I graduate in three weeks and I really want to go and live
in Japan. I have just got a research grant to go but that
will not last very long. I would love to hear any advice or
information you may have regarding working opportunities and
living conditions.
Thank you very much,
Laura
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Hi Laura,
You don't say what kind of work you want to do.
Or what your grant is for or how long it lasts.
It sounds like you might be a scientist. If that's the case
then you might want to have a look at Gaijin Scientist (How
to Find a Job in Japan and what to Expect when you get
there), a comprehensive guide for scientists living and
working in Japan, a hard copy can be purchased from the
British Chamber of commerce in Japan for 2000 yen
http://www.gate-uk.co.jp/bccj/pubs.html
or you can have a look at it online at
http://japan.co.jp/stag/gaisci
Another useful site is:
http://mac122.icu.ac.jp/ridge_html_book/jc0.html
For other useful information about life in Japan look at:
http://www.japan-guide.com/
If you are not a scientist, but are a native English
speaker, there is still a demand for native English speakers
to teach English (although less than there once was) so that
is one possibility. You should be able to find a teaching
job while you're in Japan (look in the Monday edition of the
Japan Times). Or look at:
http://www.ohayosensei.com/
There are other things out there too, but they are more
difficult to get and are often found by just being in the
right place at the right time!
The cost of living is very high in Japan and it could take a
couple of months to find the type of job you are looking
for. There are guesthouses and gaijin houses where you can
stay for weeks for relatively cheap. The economy is still
in recession, so the better jobs are hard to get without
connections. Talk to as many people in your field as
possible to find out where there may be an opening. Good
luck, it may take more work than you may be expecting.