Woman 'fake priest' opportunities?

Hey guys,

I'm a 27 yo norwegian with a passable Japanese, interested in living&working in Japan from September out 2010. I've lived in Japan for 1 year previously studying the language. My question is, are there equal opportunities for women in this whole fake priest thing? I admit I don't have any moral qualms about it, in fact I find the whole concept pretty funny... sorry if this offends some readers... Has anyone ever seen women do this stuff? Do you think being woman is an advantage or disadvantage, and is it at all possible to do this for a living in high season? Is it a problem that I'll stay for just a few months? Any advice will be much appreciated!

[earsay]

Hey guys,

I'm a 27 yo norwegian with a passable Japanese, interested in living&working in Japan from September out 2010. I've lived in Japan for 1 year previously studying the language. My question is, are there equal opportunities for women in this whole fake priest thing? I admit I don't have any moral qualms about it, in fact I find the whole concept pretty funny... sorry if this offends some readers... Has anyone ever seen women do this stuff? Do you think being woman is an advantage or disadvantage, and is it at all possible to do this for a living in high season? Is it a problem that I'll stay for just a few months? Any advice will be much appreciated!

It is pretty common to have women perform civil ceremonies. Mind you they've all been Japanese but there is an opportunity up there if your Japanese is pretty good. Never seen a woman doing the "fake priest thing" as you put it, though.

[KansaiBen]

Hey guys,

I'm a 27 yo norwegian with a passable Japanese, interested in living&working in Japan from September out 2010. I've lived in Japan for 1 year previously studying the language. My question is, are there equal opportunities for women in this whole fake priest thing? I admit I don't have any moral qualms about it, in fact I find the whole concept pretty funny... sorry if this offends some readers... Has anyone ever seen women do this stuff? Do you think being woman is an advantage or disadvantage, and is it at all possible to do this for a living in high season? Is it a problem that I'll stay for just a few months? Any advice will be much appreciated!

Your biggest problem will be your visa as you need to have legal permission on your visa to do this stuff. Mostly people on spouse or permanent resident status do weddings as immigration will check with your company on your visa. I will also add from my own experience I will wait 2-3 months to get paid so someone coming for only 2-3 months probably wont be in demand.

[IngridVS]

Thx earsay, KansaiBen for perspective! I can feasibly stay for a full year and teach English, on a work visa, if that sorts out with an employer and all. I'm guessing that a work visa should be sufficient for some minister acting jobs on the side? Economically, do you think I will be able to live in Tokyo with this?

As for English teaching - is a 50% position out of the question in Japan?
Working 100% AND doing 'chapel' acting jobs on the weekends sounds like a killer....

[KansaiBen]

Thx earsay, KansaiBen for perspective! I can feasibly stay for a full year and teach English, on a work visa, if that sorts out with an employer and all. I'm guessing that a work visa should be sufficient for some minister acting jobs on the side? Economically, do you think I will be able to live in Tokyo with this?

As for English teaching - is a 50% position out of the question in Japan?
Working 100% AND doing 'chapel' acting jobs on the weekends sounds like a killer....

I can only speak for myself but I found wedding work (and number of weddings) was very seasonal. A lot happening one month and nothing the next. Busy times were around June, Sept-November and some in Feb-March. Mid-winter and mid-summer were usually quiet. If you are popular you will get more work.

Try TMC or Tokyo Ongaku (Music) Center for job leads, I worked there for a while. Its the only company i know of in Tokyo area.

[thefan]

Why don't you do some kind of pagan priestess kind of thing. There must be a niche for New Age weddings.

[well_bicyclically]

fake priests, fake brand goods, fake orgasms, what is next????

[IngridVS]

Thx for the tip KainsaiBen. No doubt I can't work as 'minister' on a full-time basis (at least to begin with) - I bought Marinerblue's ebook on the topic last night, and he says pretty much the same thing. :]

thefan - Would love to, that sounds like fun... but would be no less fake in any case.

well_bicyclically - Fake funerals... Apparently it's the new big thing in Japan, Western funeral with a fake priest.

[Betting]

TMC will hire people without the correct visa but there are certain conditions, so have a look at their homepage.

[KansaiBen]

Thx for the tip KainsaiBen. No doubt I can't work as 'minister' on a full-time basis (at least to begin with) - I bought Marinerblue's ebook on the topic last night, and he says pretty much the same thing. :].

On a busy day you might be doing full time hours, my record is 9 weddings in one day or 30 weddings a month though some make more. I work mainly in Kansai and pay has gone down, now down to about 8-10,000 yen a wedding compared to 15,000 a few years ago. I doubt Tokyo is much different.

Full time work? what would you do Monday to Friday when there are few or no weddings scheduled? No one will sponsor your visa anyway, as far as i can tell.

PS I think TMC pastors have to get 'training' with Kenny Joseph's 'ministry' and you maybe looking at spending some coin before you are certified as well as have to buy a gown.

[PurpleDaisies]

hmmm.....
not that I know about it firsthand, but the only opportunities like that I have seen advertised for women is for wedding gospel singers.

[woodyrock]

PurpleDaisies, I cant pm you until you delete a few pms again lol. Miss popular

[Don Juan]

women cant be priests... they only can be nuns...(sticks tongue)

[KansaiBen]

women cant be priests... they only can be nuns...(sticks tongue)

The Anglican church has women priests and some of them are even ordained as Bishops. The Catholics and the Jewish faith are about the only ones who dont have women religious leaders.

[thefan]

women cant be priests... they only can be nuns...(sticks tongue)

sisters at the wedding, harlots at the reception