Could use some advice

[fonzi]

if you TOEIC scores I would bring them along if I were you. Show them you are qualified..

I do have a masters degree in English literature and linguistics, doesn't that overpower the need for TOEIC scores or a teacher's qualification? I mean, come on, I studied English for five years at a university. That has to mean something, doesn't it?

Anyhow, from what I've read, I do think it's possible for me to find a job as an English teacher. I dare say that I am fluent in English (yeah, I know, everybody says so, but really, I am! :-)).
So I'm probably being a bit too modest here. I do have a slight accent, but I doubt any japanese would notice it. (Of course for a native speaker, it's instantly obvious that I'm not from Britain, Australia or the USA.) But I reckon I'll be able to sell myself with a couple of white lies perhaps. (I'm not a fraud, my English is more than good enough to teach it, they just have to give me a shot at it :-)).

Engaging the problem from another angle, is there any shot of finding such a job if I come over in June. From what I've read, the semester starts in September, so I guess it's application high season for teachers during the summer, or am I horribly mistaken here?

No one cares if you don't speak Japanese. Many still don't after 10, 20 years ...

I do have the ambition to learn Japanese. Learning to read and write or to get all the nuances right is a bit of an arduous task which I'll probably won't bother with. But I'm pretty good with languages and i'm sure I'll be babbling on in Japanase in no time. Given the small amount of Japanase I've picked up in just a couple of weeks, I found it fairly easy to learn (on a conversational level of course).

I just hope you stay away from illegal work, if only for your own sake

Don't worry, I won't be brewing my own sake illegally, I'm happy just buying it in a store ;-)

If you want to do it legitimately, what are you feeling about coming for a "holiday" but applying via the JET programme?

I've also looked into the JET-programme, but it seems like I just missed the application deadline. Or isn't that as strict as they make it out to be? Even still, I'm not really sure if it would be my cup of tea. I'd like to take an adventurous road and experience the country first hand. Not really sure if that's possible while being pampered by an embassy... (But I suppose it would make things a whole lot easier :-))

[beentheredonethat]

The only difficulty I see here is that when they ask you what country you are from, and you respond with anything besides what is seen and accepted as a "native English country" 〈USA, NZ, UK, Austrailia, Cananda), there is a high probabilty they wont hire you regardless of how good your English may be.

Whereas they may well be true, in my city I can think of immediately; a Jamaican, a Tanzanian, a South African, a Nigerian (all black), a Chinese American, a black American and a Filipino.

I don't know if it varies from prefecture to prefecture, or you are just talking of Tokyo and Kyoto where competition might be higher.

I thought the best chance would be from language schools run by foreigners.

I have also heard some terrible English accents, both phonetically and grammatically, so much so that I'd like to set up an agency screening English-English speakers before allowing them to come here.

An ex-plumber from Birmingham, England stands out by far as the worst. Lucky for him but it was utterly irresponsible to have hired him. And don't start me on Nigerians being told to pass themselves off as Americans by Japanese school owners.

[xHime]

Its like 援助交際 where high school girls get paid in Louis Vuitton purses, expensive dinners and gifts. No its not cash but you are still paid. Its essentially providing sexual favors for goods and services. Being given luxury apartments, new cars that you probably couldn't afford to buy or pay for yourself.

Most hostesses are not prostitutes as you point out but you probably wouldnt sleep with the guy if there wasnt something in it for you at the end of it. You are expected to have sex if you want to hang on to your job and keep your boss happy. A flower by another name I think.

Oh I agree with you- in fact I argued that in the hostess thread. I'm not saying it's not ridiculously similar, I'm saying there is a SLIGHT difference in job description. End result is usually the same but at least the hostess has a choice whereas if your only service is sex then you sort of have to put out. It's a classic case of Japanese semantics.

[Glenski]

First of all, with time you'll learn to ignore certain posters on this board. Every place has a few resident jerks/loonies who like spreading their cynicism and negativity and raining on everyone else's parade. For some reason, Japan seems to attract this sort in particular.

I think you should cut xHime a lot of slack with regards to comment like that. Geez, it sounds like xHime might be the taking on the role of the old Glenski!

My advice is: DO IT. You have nothing to lose and the worst case scenario is that you'll have a blast and return home back to whatever you left. Belgium won't run away, but moving to Japan might prove to be more difficult once you're older. In fact, I'm in exactly the same situation: I don't have any ties (financial or otherwise) here, I'm bored out of my mind, I have the money and a good skillset (I'm in IT) and I've decided to quit my job and come to Japan and look for a new one.

So you are giving advice about non-anglophone citizens finding work in Japan, even though you yourself have not come here and found work!? Uh, I really hope fonzi notices who is giving advice here.

fonzi,
You really need to listen to people who try to give you advice based on your potential to get a visa. Yeah, you might get lucky and find an employer who wants to hire you, but you may not even meet the requirements for a work visa. What are you going to do then? As much as the adventure of working here might seem fantastic to you now, you also need to consider some grim realities, and that begins with how you can actually stay and work legally.

As for job hunting, my limited experience tells me that recruiters and companies won't really talk to us unless we're already in the country. I'll just start applying once I land. With your line of work it might be different though.

Depends. Some are willing to do interviews via Skype or phone. Of course, that strategy has its limitations for both parties, so keep that in mind.

By the way, Golden Boy, where are you from? I ask only so that you and fonzi can compare apples and apples, not apples and oranges. Let's be fair about this whole thing, ok?

I'm quite sure my English is more than sufficient to teach it in Japanese high schools or to give private lessons.

How well you sound is not going to get past immigration, and they hold the ultimate trump card in deciding whether you stay or not.

Besides, to work in a HS, you usually need to be an ALT, which requires more than just an invented accent. You need the proper degree, and in your case the Instructor Visa will also require those 12 years of English education. Private lessons? Well, ok, give them as you please and as you can find them, but you're not going to survive financially off them (and they are illegal without proper visa status anyway).

You reckon there's any chance of doing some work -off the grid- on my tourist visa when I come in?

No. Not legally.

I'm pretty serious about coming to Japan.
But what kind of disturbs me on this forum is the amount of criticism and cynicism woven through just about every post. Things can't be that awful over there, can they?

I'm just looking to support myself in Japan for at least one year. I can't imagine it should be that hard finding a company willing to sponsor a visa?

Yes, it is that awful over here, and it doesn't matter whether you think it should be that hard to find an employer to sponsor you. That's just the way it is.

Let us know how you fare.

[beentheredonethat]

Fonzi, some countries have a "Working Holiday Scheme" agreement with Japan. I think Germany does, what about Austria?

I guess part of the cynicism is just Englishers. They tend to be that way. The other part is that things are just very strict here ... and you will not exactly be invisible as if you might be if you went to London or New York and the lack of J-language is a huge handicap. You will be highly visible.

But I encourage you to chase your dream ... even if you get busted and thrown out ... and have put forward some alternative suggestions. I guess some girls just want to be bad girls too ... The upside about Japan is it is a much more cash based society than other such developed nations, and so you might be able to do something to survive ... it is just that you'll need more tricks or skills to do so.

What alternatives are you willing to think about?

There are also 10,000 little problems like to arise, like not being able to get a bank account, for example. Some places will only pay into a certain kind of bank account.

Bear in mind that casual or low level work in Japan, for Japanese people, is really low paid and there are no so many "alternative" forms of employment, e.g. selling stuff at markets on on the street. Both the cops and the Yakuza, depending on your luck of 'whose' street you pitch up on, are really strict about that.

I've often thought one major component for young people like fonzi, which is missing in Japan, is the whole au pair/home help thing most Western countries have going on. It is just not done/homes are just not big enough to do so. Even getting home cleaners is bad enough ... may be that is angle for someone?

Doing "home help" for foreigners?

[KansaiBen]

The other reason for people being so cynical is often the dream does not match up with the reality. People build up in their minds this image of Japan as being some kind of Asian shangri-la, get sucked into the mystique, read too many Lonely Planet books and then when they get here the bubble bursts and they run head long into discrimination, indifference, poor working conditions. By then its too late for many people to back out or make other plans. They have SOs, start families or they get "stuck" teaching English though that was not their original intention. Its just the place that many find themselves

How well you do here depends on how you cope with adversity how well you block all the chatter and negativity. Lots of Noobies dont want to hear the negativity as it will burst their bubble and the image they have built up about 'Land of the Rising Sun"(cue the vomit sound). People just dont want hear anything that is negative, critical, sarcastic or cynical as they say "misery loves company". I have been guilty of this myself, but am only speaking from my own experience and people label such part-poopers as "old" and "jaded". Fine, better than being misguided and misinformed in my opinion, but lots of folks are simply not ready for it, nor do they understand how the Japanese tick, 90% of the time.

To add to Been theres post, if you fall through the cracks here there is no safety net. When NOVA went bist a few years ago you had college grads literally homeless and offering lessons for food. I knew one guy who was literally scamming coins to make phone calls and buy breakfast. There is no "dole" here and if you lose your job there is no welfare state to pick up the pieces or support you, Hello Work is designed to find work for jobless people but to get welfare you have to pay into Unemployment Insurance while you are working and many language schools dont do that. If you get sick and dont have insurance then you are pretty well f--ked.

When things are going swimmingly and there is plenty of work no one worries about the droughts and the lean times. but when they do come it can be pretty brutal. Osaka in wintertime on the street is not a pleasant place to be.

As a non-native speaker of English you have added difficulties finding enough work and if your native language is not in demand you may find it hard to find other jobs. that is the reality here.

[Agitator]

why is it that people who decide to migrate to an Asian country are automatically called rejects and losers? And why is it expected that you will go home eventually and get a "real" job?

Maybe they are escaping bad economies and lack of jobs back home. You only need to see the mess that the US is in to see why people would decide to run for the exits.

KB, you sure do talk about the US a lot. Can I ask you a question, since you seem to know everything there is to know about it?

Have you ever BEEN to the United States of America?

[Agitator]

No- geez, for going to hostess clubs for 8 years you sure are close-minded. A hostess sleeping with a client doesn't make her a hooker.

kyaba jou and fuuzoku are two different professions. Fuuzoku has sex for a living. Kyaba jou are hostesses for a living and have sex on the side, either for gifts/trips/cars/whatever, or just to keep a good client from going elsewhere. She's not technically having sex FOR MONEY, and it's not the main part of her job, so that makes her not a hooker. As a hostess client you really should understand the world you step into a bit better.

xHime, I have to hand it to you. You've really made me chuckle today. This one is a true classic of twisted logic and rhetorical desperation.

You should either go into politics or marry KansaiBen. Even though we know you don't date English-speaking men.

Have you ever been to Japan in the summer time? I typically leave.

And how exactly do you manage to slip away from your beloved home country for months at a time? You're one of these not-a-hookers?

[Agitator]

Back to the OP:

I've got a pretty good job in advertising here in Belgium and i'm doing allright for myself.

So why in the world would you want to come to Japan?

Nevertheless, i'm bored beyond belief sitting behind a computer all day.

So quit sitting behind a computer all day. Really, there are better ways to solve your problems than coming to Japan.

I've already visited Japan twice on a holiday, and as cliché as this might sound, i've sort of fallen in love with the country. I do realize that living somewhere is not the same as visiting it on holiday, but f... it, i'd like to give life in Japan a try!

Well, kid, knock yourself out if that's really what you want to do. Others have already given some advice/comments/background. Just beware that some of the prolific posters here are morons and you heed their advice at your own risk, unless fuxoring up your life is the objective.

What i've got going against me:
2. I've got very little money put aside to survive on (I guess i can pay my flight and support me a month in Japan without income)

Oh sorry, game over. I thought you said you had a pretty good job and were doing alright for yourself. If those things were true, you'd have more than a month's living expenses saved up, wouldn't you?

So a few questions.
First of all, does all of this sound like a good idea?

In my opinion, no. Sorry, don't mean to burst your bubble. Just trying to be honest. Like I said, if this is your dream, knock yourself out. If it blows up in your face, much better to find that out at 25 than at 35 or 45 and turn into KB or xH.

[thefg]

Fuuzoku has sex for a living. Kyaba jou are hostesses for a living and have sex on the side,.

your so full of sh1t lol!


Politics -girl, politics.

I see a great future for you in politics

[thefg]

Yes, because it's a much better idea to listen to people who haven't lived and work in Japan about living and working in Japan, than listening to people who have. You know, if people don't want real advice they don't have to post.

in the same way'


Yes, because it's a much better idea to listen to people who haven't been in a hostess bar than listening to people who have. You know, if people don't want real advice they don't have to post.


your so full of sh1t lol!

[thefg]

But from what I know of Japan, it isn't all bad. The weather, the scenery, the people, the craziness, the food, the lifestyle...(Cynical quotes expected)

a lot here are not happy with their lot, but i wouldnt say this is the norm.

personally i have a great life here,

great job
plenty of money
great house with a nice big garden where i spend summers with friends having BBQ
great friends
fantastic food
easy stress free lifestyle



personally I really love my life here.

Life is to a large degree what you make it.


Oh and I love the summers here.

[SometimesJustMe]

Interac level ALT work is possible. From what I've heard they have a sh!tload of people from India and the Phillipines working there.

Corporate work is also doable as they like a variety in their instructors, and many companies here have offices in Belgium and Germany so that would work in your favor.

Corporate stuff takes awhile to build up though as it is all part-time. To be supporting yourself on it might take a few months.

[fonzi]

Oh sorry, game over. I thought you said you had a pretty good job and were doing alright for yourself. If those things were true, you'd have more than a month's living expenses saved up, wouldn't you?

Well, 'kid', I wouldn't. The fact is that I make more money than you do, without a doubt. To me however, money isn't all that important. When I have plenty, I spend plenty, when I don't, I don't. The absence of savings does not necessarily account for not doing allright. But thanks for questioning me!


Hmm, that may have come over a bit harsh, but the point is, I'm not looking for life lessons, I don't have any problems and I'm perfectly happy. I'm just...bored and looking for a new adventure. So thx for all the advice guys, I was just wondering wether or not it was possible to come to Japan unprepared.

So if any of you guys have some practical advice about finding a job, a cheap residence, visa issues, life in Japan in general... It's more than welcome! But please, enough with the therapy and life lessons !

[Glenski]

So if any of you guys have some practical advice about finding a job, a cheap residence, visa issues, life in Japan in general... It's more than welcome! But please, enough with the therapy and life lessons !

And, what did I give you? Geez!

Immigration first. Your background does not qualify you for a teaching work visa in most cases. Can't really help you with the exceptions.

Job second. What can you offer in the way of work experience, since you won't likely get a teaching job? Realize that other than teaching a language, which requires zero to very little experience if it's your native language, you're going to need to prove to an employer that you have the skills/experience and usually the Japanese language ability. Plain and simple. Exception: Foreign companies who operate with more English than Japanese in the office. That may mean finding it here and applying, or working at one in Belgium for a year and then getting transferred here. (The year is an immigration requirement for an intracompany transfer visa.)

Living quarters and everything else third.

"Life in Japan in general". C'mon, fonzi. Help us to nail down some specifics.

[fonzi]

And, what did I give you? Geez!

Don't get me wrong, I've been given a lot of good advice here on the forum, and I'm very thankful for it! Just wanted to say that I wasn't really looking for a philosophical answer to life's problems ;-). When I have some more time, and when I figure it out for myself, I'll post some more details about what it exactly is I'm looking for :-)

[StarfoxPro]

When I have some more time, and when I figure it out for myself, I'll post some more details about what it exactly is I'm looking for :-)

Veteran on trying to give advise: "Although not impossible, it will be difficult for you to find work here in Japan since you are not a native English speaker"

New Comer with blinders on: "But Japan is so cool and I want to come to Japan"

Veteran on trying to give advise: "You need to find an employer who will sponsor a visa for you"

New Comer with blinders on: "But Japan is so cool and I want to come to Japan"

Veteran on trying to give advise: "Many people come here with certain expectations and when those expectations are not met, they find themselves in a difficult position"

New Comer with blinders on: "But Japan is so cool and I want to come to Japan"

Veteran on trying to give advise: "Have you considered other counties in Asia where there are more opportunities and better working conditions?"

New Comer with blinders on: "But Japan is so cool and I want to come to Japan"

Veteran on trying to give advise: "I guess some people have to learn the hard way"

[KansaiBen]

Veteran on trying to give advise: "I guess some people have to learn the hard way"

Glutton for punishment. They don't think the rules apply to them....

[fonzi]

New Comer with blinders on: "But Japan is so cool and I want to come to Japan"

Hehe, I was trying to avoid stuff like this, but hey, no way back....
So that's right, I think Japan is cool! I've outspoken the ultimate taboo on this forum! I actually like Japan!

Instead of most of you, I do want to come to this country because it appeals to me. I'm not sure what all of you are doing there, but if it sucks so much, I'd suggest you get out of there. There are other Asian countries as well guys!

As for me, I don't see why I would go to Korea or China. They're cool? Don't know, don't care! I've been to Japan, I liked it. Never been to Korea or China, so I don't know why I should go there looking for work. I'm not desperate or something like that, I just discovered a place I like, and I'm taking a shot at it.

Veteran on trying to give advise: "Although not impossible, it will be difficult for you to find work here in Japan since you are not a native English speaker"


Veteran on trying to give advise: "You need to find an employer who will sponsor a visa for you"

Veteran on trying to give advise: "Many people come here with certain expectations and when those expectations are not met, they find themselves in a difficult position"

Veteran on trying to give advise: "Have you considered other counties in Asia where there are more opportunities and better working conditions?"

Veteran on trying to give advise: "I guess some people have to learn the hard way"

So what?

I'm not naive, I've been around. You guys think that except for Japan, every other country is like Albania or Thailand? There are other countries with strict visa policies out there guys, Japan is not the ultimate fortress to be conquered...

Will it be difficult sometimes? Yes, I'm sure of it. I'm not stupid, when I read the advise and reports from all of you, who've made the step before me, I realize there's going to be a lot of sh*t to deal with...

So what?

I'm fluent in 4 languages, I've got experience, I've got qualifications I'm a smooth talker, a nice guy and fun to be around. I get by anywhere.
Life is only as hard as you make it to be. Sure, the Japanese have their own language and culture. But guess what, everybody does! People are people, even in Japan.

I won't get a visa? So be it, I'll make the visa run to Korea a couple of times and figure something out. I won't get a job? So be it, I'll go work on one of those WWOOF farms for food and shelter and figure something out. I hate it in Japan? So be it, I'll move to another place...

So I'm taking the step, and I'm going to enjoy it too! Here in Belgium, I sit behind my computer or in meetings all day. During the evening i'll go out for dinner or watch TV. In the weekends I go out for drinks or daytrips. I have a big appartement and I drive a fancy car. And I hate it. Every week is the same, all year long.

In Japan, I'll be on my own. I'm even looking forward to the struggle. I'm gonna drive trains all day in my fancy suit, going from one job interview to another. I'm going to randomly talk to Japanese people on those trains, in the street, in the store or in a bar. I'll meet my neighbors and colleagues and treat them to some chocolate I brought from home. I'm going to learn Japanese and i'll get better and better at it. I'll learn how to behave myself in a different culture. I'll make a ton of new friends. I'm going to hit the clubs and party with all the Japanese sluts and playa's. I'm going to eat ramen at a street stand and let some local give me pointers on what's the best food. I'll join a Japanese soccer team, score the winning goal in the most important game of the season and have no idea how to celebrate it. On my days off, I'm taking the train and visit the sights in Japan. I'll have giggly girls take a picture of me while I make a silly face in front of a Tori shrine. I'll eat umeboshi at some Japanese mama san's restaurant and pretend I like it. I'm going to see and learn something new everyday. And when I'm bored again, I'll seek a new adventure.

And I should refrain from this idea because I might not get a work visa on my first day there?

I have no idea why I just typed this actually, because I reckon the people whom it was intended for probably won't get it. I guess I'm just asking for some constructive feedback now. I appreciate all the opinions and advise that are given.

But I'm coming to Japan and I'm gonna have a good time!

[StarfoxPro]

Glutton for punishment. They don't think the rules apply to them....

The problem is they don`t think at all.

Hehe, I was trying to avoid stuff like this, but hey, no way back....
So that's right, I think Japan is cool! I've outspoken the ultimate taboo on this forum! I actually like Japan!

Nothing wrong with liking Japan, but IMHO, you are cutting your nose off depsite your face by not looking at other options out there.

I'm not sure what all of you are doing there, but if it sucks so much you better get out of there.

I checked the what the other folks said in their posts and I do not see where anyone said this. Be careful about making presumptions about others, so you don`t get attacked.

As for me, I don't see why I would go to Korea or China. They're cool? Don't know, don't care! I've been to Japan, I liked it. Never been to Korea or China, so I don't know why I should go there looking for work.

IMHO, you have put on the blinders and closed yourself off to other options. But it`s up to you.

I'm not naive

I am sorry to say, but I am not sure if we can agree on this. I hope your are right.

You guys think that except for Japan, every other country is like Albania or Thailand? There are other countries with strict visa policies out there guys, Japan is not the ultimate fortress to be conquered...

Once again, I reviewed the other posts in this thread and I did not read where anyone said this.

Will it be difficult sometimes? Yes, I'm sure of it. I'm not stupid, when I read the advise and reports from all of you, who've made the step before me, I realize there's going to be a lot of sh*t to deal with......

Now are you thinking a bit I think. I would advise you go there first on an extended stay like a WHV visa to see how you like it. Ask your job is you can take an exptended leave of absence and come here on a 90 day visa to see if you can get work first.

I'm fluent in 4 languages, ......

I am not quite sure about this, but I believe there are language schools here that offer other languages besides English. Perhaps you can get a visa that way.

I won't get a visa? So be it, I'll make the visa run to Korea a couple of times and figure something out. I won't get a job? So be it, I'll go work on one of those WWOOF farms for food and shelter and figure something out.

This is your plan? As I said before, there is nothing wrong with having a dream, as long as you have a plan to go along with it. I think you can do better than this.

Here in Belgium, I sit behind my computer or in meetings all day. During the evening i'll go out for dinner or watch TV. In the weekends I go out for drinks or daytrips. I have a big appartement and I drive a fancy car. And I hate it. Every week is the same, all year long. .

Sounds a like my life here in Japan expect for the part about the big apartment and the fancy car.

But I'm coming to Japan and I'm gonna have a good time!

You can do that with a 90 day visa you know.

[ttokyo]

I won't get a visa? So be it, I'll make the visa run to Korea a couple of times and figure something out.

Did you read that post on Christopher Johnson ?

http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthrea...-Remain-Silent

I'm not naive, I've been around. You guys think that except for Japan, every other country is like Albania or Thailand? There are other countries with strict visa policies out there guys, Japan is not the ultimate fortress to be conquered...
I've got experience, I've got qualifications I'm a smooth talker, a nice guy and fun to be around. I get by anywhere.
Life is only as hard as you make it to be. Sure, the Japanese have their own language and culture. But guess what, everybody does! People are people, even in Japan.

I'm sure Christopher would have found similar words - till he got refused entry after his last 3-day visa run to Korea. Doing this once is usually ok (also worked for me some time ago), but if you have no legit work lined up after 180 days in Japan, something is going seriously wrong.

[ttokyo]

So I'm taking the step, and I'm going to enjoy it too! Here in Belgium, I sit behind my computer or in meetings all day. During the evening i'll go out for dinner or watch TV. In the weekends I go out for drinks or daytrips. I have a big appartement and I drive a fancy car. And I hate it. Every week is the same, all year long.

In Japan, I'll be on my own. I'm even looking forward to the struggle. I'm gonna drive trains all day in my fancy suit, going from one job interview to another. I'm going to randomly talk to Japanese people on those trains, in the street, in the store or in a bar. I'll meet my neighbors and colleagues and treat them to some chocolate I brought from home. I'm going to learn Japanese and i'll get better and better at it. I'll learn how to behave myself in a different culture. I'll make a ton of new friends. I'm going to hit the clubs and party with all the Japanese sluts and playa's. I'm going to eat ramen at a street stand and let some local give me pointers on what's the best food. I'll join a Japanese soccer team, score the winning goal in the most important game of the season and have no idea how to celebrate it. On my days off, I'm taking the train and visit the sights in Japan. I'll have giggly girls take a picture of me while I make a silly face in front of a Tori shrine. I'll eat umeboshi at some Japanese mama san's restaurant and pretend I like it. I'm going to see and learn something new everyday. And when I'm bored again, I'll seek a new adventure.

And I should refrain from this idea because I might not get a work visa on my first day there?

I have no idea why I just typed this actually, because I reckon the people whom it was intended for probably won't get it. I guess I'm just asking for some constructive feedback now. I appreciate all the opinions and advise that are given.

But I'm coming to Japan and I'm gonna have a good time!

Sorry, I cannot help it, but the n-word pops out all over again. Or you're high while posting. Anyway :

+ You're mistaken that ppl advise you to get a visa lined up before you get here. It's perfectly ok to come to Japan on a tourist visa and start looking for a job with that. But any longer-term stay including work requires a valid visa.

+ In Belgium you 'have a big appartement and drive a fancy car'. In Japan you will have a small apartment and be commuting in a packed train for hours. If you already 'hate' the Belgian way, you must be getting crazy at the Japanese conditions (or are a masochist).

+ "I'm gonna drive trains all day in my fancy suit, going from one job interview to another." - What do you expect ? 5 interviews a day ?

+ "I'm going to randomly talk to Japanese people on those trains, in the street, in the store or in a bar" - Yes people will think you're a weirdo.

+ "I'll meet my neighbors and colleagues and treat them to some chocolate I brought from home." - An excellent plan how to spend your time in Japan. You'll do this once ? Every week ? Or bring a whole suitcase and give it away to the people you meet in the train. Or at the job interviews.

+ "I'll learn how to behave myself in a different culture. I'll make a ton of new friends." - I see how its starting in this forum.

+ "I'm going to hit the clubs and party with all the Japanese sluts and playa's." - Ok. At least an honest remark that finds support here.

Let me be frank again : If you're suffering from 'burn-out' or 'midlife-crisis', that's understandable and a trip to Japan might be a good way of getting a new perspective. The country has many advantages such as public safety but also drawbacks such as a high price level and a restrictive visa policy. Many people would even say that the quality of life in Tokyo is lower than in other european capitals due to overcrowding, scorcing summer heat, pollen/hayfever or a bad work-life quality.

But you have not even made up your mind WHAT your priorities are and what you want to do. If you work on an organic farm in the middle of nowhere, your Japan experience will be completely different compared to working at a regular Japanese company or as an English teacher. I'd probably start by renting a 'gaijin house' room in Tokyo for the first 2-3 months and start the job hunt. Get a nicer room and a location 'close to the action' in Roppongi/Shibuya if you don't want to spend too much time/money on cabs and love hotels..

[spacetiger]

But I'm coming to Japan and I'm gonna have a good time!

You totally will. I can't give you any advice because I don't live there & it sounds like you're gunna be fine anyway.

[xHime]

I do have a masters degree in English literature and linguistics, doesn't that overpower the need for TOEIC scores or a teacher's qualification? I mean, come on, I studied English for five years at a university. That has to mean something, doesn't it?

They want 12 years so that's not even half. You are not qualified to teach English- even if you speak it.

[xHime]

xHime, I have to hand it to you. You've really made me chuckle today. This one is a true classic of twisted logic and rhetorical desperation.

You should either go into politics or marry KansaiBen. Even though we know you don't date English-speaking men.

And how exactly do you manage to slip away from your beloved home country for months at a time? You're one of these not-a-hookers?

I go to university in Japan. No, I'm not a hostess. Not only is it illegal on my visa type, but I don't drink and I don't like to pretend I like dirty old men.

The twisted logic and rhetorical desperation is that of Japan's, not mine. Why do you think it is they don't close places like Soapland down even though prostitution in Japan IS illegal, and everyone knows what goes on there? Because soaploand workers are technically not hookers, they are people hired to bathe you. You pay for THAT service. The sex comes optional, and you don't TECHNICALLY pay for it. Or a massage parlor that offers sex...it'll charge 10 times the price a massage parlor that doesn't offer sex would charge for the same massage, but it is implied that at the "expensive" one, you will get sex. However, because it's not the official servie they sell, the people are considered to have an actual profession and nobody gets arrested/shut down.

I personally don't have much of an opinion on this. As much as I rant on about hostesses, I have nothing against actual hookers, either. I think it should be legal. But it's not. And there IS a difference between a hooker and a hostess even though in the end I do see most of them as whores.

I have been friends with people whose job I didn't think was great for them, or who did things I didn't approve of. Just because I say I think hostesses are slutty doesn't mean I can't be friends with one. I've thought worse of some of my non-hostess friends on occasion. Nobody is perfect, everyone has faults. Some of my friends have jobs that I think make them a bit morally compromised. That doesn't mean I can't like them. People are too simple minded. If the girl is a good friend then I don't really care what she does for a living so long as she's not killing people.

[Effected After]

a massage parlor that offers sex...it'll charge 10 times the price a massage parlor that doesn't offer sex would charge for the same massage, but it is implied that at the "expensive" one, you will get sex. However, because it's not the official servie they sell, the people are considered to have an actual profession and nobody gets arrested/shut down.

A few blocks from my office, I can go get a bj for 10000 yen. A few blocks in the other direction are some massage places. A 70 minute Thai massage is 5000 yen. There is also an oil massage place. It's 11000 yen for an hour. I got one a while back, expecting a rub and tug - after all, a straight up blowjob is cheaper just a few blocks away - but it was only a rub, no tug.

The moral of the story is to not judge a massage place by its price.

[pastor Ralph]

So a few questions.
First of all, does all of this sound like a good idea?
Is it possible to rent a place in Japan given my situation, can i find one online? I'd hate to get of the plane without anywhere to go...
Is it possible to find a job in Japan. Mind you, i'm not a native English speaker (although i do have a masters degree in it), so the obvious ALT-stuff is probably out of the question.
Do I need some sort of special visa to rent a place or go job hunting? I've noticed that Japan does not offer so-called 'working holiday visa' to residents of Belgium...


So, up to you, any help or tips are more than welcome!
thx!

Living abroad is a great idea. Trying to earn a living in a foreign country is a totally different experience than just traveling in it.
As someone else already wrote, in Osaka Shin-Immamiya is cheap. In Tokyo you can find similar places in Minami-Senju.
The places are small, but who knows, perhaps you find a nice Japanese lady who'll let you move in.
Teaching English: especially out of the main cities there's often a shortage of teachers. Lots of ALT positions open up in April, the beginning of the school year. You could try to find one through interac, or apply to the schools directly (again a Japanese (girl)friend may come in handy)
Also, you could start your own eikaiwa (English conversation school).
As for the visa, Japan is a cash society, if you have your own students...
Other jobs popular among foreigners who don't speak Japanese well are wedding pastor and model.