Added: 4 years ago
From: tokyocooney
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  • Would be alright if I moved there I live in the US and I'm 18 and have a high school diploma. I guess I could work as a janitor or something around the school or construction. Right now I work at sutherlands it's a home decor kinda place like home depot or something like that. I'm trying to save up all I got is $500 at the moment now but I'd like to move there in July. I need some advice man any would be helpful.

  • To answer your question about working on a student visa, I'm returning to Japan in April on a student visa. As long as the school that you plan to go to say it's OK (in my case they said yes), you are more than welcome to work. Once your school gives you the OK, you need to get a work permit, allowing you to work for up to 28 hours (I believe) per week. To you're point about only being able to teach English at first, that is what I'll be doing (hopefully).

  • nice

  • Ireland!!

  • 240p.. we meet again.

  • Nova = pedophile club

  • Thank you for sharing this information :)

    I really like to watch your videos:D

    I love you man :D

  • What is head hunting? you said it at 3:48 and some time else, what is the job?

  • JET is a one year contract which can be re contracted up 3 or 5 years, I think they recently changed the rules. Why would you have to leave Japan after JET?

  • I think it really needs to be noted that you can't get a visa via an English school and then ditch it all that quickly. Visas are area specific unless you can get your new company to sponsor your change.

  • hi gov i'd love to work in the night life out their any ideas on how i would go about going that way ? ? ? ?

  • Well first of all are you basically fluent in Japanese? I think your best bet to get over there is as an English teacher. Then you can work on looking around for work elswhere, maybe. I've seen gaijin as bartenders occasionally but I'm guessing that's just to make some money on the side.

  • is there a Visas for game tester

  • Hey tokyo im from the USA i have a GED is this possiable for me to get a visa to work in Tokyo? And how hard would it be for me to obtan it?

  • Hey Kevin!, Ultimately what i want to do is teach music in japan. However considering im herein the u.s. i cant really find any positions there. Like you said you went from teaching english into jus writing for a living. how did that go? I was thinking of possibly considering doing that and im currently looking at the JET program and looking a there specs. Would it be possibly for me to go through the JET program and then move on to teaching music?

  • Are there any jobs that will pay under the table? like if i go to japan on vacation find a job is it possible to work at said job without a visa? or will the government find out of deport me back to canada

  • Is there I chance I might find a job in japan that fits ti tenical engineering and welding because I'm planing on going to UTI technical institute where I can get a 4 year degree and move to Japan and get a visa, but I don't want to end up as a English teacher so if there is a way for me to find a job to wut I like plz tell me Jen.

  • Surely an English teaching job would be hard, as you would have to be fluent in japanese?

  • big di***

  • if u want to live in japan cant u just find a job there when u get there

  • PLEASE ... enought with the background music! Seriously, this is so distracting.

    I want to hear narration, all the way thru' -- NOT this silly music, thanks.

  • i have a question

    for the study visa

    wat was the japanese language school one called?

    i really wanna go to a music school in japan for guitar

    kan you help me with that?

  • do u know any programs for going to high school in japan

  • how do you retire in tokyo?

  • Noooo! :(

    So if we rule out teaching English, what kind of jobs are left available?

  • This part I am going to tell is not going to be funny. Nova, one of the largest chains with over 900 branches, collapsed in October 2007, leaving thousands of foreign teachers without money or a place to live. Yeah, it's that bad.

  • IT department is very possibe or other companies

  • I doubt IT will last every one seems to be taking IT now.

  • Greetings from Norway. You were saying that you need at least a 4 year degree in English. Back here in Norway we are taught English from age 7 or so.

    Would that count, or do you have to have something like a bachelor from a university?

  • what he means with 4 years degree in English, is having a BT degree. It does not count for you if you had English in school. You have to be either teaching or have a BT degree to be able to teach in Japan. And most companies want English as the native language....sucks ha

  • I've come across quite a few stories of non-native speakers like yourself teaching in Japan. If you have a formal qualification in English then you should still be able to find somewhere. I've met a few Norwegians, and at least I can vouch that you're all great English speakers :-).

  • I'm only 17, non native english-speaker

    and already thinking about living in Japan or Korea soon ! (In about 2 years)

    I've been looking for informations (as much as I can find) for one year or so.

    I think that I can manage. I hope so ! w

    Nice video :)

  • good luck, you'll find pretty much any info you need on the web ;)

  • Thank you :)

    Yeah, I spend my days looking for as informations as I can through the web !

    But some things are still unclear to me.

    Anyway, I'll be in Japan soon and I will look for a job there :)

  • in this video you mainly talk about getting a job for teaching english, but what if you wanted to go to university in japan? I don't know if you know much about that, but do you have any tips?

    also, is it easier to get a job if you major in say, computer science or some technology major rather than just teaching english?

  • @sanctionedangel

    yes, it opens a lot of doors for you.

    So study hard mate

  • Hi there,

    is there any website to find work in Jap?

    Is enought english or I have to learn japanese? (piece of cake! lol)

  • if your japanese sucks as much as your english, you're pretty much screwed. Go study, mate.

  • first, i'm not english, second, i'd like to know which languages you speak and examples of it, and third, if you react like that to someone teeling you your english sucks, i've got bad news about japan...

    ...you'll get it ALL the time. Japanese like to point out the obvious.

  • Comment removed

  • Interesting please tell me more :)›

  • Do you have to have a job before you get a Visa? Or do you get a Visa and then go and look for a job?

  • hey man

    what about teaching spanish

    is that a commonly hiring job over there

  • child getting beat by parents? Are they really that "cruel" in Japan? :p

  • there is nothing strange about beating a child in Asia or Africa. true Asian/African should have at least a mark of belt/hanger on some parts of their bodies, it's good memories ^^

  • lol, they are weird those asian people :p

  • How else are children going to get respect and learn? =)

  • Tokyocooney,

    I like your honesty since I've met lots of McEikaiwa Sensei Clowns but you seem to be doing well. I saw you on Documentary channel. Keep up the good work.

    Thank god I didn't have to go to McEikaiwa to learn English!

  • Come back to America! Teach English to illegals!

  • hey i have a question what kind of degree or degrees would i need if i wanted to teach in japan? would i need an associates or bachelors in both english and japanese?

  • 4 years degree, that basically means a Bachelors. Maybe you will take 4 or 5 or 6 to finish it. But it basically means a major/bachelors. In any subject. But of course if you make it in english or asian languages is pretty obvious you will get an advantage. But you shouldnt do a major in a certain area just because you want to work in japan. That's my opinion.

  • I know. I can't really afford a major in either of those areas with a kid especially japanese at over 3000/semester. I'm switching my digital major to east asian studies. thank you :)

  • You are talking about a 4year education to get a visa, would it also be possible to get in with a 2year eductation of the same level? Im asking since im following a part-time education for a master-degree, and I wonder if that would be a problem?

  • This is a question better posed to schools that hire people to teach in japan or the japanese immigration authoroties. But from what I know, you need a 4 year degree.. IN ANYTHING. But (Ive heard) that can be gotten around if you have work experience.  For example if you taught at a school in america for several years, its concievable they would count that as part of the requirements. But again, I dont work for immigration.

  • I cant expect you to answer everything ofcourse, but thank you for trying. I think ill take my questions to the right ppl, and use your wisdom to actually survive overthere :D

    Great respect for your work, and thank you so much for all the video's, they have helped me make up my mind about what i should do with my life.

  • @tokyocooney

    You talked about the JET Programme, which I've been looking at. But I don't like the fact you're put in a rural area and can't choose for yourself. So I was wondering which program you entered to get to Tokyo?

  • I love your videos. I already have a Bachelors Degree and I took 2 semesters of Japanese as well as others languages. I was thinking of going to Japan and get an MA in something at one of the schools. I don't really want to teach, but I might end up trying to apply for the JET program.

  • If I apply for a working holiday visa would it improve my chances of getting a normal working visa after?

  • Only, as far as I know, if you have the credentials for a normal work visa. I have personally gone to the going away parties of a half dosen working-holiday visa people who couldn't switch to a normal working visa due to a lack of paper credentials. It sucks. I know. Ive lost many friends to this bullshit paperwork problem. But at the end of the day, if you can get a work visa, get one. The working holiday visa is meant for its own purpose. Short stay intercultural exchange.

  • @tokyocooney

    Mate, English teaching isn't easy for some, and the bad motherfuckers dont last unless the school is shit.

  • what about teaching german? =/

  • why bother with a visa...maybe the yakuza are hiring...surely they don't ask for a visa :))))) or they don't like gaiijin-hitmans =))

  • You look like Che Guevara in this one

  • thanx for the video!!!... I recently joined the U.S. Air Force!!! I hope I get stationed at Okinawa Japan!!!

  • I'm not sure you want to go to Okinawa as a GI. Okinawa is a small island way off from the Japanese mainland, where many of the locals pretty much hate the military there.

  • @NeoXC damn lol i havent checked this account in months well yea i joined the military now but didnt get japan... but instead guam pretty close to japan ill just fly over there.. and yes i heard the locals hate the military in okinawa.. we are getting 8000 marines from that island..

  • @USAFcruz

    So you recently joined the military and you actually had a choice on where to go? I thought you'd just be sent to Iraq or Afganistan?

  • @parrish001 yes you actually get alittle say in where you want to go... you get a dream sheet in the air force i believe its 8 choices in state side and 8 choices oversees... and well the air force will choose where they need you... i choose no state side and alot of places over sees mostly in the pacific area.

  • @USAFcruz

    Oh, I had no idea. That's pretty cool.

  • @parrish001 I think that would be the best thing for you to do is join the military. It would get your lazy arse off youtube arguments and actually make a man out of you. If it was up to me, id send you straight to Afganistan lol.

  • @TheAmericanUhate

    Amen! But.......... Clowns teaching mcEiakiwa in Japan hates "Patriotism" though.........

  • ignore my other comment on work..i was just asking what kind of work u do..

  • is it true that work in japan is soo stressful, and people even end up commiting suicides due to the stressful life there? Don't take this as an insult guys, I am just asking.

  • Work stress is everywhere in the world. Japan however does have a higher rate of suicide with group suicides being common. Perhaps the government doesn't try to discourage it like other countries. I have noticed that it is common for companies to a have break where they do stretching exercises.

  • I heard the same..................it's a fact that Japan has one of highest suicide rates in the entire world. The pressure to succeed is higher in Japan than in the USA.

  • great informative video and screaming child bit made me laugh so hard

  • I'm a full time student in Japan and I am allowed to work 20 hours per week, and I'd really really REALLY like to be working... but I definitely do not want to be an English teacher. Before coming to Japan I was a retail store manager. My Japanese language skills are not that fantastic yet. I'm wondering if there are any part time jobs I can do with little Japanese skill... It's troublesome. Haha.

  • I read somewhere(can't remember which site) that if you want to work while studying abroad, it would take a whole semester just to go through the paperwork. o_O

    And yea, I want an internship but I've mainly seen job positions for English teachers and sports/recreation leaders-and neither of those seem appealing to me.

  • I know I'm a few years late commenting on this..but regarding English teachers, I'm sick of people complaining about English teaching and how it is not a

    "good job". In my opinion language is an important tool and not something to be taken lightly and if you are actually a good teacher, you can contribute a lot to society overall. Great vid.

  • I agree!

    Especially since I plan on becoming an English teacher.

    :]

  • you rock!!!!!

  • really good documentaries! thank you!

  • You said it wouldnt be funny! LIAR LOL, (train of thought lost from parent beating child, LOL)

  • what if you want to work for a major company as a concept artist, or even freelance.

  • japan for work...? Nooooooo

  • I know I'm late in the game, but what are my chances at getting work in Japan if I don't have my High school, but speak French and English Very well.. I can also finish My high school (equivalency) quite easily, and I also will learn Japanese. And wtf is that stuff about going there before you're 30 years old? I'm Gonna be 25 this year! Thanks for your time!

  • I'm from Portugal and I'm taking a Translation university degree (english and german ) here in my country. Can I apply as an english teacher? There will be no problems as for me being potuguese and not from North Âmerica or England?

    Regards, Cat

  • what if you only have a high school diploma? or no highschool diploma? i wanna move to toyko

  • about 8 hundred yen (8 US dollars) per hour

  • what is minimum wage in japan??

  • cool. how do you make vidoes? what software u use?

  • him(tokyocooney) specifically or video making in general?

  • making the video, u know what software it is? cos i think i might do a travel blog on singapore

  • you can always use windows movie maker if your running windows or iMovie if you're on a Mac... both should already be on your computer... I think TokyoCooney may of been using a version of Adobe Premier for his video editing... they all pretty much have the same basic capabilities... depends how arty you want it to be... p.s. the more arty you want it the more brain drain for your comp

    have a good'n and enjoy

    p.p.s. editing takes time so editing it to a 'fit for purpose' level...

  • Nice vid helped alot.

    keep up the good work

  • Plenty of work available here for good educated workers.

    But, get an company first that sponsors you.

    Check the Japan Times or Metropolise.

    Welcome to Japan !

  • Domo arigato!

    ^^

  • What are the chances of getting an Engineering job in Japan? Specifically Mechatronics Engineering and having JLPT 2 or 1 and Toffel done? Thanks:)

  • you can work with the student visa, but only 4 hours a day

  • cooney 4 president!

  • Do you think there will still be some English teaching jobs left in Japan in a few years? If there are it might be really hard to get them. I don't know, what do you think?

  • hey dude i just wanted to say thanks, i happened to have stumbled onto these videos by accident and so far theyre a lot of help. thanks once again.

  • Vote for Tokyo Cooney.

  • hey what if i'm just a guy who wants to go to tokyo to live? like i kno first i ought to have money to get a place to live and stuff but if i'm not an english teacher or transfered from a job in the U.S. how then would i get a visa?

  • tourist visa is good for 3 months, after that, you'd probabaly have to get a job to sponsor you, or spousal visa if you marry a japanese, or you can leave the country to get another tourist visa...something like that.

  • You basically can't then. Unless you can speak Japanese fluently, you probably won't get a skilled worker job. With a huge economic recession they would rather hire a literate unemployed native than an illiterate unemployed foreigner.

  • Ya know, all these FYI videos are kinda old. would you mind doing an updated version? or some new FYI videos?

    I lived in japan for two and a half years w/ my parents at an AFB. now I'm in alaska, but I'm working on coming back to teach english.

  • Do you have to have a degree from college or can you become an english teacher with just a diploma? What is you're taking asian business in school, would you be more acceptable for work? Is there any other type of work for foreigners then english teacher?

  • From what I know, with the JET program and other big companies, you need one. But, if you go to Tokyo and find a smaller school, and you can speak English ;), they'll higher you.

  • What if you want to be some type of scientist in Japan??

  • dont you need a teaching lisence or something to teach? that takes more time in point of view

  • you need a working visa

  • Is there an age lemit? I will be 34 when I graduate. Is that too old?

  • They usually look for younger people. But your age to get a job isn't even in the realm of impossible.

  • Thanks for the info. Japan here I come!!! Merry Christmas.

  • is it true that it is harder for Asians to become English teachers in Japan?

    I mean, do places like JET and NOVA pick less Asian teachers? or even at all?

  • i'm pretty sure NOVA doesn't exist anymore..

  • It still exists, it's just smaller now. I saw one in komagome in October.

  • See "What I like about Japan" videos on YouTube. People go because they like the culture or they want to learn Japanese, or just to live somewhere different for a while.

  • why wouldent an american want to live there

  • Because America is about to tank and everyone is already heading North.

  • i live in japan full time and i teach english currently. Its better if you know japanese before you come over...

  • How many hours a day do you work as a teacher?

  • i have a question. if u get married, do you still need a visa? and are u allowed to stay in japan as a permanent resident?

  • Same as America. As long as you're married, you can stay. It was that way with my grandafather and grandmother. 8D

  • crap i thought the child was getting beat up and then all of a sudden your caption came up and i was like WAHAHAHAHA

  • Do you need to be a native speaker in order to teach English? I myself are a 18year old Scandinavian who would love to visit Japan and maybe start working there as an English teacher.

    But I don't know how good my chances are to do so:( I mean my English is pretty decent I haven't visited any English speaking countrys but I would surely get around doing so. And I guess the English you are teaching out aren't the most complicated one so does it really matter that I'm not an native speaker?

  • My guess is that as long as you are fluent in English, it doesn't matter where you are from considering there are Japanese English teachers who aren't, obviously, native English speakers.

  • It depends on the company hiring you, or school etc etc

    For example, if your not a native speaker you must have at least 10 years in english education to apply for Jet.

  • yay, thanks

  • Had a friend who went through the JET program. He had to rebuild a school's English program I heard he did a shitload of work, but he enjoyed it from what he told me.

  • I've been wanting to go to Tokyo for a year on a working holiday visa for a while now, I have to wait until I've finished college first though which will be in about 2 years. What kind of jobs are available for an 18 year old with no university degree?

  • if you find an answer to that email me

  • Foreigners are sought after in small modeling and acting (commercials) gigs. It's pretty easy to get one of these jobs, even if you have minimal acting or modeling experience. Being unique in a homogenous society does have its ups.

  • TEACHING BEGINNER ENGLISH, well so long as your english is fine and the grades you got at school for english were fine, just put your name down at a local english college [there are a shitload of the,]

  • I did that in Turkey.

  • would it be difficult to get a job as a doctor in tokyo?

  • Well, how hard do you think it would be for a Japanese doc to get a job in the States or Canada (harder in Canada) Same difficulties apply. language, knowing what meds are available here as opposed to abroad, because there are a lot of things you can't get here. For example floride. However that being said, there are probably a few. If you can get at a minimum a level 2 on the JLPT, and can say the names of all the medical problems in Japanese, then you may have a shot at being a doctor here

  • im thinkign of being an actor or voice actor, is it hard for a foregner?

  • I believe Novo went bankrupt

  • Im a student studying Law in holland but seeing as each country doesn't have the same exact law, i was wondering what my chances are to move to japan? (sorry for the tough question)

  • Hahahahah! the screaming child was the best

  • I heard white people can make solid money being movie extras in japan, have you heard anything about this? I've tried to look into it but only a few things pop up in google.

  • I have a friend who did it. She was quite successful but it's risky and really up and down.

  • I was wondering.

    when you went over originally as an english teacher, did you go with JET?

  • Everyone uses a jet. :P

  • lol. true... but no, you could... you could go by boat or something...

  • no dumbasses he meant the "JET Program"

  • yes that is what I meant. Although Looking back at the video I can see that there wasn't much sense in asking my question in the first place.

    I took no offence to the "Everyone uses a jet" remark tho. I think virusone25 was kidding... although it would be kind of funny if he wasn't.

  • sry one of my cousins knew my pw and was commenting on a bunch of videos

  • I don't know what is allowed for those who come as exchange students for a year, but if you come as a student for an extended period of time, you may apply for a permit called a 資格外活動許可書, or as written on the permit, a "permit to engage in activity other than that permitted by the status of residence previously granted." This may be applied for through the university or college you are enrolled and may be renewed every two years or when it comes time to renew your visa.

  • Is it hard to get I.T. jobs in Japan and if they require that you know Japanese?

  • you might find a foriegn company working in Japan, but chances are about 99.8% that you would need at least a level 3 on the JLPT to get a job in a japanese comapny doing anything other than teaching.

  • Hi, I will be doing a working holiday between high school and university in Tokyo, what are my options for jobs? Ive heard of Gaba but that seems to be looked down on.

  • In the UK the standard degree is only 3 years, does that matter or is it a strong requirement that its a 4 year degree?

  • As long as you have a bachelors degre than it shouldn't be a problem. Meaning, if you are eligible to enter a post grad degree program, like MPhil, then yes you have the right degree.

  • Decided to take gap year before College. Have always wanted to go to Japan. A trip there for work experience but importantly a taste of Japanese life would be worthwhile. Heard some Unis accept internationals but can only find info relevant to U.S.A. online, I am seeking info relevant to England/U.K., could anybody point me in right direction? I would be grateful, thanks.

  • What's a Unis?

  • Just to update, Canada and Japan also have an agreement for a working holiday visa. Canadian's do not have to pay any fees for their working holiday visa. It is quite easy to get but there is a lot of paper work.

    One other update. Nova went bankrupt last year. so if you are looking for a teaching position, try the Jet program or look on an ESL website.

  • NOVA was purchased by another company and is now called G-communications. It is pretty much the same company, with most of the same staff. They are firing quite a few people and they closed down several stores but the will be hiring again this summer.

  • G-Com is worse than NOVA ever thought of being. So, no, it's not basically the same company. Any company that spies on their employess is not a company that anyone should want to work for.

  • I want to work in japan for 3 months during the summer. I'm a japanese citizen so i don't need a visa however I only speak english and I'm a high school graduate (want to work from when i graduate to when i go to college..approx. 3 months). Any advice for me?

  • .... what? Your a Japanese Citizen who can only speak english? .. I'm confused.

  • Yep..I'm a japanese citizen who can only speak english. My mom's japanese and my dad's american, my parents split up when i was very young so i forgot how to speak japanese.

  • Ah, that makes sense, thank you for replying.

  • Work as a assistant of english school in rural city.

  • Haaaaaayyyy!! I'm curious if you know of any places that offer summer teaching programs?

  • as far as I understand with most countries with students on student visas students are not allowed to work unless they get a work permit once they are actually in the country and even then they can only work a certain amount of hours per week.

  • Would it be possible to get by in Japan waitressing?

  • maybe if you also bartended

  • Yes, but they dont give out waitressing visas. You would need to have a marital or student visa or some other type of visa that would allow you to waitress.

  • OK, I wanna become an English teacher in Japan when I get out of college.

    -I get 4 years of College

    Then how the HELL do I get a Visa? Is there some kind of online process? Were do I go?

    Even if I DO get a Visa, how do I apply for a teaching job in Japan? Do I do it before I get there, or after? What happens if they turn me down while I am in Japan?

    I'm so confused, please help me...

  • EDIT: I want to make it a point that I don not want to teach young kids, I want to teach teenagers that are around their first or second year in High School. Preferably private schools.

  • That would be an ALT job (assitant language teacher). I think the JET program provides high schools with teachers. Also a company called Interac. You can search for those 2 companies and search about Tokyo ALT. You can either apply from your country over the internet, or come here on a tourist visa and hope to find work and the company can get you a work visa.

  • just interview with NOVA, as long as you have a pulse and look "cool" they will hire you. (but be warned, they dont have a very good reputation for treating their gaijin employees very well)

  • hahaha I'm guessing your comment was made before NOVA went under(bankrupt)?!

  • i know this must be really hard for you to check up on, but can you like just see in news or something is there is any vet office or animal caretaker or in that area?