Thinking about moving to Japan - what are some things I should think about?

Question

The first thing I looked at was real estate. I found some pretty good deals on this site: http://www.japanhomesearch.com/. Does this seem legit? I found an apartment I like - three bedroom, 895 sq ft, 150,000 Y a month, complete with a balcony and a tatami room. Is this a good price? It doesn't seem outrageous to me. This site also offers "packages".... the apartment in question comes with the silver package:

# Accompanied housing tour

# Free "Welcome to Japan Package"

# Processing of contracts and provision of English summary

# Assistance with initial payments and provision of English invoice

# Set-up of utilities (electricity, gas and water)

# Accompanied move-in and detailed inspection and documentation of property condition

# Explanation of property features and garbage disposal process

# One single point of contact (English-speaking) for all maintenance issues throughout the contract period.

# Accompanied move out inspection and cancellation of utilities

It says all of these things are "free". Does this really mean that there's some sort of contract? Perhaps saying that I can only live there for three years, or something?

Anyway, that apartment was just an example. If anyone knows a better site to find Japanese real estate, that would be good.

Also, I don't know ANYTHING about Japanese geography - yet. It may not be possible, but I was hoping to live in a slightly less populated area... like a suburb or something. Where should I search for property? The apartment I looked at is in Nagoya, Yamazoto-cho. The ward (whatever that is) is Showa ku.

So anyway, if anyone can suggest any areas that are a little less populous than Osaka or Tokyo (though being near Kyoto would be cool) that would be appreciated.

As for career, I want to be an editor (of books, not newspapers). Does anyone know if this is a hard business to crack into in Japan? Or, if there's anything else a person with excellent English (that is to say, speaking, writing, not necessarily just the English language) skills could do there?

I guess my last question, and probably the easiest for you, is how hard is it to immigrate there? What is the process like, what does it cost me? How do I get a driver's license, etc.

If you can think of anything else I should know, let me know.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Immigrating to Japan is a lot harder than immigrating to America. Japan is very strict about foreigners trying to live there rather than just visit. To get anything more than just a 3-month visitation visa you must already have a job and for you to stay in Japan you're going to always need a job or get married to a Japanese native. You can't just move to Japan with all your stuff, find a place to live, and start job searching. As a foreigner you might even encounter some problems with trying to find an apartment because some Japanese landlords can be very xenophobic. To be able to be considered a true citizen you need to know completely fluent Japanese or be married to someone who is Japanese.

As a native English speaker the only job you'll really be able to get is as a teacher through JET or a similar program, and you'll only get that if you get accepted and then, after three to five years, you'll probably lose that job and be expected to return home. The only editors they'll need would be for Japanese newspapers and since you're not fluent and won't become fluent in a matter of a few years you won't get that job. To get a job as a teacher you're going to need a BA from an American college too.

And that apartment is probably going to be way out of your range if you were to get a teaching job. Most teaching jobs supply you with a place to stay anyway and it's not going to be big. One bedroom, one bathroom, one one one.

Answer 2

Firms that cater to expats are always going to charge more than the going market rate. The easiest way to move to Japan is get a job there and let your employer take care of your housing and visa.  

Answer 3

Editor is intelligent job and popular among Japanese students.

You need Japanese skill which is more than average native Japanese.

I've never heard of an editor who is not Japanese in Japan.

NO English books are published in Japan. They are sold at some bookstores. But they are imported ones, not edited and published in Japan. So Japanese publishers need only Japanese editors.

Answer 4

Contact a Japanese Embassy for info on immigration.   Most countries  require you to have independant income and won't allow you to do anything that would take a job away from a citizen.  Check on work permits and residency requirements closely.   I had a friend move to Sweden and in eight years he could never get a work permit as a baker because there were enough of them elsewhere.  Many countries require that you apply for citizenship from your home country and not while over there.     Japan, of course has mount Fuji.   the country has coastal plains foothills and low mountainous areas, many beaches and many fine parks.     It has a great train system and it will perhaps be best to use before setting up house somewhere for you might really fall in love with someplace you now don't know exists.   The (free) rental and set up agency should be looked at with a suspicious eye and much inquiry.   Some of the most expensive  things or situations in my life have been because something was free.   My experience in Japan was from a long time ago when it was inexpensive and a joy.  I have read that in the 90s the people became more hurried more demanding that they excell and put themselves under much pressure.  You might find less of this and people who have more time to say hello away from the major cities and centers of commerce.  they are just a train ride away.  One approach would be to see about getting employment at a US military facilty there and have a year or more to see what there is to see.   Back when it was said Japan cost k$100 a day I was renting a house to $30 per month and the Inns and little hotels I stayed at were priced at  $4.oo a day but them days are gone.  Still there should be many places to stay economically and pleasantly.  Avoid the Diner's Club places they are pricey and snooty. /Contacting the American Embassey in greater Tokyo might be helpful.  Oh, the Sands Club many used to go to......

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Answer 5

First thing you should know is you just can't move there. They have a very closed immigration policy. So it's VERY hard to immigrate there.

  You need a four year degree to qualify for a work visa. And a solid job offer BEFORE you arrive. The employer would sponsor you.

  Learning Japanese is harder than you realize. Just to read a newspaper you need to remember at least 2,000+ characters..Learning to speak Japanese isn't a cakewalk either.

A friend of mine rents a place in Tokyo for about $750. It's the size of a very small studio here. And I mean small !

Answer 6

First you need to find a few different places there where you can write in english then ask this question.