Bi-Weekly Entry/Simple questions thread (February 21, 2024)

14 comments

1. This is a copy of your post for archive/search purposes.

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   **Bi-Weekly Entry/Simple questions thread (February 21, 2024)**

   Welcome to the r/movingtojapan bi-weekly(ish) simple questions thread! This is the place for all of your “easy” questions about moving to Japan. Basically if your question is about *procedure*, please post it here. Questions that are more subjective, like “where should I live?” can and should be posted as standalone posts. Along with procedural questions any question that could be answered with a simple yes/no should be asked here as well.

   Some examples of questions that should be posted here:

   * Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) processing times
   * Visa issuance (Questions about visa *eligibility* can/should be standalone posts)
   * Embassy visa processing procedures (Including appointments, documentation requirements, and questions about application forms)
   * Airport/arrival procedures
   * Address registration

   The above list is far from exhaustive, but hopefully it gives you an idea of the sort of questions that belong in this post.

   Standalone posts that are better suited to this thread will be removed and redirected here. Questions here that are better suited to standalone posts will be locked with a recommendation that you repost.

   Please note that [the rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/movingtojapan/wiki/rules) still apply here. Please take a moment to read the wiki and search the subreddit before you post, as there’s a good chance your question has been asked/answered sometime in the past.

   *This is not an open discussion thread, and it is not a place for unfounded speculation, trolling, or attempted humour.*

   Previous Simple Question posts can be found [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/movingtojapan/search?sort=new&restrict_sr=on&q=flair%3ABWSQ)

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2. How easy is it to find martial arts schools in japan as a big white foreigner? I only ran into the “no foreigners” thing once when visiting but that was only with restaurants.

   Also, for those with experience, have you faced any special treatment in a negative sense? Like.. say you are a 190cm muscled giant.. will people avoid pairing up with you?

   Maybe this is dumb, I know from experience that martial arts people are generally very kind and accepting but I am curious.

3. Hi, is there any agency from India helping Students to get into Japanese Universities, esp Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University?

4. Are there any posts or articles someplace on what it’s like coming over from the USA as a software engineer? 

   I have a BS degree in CS from a public university in the USA, so I have a diploma and such already.

   I don’t mind if someone has like a blog or something that goes over these types of questions if this isn’t the right space for them. Thanks in advance. 

   Questions I’m thinking of are like:

   * current job has an office in Japan but doesn’t employ SWE’s there so I can’t transfer to Japan, so would I be better off switching to a different american company for a year or longer and then requesting to relocate? Or apply to JP roles from the US right away?
   * how difficult is it to find SWE jobs _inside_ Japan? I did apply to Rakuten once from here for a JP based role but ended up not going through with their interview loop. So it seems doable at least to start an interview loop from the US, but curious what it’s like if I were to start looking while on vacation or something?
   * say I’m a SWE now but considering pivoting to a different kind of role in tech, something like sales engineering, product management, etc. is that something expats have been successful doing while in Japan or (again) is that something where I should try to do that first in the US and then try to transfer or apply to a role in Japan for that?

   I don’t know Japanese but I’m slowly learning to read at the moment and I generally get by well enough with Japanese friends with translators/dictionaries so at least in a more western tech company I think I’d do alright. 

   I don’t really have any timeline or anything. Mostly just thinking the idea through. 

   Thanks again. 

5. Hey hey. I’m going to Japan for some time for studies soon and wanted to ask what necessities do you think I will need to buy ASAP once I have my place? That includes practical things like beddings and cleaning supplies, as well as electronics (getting rice cooker day one).

6. Hi everyone, I’m trying to be a IBDP teacher of Computer Science, I have my Category 1 already done and I should be done with my Category 2 by July, but I’m going through various websites like Gaijinpot and I’m just seeing a lackluster amount of IBDP positions. Are there any other places I could look to find a IB CS job in Japan?

7. Does anyone have experience with Realestate.co.jp? I’m going to Japan to study in about a month and I’m planning on searcing for an apartment independently. I know that Realestate.co.jp is basically an aggregator, but does anyone have experience with using their services? is it legit? Are there any good alternatives for foreigners looking for apartments to rent?

8. So I’m officially currently the Vice President of a two man LLC operating in the United States. My wife and I are considering relocating to Japan in the next two years because we think it will be a better and safer environment to raise our family in, and because if we live in a more affordable country she can stay home to take care of the family, which is something she would rather do and my income would support us.

   I’m trying to get realistic expectations/find a starting point to start looking into if I can do my work in Japan. In terms of logistics, all my customers are in the US and Canada and I can work anywhere I have an internet connection. However as we are an LLC and not a corporation, I’m not sure we can simply open a branch office in Japan.

   Is there anyone here who might have some good resources I can read or advise me on changes I might need to look into? I am an Electrical Estimator and have been doing that for the last decade, however I am also an FAA certified sUAS pilot and I am not totally opposed to a career change, though that is not preferable at this current point.

   Thanks in advanced.

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10. Hi! I accidentally submitted a E-mail notification service of completed delivery for my japan post package, can i correct it or is it not important

11. Do I need the physical CoE when entering Japan?

    Hello!
    This might seem like an irrelevant question but I just wanted to confirm this in due time. I’ve received my CoE (digitally by my university through a pdf form) and also received my visa. However, the people in the consulate office informed me that I should have a document stating my CoE will be given to the immigration bureau on my behalf from the university itself. I just wanted to confirm that if this is normal procedure or if I need to provide anything more from my end when landing in Japan.

12. Question about commonality of “pledge of traffic safety” for language schools. 90% are the normal traffic rules and common decency, but one part is bit odd to me. While i know that employers can restrict forms of transport due to liability when travelling to and from work (for insurance purpose etc). Does this also apply for non-work time like weekends? And does this apply to language schools?

    For the duration i’ll be on an international drivers license. And only plan to rent a car for the occasional weekend trip around the prefecture on the weekend. Accomodations are close enough to not need a car during the week.

    2. I will never drive a car or a motorcycle (except for properly registered 50cc scooters or motorcycles) while I am a student at ** I understand a driver’s license is required when riding 50cc scooters or motorcycles or motor powered bicycles.

13. I just got accepted to NUCB for spring 2025 (exchange semester). Does anyone have any tips on housing, or how i can prepare to move to japan in general?

14. I’m interested in the possibility of moving to Japan, but not at all interested in the work culture. It seems I can qualify for the Jet program, but I’m not confident I want to teach very long after looking into other’s personal experiences. Teaching isn’t my calling; I’m interested in Graphic Design mostly though I also have a BA in English.

    My question is this: how does one work towards residency without teaching indefinitely, or working for a Japanese company? I see many people tend to get married, but to me that’s not certain; I’m not even positive I would want a marriage.