Interac says you need 500k start-up money?

[lemsip]

That equates to over 4,000quid UK

Are they insane?

[HarryHurry]

That equates to over 4,000quid UK

Are they insane?

No. Just very conservative with that low estimate.

[Glenski]

Most of that goes to apartments and the security deposit plus "key money". Could be 2-5 times a month's rent just to move in. Do the math on an apartment that costs 80,000 yen/month.

You will also not get your first paycheck for 4-6 weeks, so you will have to buy food and perhaps even pay for utilities and phone during that time. Plus dry cleaning, hair care, insurance, and anything else you want to buy.

Oh, sure, you might be able to borrow from your employer, but do you really want that just by moving here, and have to pay it back in installments (taken out of your paycheck automatically) in the first 3 months?

[jrp]

That equates to over 4,000quid UK

Are they insane?

That's probably too low.

[lemsip]

Thanks for the reality check guys. Knew it would be expensive but didn't reckon it'd be that much. There's no way I could stretch to that plus flights. I take it if you go with anyone else but JET (teaching route) then set-up costs are similar? Any companies or routes that are less expensive or is that a ball-park figure across the board? Thanks for your help.

[KansaiBen]

Thanks for the reality check guys. Knew it would be expensive but didn't reckon it'd be that much. There's no way I could stretch to that plus flights. I take it if you go with anyone else but JET (teaching route) then set-up costs are similar? Any companies or routes that are less expensive or is that a ball-park figure across the board? Thanks for your help.

if you find an employer who will act as guarantor already has an apartment provided then you may not need to pay key money. You will still need to furnish it though. A new place doesnt even have light bulbs when you move in. Not all employers provide accommodation or act as guarantor.

Keep in mind you may not see a paycheck for up to 6 weeks as salaries are paid the following month (not weekly like in the west) and you have to survive until then. I recommend coming with at least $4000 US the more the better.

[lemsip]

Thanks very much. I worked on JET years many ago in Fukuoka and I'm still in touch with the JTEs I worked with. I might drop them an email to see if they know of any openings or opportunities - they would recommend me as I got on well with them. I know this doesn't hold much weight but it's worth a shot. I also know people in Fukuoka I could stay with for up to a month, but I think it could be financial suicide turning up in Japan without a job and hoping I find one.
I came back to the UK in 2004 but I've made the decision to go back to Japan, so I'm sussing out the best options. Thanks again for all your help.

[KansaiBen]

T
I came back to the UK in 2004 but I've made the decision to go back to Japan, so I'm sussing out the best options. Thanks again for all your help.

Things that bad in the UK huh?

Japan seems to have a boomerang effect on people, cant seem to stay away for some reason, don't know why.

[lemsip]

Things that bad in the UK huh?

Japan seems to have a boomerang effect on people, cant seem to stay away for some reason, don't know why.

I only completed a one-year contract with JET because a family member was terminally ill and I had to go home. Since then, I've built up a career in advertising and was recently the senior writer for the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. Despite this though, I have always had a niggling desire in the back of my head to return to Japan. Despite the creativity of my current job, I do miss Japan greatly and genuinely miss helping to teach children (Some people hated the actual job involved in JET; I loved it). An elementary position would suit me best, actually. I have applied to JET again, although I realise they may prefer first- over second-timers. Saying that, on paper, I'm a pretty good candidate, so fingers crossed for an interview.

[KansaiBen]

I only completed a one-year contract with JET because a family member was terminally ill and I had to go home. Since then, I've built up a career in advertising and was recently the senior writer for the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. Despite this though, I have always had a niggling desire in the back of my head to return to Japan. Despite the creativity of my current job, I do miss Japan greatly and genuinely miss helping to teach children (Some people hated the actual job involved in JET; I loved it). An elementary position would suit me best, actually. I have applied to JET again, although I realise they may not want second-timers. Saying that, on paper, I'm a pretty good candidate, so fingers crossed for an interview.

I doubt you can apply a second time and if they hired you it means someone who has never been misses out.

There are also rules about previously having lived in Japan before applying for JET.

have a friend teaching in Kumamoto teaching kids, may pay to ask around. I also taught in Shikoku my first year here.

[lemsip]

I doubt you can apply a second time and if they hired you it means someone who has never been misses out.

There are also rules about previously having lived in Japan before applying for JET.

They have scrapped the 10-year eligibility gap, so you can actually apply again after 3 years now.

It seems they are actively encouraging past alumni to apply.

Anyway, like I said, I'll get back somehow. But might take a bit more saving on my part whatever route I decide. Thanks again for the replies.

[Glenski]

They have scrapped the 10-year eligibility gap, so you can actually apply again after 3 years now.

It seems they are actively encouraging past alumni to apply.

Specifically, this is what the JET FAQ says:
[i]7. Not have participated on the JET Programme since 2009 or for more than five years in total.

8. Not have declined a position on the JET Programme after receiving notification of placement in the last JET Programme year. (Exceptions to this rule may be made in cases where it is accepted that the partcipant had a valid, unavoidable reason for withdrawing.)

9. Not have lived in Japan for six or more years in total since 2002. [/i/
http://www.jetprogramme.org/e/aspiring/eligibility.html

if you find an employer who will act as guarantor already has an apartment provided then you may not need to pay key money. You will still need to furnish it though. A new place doesnt even have light bulbs when you move in.

Employers who already have an apartment usually have it already furnished.

Find one on your own (aside from LeoPalace21), and yes, you will have to furnish it entirely from scratch (appliances, curtains, light fixtures, etc.).

[Wonky]

For the record, I never moved into a place in Japan that didn't have light bulbs in the light fixtures.

[KansaiBen]

For the record, I never moved into a place in Japan that didn't have light bulbs in the light fixtures.

Light bulbs and pretty much nothing else. Non-Leo Palace type places at least.

[Glenski]

For the record, half the places I moved into didn't even have light fixtures, let alone light bulbs. Older places, I grant you.

[Wonky]

For the record, half the places I moved into didn't even have light fixtures, let alone light bulbs. Older places, I grant you.

There were wires hanging from the ceiling?

[Ken44]

...Japan seems to have a boomerang effect on people, cant seem to stay away for some reason, don't know why.

Caught between love and hate that`s all.

[Ken44]

Anyway, like I said, I'll get back somehow...

Yeah, but then what? The party`s pretty much over with regards to teaching English.

Do you really want to chase after teaching gigs? I mean Japan can be fun and all that and the J-girls (or boys) a plus. However, to return and start teaching again at the bottom?

I don`t know about that.

[Effected After]

In all the places I've moved into, and moved people into, if there was a permanent light fixture in place, there were bulbs in it. But most rooms just have a socket for a light fixture, and I've always had to supply the lights.

[lemsip]

I think I could stretch to buying a light bulb if it came to it. Or just ____ in the dark.

It's the security deposit and key money that I'd be worried about.

Re: what to do after JET. If accepted (big if) I would be eligible to stay with JET for 4 years if recontracted (since I've already served one). So I would do that, and hopefully by that time my Japanese would be up to N2 at least. I've a solid background in advertising behind me so could then hopefully enter the creative industry. A lot of ad agencies in Tokyo and Osaka that work in both English and Japanese. I expect a lot of people to scoff at this idea, but hey, gotta have a dream. Or be delusional. I'll let you decide.

[Glenski]

There were wires hanging from the ceiling?

There was an outlet or whatever you want to call it, where you plugged in a light fixture, usually the circular fluorescent type. Sort of like this:

[Harp]

Keep in mind you may not see a paycheck for up to 6 weeks as salaries are paid the following month (not weekly like in the west) and you have to survive until then.

I think the only job I've ever had that paid weekly was a paper delivery round when I was 13!

Seriously, apart from casual labourers on building sites does anyone get paid weekly anymore?

[SometimesJustMe]

There were wires hanging from the ceiling?

I was apartment hunting a year or so back and found all but one of the places I looked had no lighting anywhere but the bathroom. Just the fixture/plugs in the ceiling to attach your own to.

[xHime]

You are really being had if you are still paying key money. You can get a cheap apartment in the bigger cities and its suburbs for 1-2 months deposit, no key money. It's also not hard to find apartments that require neither deposit of any kind nor key money, from places such as Leo Palace (which offers long term unfurnished leases) and other realtors who cater to foreigners. The rent is not any steeper in most cases.

Even from traditional realtors though, these days nobody is paying key money nor 5 times the rent in deposit. Expect at MOST to pay 2 months deposit and the first month's rent. If you're paying more than that in this current day and age, you are being had.

[xHime]

I think the only job I've ever had that paid weekly was a paper delivery round when I was 13!

Seriously, apart from casual labourers on building sites does anyone get paid weekly anymore?

Hosts and Kyabas, hence why so many are doing it.

There's a difference between getting paid monthly and bi-monthly, the latter of which still being the golden standard in many industries in the States so many people are surprised when they come to Japan. But it's not so much the monthly pay that sucks, it's that it's usually delayed by a month or more when you first start so you end up getting no pay for 2-3 months at first, which is usually the time you need it the quickest. Being that Japan doesn't have any jobs with tips it isn't like you can pick up some shifts as a waiter for quick cash in between paychecks, either.