A little backstory: I’m mixed Japanese with a Japanese parent and a Kiwi parent. I was born and raised in NZ and held a Japanese passport until it expired in 2021. I’ve lived in NZ my whole life and only have a total of about 1 year’s experience of living in Japan (scattered in visits as a child and adult.) I’ve always wanted to live in Japan but never seriously thought about it. However, I’ve recently been wanting more than ever to live there and NZ currently experiencing a cost of living crisis has been a massive push toward me seriously planning my move.
My aim right now is to make the move around 2 years from now.
I’ve already talked to my parents about it and they’re helping me out where they can – contacting family/friends to help me with my move, going with me to help with any language barriers when I’ll be needing to sign official papers, etc. – but they obviously can’t stay to help me forever. They also haven’t lived in Japan for over 20 years so their advice now might be outdated.
One of my biggest concerns is my grasp on Japanese – my reading comprehension is about 小3 at best and my writing is worse. Luckily, I can speak and understand fairly okay and my pronunciation is close to that of a native, but I’m aware that my level is probably not enough as a national and might hinder me. I’ll be focusing on studying Japanese before I make my move but I doubt I’ll be at a good enough level.
I’m worried that my lack of reading and writing comprehension might hinder my abilities to have a decent job, especially considering I have a useless degree (a BA in performing arts.) I know there are jobs out there that cater to foreigners but since I’m a Japanese national, I’m unsure if I’d be accepted into these jobs. I’m wondering if it’s still possible anyway – while I’d love to work within performing arts/music, my best bet is probably a music retailer (which is the job I currently have in NZ) or an ECE teacher (while I don’t have a degree in ECE, as I cannot afford to take out another student loan, I have experience in working with young children.)
Is it possible for me to get a job before moving, or is it best I make the move and then look for a job? If the latter is best – how can I, someone who has a very poor grasp on the language, get a full time job so I can comfortably pay for my living expenses? Are there jobs out there that would accept me, a Japanese national who speaks fluent English and limited Japanese?
I have a written out a budget plan in case I’ll need to hold out without a job for a while so I’ll have enough money to survive for a short while but I’d prefer to be working as soon as I start living there.
I’m also concerned about finding places as a Japanese national. Would looking for places aimed for foreigners be a good idea with my lack of reading/writing comprehension? Also how reliable is Gaijinpot’s apartments site?
I’m aware I can research the latter concerns and my family can probably help out but I would appreciate advice regardless.
I’m certain that I’ll be moving to Osaka so if anyone has any tips on things I would need to know about living there, I would also be grateful to hear them!
Apologies for the long post and the multiple questions. Thank you so much to those who read this and answer them!!
2 comments
How old are you? I’m only asking because if you’re over 22, they may ask you outright to denounce your New Zealand citizenship. If that’s something you might not be keen on, just be aware. Normally it wouldn’t be an issue from what I’ve heard, but with you needing to renew your passport, it might just flag their attention.
(I may be incorrect, just thought I’d give you food for thought)
>I know there are jobs out there that cater to foreigners but since I’m a Japanese national, I’m unsure if I’d be accepted into these jobs.
You’re still a NZ national as well. So I don’t think you have to worry about being a Japanese national if you’re looking for those sorts of jobs. Only problem is it won’t pay that well.
>I’m also concerned about finding places as a Japanese national. Would looking for places aimed for foreigners be a good idea with my lack of reading/writing comprehension?
If you’ve got a Japanese passport you should take advantage of that fact because being a foreigner makes it harder to find an apartment. Take a family member with you, get them to go with you to the real estate agent and find a place. You’ll probably have to do a phone call interview with the building management place you want to live at, so just have your relative sit next to you and help you through that phone call.