5 years ago, I posted [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/japan/comments/28ii82/im_moving_to_japan_am_heavily_tattooed_and_have/) in /r/japan and since then, every few months to a year, I get someone asking for advice in my inbox. I guess google still shows the original post some love, so I thought I’d write a solid update, and my advice for success.
previous post tl;dr: I moved to small town Kyushu 5 years ago, with no Japanese language ability, no university degree, and lots of hand tattoos.
Most people said “glhf” or remote work was going to be the way forward for me. Others suggested a new career with the yakuza. It took some time, but I found my way through networking.
I moved to Fukuoka, which in itself created opportunities. I worked for 2 months at an English school, which was a total scam (they gave me 4.5 man yen for 2 months work, and later asked for it back), all while teaching with the little white taxi driver gloves on. It wasn’t exactly what I was hoping for. However, one place I was teaching at was a small IT company. When I quit the English school, I told my class and they asked me to come interview for a programming job. I still didn’t speak Japanese, and they didn’t speak English, but there’s a lot of companies that will employ a foreigner just so they can say that they are “global”. This was the case for me.
Fast forward a year and a half, I’m still employed there but the money sucks and the hours are long and I’m not learning Japanese. I quit. And I went to language school full time for three months. I should have gotten more out of the school, but my wife and I were having a troubled pregnancy so there wasn’t much more I could do. I did however, finish the 3 months with somewhat of a foundation, enough that I could finally begin to build Japanese skills on my own.
Through that programming job, I met many people in the community. I did my best to be enthusiastic and overly kind. And after school ended, I started sending out messages, and stalking the CEO of the company I wanted to join at events. If he was there, I was there. I was there with Canadian beer and presents. Eventually, he asked me to interview. I didn’t ask him.
Through the community that I had been able to enter, I found my next job, working for a wonderful company with great benefits and above average compensation. I’m not programming, which makes me worried career wise, but I’ve got plans for the future.
The point is, networking got me where I am. Willingness to learn, a smile, and not being afraid to put myself out there at community events made it possible. Since then, I’ve made a family. I built a house by the beach. My neighbors didn’t know what to make of me at first. I have some sports cars now, and I tend to wash them in a tank top in the summer. But I always greet everyone who walks by, and now, they see me, and not the ink. I participate in the community groups and events. And they tell me where the cops are hanging out lately so I don’t get speeding tickets (not that you should ever speed).
It has been a long 5 years. But though study, hard work, and networking, I now speak the language well, and got a good job. I hope that other people who got their ink before Japan was even a thought in their head (like me) can read this and find their own success out here too.
tl;dr Network your butt off. Kill them with kindness. Study Japanese. You’ll do OK.
18 comments
Good on you for not being a complacent loser that hates teaching but does nothing to get out of it and then ends up still in that position, but even more bitter and sad 10 years later.
This one guy I know from university who teaches is so bitter and jaded but does nothing substantial to try and get out of teaching even though I referred him once and he didn’t even turn up to the interview. A job that pays 5m a year, apparently it’s too much hassle to relocate for a job that is double your shitty teaching gig.
Some can’t be helped.
Very inspiring. It’s who you know, not what you know. Some people wait until they’re fluent at Japanese before going to Japan, or until they’re some sort of code guru before applying for a programmer job, and by the time that happens you’ve missed so many opportunities for growth both professionally and personally because you wanted to grow in a “safe” environment instead of taking a chance and stepping into the fire.
I’m genuinely curious: how did you get a visa without a bachelors degree? I thought that was a legal requirement.
The reason you get pm’s for, is because when a lot of people ask ‘stupid questions’ they get a lot of shit in the japan related subs and a lot of negativity.
Thanks for sharing your story, wish people would be more positive
Did you move there with your wife or you met her there? I’m asking because me and my girlfriend are considering moving there. I have a 10 years of Network engineering/ devops experience and she is a programmer. Hoping once of us lands a job to facilitate the move. Thanks for sharing your experience, it’s good to here from some one enjoying themselves and being successful.
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This is exactly what I needed to hear, man. Thank you.
I’ve just moved to Tokyo two months ago on a spousal visa from Australia. I have a bachelor’s degree in teaching, but I don’t want to be a teacher anymore. Teaching jobs are so dead-end here, and the industry seems fucked up. I’m really interested in a few areas, though, but am unsure how to get into them. I’m seeing a career agent and attending a career forum next week, so I’ll see how I go.
My Japanese is very limited still, but I am giving it a good shot. My wife and I are both still both adjusting. I’ve had a lot of ups and downs in these two months, but I’m hopeful for the future.
Do you mind if I ask how you came across the events you visited?
Congratulations on all your hard work as well. This guy is proud of you.
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I would wager 108JPY that this is causing some serious cognitive dissonance amongst our local experts.
Been here for 5 years now. No degree as well and I’ve been basically working in a dead end factory job making 8k yen a day. Any advice for me? Most language schools won’t hire me coz they always require someone with a degree.
May I know the name of your company? Can anyone help me? I’m just really in a bad situation.
You’re doing better in a foreign land than I am in my own hometown. Great job!
Any positions going at your company? 🙂
Quite a feat in a Japan that’s for sure. Thanks for sharing and congrats!
May I ask how did you meet your wife? You inspire me. I have no degree but really would love to move to Japan one day
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Your honestly awesome man. It’s been my dream my whole life to live in Tokyo and honestly people like you really inspire me. Congratulations on the family and the job.
> I have some sports cars now, and I tend to wash them in a tank top in the summer.
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It’s a 1981 trans am you own ain’t that right?
Don’t think I can add much, but congrats! Gives me hope since I’m planning to hopefully
move to Japan in the future (after the plague)