Today I received a job offer from a Japanese company for an engineering position in Hiroshima. Right now I’m working as a accounting assistant in the US making less than 50k. The salary in Japan would be significantly lower (¥270000 a month), but I would be doing something related to what I actually studied in university. I’d probably be living in the company dorms. Would that be enough to live comfortably there? If I have enough money saved, would it be better for me to just buy a tiny condo to save on living expenses?
When I was younger I had a dream of moving to Japan in the future, but now I’m not sure. I’m fluent in Japanese (double majored in it and passed N1) and I went there for two weeks in 2013. I know a few people from there who I met as a student and I don’t think it would be hard to reach out to them again.
I don’t have any issues with my job right now but I don’t think there’s much room for advancement for me there because I didn’t study accounting in school. Maybe this would be a chance for me to do some more challenging and fulfilling work. How long does it typically take for a visa to be issued once a company applies for it? I’d like to get an idea of the earliest I’d be able to move to Japan if I accept the job offer.
Any comments/advice would be appreciated. It’s been three months since I applied for the job and it just came out of the blue, so I haven’t given it much thought.
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This is a copy of your post for archive/search purposes.
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**Considering moving to Japan**
Today I received a job offer from a Japanese company for an engineering position in Hiroshima. Right now I’m working as a accounting assistant making less than 50k. The salary in Japan would be significantly lower (¥270000 a month), but I would be doing something related to what I actually studied in university. I’d probably be living in the company dorms. Would that be enough to live comfortably there? If I have enough money saved, would it be better for me to just buy a tiny condo to save on living expenses?
When I was younger I had a dream of moving to Japan in the future, but now I’m not sure. I’m fluent in Japanese (double majored in it and passed N1) and I went there for two weeks in 2013. I know a few people from there who I met as a student and I don’t think it would be hard to reach out to them again.
I don’t have any issues with my job right now but I don’t think there’s much room for advancement for me there because I didn’t study accounting in school. Maybe this would be a chance for me to do some more challenging and fulfilling work. How long does it typically take for a visa to be issued once a company applies for it? I’d like to get an idea of the earliest I’d be able to move to Japan if I accept the job offer.
Any comments/advice would be appreciated. It’s been three months since I applied for the job and it just came out of the blue, so I haven’t given it much thought.
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What is your definition of comfortable? How much will they charge you for living in the company dorm?
The average price for a 1K (studio apartment) in Hiroshima is 52,000y per month. If you pay less than that for the company dorm, you are saving money. The first year you live there, your medical insurance, and other residential tax, is extremely low, like perhaps 2000y a month. Again, super cost savings. Company will also pay for a commuter pass to use train which handles 100% of your work-home travel and depending on work commute path, potentially about 3/4 of your freetime travel and transport costs.
After the first year, resident tax is likely to be about 35,000 every 3 months and health insurance about 18,000 per month.
As for comfortable living, how much do you spend on groceries, going out, etc? As a single person, you can have a grocery budget of 25,000y or less. Or you can go wild and spend 60,000y. Same for entertainment. 1 night a week having drinks with friends vs 4 nights a week.
whether or not you decide to move to Japan is a deeply personal decision based on your values and priorities. Nobody here can answer that.
As for your only specific question, an acquaintenace of mine recently transferred from the USA to JP, and the visa took about 3 months to process. I don’t know if that will be true for you. If you have other specific questions, please post them.
I’m really confused by your statement saying that engineering is “doing something related to what I actually studied in university” and then in the next paragraph saying you double majored in Japanese?
¥270,000 a month sounds low for engineering (I suppose Hiroshima is lower salary than Tokyo) but it could give you a pathway into Japan if that’s your dream. Usually company dorms are great value, but room size and building condition could be an issue depending on how particular you are. Save buying a condo until after you’ve comfortably settled into a life and career in Japan.
can I sell you on cpa, just passing one part and you can get a job in a firm already in Japan.
Only move if it makes economic sense.
you mentioned EE so…Micron? if so, you’re being lowballed.