Volunteer or work programs for Japan?

[Pento240sx]

I was wondering if anybody had any information or experience with any program that will take you to live to Japan to volunteer or work with little to no money in registration fees or other charges? Or what advice do you niconauts have for me. Thanks.

[USMCgetsome]

Golddigger Neal might be your hook up here. If you have a batchelors of some sort you can teach English in japan and get paid. Or join the airforce or marines and get stationed out in japan FOREVER or something like 20 years if lucky.

[Gold Digger]

To live in Japan:

Join the military and hope you get stationed at any one of the major bases.
Get accepted to work as a contracted civilian through the military and work on any one of the major bases.
Be in a college that has a program to study abroad.
Join a college with a satellite campus in Japan.
Complete college, find a job with a company that will sponsor you with a work visa.
Marry a JDM girl and hope she wants to stay in Japan and not want to live in the U.S.

Those are pretty much the only way. Sorry, but it's not easy to get over here, nor is it easy to live over here.

In order to buy a car from a dealer:
You have to have a registered address.
You have to be registered as a resident alien in your city/ward/prefecture.
You have to have a Japanese bank account.

Before taking delivery of said car from said dealer:
Have a rental/owned parking space inspected and validated by local police, which in order to have, see above.

Be prepared to pay tons of money in taxes for your car and also your bi-annual auto inspection (minimum $700 if you do by yourself). Yearly car tax. Oh, and also the tax you pay, just for living in your town/city.


If you have studied or can speak Japanese, it will help out considerably, but if you are coming over here as a green-horn, you're gonna be in for some major headaches if you don't have anyone to help you out.

[Pento240sx]

I see. I its more difficult than I tough, well I will have to look into those things, and if I do move over to Japan where do you recommend me to go? I appreciate your help, thanks.

[noelbenzamen]

Well that all depends on HOW you want to live in Japan. Yes everything is more expensive here, but you will make adjustments. For example, our taxis are much more expensive than in America (about 60 US dollars) For this reason you will walk. You can get by in Japan, but it might not be the same as in America, financially speaking.

[Gold Digger]

Well that all depends on HOW you want to live in Japan. Yes everything is more expensive here, but you will make adjustments. For example, our taxis are much more expensive than in America (about 60 US dollars) For this reason you will walk. You can get by in Japan, but it might not be the same as in America, financially speaking.

$60 dollars for a taxi? Where are you going? Roppongi to the other side of Tokyo?

While things are more expensive, it's still not as easy as everyone thinks to get over here and live legally. Not sure if the guy above me is being a legal resident or not, nor will I speculate...but to do things the non legal way can really make things difficult if you get deported and not allowed to come back in the country.

[Pento240sx]

I see. I learn new things everyday. I know that a lot of stuff are more expensive in Japan than here. I guess I will just have to be patient and get my teacher credential, then find a program to go work over there. I thank you for your help and your knowledge Gold Digger.

[Gold Digger]

No worries. It's not that I don't want people to come over here and try to make it. I just want them to be informed of what the "real life" can be over here.

Living over here temporarily would be gravy. But if you planning on doing it long term, you need to be prepared, and you are doing just that. Getting the info you need.

I'll give ya as much info as I can if ya need it.

[Pento240sx]

Alright. I'll pm you if I have anymore question. And again thanks.