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.

Road Trip - Temples In Nara City

Nara Prefecture is where the capital of Japan once was - located less than an hour away from Osaka and Kyoto - one can take a road trip to view historical temples of Japan.  So off we went after buying our auto insurance and renting a car -  you see we were renting it from a co-worker and in Japan - you have to get individual insurance. I don’t know if you know this - but one can check on international auto insurance when you are on vacation - but when you rent from a car rental - I think they take care of all insurance for you.

There were many old statues as you can see in the pictures that follow - but one thing i missed about visiting temples from Japan and in Hong Kong is - when in Hong Kong - you can opt to have a vegetarian meal at the temples there.  Here in Japan - they don’t offer this kind of service.

Nevertheless, it was a pretty good trip - a lot to see and a lot to take in - and if only they have all the description in English too - that would be perfect.

Outside of one temple - outta the 7 we visited - i like the Kofukuji Temple best.

HRC & Tony Romas

I wonder why i never talked about the Hard Rock Cafe and Tony Romas In Roppongi - Tokyo - afterall, I used to be fascinated with HRC and collected teddy bears from all the HRC that i go to - i have like 28 bears from different countries from HRC.   But it was the buddy in tokyo who bought some Kwikset locks in Roppongi that got me thinking of Tony Romas as well - because they looked exactly like the door locks i saw at Tony Romas.  How do i know?  well, silly me one day went to get something to eat on my own but the restaurant wasn’t really opened for dinner yet - and i yanked and yanked on the locks and it just wouldn’t budged - and i thought it was stuck.  Hhaaha!  until a waiter came out and unlocked the door and told me that they weren’t opened yet.  How embarrassing right?  That was how i recognized it when the buddy from Japan showed me a picture of it.   And i had exclaimed !!! oh!! from Tony Romas!!!!  next to Hard Rock Cafe right?

Anyhow - there is a Hard Rock Cafe and Tony Romas in Tokyo - if you are missing Western food a lot - and if you are anything like me - you would wanna get your western food there only - because other “western” restaurant in Japan - just cannot be compared to good ole Hard Rock Cafe and Tony Romas for the baby ribs. But Hard Rock Cafe Roppongi wasn’t called that when i was in HRC Japan in the 1991 - it was the only Hard Rock Cafe there - and unlike the above picture given by the buddy in Tokyo - it had a gorilla hanging on the window and not the huge guitar.

Like any Hard Rock Cafe - it will be another Hard Rock Cafe - so you will pretty much get the same menu all over the world but try their vegie burger that is new i heard - but don’t quote me the next time you are there - and yes they still have the metal rock music there.   There are also more than one Hard Rock Cafes in Japan now - in fact there are 8 I heard.  So if you are in Japan - don’t worry about missing out on Western food - just head to the nearest HRC.  Good luck !

Career Advancement

I don’t know if you know this but I hear that getting into the University of Japan is darn difficult - I also hear that lots of students in Japan commits suicide if they don’t get a place in the University.  The culture is pretty harsh and the expectation of a child can be quite torturing. There are so many Asians that goes overseas to continue their studies and we in the West are definitely a lot luckier than the Asian who are so involved in competing with each other - it’s terrible.

In the West if you want to change your career or make a career advancement - taking a Masters of Science in Information Security for example is not difficult at all.  Do your studies online - take your time or complete the program in 2 years.  The courses are flexible and you don’t have to give up your job or sacrifice your personal life to make this career choice.  You also gets lots of help and it’s affordable because of the financial aids provided and Lewis University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.  And it doesn’t matter if you are 20 or 50 yrs of age, you can make a career change if you choose to, like my mother used to say - it’s never too late - as long as you want it bad enough.

Making Japan Your Home

Japan is one of the most beautiful place that I’ve lived in but it had to be one of the most expensive too.  A friend who is currently in Japan asked if it was feasible to invest in a house since he just got married to a Japanese girl.   He wanted to know if he needed a  credit report to buy a house - so I wrote back to let him know that it’s a tricky thing when it comes to investing in a house.

First, it’s expensive if you don’t know by now to live in Japan - and it is not the house that is expensive - it is the land!  Unlike here in Canada or the States where land is aplenty - it’s a rare commodity in Japan. Getting a loan is not impossible - I think a certain bank does good on the loan for permanent resident. Houses however depreciate over time. The key some believe is to buy land and house which is a little older – perhaps one which has a zero yen value on it but also one which is in very good condition – you must afterall live in it.  The myth about needing to get the wife to own the house is not true - so don’t let the outlaws make you believe that.  Good luck!

Tsunami Warning In Japan

The tsunami warning issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center includes parts of Central and South America, New Zealand, Russia, Japan, the Philippines, Hawaii and a number of Pacific islands.  When my friend from Japan wrote about it on her facebook - i cannot helped but put away my reading of spring plungers and went online to check about the upcoming disaster and tragedy.

“Sea level readings confirm that a tsunami has been generated which could cause widespread damage,” reads a bulletin issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. “Authorities should take appropriate action in response to this threat.”

The Center issued specific warnings for the entire state of Hawaii, saying the first wave of a tsunami could hit at 11:19 a.m. local time.

In Japan, broadcaster NHK quoted experts who predicted a tsunami could hit Japan in less than 24 hours, and could be tens of centimetres high. In 2001, a tsunami that hit Japan after an 8.4-magnitude earthquake near Chile measured 28 centimetres.

Earthquake Hits Japan Again!

I was pretty worried about some friends who are living in Japan permanently when i read about the Earthquake that hit japan on today.  For those who are not aware of this.. Japan is a country very prone to Earthquake - some 10 years ago,  an earthquake in Kobe killed thousands.  Even if everyone in Japan had a car with gps i doubt they can get out to safety quick enough.  I love Japan .. but mother nature is not at all kind to this country.   This time I heard a Tsunami warning was issued but was lifted shortly after an hour later.   My friends are safe..  for now .. but what about the next time.

Schools In Japan

Many of my friends in Canada had asked me about the school uniforms in Japan and if it was true that schools are aplenty in Japan.  What was the education system like in Japan as well.  Well, first off - there are lots of IT Jobs in Japan being the leader of electronics and anything IT.  So you would think that there are lots of schools teaching about IT right..?? but nope not so - in Japan i hear that there isn’t many universities.  I think there are only like 3 if i am not wrong - don’t quote me now.  Every year - we read about how some Japanese student committing suicide because they can’t get into University.  Yes.. pretty dramatic eh..??  and yes Japanese student wears uniform like the above.

Way To Go Japan!

I’m sure you all know by now about the Haiti earthquake right?  Yes! what a disaster ! with more than 100,000 death so far and counting.  I know so because we have 8 volunteers who were there when the earthquake happened.   And the Japanese Red Cross is now on their way to an island in Haiti to help as much as possible.   We over here in Canada are collecting anything we can to help the people in Haiti, any kind of   diet supplements will be of help.

Visa To Japan

So you wanna visit Japan for a holiday.. ?? or some of you are thinking of going to Japan to be an English teacher.  Many years ago, visiting Japan and getting a visa.. is like going to visit the Nazis.. hahahha!! i kid you not..  :)  when i was there.. in 1999 .. i had to wait for a visa for so long.. and go thru’ an interview and all.. it was really like visiting a 3rd world country.

But since 2008, Japan listed like 62 countries.. that doesn’t need Visa when entering Japan, so make sure you check if you need the paperwork.  Since I have a Singapore Passport and am a Permanent Resident in Canada.. that would include me as well.   Ok.. so you are waived of the visa.. but be sure to know .. how long you can stay in Japan .. and even if you are waived.. you can still be turned back at the airport and custom.. if you are considered a risk .. or have intend.. to overstay in Japan.  Alot of tourists do that..  and I’ve seen it with my own eyes.