Hello, I'm hoping to have a sanity check by showing my plan here to move to Japan.
I started working as a software engineer in the US about 2 years ago. I now work at a well-known tech company. I applied to a large language school in Tokyo and have a reservation for spring 2025 for a 6 month course. I plan to move there and within a few weeks, start applying for jobs in the Tokyo/Yokohama area because I will have a student visa.
About me, I'm 40, I taught English in Japan for two years when I was younger, and have visited a few times since. No kids, not married. I passed JLPT N2 a couple of years ago. I have a BS in IT and a MA in a non-related field. Right now I am enrolled in a BS in Computer Science program, which I am scheduled to graduate from before the language school starts.
I'm going to try to transfer within my company to their Tokyo office before my school starts, but if I can't do it in time, then I will just quit and start the language school. My company isn't very easy to move around in internally, so I'm unlikely to be able to do it anytime without connections in Tokyo. And honestly with the tech lay offs happening at tech companies, including at the one I work at, I could be let go at anytime anyway.
I have about $500k net worth, so I'm not too concerned with a salary drop. As long as I have a decent salary to cover living expenses. I'm planning on going on Coast FIRE where I do things I want to do instead of min/maxing salary.
The language school will give me some time to chill, focus on Japanese, and tour around Tokyo before I start the job search again. I think it will be easier to secure a job since I'll already be in Japan. I'm tired of thinking that I will move back to Japan one day, and I want to make it happen, instead of continue to sit around thinking "one day". A big reason I switched to this career was so I could more easily work abroad in other countries, including Japan.
Does anyone see any serious problems with my plan, or anything that could cause me a lot of trouble? Thanks.
by yogrents