Hello!
I’m interested to know if there’s any realistic path to living in Japan if one doesn’t have a tech degree (CS majors etc.) AND one is not interested in being an English teacher in Japan?
With N2 Japanese skills, what jobs would be available for someone currently not located in Japan wishing to relocate? I have a JD, but I do not believe being a Bengoshi is an option as my practice area is extremely limited and only relevant to US.
Willing to explore any options just not seeing much unfortunately
3 comments
さあ~/*Saaa*, a “realistic path” and a desirable path are not the same thing. You can come here and work as a in-house consul but that’s often a glorified proofreader job.
A few foreign firms here hire a **few** specialized foreign lawyers at respectable salaries, in patent law, IP, Compliance, etc. Try the local [legal recruiters](https://www.kinneyrecruiting.com/tokyo/jobs/) and fancy pants firms like [Anderson Mori & Tomotsume](https://www.amt-law.com/en/careers/).
* ***”Gaiben”* or Attorneys at Foreign Law** It’s a little complex and nuanced, but basically, foreign lawyers can work as law firm associates, or as in-house counsel at any level up to GC, without being registered with the Japanese bar. [r/movingtojapan](https://www.reddit.com/r/movingtojapan/comments/zdf0zz/law_student_and_counselor_trying_to_move/iz77j4p/)
* **US lawyer considering moving to Japan** [r/movingtojapn](https://www.reddit.com/r/movingtojapan/comments/ikgls4/us_lawyer_considering_moving_to_japan_in_a_year/)
* **Lawyer in japan with NO japanese skills** [r/movingtojapan](https://www.reddit.com/r/movingtojapan/comments/zwsku3/realistic_path_to_japan_without_a_tech_degree_or/)
* **coming to japan as a lawyer for work** https://youtu.be/ZUlQKgykjTc
* https://www.glassdoor.com/Job/japan-legal-lawyer-jobs-SRCH_IL.0,5_IN123_KO6,18.htm
>I have a JD, but I do not believe being a Bengoshi is an option as my practice area is extremely limited and only relevant to US.
Believe it or not, your practice area is that’s “extremely limited” and only relevant to US might be very useful in Japan (unless it something like beating traffic tickets). American employees in Japan at international firms often need relevant only to the US counsel for taxes, sex harassment, etc.
Recruiting is another field I can think of.
Without being in Japan it’s ethier recruiting or teaching. Once here some more options might open.
Problem is your N2 literally means nothing over here when it comes to jobs that don’t require bilingual and even then N1 would be preferred.