Please read the blog posts for information about working in Japan, and to check to see if any possible questions have been answered. Also, keep in mind that I am here to help anyone looking for work in Japan, even if it is not for my company, or hoping to get information about how to get work in Japan, or about life as a worker in Japan. The ins and outs, the secrets, the dirty underbelly... It's all here for the asking.
My name is Kent, and I am currently a manager in an English education company in Mito, Japan.
Recently, my company has been expanding an incredible amount. It is involved with providing English, Korean, and Chinese conversation lessons , providing English teachers to local companies (I taught English in Hitachi to employees of the Hitachi corporation), and providing Assistant Language Teachers of English to elementary and junior high schools (we continuously need employees in this field. I did this for two years and love it, these days enjoying my substitution duties immensely).
I absolutely love what I did and what I do now. My company is probably one of the fastest growing companies in central Japan, with so many school systems disheartened with the JET program turning to it to fill their teaching needs. We need dozens of new employees to accept jobs each year.
I created this MySpace site as a hub for people seeking to know more about working in Japan. I hope to answer any and all questions about living and working here, and I can provide information and contacts of my company so that others might find the joys of an interesting career in a fascinating country. I don't receive a bonus should I refer a new employee, and in all honesty my main motivation for doing this is to share a bit of myself with all of you in the hopes of making your life as fulfilling as mine has become, even at a very young age.
Benefits of working for my company
As an employee, you would receive, ready upon arrival in Japan, any of the following that is necessary:
-An apartment furnished with a reasonable amount of items. (You won't have a dining room set, but you will have a washing machine, refrigerator, and bed.)
-A car. (Possibly not necessary. And don't worry about driving on the left, it's easy.)
-A one year work visa for Japan as an "Instructor". Even if only employed on a seven month contract, the visa will still be good for one year. If you enjoy working here and decide to stay as I have, your visa will be issued in 1 or 3 year increments as long as you remain working in Japan or until you decide to apply for citizenship or Permanent Resident status.
-Accomodations for teachers with significant others and no age restrictions.-Full orientation and help in getting around in your initial few days.
-A salary that can comfortably pay for your apartment, utilities, taxes, and car rental, and still have quite a bit left over to spend how you like or to pay off college loans. (After paying all your bills, you will probably have excess money in the $1000-$1500 per month range.)
-Many flexible working locations in Kanto to allow for a moderate amount of input in where and to whom to teach after you are settled.
In addition, I will personally be glad to help people as much as I can with advice, language assistance, or questions.
What you need to work for my company
-Native English.
-A BA or a BS degree.
(If you are not a native English speaker you may still apply if you have native-level English AND either Japanese langauge proficiency, an MA in English teaching, or a wealth of experience teaching English.)
-A ticket to Japan. Airfare is not included, but I can advise on good companies with deals that can be as low as $300 one-way.
-"Start-up money". Pay is not in advance so you will have to wait for your first completed month to receive your first salary. Although the Japanese government advises new immigrants to have $3000 in start up money, I found that in my experience for this company that if you can make your initial apartment deposit you will only really need to pay for your food and gas/train fare. I lived a fairly luxurious lifestyle for a little over a month on $500 plus a bit on my credit card.
-A desire to live and work in Japan among children or teenagers.
What you do not need to work for my company
-A shred of Japanese language ability. It is helpful from a lifestyle point of view, but no Japanese ability is also seen as a positive by many in the "Teach English in English" philosophy. You can of course pick up quite a bit quickly by living in Japan as well as by attending local civic center language lessons. I speak and read Japanese fluently and am glad that I do so, but I know from others that having no ability does not take away the enjoyment of living in Japan.
-Apartment "Key money". You will have to prepay a month of your apartment, as well as pay a small refundable deposit, but the Japanese tradition of bribing the landlord is not necessary if living arrangements are handled through my company.
-Initial research or stress on "what to do". Everything from how to teach to how to get to and through your first days in Mito is explained to you clearly in English before your departure.
I hope to have sparked a bit of interest in people out there, and if anyone wants to know more about working for my company, you can Friend me or just send me a message and I will reply quickly. To avoid spamming to myself and my company, I have kept some details out of the MySpace site, but I will happily supply my company name, website information, and any other information on working here. I will also provide my cell phone number and e-mail for people already in Japan but looking for a new employer. Just send me a request.
Even if you find that you do not wish to work for my company, I will still be glad to help anyone or give any information to those who just want to know what it is like to work in Japan.
Have a great day!
-K
