I have a passport but no post-sec education

[sonya_w]

Hey all,

I've been perusing the forums for a while now (ok and having some laughs at the "Laborer" thread). Anyways, I'm going to Tokyo (Suginami) on July 5th. I'm staying until August 20th - so not very long.

I have a Japanese passport, but I've only just graduated high school. I'm willing to work for little or no money, as long as I'm doing something while I'm there!

A few pieces of info that are pretty important are: I don't speak Japanese well, although I understand it fairly fluently (my mother is Japanese - thus the passport), I am 17, I speak English and French fluently and I have had previous experience working at movie theatres, daycare centres, etc.

So, with all these pieces of information - do I have a chance at getting some sort of employment? And can someone help me out as to where I should apply and so on? I've heard I could perhaps volunteer at a Jukku or something. I've been to a few sites - but for most of the offers you actually have to be in Tokyo at the moment.

Soo thanks for any help you all could offer!

Sonya

EDITed to fix a typo and to say that if anyone thinks this could get a better response in a different forum - be sure to point it out to me! =)

[SteadyRollingMan]

As you are only coming for a few weeks, it really would be difficult finding any sort of employment, why not just enjoy your time here. Suginami is a nice area in Tokyo and surely you must have some friends there. However, if you really want to do something, you could check around the local neighbourhood.

[Glenski]

A Japanese passport? That means you are Japanese (probably dual nationality). So a visa would probably not be necessary.

However, at your age and language level, and definitely because of the shortness of your stay, your chances of finding work are practically zero.

Come and enjoy your vacation.

[sonya_w]

Sigh, all right.

It is a very short time. I will give my neighborhood a look, though.

Thanks for your input anyways!

[Morning Star]

sonya w.

If you want to make a little bit of spending cash you can stop by and give my apartment a good spring cleaning. I also need my dry cleaning taken care of and my futons/sheets changed. And my receipts organized. Also looking to get a prep table in my kitchen, so I want you to shop around for something nice and sturdy.

Anyway, I'll make a checklist, give you directions and you can come out at your convenience.

Regards

[CLOWNPUNCHER]

sonya w.

If you want to make a little bit of spending cash you can stop by and give my apartment a good spring cleaning. I also need my dry cleaning taken care of and my futons/sheets changed. And my receipts organized. Also looking to get a prep table in my kitchen, so I want you to shop around for something nice and sturdy.

Anyway, I'll make a checklist, give you directions and you can come out at your convenience.

Regards

Don't trust this guy he's an evil nasty one.

[kurogane]

As opposed to a homophobic neo-nazi. But I'm writing on water, evidently this board gives you its approval.

Well, if suffering his odious presence is approval, then I may be guilty, but I'm not going to burn for this one.

Mind you, go read his "40 years and then an email" thread. Makes you almost want to think he is quasi-human.

Also, the bits where he admits that his parents are also half-siblings makes for hilarious antipodean anthropology.

[CLOWNPUNCHER]

Also, the bits where he admits that his parents are also half-siblings makes for hilarious antipodean anthropology.

Shut the fack up you inbred Canadian ___got.

I'll hunt you down and sell you to a gay bath house.

[Kaizen]

A Japanese passport? That means you are Japanese (probably dual nationality). So a visa would probably not be necessary.

If I recall correctly, Japan doesn't allow for dual-citizenship. Though yeah, if you have a Japanese passport, entering shouldn't be a problem.

[paulh]

If I recall correctly, Japan doesn't allow for dual-citizenship. Though yeah, if you have a Japanese passport, entering shouldn't be a problem.

The OP has just finished high school and below the age of 20 can have 2 nationalities. After that he has to choose. If he is a Us citizen its quite possible the Us allows dual nationality. If one or both parents are Japanese then kids can get it as well.

[trip_hop]

You do not recall correctly.

Dual citizenship is permitted until 22, and may also be possible afterwards; there are some unique circumstances described under under sections 11-15-18 of the Nationality Act if you care to read it.

[paulh]

u have a japanese passport = japanese nationlity.

you are just like any other japanese 17 year old looking for a job in japan. but u really have to learn japanese.

Perhaps you can tell me what a 17 year kid who cant speak the language can do in Japan, and then we'll both know.

[paulh]

uuuuh man did u read my " but u have to learn japanese" comment? i telled her to learn japanese then she can find work as . she can work in mcdonalds in japan? or any store like that? do some labor? finding work in japan is easy if u have japanese passport, its just a matter of a crappyjob.

Yes he/she has a passport. that is no guarantee that an employer will hire them if they can not speak Japanese. With 10 million high school kids here who speak Japanese I dont know why they'd hire a 'foreigner'.

Crappy jobs are probably all thats available to them with no work skills.

[Kaizen]

You do not recall correctly.

Dual citizenship is permitted until 22, and may also be possible afterwards; there are some unique circumstances described under under sections 11-15-18 of the Nationality Act if you care to read it.

Possible afterwards?
"People who have acquired Japanese nationality through naturalization, or by filing a declaration of acquisition of Japanese nationality, but who did not forfeit their former foreign nationality, must also choose which nationality they wish to hold. "
Taken from http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-7118b.html

Can you give me a link to that 11-15-18 section? I wasn't aware of the below-22 thing, but I checked out the whole nationality thing after reading Arudou's naturalization essay a long time ago.

leme guess u are white guy who loves japan? this is just my sterotyping to u dont mind it.

Wrong, I'm not white...

[trip_hop]

I have a copy of the relevant law written in a book - there is no link.

Try a library.....

There is much more information available on Japan than arudo's site and the US embassy, they are not particularly comprehensive, and for that matter, neither is the internet.

[CLOWNPUNCHER]

I have a copy of the relevant law written in a book - there is no link.

Try a library.....

There is much more information available on Japan than arudo's site and the US embassy, they are not particularly comprehensive, and for that matter, neither is the internet.

I have met numerous people in Japan who have Japanese citizenship plus that of another country.

Many of these people were in their 20s and 30s.

It really is a don't ask don't tell kind of thing. For example someone born in Japan who has one Japanese parent is by birth a Japanese citizen. To become a citizen of the other parents country they would have to be registered by that parent. If asked later in life if they are a citizen of that country all they have to do is deny ever being registered.

[Kaizen]

I have a copy of the relevant law written in a book - there is no link.

Try a library.....

There is much more information available on Japan than arudo's site and the US embassy, they are not particularly comprehensive, and for that matter, neither is the internet.

I meant that I started checking out information on dual-nationality after I read his essay, not that I based my conclusion on it. I can't really get to a library where I am, let alone find anything related to Japanese law in one (South African library looking for Japanese law books?). They might have something at the Japanese embassy here though. I find that interesting though since everything I've seen points to having to choose once you're 22...

(2002 Addendum, about this "keeping mum" business:
The author became a Japanese citizen in October 2000. It became clear that as far as the USG and probably most European countries go, they will not squeal and let the GOJ know you have dual nationality. I can't assure you of the same for governments intolerant of their citizens taking out a second passport (Germany, South Korea, China, Viet Nam, etc), so check with your embassy.

"Anyway, as long as you live a reasonably quiet life, you can probably hold both. The author, a rather outspoken activist, was essentially threatened by the US Consulate Sapporo with cats out of bags for pursuing a US-Japan military human-rights issue a little too closely. So he gave up his US passport. However, this is not an indicative case by any means, so I say go for both if you really want to live in Japan permanently.)"

Hmm...an option I suppose.

[trip_hop]

I have met numerous people in Japan who have Japanese citizenship plus that of another country.

Many of these people were in their 20s and 30s.

It really is a don't ask don't tell kind of thing. For example someone born in Japan who has one Japanese parent is by birth a Japanese citizen. To become a citizen of the other parents country they would have to be registered by that parent. If asked later in life if they are a citizen of that country all they have to do is deny ever being registered.

Exactly....and you won't find that written down...

[paulh]

A few pieces of info that are pretty important are: I don't speak Japanese well, although I understand it fairly fluently (my mother is Japanese - thus the passport), I am 17, I speak English and French fluently and I have had previous experience working at movie theatres, daycare centres, etc.)

The kid is a "half" actually as only mother is Japanese. not 100% ethnic Japanese. Has a japanese passport but may as well be a gaijin with Japanese blood.

[CLOWNPUNCHER]

The kid is a "half" actually as only mother is Japanese. not 100% ethnic Japanese. Has a japanese passport but may as well be a gaijin with Japanese blood.

Jesus Paul , You've lost the plot.Say if she was born and raised in Japan she would be more Japanese than gaijin.My kids were born here and are treated no differently than any other Japanese kid at school.

[paulh]

Jesus Paul , You've lost the plot.Say if she was born and raised in Japan she would be more Japanese than gaijin.My kids were born here and are treated no differently than any other Japanese kid at school.

Say if she wasn't. Girl with Japanese mommy brought up in the US and speaks a little Japanese and native English.

My kids were born here too and japanese is their native language.

PS How long do you think it takes a teenager to become fluent in Japanese?

[kurogane]

The kid is a "half" actually as only mother is Japanese. not 100% ethnic Japanese. Has a japanese passport but may as well be a gaijin with Japanese blood.

That is an ugly thing to write.

Any holder of a Japanese passport is Japanese. That's why they hold the passport. Don't go MacTojo on us here, paullie.

She's a 17 year old kid who wants to visit her Other Heritage. Let her have some fun.

I did it when I was that age. Boy, what a wake up call that was.

[CLOWNPUNCHER]

PS How long do you think it takes a teenager to become fluent in Japanese?

In her case since she's been exposed to Japanese all her life and says that she understands it quite fluently I'd say around a couple of years.

[scipio]

She's a 17 year old kid who wants to visit her Other Heritage. Let her have some fun.

I did it when I was that age. Boy, what a wake up call that was.

How was Chechnya???

[kurogane]

How was Chechnya???

You owe me a feckin screen clean, Skippy.

Damn, haven't been made to laugh by you in a while.

Feels good.



Man, you're in good shape these days.

[kurogane]

are u not getting it? "gaijin with japaneseblood" thats just a messed up thing to say.


japanesepassport= japanese citezenship

I made the same point above.

Now go away.

[kurogane]

dont ever ever type to me unless i let u .

Could you come by later?

I need some mildly dirty gonch licked clean.

[Error]

Look at the fools chasing their tails.

[paulh]

are u not getting it? "gaijin with japaneseblood" thats just a messed up thing to say.


japanesepassport= japanese citezenship

America is full of Nikkeis and sansei's who call themselves Japanese even though they have a US passport. Some also have dual nationality.

How 'Japanese' are Nikkei, and how American/western are people claiming to be Japanese?

[Morning Star]

America is full of Nikkeis and sansei's who call themselves Japanese even though they have a US passport. Some also have dual nationality.

How 'Japanese' are Nikkei, and how American/western are people claiming to be Japanese?

Who gives a ____?

My apartment got considerably dirtier after an impromptu party last night. I think I'll have to do the dishes before you come out here, sonya. In addition to the other stuff I need you to change the filter on my fan heater and store it for the winter... come to think of it, I need you to store all my winter clothes and bring out all my summer clothes. Clean the filter on the air conditioner, too.

[sandro]

Who gives a ____?

My apartment got considerably dirtier after an impromptu party last night. I think I'll have to do the dishes before you come out here, sonya. In addition to the other stuff I need you to change the filter on my fan heater and store it for the winter... come to think of it, I need you to store all my winter clothes and bring out all my summer clothes. Clean the filter on the air conditioner, too.

why did'nt you tell me?
i could have done it for free.

[sandro]

Exactly....and you won't find that written down...

should i gather by this, that, it should not be a problem?
my kid was born in the uk.
he has 3 passport now, italian, british, and japanese.

i will make sure that at the age to choose whatever, he will keep them all.

i know the uk, and the italy, do allow dual citizenship, therefore, as stated earlier, it is just a matter of formality, and (not tell thinging)

[Morning Star]

why did'nt you tell me?
i could have done it for free.

You still can, sandy.
Come over and clean my apartment any time you want.

[sandro]

You still can, sandy.
Come over and clean my apartment any time you want.

that is fine,
in order to work, like anything, i need my gasoline, so just have that ready.

BTW i sold my bike.

so transportation fee too.

[sonya_w]

I have to chose between my Canadian passport and my Japanese passport when I'm 22, but as many people in the thread have stated already, there is a good chance I'll be able to keep it if it remains hush-hush.


<i>The kid is a "half" actually as only mother is Japanese. not 100% ethnic Japanese. Has a japanese passport but may as well be a gaijin with Japanese blood.</i>

That's pretty much the way it is. Beyond my meagre Japanese and what my mother has taught me, I am all gaijin.


<i>Girl with Japanese mommy brought up in the US and speaks a little Japanese and native English.</i>

Yeah, that's about it. Only I'm Canadian.


My mom has been able to set me up with the owner of a jukku that she used to work in. I'll probably be volunteering, but anything is great. I figured speaking English was an upside, but after reading this thread, I suppose not! I think the best way to go from here is to take advantage of the opportunities I have through my mother's friends/family.

And <b>Morning Star</b>, I think I'll take a raincheck. But you know, next time I'm in the area, I'm sure I could find someone to cook and clean for you. And whatever else. There is no way this paragraph is ever gonna end well, so I'll just leave it there.

Thanks everyone for all the replies!



After previewing - I thought HTML would work, but apparently not. You get the idea, though.

[paulh]

are u not getting it? "gaijin with japaneseblood" thats just a messed up thing to say.


japanesepassport= japanese citezenship

The kid is a "half" actually as only mother is Japanese. not 100% ethnic Japanese. Has a japanese passport but may as well be a gaijin with Japanese blood.

That's pretty much the way it is. Beyond my meagre Japanese and what my mother has taught me, I am all gaijin.

I think you owe me an apology, smart arse.



As for html use [ ] instead of < >

[kurogane]

I have to chose between my Canadian passport and my Japanese passport when I'm 22, but as many people in the thread have stated already, there is a good chance I'll be able to keep it if it remains hush-hush..

Just declare your Japanese citizenship.

Our government couldn't give a rat's ___ whatever other passport you hold.

When you travel to and from Japan, use your Japanese passport. Problem solved.

BTW, I think we all know you know you're not culturally Japanese, but there was some borderline comments there by certain people who should DAMN WELL KNOW BETTER, and that is why that discussion sprung up.

Anyways, have fun, and enjoy.

And Yes, stay away from Morning Star's apartment. I have it on good authority that it is filthy, and infested with foreign taiko drummers.

[sandro]

And Yes, stay away from Morning Star's apartment. I have it on good authority that it is filthy, and infested with foreign taiko drummers.

sorry to disappoint you there.
he is a well mannered guy, and apparently his appartment is spanky clean.
unless i missed the hidden spots.

no i did not sleep with him.

[Morning Star]

After numerous warnings from The One about my conduct towards new users, I decided to be nice this time and simply offer the girl a job cleaning my apartment; nevermind that I already had a perky maid outfit picked out for her and I would have insisted that she wear it while she was cleaning.

Sandro, the gasoline is on me, I just picked up a couple bottles of the cheap ____ last night, so come over whenever you want, no need to clean up. Besides, by 'cleaning up' I'm not talking about stealing my underwear... again.

[kurogane]

After numerous warnings from The One about my conduct towards new users, I decided to be nice this time and simply offer the girl a job cleaning my apartment; nevermind that I already had a perky maid outfit picked out for her and I would have insisted that she wear it while she was cleaning..

The Evil One hath returnethed.

Born of the Jackal
He bears the sign of the Anti-Christ.
Fear him, for he shall melt your bones to liquid.

PS where did you get the maid outfit? A, errm, friend needs to find one for mid-August.