So I’ve traveled to Japan once before and loved it, heading there again this year for a longer trip, and I’m seriously considering moving there in a couple years time.
So my timeline would give me 2-4 years to work towards it, and I’m currently 30. I’ve got a degree and career in tech (embedded software and testing specialties if that matters) so I’d obviously be looking to work in that space. I’ll also most likely have some management experience by then but not yet sure if I’ll want to move towards full time management or not.
The two main pathways I’m looking at both start with learning some Japanese now (which I’m already doing) but diverge in the first year there:
1) go to a language school for 6-12 months when I arrive. I’ve got the funds to support that, and it’s probably the only realistic way I get enough speaking practice before starting a job that I’d be able to work in Japanese. After finishing my time at school, look for a job.
2) go straight into working there. This will likely require a job that doesn’t need a massively high level of Japanese, as I just can’t guarantee that I’ll have good enough Japanese by then – I’m learning mostly on my own in my spare time and obviously my commitment to that is going to fluctuate a bit.
So I’ve got three main questions:
1) Firstly I’m assuming both of those pathways are viable for someone in my position? And the language school (assuming I do my research and find a good one) isn’t a waste of time for topping up conversational Japanese to a professional level?
2) Is there a large pay and/or culture difference between jobs that require good Japanese and those that don’t? I’m particularly interested in the culture of large amounts of overtime – I’m used to a decent work/life balance having worked in tech in NZ and UK, and I’m aware that’s going to be probably my biggest problem with life in Japan.
As an aside, I’m fully aware that I’ll be in a privileged position if I manage to find a job that both pays well and has a work/life balance, but I’m planning to aim for it.
3) In general, is there anything else I should be doing to prepare?