3 ms·

Is it that tough? As a freelancer, I'm sure it's not easy, but as a funded company hiring engineers with college degrees, I thought it was relatively straightfo

by caser 11y ago

Is it that tough? As a freelancer, I'm sure it's not easy, but as a funded company hiring engineers with college degrees, I thought it was relatively straightforward either with the Engineering visa or by somehow classifying the work under the Specialist in Humanities visa. (btw will be back in Tokyo in September, would love to buy you coffee)

mikekchar 11y ago
I believe it is easy to hire people with the Engineering visa. I was looking into it recently, as I was considering hiring someone, but it looks like I don't need to at the moment, so I haven't looked at the details closely. My understanding is that the main issue you might have is a small capital requirement and/or income to show that you can support the employee. I've talked with people who have sponsored foreign English teachers and they have told me that they had absolutely no difficulty (though this was several years ago -- things might have changed). I haven't actually read the fine article yet, but I'm not really sure what would attract people to doing start ups in Japan. Hiring locals is difficult because of the way the job system works -- people don't change jobs every few years. It's quite a bit cheaper to live here than many other places in the world, but it is culturally very different. I spent 5 years here teaching English amongst many young (mostly American) colleagues. I wouldn't bring people over here unless you are prepared to help them out a lot when they inevitably get in trouble (shuddering recalling the experience of having to help my colleague who punched a police officer). It's a big commitment. Also, unless you have a lot of experience with Japanese culture yourself, it can be a bit tricky to handle all of the business issues. For my business, I write code and leave all the business issue to my Japanese wife (even though I am quite fluent in Japanese). Without her and my accountant, I would be lost. But, of course, Japan is an amazing place if you are the kind of person who fits in here. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.
unsignedint 11y ago
Actually, they have combined "Engineering," "Specialist in Humanities" and "International Operation" into one category now. From what I know, it sounds like it is relatively simple to hire someone with college degrees, as long as receiving company can demonstrate they will be able to support (e.g. Company's big enough, making profit, etc.), but having even one factor outside of these parameters can severely make this complicated or impossible.

by caser 11y ago

mikekchar 11y ago

I believe it is easy to hire people with the Engineering visa. I was looking into it recently, as I was considering hiring someone, but it looks like I don't need to at the moment, so I haven't looked at the details closely. My understanding is that the main issue you might have is a small capital requirement and/or income to show that you can support the employee. I've talked with people who have sponsored foreign English teachers and they have told me that they had absolutely no difficulty (though this was several years ago -- things might have changed). I haven't actually read the fine article yet, but I'm not really sure what would attract people to doing start ups in Japan. Hiring locals is difficult because of the way the job system works -- people don't change jobs every few years. It's quite a bit cheaper to live here than many other places in the world, but it is culturally very different. I spent 5 years here teaching English amongst many young (mostly American) colleagues. I wouldn't bring people over here unless you are prepared to help them out a lot when they inevitably get in trouble (shuddering recalling the experience of having to help my colleague who punched a police officer). It's a big commitment. Also, unless you have a lot of experience with Japanese culture yourself, it can be a bit tricky to handle all of the business issues. For my business, I write code and leave all the business issue to my Japanese wife (even though I am quite fluent in Japanese). Without her and my accountant, I would be lost. But, of course, Japan is an amazing place if you are the kind of person who fits in here. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

unsignedint 11y ago

Actually, they have combined "Engineering," "Specialist in Humanities" and "International Operation" into one category now. From what I know, it sounds like it is relatively simple to hire someone with college degrees, as long as receiving company can demonstrate they will be able to support (e.g. Company's big enough, making profit, etc.), but having even one factor outside of these parameters can severely make this complicated or impossible.