

hey white guy in tokyo [or whoever else is here that lives in japan that can answer my question.]

OK, so i clicked on the link about the whole visa thing. but i'm terrible at stuff like that, so i need some er, clarification??

so anyway, i'm in the US right now & when i get my bachelor's in nursing i want to go to japan& work there as a nurse. so .. what kind of visa do i need? the 90 day one?? & then i get job..then what happens???

Well how is your Japanese because I don't see anyone becoming a nurse in Japan without a fluent level of Japanese Language.

For Example, See if you can get the gist of this:
加害者と話し合いがつかなかったり、加害者に負担能力 がなかった場合、国保で診療が受けられます。交通事故 や不法行為によってけがをしたり、病気になった場合、 その医療費は加害者が負担すべきものです。あとで国保 から加害者に請求することになりますので、診療を受け た場合...

In order to be a nurse or medical professional in Japan you are going to have to learn very advance Japanese and know some medical terms. I'm sure you also going to have know a little about certain medical coverages such as what I typed in the above paragraph in Japanese. You may even have to get certified in Japan; I'm assuming that you would. I don't think it is as simple as I have certification in the country I am from so I can work in another country.

[Uriko]

Originally Posted by kunitokotachi

Well how is your Japanese because I don't see anyone becoming a nurse in Japan without a fluent level of Japanese Language.

For Example, See if you can get the gist of this:
加害者と話し合いがつかなかったり、加害者に負担能力 がなかった場合、国保で診療が受けられます。交通事故 や不法行為によってけがをしたり、病気になった場合、 その医療費は加害者が負担すべきものです。あとで国保 から加害者に請求することになりますので、診療を受け た場合...

In order to be a nurse or medical professional in Japan you are going to have to learn very advance Japanese and know some medical terms. I'm sure you also going to have know a little about certain medical coverages such as what I typed in the above paragraph in Japanese. You may even have to get certified in Japan; I'm assuming that you would. I don't think it is as simple as I have certification in the country I am from so I can work in another country.

i start japanese classes this coming january. so, looking at what you typed up, i can't get a gist of shit right now.

[Uriko]

but..you don't think it would be too tough to get a job, would it????

[kunitokotachi]

Originally Posted by Uriko

but..you don't think it would be too tough to get a job, would it????

My ex-girlfriend was a Japanese nurse. She said that she had to get certified first and take some courses. I'm sure it is extremely difficult for a non-native speaker. Just think of all of the technical terms that you learned throughout your college career. Others like me that graduated with a different major will get lost if you start using too many nursing terms. Now think about having to learn those terms in Japanese and understanding exactly what a patient that speaks no English is trying to tell you.