http://forum.gaijinpot.com/ Questions About Immigration, Visas and Legal Services en Sun, 26 May 2013 00:49:46 GMT vBulletin 60 http://forum.gaijinpot.com/images/misc/rss.png http://forum.gaijinpot.com/ http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?125290-Police-questioning-rights&goto=newpost Fri, 24 May 2013 22:19:59 GMT Long-time reader first-time poster. Looking for some advice if anyone has some to offer.

I will mention up front that I'm already seeking professional legal advice from our insurance company but I must wait until Monday to contact them and I need *some* form of consulting before then if for nothing less, ease of mind.

I was roped into a three-car accident in February and while I won't go into exact details, there were two cars that collided head-on in front of me on (what I did not know to be) an icy road and although I was at a legal safe stopping distance for a wet road (20m+) I was unable to fully stop.

The insurance companies did their thing and it was 80:20 with the other driver at 80% fault.

I thought all was settled until I got a call during GW and the local police had a few questions about whether the car driving in front of me 'swerved left' or not before impact with the other car. I said that I could not recall with what information I had at the time. They said they'd call again if they had further questions. Weeks of silence until yesterday when they called again and now want me to come in to answer some questions. They also wanted my Residence Card # and asked if I would be leaving Japan soon which I am not.

Immediately I went to our cultural center for some free legal consultation and asked if I could have a lawyer with me during questioning. They said having a lawyer present during questioning is not allowed in Japan. They said a translator could be made available but honestly, I don't need one and the horror stories I've heard of half-assed back and forths in these cases have made me more than hesistant to ask for one.

Besides contacting my insurance company for legal advice, does anyone know what rights I have during such questioning, do you have any experience with such an event and finally, given the staggered time-frame of questioning, does it seem suspicious that one of the involved parties is seeking legal action?

I have a clean slate back at home and in Japan and quite frankly, I'm not looking to stonewall for fear of making the wrong people angry, but I'm also concerned that talking too much will give them reason to find something that *isn't* actually there. I've read too many horror stories of foreigners being broadsided by saying too much.

Any and all advice would be humbly accepted and appreciated. ]]> ochimusha108 http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?125290-Police-questioning-rights http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?125287-used-construction-machinery&goto=newpost Fri, 24 May 2013 09:38:28 GMT hello friends.. i would like to buy used construction machinery from Japan. does anyone know where i can i contact Japanese companies? could you give me website if possible please. i tried google but couldnt find proper one. i know this is wrong place to discuss. hello friends..

i would like to buy used construction machinery from Japan.
does anyone know where i can i contact Japanese companies?
could you give me website if possible please.

i tried google but couldnt find proper one.

i know this is wrong place to discuss.

please dont mind guys.
regards
sushil ]]> dreamer http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?125287-used-construction-machinery http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?125275-Breaking-Contract-(sorta)-two-week-notice-but&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 18:22:43 GMT Last week, I had accepted an offer for a full time job in Japan, and notified my boss the next day (like 16 days notice) that i would be quitting the morning hours of the company (since my new job would not allow me to do morning classes any more), but would still be working the hours i could still... Last week, I had accepted an offer for a full time job in Japan, and notified my boss the next day (like 16 days notice) that i would be quitting the morning hours of the company (since my new job would not allow me to do morning classes any more), but would still be working the hours i could still do with my new work schedule.

It seemed fine, even telling the schools that I was dispatched to that I would help the new teacher replacing me even after I leave, but then when I inform the other school that i'm being "lent" to about my plans to quit, they present to me a written notice they seemed to had written up themselves. The letter they presented me goes as follows:

"it is a criminal offense to break a work contract of one or more years in Japan. An official complaint can be made and a foreigner's Visa can or will be revoked and the foreigner will be deported. The criminal will not be allowed to work in Japan again.

To (Me)

Eikawa will make this formal complaint with the Japanese Immigration on behalf of Eikawa and Eikawa 2.

1. It is against the law to sign 2 contracts that are conflicting. In that case the other company must be informed in this case the new company must be informed.

2. Proper Prior notice to leave a job is one month notice.

I (Me) have read and understood."

Is this more of a bluff? or am i really going to be forced to stay with a company that threatens me or risk not ever working in Japan again? My friends that I did get to talk about this with seem to agree that this is bs... but i just want some more insight from others in Japan.

Any feedback would be appreciated ]]> ssjtennsi1 http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?125275-Breaking-Contract-(sorta)-two-week-notice-but http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?125257-Living-in-Sapporo-Changing-from-a-working-holiday-visa-to-a-working-visa&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 14:34:28 GMT I'm currently living in Sapporo and am 4 months into my working holiday visa. I came here to live with my girlfriend who's originally from here.
I'd like to stay up until the end of next year but am currently trying to work out all of the technicalities concerning visas.
I'm already aware that the idea of 'self-sponsorship' doesn't exist as far as immigration is concerned, and that I apparently already need to have a working visa to be able to self sponsor for another one. Full time work is very hard to come by in Sapporo, the vast majority of foreigners make up their income by taking multiple jobs.
As it stands I work 2 part time jobs and my main boss has instructed me to take on another to increase my monthly income to the threshold required to be able to qualify for another visa starting next year. She believes the threshold is 170,000 yen, but I've also heard that it might well be 200,000, but I don't think she's accounted for the fact that I have a working holiday visa, not a full working visa.

Even if I'm able to increase my salary to the required amount, this still doesn't clear up my issue concerning how I apply for the work visa if I cannot 'self sponsor' from a working holiday visa.
I've heard hundreds of times about the spousal visa but I'm not quite ready for that yet.

I'm fully qualified as far as teaching is concerned, with an undergrad degree/ trinity level TESOL and 3 years experience. I've also heard they may look at this in the process of visa renewal. I also work as a freelance designer, and I've heard I may be able to take a different type of visa which is inclusive of this.

So to summarize:
My main boss has said she will be my signatory/sponsor (promising to fulfill the role of supplying me with the largest part of my monthly income on paper) for getting a work visa, but does this system still work if you only have a working holiday visa?
Does anyone know what the actual 2013 income threshold is for being able to apply for a work visa if you don't have a full time employer?

Big thanks in advance to anyone who can provide me with any new info on this. It's very difficult to find exact details. ]]> Matt2012 http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?125257-Living-in-Sapporo-Changing-from-a-working-holiday-visa-to-a-working-visa http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?125254-I-messed-up-leaving-Japan-owing-Taxes-Appreciate-advice&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 11:09:16 GMT Hi Guys I would really appreciate any genuine replies. What happened, is that a few years ago, when the financial crash was in full swing, I lost my job in Japan, and despite my best efforts at the time, was not able to obtain another position. I hung on for as long as I could, for around six... Hi Guys I would really appreciate any genuine replies.
What happened, is that a few years ago, when the financial crash was in full swing, I lost my job in Japan, and despite my best efforts at the time, was not able to obtain another position. I hung on for as long as I could, for around six months, eventually completely running out of money, so that I didn’t even have the money to pay my rent or food etc. At that stage, panicking I would be kicked out on the street by my Japanese landlord, I left the country, unwillingly, as I felt I had no other option. I had just enough money left from one random teaching gig, to help pay for my airfare home, and that was it then.
Anyway, at that time, I had some city taxes that were due. I maybe have ward taxes too, but am not sure - I am a bit confused about that, so will need to sort that when I go back on a holiday visa and try to sort out payment with the city office. If it helps to clarify, I had been living in japan for almost six years, when I left.
At the moment, my thinking is to go back at some stage on a holiday visa, and try to sort out these old taxes – go into the ward office and just pay it off, assuming it is not a mind-bogglingly huge sum.

What I wanted to ask is – if someone returns to japan after an absence of some years, is it possible for them to obtain a new work visa, given that they still owe city (and maybe ward) taxes, and even national health insurance payments?
Of course I can stay in my own country, saving money, until I have a fairly big chunk that I can return on holiday visa with, and pop into the government office and pay it off (assuming the bill is not too crazy big).
But I am also wondering if it would be possible for me to go back there, look for a job, and try to obtain a new work visa, and then live over there, paying off my old debts and arrears. I realize that the ward office/govt attitude may be ‘well you didn’t pay your taxes, so you don’t get a new work visa’. My thinking is that if I am earning there, then I can use my earnings there to pay off my debts there faster, and so by giving me a work visa, they would also be helping me to clear my debts faster and therefore pay them back faster. However I appreciate government rules are often inflexible, so they might not see it the same way.
If anyone can advise me on this, I would really appreciate it very much. I am obviously going to sort this and pay off these old debts, otherwise I wouldn’t even be worrying about it, and trying to find out my options. But I would also really appreciate the knowledge of any experienced old hands there, who might know the law, or have heard of similar experiences/situations from other people, or who might have any helpful advice that I can consider.
If you think it is possible to get a work visa, even though old back taxes are still owing, then I might come over and try to look for work. Otherwise I will have to wait in my country, slowly saving up, till I have a big enough chunk to hopefully pay it all off.

So specifically what I am asking is:
Can I obtain a new work visa in-country, when I still have outstanding taxes from a few years ago (when I left the country, still owing those taxes).

For any genuine replies, I really appreciate your time and help. Thank you!! ]]> SmartlyDressedMan http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?125254-I-messed-up-leaving-Japan-owing-Taxes-Appreciate-advice http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?125241-Which-Visa-for-Web-Designer&goto=newpost Mon, 20 May 2013 13:36:07 GMT I couldn't find an answer to this one with the search tools or Google so sorry if its been asked before.

I'm just filling in the forms for my Certificate of Eligibility. The Information Technology company that will be sponsoring me has returned the forms to me but under the 「職務内容」 Type of Work section they have selected 技術開発（情報処理分野） "Technological Development (information processing)". However I will be working as a web designer and my degree and experience are all on the form correctly as Graphic Design, Web Design and User Interface Design for games. Do I need to get them to change it to 「設計」 "Design" or will it suffice? They are an I.T. company but my job will be design.

Thanks for any advice. ]]> edwinbradford http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?125241-Which-Visa-for-Web-Designer http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?125235-Need-advice-on-Certificate-of-Eligibility-Visa-Change&goto=newpost Mon, 20 May 2013 00:05:31 GMT Hey guys,

I'm really confused on what I should do regarding this. Here's my situation:

I'm going to do my practicum in Japan this spring/summer. My professor has advised the students to apply for the working holiday visa around February (when this class started) so we had all the requirements for this specific type of visa including the travel itinerary by end of Feb/early March. I've initially booked my flight around April 28 but when I called the consulate near my city around last week of March, I was told that I should apply for the internship visa instead of the WHV. I asked the receptionist the reason why she just told me about it when me and another student have been calling the consulate asking about the requirements since Feb. Anyways, she told me to get the COE from the company that accepted me. I told the company about it and they were willing to sponsor for me and have already applied for the COE around second week of April. I changed my flight to May 08; thinking that I would have it by then but I had to change it again.

So, here's where I'm confused... I asked my practicum coordinator residing in Japan if I could just wait for the COE to arrive while I'm in Japan and just change my status of residence there but he told me that it cost more and takes longer than applying for it outside Japan but I have read here that you can change your status from tourist to the status approved on the COE while in Japan.

Could I still change my status of residence while in Japan when I get ahold of the COE or should I listen to my practicum coordinator and just wait for it here in Canada then apply for the visa? I'm just looking for all my options since my flight is coming up and I'm hoping I don't have to pay again.



Thank you. ]]> xienna008 http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?125235-Need-advice-on-Certificate-of-Eligibility-Visa-Change http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?125232-Which-Visa-(If-Any)&goto=newpost Sun, 19 May 2013 23:53:47 GMT I'm a student in the UK, studying A food related degree (currently working as a chef). Once I have finished my degree I hope to live in Japan, hopefully owning, managing and generally running my own British style tea house.

I'm very interested as to which visa I would have to apply for, or even if I would be eligible for one. I would prefer to not use a Japanese person and their name for the legal side. Thanks for your help. ]]> JK101 http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?125232-Which-Visa-(If-Any) http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?125231-Spousal-visa-v-Permanent-residency&goto=newpost Sun, 19 May 2013 14:39:33 GMT I am currently on a spousal visa and recently have started to think about applying for permanent residency. I am wondering what the advantages and disadvantages are of permanent residency? It is worth trying to get permanent residency or am I just better of continuing with the spousal visa? I am currently on a spousal visa and recently have started to think about applying for permanent residency.

I am wondering what the advantages and disadvantages are of permanent residency?

It is worth trying to get permanent residency or am I just better of continuing with the spousal visa? ]]> cdw8 http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?125231-Spousal-visa-v-Permanent-residency http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?125225-Residence-Card-Question&goto=newpost Sun, 19 May 2013 04:44:21 GMT I got my first 1 year spouse visa a few weeks ago. Got my resident card from immigration, but didn't realize until I got home that there is no address written on the back like my old alien card had. Am I supposed to write it in myself or go to city hall or something?

I wouldn't have thought anything of it, but went to AU to get a new cell phone last weekend and they refused to give me one because my card had no address. I am looking to go get my driver's license tomorrow and figure this is going to be an issue there again and don't really want any trouble.

I was comparing my card with a couple of my friend's last night, and their's were also missing the address.

I imagine I am supposed to go to city hall since they have me registered and can stamp it, but immigration didn't explain anything to me or my friend's, odd.

Any help would be appreciated. ]]> TeRReT http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?125225-Residence-Card-Question http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?125224-Doing-U-S-Job-while-living-in-Japan&goto=newpost Sun, 19 May 2013 02:21:00 GMT Hi,

I'm a U.S. citizen who works remotely at home for a U.S. company, and want to keep my job while living in Japan. I have a Japanese wife and a spouse visa to live in Japan. The visa states I can work anywhere. I'm currently in the U.S. for a few months to get my stuff together and move to Japan [was on tourist visa prior]. My boss had some concerns about the legality of paying a U.S. citizen living abroad. I have done a lot of research on working in Japan and keeping my job. There are no legal obligations U.S. side.

Yesterday he sent me an email stating that he won't be able to keep me once I start living in Japan due to some stuff in the Japanese Labor Laws that my company would have to comply with that they are not in the position to do, and that there will be issues with my visa. Since he is not aware of my spouse visa, I am under the impression that he's assuming he would have to sponsor me, which is incorrect.

I want to speak with him about the visa and let him know I have one so that won't be a problem. But before I do, I'd like to know if a U.S. company has to comply with Japanese Labor Laws while I am living in Japan. And if so, are there specific laws, or all laws? I read through some of the Japanese Labor Laws, and for the most part, it seems to be similar to U.S. Labor Laws, so I'm not sure why that would complicate things for my company, or if they even apply to a U.S. Citizen working remotely for a U.S. company. ]]> Classicus http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?125224-Doing-U-S-Job-while-living-in-Japan http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?125210-Letter-of-release-Is-this-necessary-or-is-this-company-blowing-smoke&goto=newpost Sat, 18 May 2013 12:38:41 GMT Here is the scoop: my husband, who is currently employed as an ALT for a company called OWLS, located in Kitakyushu. When he was hired, my husband explained to this company that we would require an apartment suitable for a family (we are expecting our fist child in 6 weeks). The company has yet to... Here is the scoop: my husband, who is currently employed as an ALT for a company called OWLS, located in Kitakyushu. When he was hired, my husband explained to this company that we would require an apartment suitable for a family (we are expecting our fist child in 6 weeks). The company has yet to find us suitable accomodations, so he began looking for another position, one which provides adequate housing. He went to meet with the school today. This new school is an eikaiwa, which would necessitate his changing his visa status. While he was meeting the staff at the school, someone from OWLS began calling and threatening the staff at the new school. They claim that he needs a letter of release from his current visa to be able to change his residency status so that he can legally work for this new school. They said that they will not issue it and so they will block him from being able to accept the position. I am not sure how they obtained the name and contact details of the school, but this has now jeopradized his chances of getting this position. What I need to know is:
1) Is a letter of release necessary to change his visa status from Instructor to Specialist in Humanities?
2) Has OWLS broken the law here, and if so, what legal recourse do we have?
Nothing I could find on the MOJ website mentions a letter of release. He has changed from an Instructor to a specialist visa before, the last time we were in Japan, be it at the end of his contract, and he didn't need any such paperwork. Can someone please clarify this for me? ]]> saltwatermiss http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?125210-Letter-of-release-Is-this-necessary-or-is-this-company-blowing-smoke http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?125208-Big-japanese-company-VS-smaller-foreign-company&goto=newpost Sat, 18 May 2013 01:59:53 GMT Just wondering : if you move from a big japanese company to a smaller foreign company during your first 3 years visa, can your visa renewal be jeopardized or they simply don't care?

Thanks in advance! ]]> PFlive http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?125208-Big-japanese-company-VS-smaller-foreign-company http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?125204-Misdemeanor-Admit-or-not-on-CoE-application&goto=newpost Fri, 17 May 2013 13:45:55 GMT Hello, I have a misdemeanor from ten years ago for disobeying a police officer. Should I mention this on the CoE application? I have heard conflicting stories about leaving it out. I have worked in Japan before and I did admit to it before and still got my visa. However, I admitted it on... Hello,

I have a misdemeanor from ten years ago for disobeying a police officer. Should I mention this on the CoE application? I have heard conflicting stories about leaving it out.

I have worked in Japan before and I did admit to it before and still got my visa. However, I admitted it on the employer's informal questionnaire form and they filled out the CoE application themselves (therefore, I'm not exactly sure if they put it or omitted it on the app itself). This time around, it is the first time I am actually completing the CoE myself and I'm not sure if I should put it on there.

If I do omit it, what's the likelihood that immigration will cross-reference the previous application in regards to the criminal record?

Thank you! ]]> ALX http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?125204-Misdemeanor-Admit-or-not-on-CoE-application http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?125198-Self-Sponsored-Visa-through-Teaching-English&goto=newpost Fri, 17 May 2013 07:26:54 GMT Hello again,

I know some of you have seen my name already on a few posts and I thank you for your help as I try to find the best way to obtain a work visa.

I'm wondering which of you have any experience with a self-sponsored visa through private contracts teaching english? Any tips or hurdles? Compared to applying through the larger teach english programs, this may be a quicker way to obtain the visa while here as a tourist.

I'm wondering if the contracts with entities in Japan need to add up to the 3000000 yen or if I can show the additional contract I have from the US as income as well which would much more easily get me to the 3000000 yen ? ]]> RWils18 http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?125198-Self-Sponsored-Visa-through-Teaching-English