Tokyo on 255,000 yen a month

[Anonymous]

Hi all-

I was wondering if any experienced Tokyoites could answer a question for me. I am considering taking a position with AEON. They pay (as you might know) 255,000 yen a month. My rent would be absolutely no more than 39,000 yen a month (it's subsidized). Also, if I had travel expenses throughout the city, those would be covered. And from what I understand, my apartment would already be furnished. So this is my question: I have no idea how much it costs to survive in Tokyo. I was originally considering the JET program, but want to leave before the next round starts (in nearly a year). But I do know that JET pays quite a bit more (even for people living in very rural areas).
So I'm thinking about doing the AEON thing instead. Am I going to be able to live comfortably in Tokyo on this amount of money? Of course I won't be going over there with no savings, but I don't have enough to live on for long. I'm not bad with money, but just don't want to be living hand-to-mouth for a year--I just spent this last year doing that as an Americorp member.

Any advice/experience/stories/pointers anyone had would be appreciated. Thanks a lot!

[Anonymous]

Check this URL, especially the FAQ page:

http://www.geocities.com/esl_japan/

[Anonymous]

Hi! Douh if your single you can afford to survive. But I think no savings. It's hard.. but ganbatte ne!!!

[Anonymous]

Wow, I thought 225,000 yen a month is a lot of money! Is it not? Especially if the guy can find an apartment for 39,000 yen and the company pays for his conveyance around the city?

Now, I am scared. My salary is paltry compared to what Doug mentioned..does this mean I have been duped?

Thanks

[Anonymous]

Actually that is quite a high salary, but the original poster might be an expat?

[panda]

250,000 yen a month is standard. If you are working full time and making less than that you -are- getting ripped off. This is also the minimum amount you are supposed to make to be eligible for a working visa.

[Anonymous]

I agree - 250,000 is the least you should be being paid if you are working full time and want to be eligible for a working visa. Any less and you are being ripped off.

Doug, if you are single, 250,000 will be MORE than enough for you to get by on. Your rent is 39,000 you mentioned. Allow around 80,000 a month for work travel and basic daily costs etc (depends on person though). You'll have plenty left over.

[Anonymous]

Re: Panda's post that you need at least 250,000 a month to qualify for a visa - this isn't strictly true. Salary requirements vary depending on the category of the visa (of which there are seven). For example, "Entertainers" only have to receive 200,000 a month. Most other categories state the applicant must receive "no less salary than a Japanese national would receive for comparable work." So, if you've managed to land a non-English teaching job at a company, you could earn a lot less as nyuusha salaries also hover around the 200,000 yen mark.

Provided you don't blow it all at Seventh Heaven in Roppongi, 255,000 is plenty.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I agree you can live in Tokyo for that amount. The JET Program pays 300,000 yen per month after taxes, plus you get a rent subsidy and four weeks of holidays (not counting national hols) and four weeks of sick leave, so I think it's the better option, though you don't get to pick where you are posted.

[Anonymous]

No problem on that salary.. depending on your night life. Do you drink and go out a lot? I dont drink but spend a lot of money on food, 80,000 on rent and I can still save 100,000 easy.

[stevemcgee99]

Dogg,
You live in tokyo? I don't drink either, and I expect I won't want to cook too much. I'll be paying 10,000 yen/month for dojo membership, too. Is it possible, then, to save $500 a month? Even without subsidized housing?

[Anonymous]

You'll definatly be able to survive and save, my rent was a lot more than that and i was earning a lot less than that and I was able to save heaps. It just depends on how much of spend thrift you are.