Page 371 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide: Japan

PR A C TIC AL INFORM A TION  369

New Zealand, UK, and residents
of Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Although officially discouraged,
it is sometimes possible to enter
Japan as a Temporary Visitor
(see p360) and then find a job
or study course.

Long-Term
Accommodations
Some apartments in major
Computerized bidding at the Tokyo Stock Exchange cities can be found at rental
rates similar to those in Western
Finding Work
is very much part of the cities, but the initial start­up
system, but overt bribery Finding work in Japan is not costs are extremely high.
is not. Japanese companies as easy as it was during the Cheaper options include “gaijin
reach decisions by consensus, economic boom of the 1980s. houses,” accommoda tions for
so elements of face­saving Most common are English­ foreign ers ranging from shared
vagueness or flexibility can be teaching jobs, which usually apart ments for three or four
useful. On the other hand, to require a university degree and to disheveled hostels with 20
minimize linguistic confusion, at times a TEFL (Teaching English sharing a kitchen. The next step
it is essential to speak simply as a Foreign Language) qualifica­ up is a weekly or mon thly
and unambig uously. In some tion. The Japan English Teacher apartment, at the cost of a
situations, an interpreter may website is a good resource. budget hotel or less, which is
help. Be aware, however, that The JET (Japan Exchange like a regular apartment but
you will not be given a clear and Teaching) Programme requires little or no deposit.
no, even if that is what is meant. sends college graduates under In descriptions, room size is
Discussion of money is usually the age of 35 to work in Japan, measured by the num ber
left until last and should not initially for a year, sometimes of tatami mats (although the
be approached too bluntly. extendable to two or three. size does vary, a 6­mat room
Details are available on the can be taken to be 9.18 sq
JET website. After checking m/99 sq ft), and apartments
Business Entertaining
this, contact the Japanese may be said to have, for
Socializing with business embassy in your country. Other instance, “2DK” – two bedrooms,
contacts is essential: there is common English­teaching a dining room, and kitchen.
little chance of establishing a opportunities include eikaiwa
good working relationship if or conver sation schools. DIRECTORY
you have not built a rapport There are also limited
over a few drinks or perhaps opportunities in Japan for Finding Work
a game of golf (see p351). other kinds of work. Some Dai Job
Expect the Japanese to extend job offers appear in Japan’s ∑ daijob.com/en
the first invitation, and allow English­language newspapers
them to pay – usually the and in a few magazines, Gaijin Pot
person who does the inviting including Metropolis and ∑ gaijinpot.com
picks up the tab. If you would Kansai Scene. There are also Japan English
like to return the compliment a number of web sites that are Teacher
but are not sure where to helpful for those looking for ∑ japanenglishteacher.com
take people, ask their advice, work in Japan (see directory). JET Programme
or choose a hotel bar (where ∑ jetprogramme.org
prices are clearly marked).
Conversation can include Working Visas Jobs in Japan
business matters, but should Long­term stays in Japan ∑ jobsinjapan.com
not be intense. Drunken require a working visa (with a Kansai Scene
behavior is normal and rarely commit ment for two or three ∑ kansaiscene.com
taken seriously. Although the years working for one firm) or Metropolis
world of business entertaining a student visa (which allows ∑ metropolis.co.jp
is basically male, excep tions part­time work). Citizens aged
are made for foreign business­ 18 to 30 of the following Tokyo Employment
women and, despite under­ countries can obtain a working­ Service Center for
lying sexist attitudes, women holiday visa, allowing part­time Foreigners
should encounter few prob­ work, for up to a year: Australia, ∑ tokyo-foreigner.
jsite.mhlw.go.jp/english.html
lems. For eating and drinking Canada, Denmark, France,
etiquette, see pages 312–13. Germany, Ireland, Korea,

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