Can I get work permit with an HND, not a degree?

[Anonymous]

I'm planing on moving to Japan in June/July. Unfortunately i do not have a degree, however i do have an HND, which is a 2 year University diploma. Is this enough to qualify for a work permit? I keep seeing University Degree/Diploma or equivelent qualification. What is an equivelent qualification? Does anybody know, If an HND(Higher National Diploma) is going to be enough to get a work permit.

I'm British, and i know i can apply for a working holiday visa, but i want to stay for more than a year, what can I do?

I've been learning Japanese for about 10 months, i'm at about Japanese proficiency level 4. I haven't taken test but, i am around that level i think.
I've been teaching English to a Japanese language exchange partner, so hopefully that will help too, will it?

I've been working in the television/film post-production industry for over 2 years, and would like to work in this field as well. Does anybody know if this is possible?

All help will be much appreciated, as I really want to live in Japan for a few years, maybe longer.

Russell.

[trip_hop]

No. Not enough. Degree or 10 years relevant experience. For VISA purposes.

Speaking with a partner is one thing, using your language in a business context to earn money is something else. Do you have the specialist vocabulary necessary for work in those areas. These companies will not spend money for providing an interpreter for you, as budgets and time-schedules are tight. Although technical vocabulary is not so hard, image/ idea/ creation/ conceptual thinking are more challenging.

TV/ post-production - very hard. Most of the people in those areas have started at the bottom, and learned in the style of an apprenticeship, though Osaka has a school (college) where you can learn AVLC techniques. Others have entered via a rich parent. Sony also offer courses commercially. You generally start off as a cable jockey, grip, lighting assistant etc, and just wait for a break. Pay is poor, but you learn on the job, probably living in a dormitory or with your parents.

There are a number of freelance engineers about, but they are associated with either agencies or production houses. Another way is via AV rental agencies, many of whom offer post-production/ editing facilities.

Can you do linear/ non-linear editing? Media 100 or similar? You have been working 2 years, what is your specialist area? What could you offer that a local could not?

TV here is so-so, best work is in commercials.

There is one company here in Tokyo, - Virgin Earth - that does TV/ post-production, and has a foreign director/ camerman, but they were the very first to do it in Japan; and also one agency - Fireworks - that employs a few foreign production staff, but neither would be interested in beginners.

Maybe better to get a degree in related field, then come here and teach English, and at the same time try to get into the industry.

Planning to move? Do you have a job? Do you have somewhere to live? Better to visit for a short time, and see if you like the place, living conditions, working environment, food, etc.

Sorry, not much help, but this is the reality.

Trip Hop

[Osakan]

Trip Hop is, formally, correct in what she says, but is playing a very straight bat.

As far as teaching jobs are concerned the reality is that there are any number of foreigners here working as English teachers, and on full working visas, without the qualifications supposedly required. There's something of a cottage industry in providing fake degrees/diplomas, and lots of people use these successfully because prospective Japanese employers simply don't know what's what, and neither (in many cases) do the worthies at immigration.

If providing a prospective employer with an actually fraudulent certificate too much offends your sense of moral probity, why not just simply write on your CV that you "graduated " from whichever institution awarded your HND - which is true: you graduated HND - and hope no further questions are asked of you? They likely won't be, because (sad to say) your employer likely won't give a toss.

[Anonymous]

I am in Japan now and do not require a fake dgree as of yet. But I am curious ___ to what kind of places I can get one as I think the right kind of degree will greatly improve my salary prospects. Any help would be great .
Cheers
John

[trip_hop]

Osakan, I was thinking more of the real request for a TV/ film post-production job, where a smaller company would be very concerned about employing a foreigner, as it is something they rarely do, and would not want to offend anyone, as their reputation could be at stake. As I work on occasion with these companies, I know a little bit about their behaviour.

My aside on English teaching was just an idea. I really do not consider 2 years work experience would be interesting to an employer here, unless he has some exceptional talent, as they can find very capable and creative Japanese engineers and technicans here, who will work for a lower salary, integrate well into team (very important) and need much less support.

Yes, I play a straight bat. People working through false credentials may be acceptable to some, especially in the English teaching arena, just here for a short time to work and play, save a bit of money, have fun; but if you are looking for a permanent job, a business or a career here, it will come back and haunt you. You have been warned.

TH

[Osakan]

Trip Hop,

re: "You have been warned". Since your message was addressed to me, can I assume that I am being "warned"? Please be in no doubt that my degrees were properly (and very hard-) earned. As much as I sought to do was to provide a insight into what is happening 'on the ground', and was doing so essentially non-judgementally...

An aside, for all that your posts are consistently helpful, and your willlingness to help does you enormous credit, I have sometimes felt that you write too much from the position of someone who is settled and shored-up in Japan, a position which fails to recognise the sense of short-termism and contingency that characterises and informs the lives of many Gaiijn and prospective Gaijin.

[trip_hop]

Osakan - it was, "The people who are looking to get those bought degrees" to which it was aimed. I clearly said, "It may be acceptable to some, especially in the English teaching arena, just here for a short time to work and play, save a bit of money, have fun; but if you are looking for a permanent job, a business or a career here, it will come back and haunt you. You have been warned" Quite clear I think, but maybe not so clearly adressed!

Yes, I am guilty of writing from my more established position, to which many here aspire to, as can been from the posts. It is that perspective that I offer. Others like yourself may offer a different perspective, which I also included in my post, using English teaching as the example. The reader can choose. Personally, I have no intention of remaining here forever, and will probably move my business from here in a few years.

Like you, my degrees and many professional affiliations were hard-earned, and I must admit to wonder at the integrity of those who seek to falsify their qualifications, but everyone has a reason for the things that they do. However, it is their life, and if they come unstuck, they have no one to blame but themselves. I think Sebastian Wheetabix has made that clear in his more colourful posts.

Sincerely

TH

[Osakan]

Trip Hop,

thanks for the clarification. I think that we interpreted Russell's question, "Can I get a work permit without a degree?" rather differently........

I answered 'yes'.
Plainly it can be done; certainly, it is very widely done. The 'can' of capability - children can buy cigarettes at some shops.

You answered 'no'.
Without a degree a person doesn't satisfy the Japanese government's criteria to apply for a working visa. He/she doesn't enjoy the 'can' of licence (or entitlement).

Both answers, then, are correct. Russell, it's a matter of conscience, and of nerve...are you ready to blag and bluff?

TH, enjoy your weekend!

Osakan