Monday, June 21, 2010

Live and work in japan with student visa

Live and work in japan with student visa?
Ok, so say i'm studying Japanese in Japan on a student visa. would I be able to get a part time job, say at a McDonalds or a movie theatre or something? Or are you not allowed to work in japan on a student visa?
Studying Abroad - 2 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
You are not allowed to work in Japan for the first three months you are there on a student visa. Otherwise you can, although I think you have to fill out special paperwork. As a foreigner though, you will struggle with finding employment.
2 :
You can only work on a study visa for a certain (not a lot) amount of hours per week and only when you have permission from both the school and the local office that's in charge of immigration. If you do not have the right permission or you work more than you are allowed you run the threat of having your study visa removed, which will cause you to lose both your job as well as the right to remain in Japan any longer.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Do I need an adapter for my American appliances to work in Japan

Do I need an adapter for my American appliances to work in Japan?
I am traveling to Japan in May and was wondering if anyone would know if my American appliances (such as a hair dryer and a hair straightener) would plug into Japanese outlets? Both of my hair appliances have 2 prongs. Will I need to get an adapter? Where can I buy a quality, but cheap, adapter?
Japan - 2 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
The plugs are the same but you will need a transformer. Japan uses 100v and 50Hz (near tokyo) and 60 Hz other places. I had a coffee maker and the water would take for ever to get hot.
2 :
Japanese outlets take two prongs, however, many of them still aren't polarized. If your appliances have polarized prongs, you might still need an adapter. You can usually get things like that at places like Best Buy, and prong adapters aren't all that expensive. You shouldn't need a voltage adapter. Japanese voltage is only 10-20 volts lower than in the US. Items with power bricks (e.g. laptops) often have voltage adapters built in (you can look on the brick and see -- if it has its own adapter it will say something like "100-240v"). Items that don't have power bricks will usually run, but they might run more slowly or might not get as hot. If you're staying in a hotel it's kind of silly to bring your own hair drier anyway, since most hotels provide basic things like that. Obviously they wouldn't have hair straighteners, though, so you could bring yours, but don't be surprised if it doesn't get as hot as usual.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Do I need an adapter for my American appliances to work in Japan

Do I need an adapter for my American appliances to work in Japan?
I am traveling to Japan in May and was wondering if anyone would know if my American appliances (such as a hair dryer and a hair straightener) would plug into Japanese outlets? Both of my hair appliances have 2 prongs. Will I need to get an adapter? Where can I buy a quality, but cheap, adapter?
Japan - 2 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
The plugs are the same but you will need a transformer. Japan uses 100v and 50Hz (near tokyo) and 60 Hz other places. I had a coffee maker and the water would take for ever to get hot.
2 :
Japanese outlets take two prongs, however, many of them still aren't polarized. If your appliances have polarized prongs, you might still need an adapter. You can usually get things like that at places like Best Buy, and prong adapters aren't all that expensive. You shouldn't need a voltage adapter. Japanese voltage is only 10-20 volts lower than in the US. Items with power bricks (e.g. laptops) often have voltage adapters built in (you can look on the brick and see -- if it has its own adapter it will say something like "100-240v"). Items that don't have power bricks will usually run, but they might run more slowly or might not get as hot. If you're staying in a hotel it's kind of silly to bring your own hair drier anyway, since most hotels provide basic things like that. Obviously they wouldn't have hair straighteners, though, so you could bring yours, but don't be surprised if it doesn't get as hot as usual.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Is it possible to live and work in Japan teaching English with no GCSE qualifications

Is it possible to live and work in Japan teaching English with no GCSE qualifications?
I have been wanting to move to Japan for quite sometime now. Not because I hate the UK but because I love Japan more. I am aware of the JET scheme but I do not have a bachelors degree or the equivalent. I am willing to get one if I must but they take at least 3 years to earn. I was just wondering if anyone out there knows of a faster way? Thank you for your time
Japan - 4 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
You need a four year degree to work in Japan teaching English. This is what the Japanese government requires. So, no, it's not possible. There's also no shortage of teachers so the schools can be more picky.Also realize this wouldn't be a long term job.You can only renew a contract so many times. Actually moving to Japan to live is no easy task.Japan is now paying some people to leave.That's how bad it is.
2 :
You can attend a Japanese language school and teach English part-time. No 4-year degree required. Note that these language schools are not cheap! Another "fast" way would be to marry a Japanese citizen and move to Japan. Japanese citizens do not require you to have a 4-year degree!!! But some of them can be picky, lol.
3 :
If you're from the UK and are between 18 and 30 years of age, you can apply for a Working Holiday visa. No university degree required, no job offer required. However, you have to prove that you can support yourself if you don't find a job (the "holiday" is the main part, not the "working"), and there's a limit of 1000 UK nationals allowed on this program per year. Also, you can only stay in Japan for a maximum of 12 months. After that, you must have a proper work visa to stay in Japan, which would require a 4-year degree or equivalent work experience (which is generally 5-10 years of specialized work experience).
4 :
For the millionth time, you don't need a 4 year degree to work in Japan. You need the degree to get the visa that allows you to work in Japan. This is an immigration rule, not necessarily the rule of the company you're going to work for although some of them will ask for it. And if you do manage to get a job you need to ask yourself what is it that you can bring to the company that a native Japanese person can't? Unless you go for teaching English, you're at an immediate disadvantage. The only other ways you will be able to work in Japan are if you meet one of the following: 1. You have at least 10 years documented experience in your field of work. In other words, your former employers can testify that you worked for them during a certain period of time and these jobs you did match the type of work you plan on doing. So working the fast food counter at McDonalds means you're able to do the fast food thing in Japan, but not teach English. 2. Marry a Japanese national. Once you get a spouse visa, you're pretty much free to do whatever job you can get. 3. Invest in Japan and create your own company. This takes a lot of money, and very good Japanese skills. Unless you speak the language fluently, or have a Japanese partner that you can trust, this isn't the route to go.