Why do all the good jobs in Japan already need you to have a work-visa?

6 comments

1. The job market is absolutely saturated with teachers and having people move over to work is all kinds of hassle for the companies, so they prefer to hire in country. It takes man power to arrange it so it saves time and money.

   On top of that, people already here are more likely to know some of the idiosyncrasies of the culture, know the language and character of the people, know how to handle the super humid summer. Be living in an apartment already so they won’t nag the company for help. Get around Tokyo without getting on the express train to Saitama by mistake. All of that shizzle.

   >I am reading that once someone sponsors you for a year – you can technically leave and go find a similar job while holding onto that same visa from the original employer. I am not advocating this but the job postings seems to be advocating this if 99% say must already be in Japan and no visa sponsorship for jobs that are clearly designed for foreigners

   See the above comment about the saturated market. They’re well used to people leaving. The whole teaching scene is a bit of a merry-go-round.

   Coming in through one of the big companies, doing a year or two to get your bearings and then leaving is just the way it is done.

2. Yeah, it’s really odd that countries don’t just open up their doors to everyone and say, “Come on in!”

   I mean, what did you expect? Does the country you are from just hand out working visas like candy? I expect not, so why would you expect something different from Japan?

3. To put it simply:

   Going through the rigmarole of applying for a visa takes months, and even then rejections happen. A time- and money-poor prospective employer will naturally take the option that is far quicker.

   >I am reading that once someone sponsors you for a year – you can technically leave and go find a similar job while holding onto that same visa from the original employer. I am not advocating this but the job postings seems to be advocating this if 99% say must already be in Japan and no visa sponsorship for jobs that are clearly designed for foreigners.

   Two misconceptions here: First, that they sponsor you. That is not how it works. They apply for the visa on your behalf and cooperate with the process. They are not “sponsors” as that is not a real term from a legal perspective Truth is, the process is between you and the Ministry of Justice of the Japanese government and they are filing on your behalf to expedite the process. Once the visa is yours, they have no say over it. The company can fire you on day one and the visa is still valid (you will still need to inform the MoJ of your change in employment)

   That leads me to the second misconception that you seem to have: that you can *technically* leave. Let me set you straight. You **can** leave.

   Do with that as you will.

4. There is a huge pool of “teachers” in Japan who job hop to better paying jobs or preferred locations.

   It’s not just the non-career ALT and eikaiwa jobs. Maybe some uni instructors here can tell you more. From what I’m hearing, university positions are an employer’s market.

5. It’s supply and demand. Why would they go through the hassle of bringing in someone from the other side of the world, when there are more than enough people already in the country who are qualified for the job?

   I would suggest just coming to Japan on vacation or going to teach in another country. There are too many “teachers” but not enough jobs here. Maybe find another country where there’s still opportunity left in the market.

6. I agree its odd
   Korea kept bringing English teachers from abroad all throughout the pandemic.
   I honestly think since Japan was tight closed for 2.5 years might be the reason for it and I hope it changes.