4 ms·

This is still one of the most fascinating writeups of Japanese business culture I have read, from fellow HNer patio11: http://www.kalzumeus.com/2014/11/07/doin

This is still one of the most fascinating writeups of Japanese business culture I have read, from fellow HNer patio11: http://www.kalzumeus.com/2014/11/07/doing-business-in-japan/ http://www.kalzumeus.com/2014/11/07/doing-business-in-japan/

mrskeltal 9y ago
Fascinating indeed, thanks for sharing it
soapdog 9y ago
I love that post as well. I wish these type of articles surfaced more often...
- sotojuan 9y ago
  It's that kind of rare blog post written by someone who actually has expert knowledge on the subject.
ue_ 9y ago
Thank you for the read, it was informative and a little scary (especially the obligations of the employee to his/her employer). This is rather tangentially related, but is there any information on how to get a job in Japan as someone from a Western country, either to teach English, or as a programmer? I imagine this is a popular question though answers to it I think are scarce.
- kyleschiller 9y ago
  Some friends have really enjoyed https://jetprogramusa.org/ https://jetprogramusa.org/, you pretty much just need a college degree. I'm not sure in general, but https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14243572 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14243572 from the last Who's Hiring thread stood out because they don't require language ability.
- GuiA 9y ago
  Any native english speaker with a Bachelor's degree and a pulse can get a gig as an English language assistant. Many starry eyed young people who go down that route find themselves very frustrated/bitter at their situation after a while; I'd do careful research about it to make sure that's something you're seriously interested in doing. Blogs, YouTube videos, etc. about this are easy to find. Note that this is very, very different from being an actually English teacher, which would require local accreditations etc. As a programmer, get on LinkedIn, find recruiters for Japanese startups/companies you're interested in, and start sending messages. Speaking conversational Japanese (and being able to prove it, e.g. by having a JLPT certification) and being already in the country (e.g. through a working holiday visa) will improve your odds manyfold. This is also a good resource: https://jobs.gaijinpot.com https://jobs.gaijinpot.com Doing a graduate degree in Japan might also be worth it, depending on your circumstances - it gives you a few years to see how you actually like being in Japan, letting you leave easily after completion of your degree with something to show for it; it will make getting a local job dramatically easier if you want to stay in Japan longer; and it will give you a few years to build up your Japanese etc.
  - ue_ 9y ago
    Thank you for your advice, it's something I'm entertaining the possibility of doing, I haven't committed to anything yet, so I'll take a look at past experiences of other people. Actually getting in and applying seems to be an issue, because as far as I can tell working holiday visas require a certain amount of money in the first place. Do you know if it is possible to job hunt (apply, not work) and get a visa sponsorship while on a holiday? Or is that disallowed? And do you know how for example a TEFL might help with the process, if at all, and if there is any path available to increase one's position to become an actual English teacher? Again, thanks for the advice.
    - mattnumbe 9y ago
      You definitely don't need TEFL to find a teaching job easily in Japan but it would give you more options. I taught in language schools, a junior high, and did corporate classes as well. It's also quite easy to get hired from abroad, and getting a job while on working holiday/travel visa is a bit of a grey area, although I know plenty of people who have done it. If I can suggest, from experience, skipping the initial 'just teaching English' thing and apply for undergraduate/graduate school here and teach on the side. I made more money from scholarships (very easy to get) and teaching than I'm making now as a salary man.

mrskeltal 9y ago

Fascinating indeed, thanks for sharing it

soapdog 9y ago

I love that post as well. I wish these type of articles surfaced more often...

sotojuan 9y ago
It's that kind of rare blog post written by someone who actually has expert knowledge on the subject.

ue_ 9y ago

Thank you for the read, it was informative and a little scary (especially the obligations of the employee to his/her employer). This is rather tangentially related, but is there any information on how to get a job in Japan as someone from a Western country, either to teach English, or as a programmer? I imagine this is a popular question though answers to it I think are scarce.

kyleschiller 9y ago
Some friends have really enjoyed https://jetprogramusa.org/ https://jetprogramusa.org/, you pretty much just need a college degree. I'm not sure in general, but https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14243572 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14243572 from the last Who's Hiring thread stood out because they don't require language ability.
GuiA 9y ago
Any native english speaker with a Bachelor's degree and a pulse can get a gig as an English language assistant. Many starry eyed young people who go down that route find themselves very frustrated/bitter at their situation after a while; I'd do careful research about it to make sure that's something you're seriously interested in doing. Blogs, YouTube videos, etc. about this are easy to find. Note that this is very, very different from being an actually English teacher, which would require local accreditations etc. As a programmer, get on LinkedIn, find recruiters for Japanese startups/companies you're interested in, and start sending messages. Speaking conversational Japanese (and being able to prove it, e.g. by having a JLPT certification) and being already in the country (e.g. through a working holiday visa) will improve your odds manyfold. This is also a good resource: https://jobs.gaijinpot.com https://jobs.gaijinpot.com Doing a graduate degree in Japan might also be worth it, depending on your circumstances - it gives you a few years to see how you actually like being in Japan, letting you leave easily after completion of your degree with something to show for it; it will make getting a local job dramatically easier if you want to stay in Japan longer; and it will give you a few years to build up your Japanese etc.
- ue_ 9y ago
  Thank you for your advice, it's something I'm entertaining the possibility of doing, I haven't committed to anything yet, so I'll take a look at past experiences of other people. Actually getting in and applying seems to be an issue, because as far as I can tell working holiday visas require a certain amount of money in the first place. Do you know if it is possible to job hunt (apply, not work) and get a visa sponsorship while on a holiday? Or is that disallowed? And do you know how for example a TEFL might help with the process, if at all, and if there is any path available to increase one's position to become an actual English teacher? Again, thanks for the advice.
  - mattnumbe 9y ago
    You definitely don't need TEFL to find a teaching job easily in Japan but it would give you more options. I taught in language schools, a junior high, and did corporate classes as well. It's also quite easy to get hired from abroad, and getting a job while on working holiday/travel visa is a bit of a grey area, although I know plenty of people who have done it. If I can suggest, from experience, skipping the initial 'just teaching English' thing and apply for undergraduate/graduate school here and teach on the side. I made more money from scholarships (very easy to get) and teaching than I'm making now as a salary man.