Moving to Japan as a Fullstack Developer Without a Job: Is It a Good Idea?

Hi all,

I've tried searching for similar questions but couldn't find answers that fit my situation or are up-to-date, so here is my story:

I'm a 31-year-old Fullstack Developer (more frontend heavy) with 3-6 years of experience from Germany. I completed vocational training (Ausbildung) for three years and have worked at different companies for another three years. My wife is Japanese; we met here in Germany, and we've decided to move to Japan for a couple of years. This move is not only for her to be closer to her family but also for us to start our own family, for her to switch her career, and for me to get to know her culture and gain experience living abroad.

I already have my spouse visa and need to be in Japan before the end of October, but I haven't secured a job yet despite sending over 50 applications. I've had a few interviews and some screenings are still open, but I'm starting to panic. We have enough savings to last us six months and could stay at her parents' house, but that's not an ideal long-term solution.

I'm working on my Japanese and aim to reach N3 proficiency by the end of the year, as I know language skills are a big factor. Since her family lives in Sapporo, I'm primarily looking for remote work, which makes the job search more challenging.

Additionally, my current job in Germany feels insecure due to recent layoffs and a lack of work for me at the moment. I need to quit my job soon to move before the visa deadline, but I don't have anything lined up. My wife has a few promising interviews but nothing secure yet, and the pay isn't high.

Did any of you move to Japan as a spouse without a job and manage to find something afterward? Any tips or advice? Is this plan already failed? How feasible is it to find a remote job in tech at the moment given the current market?

I feel like if we don't move now, it might never happen due to needing to find a new home and reapplying for a new visa. I'm a bit out of ideas and would appreciate any insights or experiences you can share.

Thank you!

TL;DR: I'm a 31-year-old Fullstack Developer from Germany moving to Japan on a spouse visa to be closer to my wife's family, start our own family, and experience her culture. Despite 50+ job applications, I haven't secured a job yet and need advice on finding remote work in tech. We have six months of savings but no solid job offers yet. My current job feels insecure due to recent layoffs and lack of work. Any tips or experiences would be appreciated.

by NoProduct6291

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