Current graduate student in Japan – will finish around N3 – Are any of these viable pathways to staying in Japan?

I’m currently a master’s degree student (MEXT scholar, embassy recommended), almost finished with my first year out of two. The degree is taught in English, and it’s essentially all research and very little instruction. My research professor/supervisor is extremely strict and expects students to be in the English-speaking lab every single day for most of the day (meaning no Japanese practice), with no holidays or breaks. Still expected to physically be in the lab regardless, it’s the rule (“unspoken” by my professor, routinely repeated by my labmates who have been there far longer than I have). My Japanese, as a result, has not progressed since coming here and the Japanese classes offered by my university do not focus on teaching grammar at all so I am struggling. I’m trying to take the JLPT this year and N3 is most likely what I’ll be able to achieve, given the situation with my research and having to teach myself everything in that arena too. *I know very well that N3 will not be anywhere near enough to function in Japan after graduation, so I’m desperately trying to make a plan.*

Here is what I have considered so far, but I’m completely unsure if any of these pathways are viable or realistic:

First Option: Extend my MEXT scholarship to a Ph.D. (However, I would only do this if I can switch universities ***without*** requiring permission/blessings from my current research professor. I know it’s technically possible as an embassy-recommended scholar to switch universities between degrees, but I don’t know if that is predicated on my current supervisor’s approval, which I will never get. He would be happy to sign off on me getting a PhD if I stay in his lab, but if I leave? I’m afraid of retaliation. I’m terrified to ask in fear of burning the bridge and ending up on a plane home.) All I know about this topic is what was posted by TranSenz, if anyone has more info, I’d be grateful. I’ve checked the r/MEXT subreddit and I haven’t found anything else about this.

* Earn a Ph.D, take 3 more years to study Japanese part-time, and shoot for PR via the HSP Points System

Second Option: Jump into a language school full-time after graduation, and attend for 2 years (would that be enough to go from \~N3 to N1, realistically, with full attendance?)

* Looking for a language school anywhere in the country that would be easier to afford the program + rent + general cost of living, ideally 2m yen or less but that might just not be possible. I can try to save and pay more if necessary. I’m open to getting a baito, but not to teaching English. Looking for a school that would directly teach grammar, and teach with goals of either JLPT N1 or career-oriented Japanese in mind or both. I am in the process of looking through all of the options that have been mentioned in this subreddit and others, and recommendations are welcome.
* I don’t think it’s possible to get a Designated Activities visa for job hunting after attending a language school, even if that was done after graduating from a Japanese university. My Japanese is not currently good enough to pull apart the details on this one, so please correct me if I am wrong about this.
* Would companies want to hire me two years or more after graduation, coming straight from a language school?? If I could get N1 in that amount of time, I could be eligible to stay with HSP points after 3-5 years of employment (since I’d cross an age barrier during that time).

Third Option: Try to get a job doing pretty much anything I can with \~N3 Japanese right out of my master’s degree. *This honestly seems impossible.* It is my understanding that Japanese employers are much more willing to teach new hires how to do the job than places outside of Japan. I don’t care where in Japan it would be. I’m more than willing to jump into a different field than my current degree (International Development). I know most jobs want a minimum of N2. I know this would be extremely difficult and I should not get my hopes up. The silver lining is that I’d potentially have 6-12 months of a Designated Activities visa to job hunt. \[International business, travel/tourism/international education, sales, office/administrative work, etc. I’m happy to do what I can in the arenas that aren’t way out of my league\]

* I would greatly prefer not to teach English. I believe this would make me miserable and would trap me in English-teaching hell forever. It would be a last resort, and I have no experience or certificates or anything for that, although I am a native speaker. It’s not an absolute deal-breaker, but I’d prefer almost anything else.
* I also do not know how to code or do any other type of computer science, and I do not have the drive needed to deep dive into it. I just don’t. I cannot self-teach that sort of stuff without losing all confidence in my abilities and giving up. ***I am well aware that this eliminates the vast majority of options for me at this level. I get it. Please do not beat me to death for this.*** I am trying to look at ***all other options*** to stay.
* I’d work wherever in Japan that I could find a job, and try to stay for 10 years.

If there’s an option to stay here that isn’t listed above that doesn’t involve a marriage of convenience, please tell me. If anyone has insights on these options, recommendations, or any other information on the topics above, I’d be grateful to hear it. Thank you.

2 comments
  1. Your info about switching schools between MA and PHD is accurate, I think. Your question about how this will work with your advisor is a tough one. Hopefully someone who has actually made this move can explain the process in greater detail–my (uncertain) memory is that it does require signature of MA supervisor, as you describe.

    >2 years (would that be enough to go from ~N3 to N1, realistically, with full attendance?)

    Yes! You are graduate student with already honed studying (and grinding) skills. You can certainly do it.

    Consider this option but choose your school wisely. Programmes at universities, for example, usually have highly trained and qualified instructors.

    You do also get a job-hunting extension visa option at the end of the MA also, remember.

  2. 1.) Beware that a PhD will narrow your job search prospects upon graduation. If you want to work in companies and the industry (not just academia) upon graduation, you will need to build meaningful connections during your study.

    2.) If you are a rikei (science major) master student, I would say that you may still be able to find a job without perfect Japanese. Like how your professor requests everyone to speak English in his lab, companies whose business is mainly overseas, will have a higher emphasis for english and relax the Japanese language requirement so long as your technical skills can compensate for it. While N2 is the general benchmark, I’d say N3 may have some hope too.

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