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[ittoryu]

On a more serious side, this is what I have been trying to do for a while (move to Japan). It's taking way too long than expected, but I won't give up just yet.

As a background, this started as a transfer request in the company where I work now, so not related to teaching etc.

It's just taking so... so... long.

 

[Rootbeer]

Well there are tons of books and whatnot on the topic. Personally, while I don't plan to move there I (like tons of people, especially in the gaming crowd), am very fascinated by Japan and I came across this film about Westerners who moved to Japan talking about their experience there. It really shows all different sides, both the good and the bad. Check it out.

It should give you some idea of what to expect.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prNYOW0_kms

 

[Race to be King]

Make sure you find one of those vending machines that sell used panties.

 

[Trojan X]

year 0-1.5

Moved to Japan with only the plan to check it out after finishing my minor in Japanese. Ended up with a job getting paid to drink beer with Japanese women.

year 1.5-8

Moved to Thailand, didn't know a word of the language or even that it was famous for sex tourism. Ran a game shop and bar, ended up fluent and can read and write Thai and Lao.

year 8-12/13

Moved to China with a sketchy job offer off the internet with people I didn't know in a town I never heard of. Asked the stewardess how to say "beer" in Chinese. Now I am the Director of an International School and my boss is begging me to stay another 3 years. My Chinese is good but at this point I'm in no rush to learn more Asian languages because I feel I will spend the rest of my life in this part of the world.

Only visited the states once in this time and it was "meh"

Now that's a ballsy history. Props to you!

Definitely, there are ways to get into Japan for it's definitely isn't impossible, but what is key is everything depends on the kind of lifestyle the person want.

 

[ComputerMKII]

What makes you think the Japanese want you?

 

[Minigo]

This is a Shawn Elliot troll thread it has to be, it has all the symptoms, to easy.

 

[caesar]

The cost of living is too high, I recommend Korea.

 

[Nicktendo86]

I'd swear there is a 'moving to Japan' thread on GAF every week.

 

[Capital_Five]

It was my understanding, at least when I was researching the possibility to move to Europe, that its basically impossible to immigrate unless you have a job offer or a certain degree in demand. Is that not the case, or is Japan's policy just different?

 

[PoweredBySoy]

You're bored with life, not America. Moving to a foreign country isn't going to change anything.

 

[nubbe]

It was my understanding, at least when I was researching the possibility to move to Europe, that its basically impossible to immigrate unless you have a job offer or a certain degree in demand. Is that not the case, or is Japan's policy just different?

I think begin american and searching asylum as a gay socialist would work in Europe

 

[Red Liquorice]

Baka gaijin.

 

[BrokenEchelon]

Don't forget to bring your Katanas.

Also, it's an honor based society, but I'm sure you've read up on that.

 

[magnetic]

Don't forget to bring your Katanas.

Also, it's an honor based society, but I'm sure you've read up on that.

It's actually pronounced "kahtounah".

 

[.la1n]

When I was In Japan I fought Kaiju in a giant Jaegar. It was the best summer ever.

 

[digita1alchemy]

I'd really like to try living in Japan for a few years. I visited Tokyo for a couple weeks last year and became enamored with it. My problem is that I am a self-taught software engineer and everything I've read says I have to have a bachelors degree of some kind to get a work visa or do the whole English teaching thing. If I wanted to get a job in my field I've read some different things about years of experience (I have 6) being enough to get sponsored, but I need to work on my Japanese before I seriously look into that.

 

[chickdigger802]

don't they work 6 days a week?

fuuuck that.


I can get sushi and instant ramen at my local publix. anime on crunchyroll. video games from playasia.

 

[The Elite]

year 0-1.5

Moved to Japan with only the plan to check it out after finishing my minor in Japanese. Ended up with a job getting paid to drink beer with Japanese women.

year 1.5-8

Moved to Thailand, didn't know a word of the language or even that it was famous for sex tourism. Ran a game shop and bar, ended up fluent and can read and write Thai and Lao.

year 8-12/13

Moved to China with a sketchy job offer off the internet with people I didn't know in a town I never heard of. Asked the stewardess how to say "beer" in Chinese. Now I am the Director of an International School and my boss is begging me to stay another 3 years. My Chinese is good but at this point I'm in no rush to learn more Asian languages because I feel I will spend the rest of my life in this part of the world.

Only visited the states once in this time and it was "meh"

Charisma Man... is that you?

 

[.la1n]

year 0-1.5

Moved to Japan with only the plan to check it out after finishing my minor in Japanese. Ended up with a job getting paid to drink beer with Japanese women.

year 1.5-8

Moved to Thailand, didn't know a word of the language or even that it was famous for sex tourism. Ran a game shop and bar, ended up fluent and can read and write Thai and Lao.

year 8-12/13

Moved to China with a sketchy job offer off the internet with people I didn't know in a town I never heard of. Asked the stewardess how to say "beer" in Chinese. Now I am the Director of an International School and my boss is begging me to stay another 3 years. My Chinese is good but at this point I'm in no rush to learn more Asian languages because I feel I will spend the rest of my life in this part of the world.

Only visited the states once in this time and it was "meh"

The most interesting man... In the world

 

[Seanspeed]

Ended up with a job getting paid to drink beer with Japanese women.

Tell me more about this job.

 

[John Rabbit]

Tell me more about this job.

sounds like a host club.

 

[faridmon]

What about internships? Do I need to know the language?
I have few friends who went there not knowing anything Japanese related and did OK for themselves, but again, one of them had connections while the other went there as an English teacher.

 

[Memento_Mori15]

What about internships? Do I need to know the language?
I have few friends who went there not knowing anything Japanese related and did OK for themselves, but again, one of them had connections while the other went there as an English teacher.

I know someone who is software engineer, came from India, went to Japan for a couple years, and moved to the US. He didn't know any Japanese at all and did just fine. Really depends on the field. If it's a related field you're trying to get, I doubt you need to know Japanese but it might help. But as an English teacher, I would say no.

I remember reading a book that featured this comic strip. Forgot the book name but it was something about white guys and asian girls.... But honestly, I think this is what most people here expect...

 

[marvelharvey]

I'd really like to try living in Japan for a few years. I visited Tokyo for a couple weeks last year and became enamored with it. My problem is that I am a self-taught software engineer and everything I've read says I have to have a bachelors degree of some kind to get a work visa or do the whole English teaching thing. If I wanted to get a job in my field I've read some different things about years of experience (I have 6) being enough to get sponsored, but I need to work on my Japanese before I seriously look into that.

You need 10 years experience and nothing less. I was hired as a creative director/producer at a Japanese game studio and when I applied for a work visa with my 9 years 358 days experience, immigration told me that I did not meet their requirements. I returned to the UK, worked for 8 days at a friend's company, then went back to Japan with my 10 years + 1 day of experience and reapplied with no fuss what so ever. Quite ridiculous.

 

[FelixOrion]

and live there what do i need and what should i expect how much money and just wanna kno the lifestyle... im from the US (and gettin bored with it) thanks

watch all the anime you can before you go. most accurate representation of life in Japan you can ever hope to witness.

 

[3N16MA]

Live on a boat. Just set sail and don't bother with living on land.

 

[faridmon]

I know someone who is software engineer, came from India, went to Japan for a couple years, and moved to the US. He didn't know any Japanese at all and did just fine. Really depends on the field. If it's a related field you're trying to get, I doubt you need to know Japanese but it might help. But as an English teacher, I would say no.

Architecture.
But I have been told that that side of profession is very Japanese based and I should learn some Japanese to be there.

 

[faridmon]

Also, OP, Do not see Anime as a Japanese representation. In fact its better if you don't talk about it. General Japanese people dislike it.

 

[Sub_Level]

when you get to immigration, you need to gain super saiyan 1 level to be granted living status in japan.

He can apply for a temporary visa and only need to reach Kaioken times 3.

 

[emic]

Some people recomended korea on my other thread what are some diferences between korea and japan what is living in korea like and what does koreaGaf recomend before going there and its lifestyle ..honestly thought japan was more futuristic but you guys made me double think it

 

[ronito]

it was the penis museum wasn't it?

 

[zoukka]

I suggest intensive research on both countries before making a decision...

 

[TheExodu5]

wow...

 

[Yoshichan]

Visit it first. I was there for three months and felt special as fuck (Swede).

 

[3N16MA]

Move to Pakistan. You should make a new thread.

 

[perfectchaos007]

Are you going to Japan on a quest to find love or something? Your information in this thread is vague OP

 

[Mr.Ock]

What about Tibet? or Belgium? or Madagascar?

 

[PeakPointMatrix]

I don't think you've really thought this through if you're flip flopping this easily between which countries you plan on living a life in. Why don't you take a short vacation there and see for yourself?

 

[Tathanen]

haha jesus

 

[FallingEdge]

korea has kpop so go there

wtf is "more futuristic"?

 

[CHusson91]

I'm not sure if this is a serious thread or not, but I highly advise that you go to college, get a degree, and go from there. There are plenty of opportunities, such as teaching English...

You have a lot of work ahead of you.

 

[daviyoung]

Kimchi tastes great but gives me the shits. Good luck OP!

Oh, you're Japan guy. Haha. You're going nowhere except Juniorville.

 

[Woody Invincible]

My aunt is from S. Korea. She actively tries to get the rest of her family to immigrate here.

 

[Go_Ly_Dow]

so i wana move to neogaf

 

[Übermatik]

What is it with people moving to Asia on GAF?

You'll probably find it's not all as rosey as it seems.

 

[1upmuffin]

Just out of curiosity, how old are you OP?

 

[Angry Grimace]

What is it with people moving to Asia on GAF?

You'll probably find it's not all as rosey as it seems.

...its the same guy

 

[lupinko]

korea has kpop so go there

wtf is "more futuristic"?

He must have watched Cloud Atlas.

 

[slit]

I want to move to the planet Mars.

 

[NYCmetsfan]

Is this the same guy who made the Japan thread?

Seems like he's great at making commitments

What about Tibet? or Belgium? or Madagascar?

The Seychelles are underrated