Anyone else in Japan
Discussion
Another PHer in Japan, Osaka to be precise. Running a software development company.
Even though I have petrol pumping through my veins, I've decided to go 'car-less' and live my life through the excellent public transportation system... I'm sure comrade Brown would approve.
However, depending on how next year's cash flow, I might have to purchase a trackday car and make my way to Suzuka!
Even though I have petrol pumping through my veins, I've decided to go 'car-less' and live my life through the excellent public transportation system... I'm sure comrade Brown would approve.
However, depending on how next year's cash flow, I might have to purchase a trackday car and make my way to Suzuka!
GlenMH said:
Loafing in the middle of Tokyo at the moment - just got my work permission through so have started the job hunt for consultancy/PM type work.
Anyone got any local contacts (business or social) and I would be grateful!
Glen
Hi Glen,Anyone got any local contacts (business or social) and I would be grateful!
Glen
What was the process for a work visa? Just pay money and wait, or hoop jumping? I have read that you can only work in job/industry that your visa is issued?
The Japanese love bureaucracy and process according to one of my mates who is over there.
smack said:
Hi Glen,
What was the process for a work visa? Just pay money and wait, or hoop jumping? I have read that you can only work in job/industry that your visa is issued?
The Japanese love bureaucracy and process according to one of my mates who is over there.
Hi SmackWhat was the process for a work visa? Just pay money and wait, or hoop jumping? I have read that you can only work in job/industry that your visa is issued?
The Japanese love bureaucracy and process according to one of my mates who is over there.
God, yes the Japanese love their paperwork!!
The process for the work visa is quite complex. It is certainly not a "pay some money and wait" effort! It was my wife who brought us over here as she was an "intra-company transferee" so we had to fill in a huge form to get a certificate of eligibility. We then ended up taking our passports to London with another form to get the single entry permit in to Japan. You are correct in that the visa is granted to work in a particular function or sector - although you can change company. When I get on the other PC I will post up some useful links.
As for my own position, it was a bit different: I came over here as a supported dependant which made the paperwork far far easier for her employer. This meant that I had no entitlement to work at all. Once here and having got a gaijin card (foreigner registration) sorted, I then had to apply for "permission to engage in activities outside of visa conditions". I now have a wonderful A5 size certificate that allows me to work for 28 hours a week. If I want to work full time, I will have to get a job offer and then go through the full visa process.....
The Japanese are very efficient at their paperwork - there is just a large amount of it!!
Glen
GlenMH said:
smack said:
Hi Glen,
What was the process for a work visa? Just pay money and wait, or hoop jumping? I have read that you can only work in job/industry that your visa is issued?
The Japanese love bureaucracy and process according to one of my mates who is over there.
Hi SmackWhat was the process for a work visa? Just pay money and wait, or hoop jumping? I have read that you can only work in job/industry that your visa is issued?
The Japanese love bureaucracy and process according to one of my mates who is over there.
God, yes the Japanese love their paperwork!!
The process for the work visa is quite complex. It is certainly not a "pay some money and wait" effort! It was my wife who brought us over here as she was an "intra-company transferee" so we had to fill in a huge form to get a certificate of eligibility. We then ended up taking our passports to London with another form to get the single entry permit in to Japan. You are correct in that the visa is granted to work in a particular function or sector - although you can change company. When I get on the other PC I will post up some useful links.
As for my own position, it was a bit different: I came over here as a supported dependant which made the paperwork far far easier for her employer. This meant that I had no entitlement to work at all. Once here and having got a gaijin card (foreigner registration) sorted, I then had to apply for "permission to engage in activities outside of visa conditions". I now have a wonderful A5 size certificate that allows me to work for 28 hours a week. If I want to work full time, I will have to get a job offer and then go through the full visa process.....
The Japanese are very efficient at their paperwork - there is just a large amount of it!!
Glen
Thanks for the info
What did you need to provide to obtain the work permit? I assume that they needed to check what industry/field you have worked in before?
Are the foreign national companies happy to hire English only speakers (I’m in the same industry as you), or is it necessary that you have grasp of basic Japanese already? How is the job market there?
From a few friends that have worked in Tokyo, transfers within their companies, they reported the drama of renting, as the estate agents and land lords don't like to rent to foreigners?
Hi smack
Here are some websites to take a look at:
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html - this is the official one and a bit confusing....
http://homepage3.nifty.com/kurokawa-office/index.h... - this has a bit more easily digestible info.
http://www.thunderguy.com/japan/topic/work-in-japa... - this one is the best really.
Renting is quite entertaining. Tokyo has this thing called "key money", which is effectively a non-refundable bribe to the landlord to let you rent his place. Yes, there is still overt racism against gaijin over here and sometimes they take some convincing that you are not going to trash the place. We used a relocation agent (as someone else was paying...) which made things a bit easier, although she was not too happy about being asked to negotiate (in a very British way) about the rent and the key money!
Also be aware that a 1-2 hour commute by rail in to Tokyo is normal. We are living in the centre but then Mrs MH's employer are paying handsomely for the convenience!
Job hunting is proving entertaining - understatement! There are very very few jobs for purely english speakers and I am using Mrs MH's HR department to find out the best agencies for me. With a lot of Americans going home, then I see there being a few jobs opening up - he says hopefully. I am also taking some guidance about how to structure my company internationally to reduce my tax bill as much as possible....
If you want a chat, drop me a PM and we can sort a time out. I am on skype so don't pay for calls to land lines in the UK
but be aware I am 9 hours ahead of you at the moment!
Glen
Here are some websites to take a look at:
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html - this is the official one and a bit confusing....
http://homepage3.nifty.com/kurokawa-office/index.h... - this has a bit more easily digestible info.
http://www.thunderguy.com/japan/topic/work-in-japa... - this one is the best really.
Renting is quite entertaining. Tokyo has this thing called "key money", which is effectively a non-refundable bribe to the landlord to let you rent his place. Yes, there is still overt racism against gaijin over here and sometimes they take some convincing that you are not going to trash the place. We used a relocation agent (as someone else was paying...) which made things a bit easier, although she was not too happy about being asked to negotiate (in a very British way) about the rent and the key money!
Also be aware that a 1-2 hour commute by rail in to Tokyo is normal. We are living in the centre but then Mrs MH's employer are paying handsomely for the convenience!
Job hunting is proving entertaining - understatement! There are very very few jobs for purely english speakers and I am using Mrs MH's HR department to find out the best agencies for me. With a lot of Americans going home, then I see there being a few jobs opening up - he says hopefully. I am also taking some guidance about how to structure my company internationally to reduce my tax bill as much as possible....
If you want a chat, drop me a PM and we can sort a time out. I am on skype so don't pay for calls to land lines in the UK
but be aware I am 9 hours ahead of you at the moment!Glen
Edited by GlenMH on Tuesday 25th November 15:36
Hi Glen
Im currently visiting Tokyo until 10th and staying with family in Ichikawa.
I have worked here for a year in 2005 when I met my girlfriend, we now live in Germany.
I had a 3-year visa which has now expired, this was relatively easy to get through an agent.
I still have contact with this agent who may be able to help you, but he's in the car industry so may be of no use - car industry is on its knees elsewhere and maybe this will be the case in Japan too soon.
I could forward his datails and see if it's any help.
He speaks excellent 'American' English and knows his stuff, just dont try English humour on him as I did lol.
Have you thought of starting off by teaching English? - theres a School called Shane English school which I was considering doing if it goes T-U in Germany (likely).
Iv been considering doing some grey importing too, but the Yen is too strong at the moment and the industry has been tainted recently by rip-off merchants.
Nick C
Im currently visiting Tokyo until 10th and staying with family in Ichikawa.
I have worked here for a year in 2005 when I met my girlfriend, we now live in Germany.
I had a 3-year visa which has now expired, this was relatively easy to get through an agent.
I still have contact with this agent who may be able to help you, but he's in the car industry so may be of no use - car industry is on its knees elsewhere and maybe this will be the case in Japan too soon.
I could forward his datails and see if it's any help.
He speaks excellent 'American' English and knows his stuff, just dont try English humour on him as I did lol.
Have you thought of starting off by teaching English? - theres a School called Shane English school which I was considering doing if it goes T-U in Germany (likely).
Iv been considering doing some grey importing too, but the Yen is too strong at the moment and the industry has been tainted recently by rip-off merchants.
Nick C
Edited by Crazynick on Friday 2nd January 16:23
Edited by Crazynick on Friday 2nd January 16:31
Crazynick said:
Hi Glen
Im currently visiting Tokyo until 10th and staying with family in Ichikawa.
I have worked here for a year in 2005 when I met my girlfriend, we now live in Germany.
I had a 3-year visa which has now expired, this was relatively easy to get through an agent.
I still have contact with this agent who may be able to help you, but he's in the car industry so may be of no use - car industry is on its knees elsewhere and maybe this will be the case in Japan too soon.
I could forward his datails and see if it's any help.
He speaks excellent 'American' English and knows his stuff, just dont try English humour on him as I did lol.
Have you thought of starting off by teaching English? - theres a School called Shane English school which I was considering doing if it goes T-U in Germany (likely).
Iv been considering doing some grey importing too, but the Yen is too strong at the moment and the industry has been tainted recently by rip-off merchants.
Nick C
Hi Nick - currently in Aus and I will post back this weekend when we get back to the land of the skyscrapers!Im currently visiting Tokyo until 10th and staying with family in Ichikawa.
I have worked here for a year in 2005 when I met my girlfriend, we now live in Germany.
I had a 3-year visa which has now expired, this was relatively easy to get through an agent.
I still have contact with this agent who may be able to help you, but he's in the car industry so may be of no use - car industry is on its knees elsewhere and maybe this will be the case in Japan too soon.
I could forward his datails and see if it's any help.
He speaks excellent 'American' English and knows his stuff, just dont try English humour on him as I did lol.
Have you thought of starting off by teaching English? - theres a School called Shane English school which I was considering doing if it goes T-U in Germany (likely).
Iv been considering doing some grey importing too, but the Yen is too strong at the moment and the industry has been tainted recently by rip-off merchants.
Nick C
Edited by Crazynick on Friday 2nd January 16:23
Edited by Crazynick on Friday 2nd January 16:31
Glen
GlenMH said:
Crazynick said:
Hi Glen
Im currently visiting Tokyo until 10th and staying with family in Ichikawa.
I have worked here for a year in 2005 when I met my girlfriend, we now live in Germany.
I had a 3-year visa which has now expired, this was relatively easy to get through an agent.
I still have contact with this agent who may be able to help you, but he's in the car industry so may be of no use - car industry is on its knees elsewhere and maybe this will be the case in Japan too soon.
I could forward his datails and see if it's any help.
He speaks excellent 'American' English and knows his stuff, just dont try English humour on him as I did lol.
Have you thought of starting off by teaching English? - theres a School called Shane English school which I was considering doing if it goes T-U in Germany (likely).
Iv been considering doing some grey importing too, but the Yen is too strong at the moment and the industry has been tainted recently by rip-off merchants.
Nick C
Hi Nick - currently in Aus and I will post back this weekend when we get back to the land of the skyscrapers!Im currently visiting Tokyo until 10th and staying with family in Ichikawa.
I have worked here for a year in 2005 when I met my girlfriend, we now live in Germany.
I had a 3-year visa which has now expired, this was relatively easy to get through an agent.
I still have contact with this agent who may be able to help you, but he's in the car industry so may be of no use - car industry is on its knees elsewhere and maybe this will be the case in Japan too soon.
I could forward his datails and see if it's any help.
He speaks excellent 'American' English and knows his stuff, just dont try English humour on him as I did lol.
Have you thought of starting off by teaching English? - theres a School called Shane English school which I was considering doing if it goes T-U in Germany (likely).
Iv been considering doing some grey importing too, but the Yen is too strong at the moment and the industry has been tainted recently by rip-off merchants.
Nick C
Edited by Crazynick on Friday 2nd January 16:23
Edited by Crazynick on Friday 2nd January 16:31
Im back in Germany now, anyone know and contacts for importing cars from Japan?
Glen
GlenMH said:
Hi Nick
What are you looking to export from here? There are a couple of companies that do second hand car exports and will quote "delivered to country" rates,
Glen
I was intending importing 4x4s to Pakistan and sports cars to UK.What are you looking to export from here? There are a couple of companies that do second hand car exports and will quote "delivered to country" rates,
Glen
Those companies you mention might have a hefty margin on top already.
I was hoping to contact an agen who can buy from the Auctions for me(you need a licene to do this in Japan)
Nick
Crazynick said:
GlenMH said:
Hi Nick
What are you looking to export from here? There are a couple of companies that do second hand car exports and will quote "delivered to country" rates,
Glen
I was intending importing 4x4s to Pakistan and sports cars to UK.What are you looking to export from here? There are a couple of companies that do second hand car exports and will quote "delivered to country" rates,
Glen
Those companies you mention might have a hefty margin on top already.
I was hoping to contact an agen who can buy from the Auctions for me(you need a licene to do this in Japan)
Nick
Crazynick said:
I was intending importing 4x4s to Pakistan and sports cars to UK.
Those companies you mention might have a hefty margin on top already.
I was hoping to contact an agen who can buy from the Auctions for me(you need a licene to do this in Japan)
Nick
I have a sneaky suspicion that 4x4s to Pakistan will be more successful than sports cars to the UK at the moment. I gather there is a growing market for saloons in Bangladesh too,Those companies you mention might have a hefty margin on top already.
I was hoping to contact an agen who can buy from the Auctions for me(you need a licene to do this in Japan)
Nick
Glen
smack said:
Crazynick said:
GlenMH said:
Hi Nick
What are you looking to export from here? There are a couple of companies that do second hand car exports and will quote "delivered to country" rates,
Glen
I was intending importing 4x4s to Pakistan and sports cars to UK.What are you looking to export from here? There are a couple of companies that do second hand car exports and will quote "delivered to country" rates,
Glen
Those companies you mention might have a hefty margin on top already.
I was hoping to contact an agen who can buy from the Auctions for me(you need a licene to do this in Japan)
Nick
I think I'll do my homework for now until the Yen crashes - its bound to as its just too strong and must be crucifying Japanese business right now.
Does'nt hurt to get some contacts and dialogue going for now though, so if your mate can help I'm all ears.
Nick
GlenMH said:
Crazynick said:
I was intending importing 4x4s to Pakistan and sports cars to UK.
Those companies you mention might have a hefty margin on top already.
I was hoping to contact an agen who can buy from the Auctions for me(you need a licene to do this in Japan)
Nick
I have a sneaky suspicion that 4x4s to Pakistan will be more successful than sports cars to the UK at the moment. I gather there is a growing market for saloons in Bangladesh too,Those companies you mention might have a hefty margin on top already.
I was hoping to contact an agen who can buy from the Auctions for me(you need a licene to do this in Japan)
Nick
Glen
Nick
Crazynick said:
just need the Yen to drop to a relistic level against other currencies - My bet is its gona happen rather soon.
Nick
I know there are a lot of companies over here hoping for exactly that - but I am not sure. The Yen is being seen as a safer haven compared to other major world currencies such as the dollar and Euro and it is going to take a good bit of action from the government here to change that.Nick
The up side is that Mrs MH has had a 30+% pay increase since August...
Glen
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