Working In Japan

Many people had asked me about my short stay in Japan for work – and wonder how one does it – since it’s so expensive living in Japan.   Are there many jobs in Japan?  What kind of cultural shock do one have to prepare for?  what kind of benefits?  Is there insurance provided by the company you work for?  What kind of life insurance quotes online do one have to look for back home – in order to go to Japan to work?  Is there health insurance or health benefits?  Can I bring my family with me?  So many questions – that one always have when they are going to Japan to work and who can blame them right?

I don’t know about those who are from different countries – as for me – I needed to get some form of insurance before I can work in Japan and I also needed to get a health check up to be presented to immigration before the company I was working for accepted my temporary position.  A work visa is also required before leaving for Japan – like all other countries – one cannot work if you are on a tourist visa.  There are more than a dozen types of work visa in Japan – and you can only work within that confine – when you apply for it.  The work market in Japan is very competitive – besides a few types of professions that I know is in great demand – like teaching and IT position – the rest are not in so high demand and even though there may be a vacancy – they are usually given to their fellowmen first.

Working in Japan will means you need some sort of health insurance – and usually the company you are working for – are usually pretty good at it – the cover you – totally.  But you have to make sure you have one – because visiting a doctor in Japan is not cheap and if you are in need to be admitted to a hospital – it could cost you an arm and a leg.   So once again – i cannot stress enough how much a insurance is a must.

As for cultural shock?  I don’t really think so – because even though not all Japanese speaks English fluently – they are generally nice people – and they do understand English because it is a subject they take in school.  And if you work in Japan – make sure you are not the first to leave the office – because it is frown upon by the bosses.