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As one of the world's foremost business centers, you will find no shortage of banks in any major city in Japan. A number of American banks have branches there, which can be helpful when having money sent from home. Some even have ATMs, though often they are only open during banking hours. Many close at 5pm every day while others stay open until 7pm or 8pm, and even the machines in convenience stores may close, although later, though many are now 24 hours.
Should you need more local currency, foreign currency or travelers cheques can be exchanged for yen at an 'Authorized Foreign Exchange Bank' or at major post offices and some of the large hotels and stores but few other places. US dollars are preferred. Taiwanese or Korean currency is normally not accepted. The majority of ATMs do not accept foreign-issued credit cards, although post offices ATMs are an exception. Look out for the Cirrus or Plus logos or check with your card company before departure.
Cash is still king in Japan, although the use of credit cards is pretty widespread in major cities for purchases in department stores and hotels. The Japanese are used to a very low crime rate and often carry wads of cash for the sacred ritual of cash payment. Foreign travelers can safely copy the cash habit, but should still take the usual precautions.
Some of the major banks in Japan are Aomori Bank, Awa Bank, Bank of Kyoto, Chiba Bank, Chubu Bank, Daiwa Bank, Fukuoka Bank, Higo Bank, Iyo Bank, Kagoshima Bank, Kyushu Bank, Mizuho Bank, Sakura Bank, Shimizu Bank, Tokyo Tomin Bank and Yamagata bank. SG Private Banking Asia Pacific, the bank operating around Asia, has a major branch in Japan. Many banks in Japan are getting merged to become big and more efficient. There are also foreign banks such as American Express, Citibank, and Bank of America.
Japan's population is just over 127 million. Most Japanese reside in densely populated urban areas. Japan's capital city is Tokyo. The population of the Tokyo Metropolitan Area including the city, some of its suburbs and the surrounding area is approximately 12 million.
Northern Japan has warm summers but long, cold winters with heavy snow. Central Japan has hot, humid summers and short winters, and south-western Japan has long, hot, humid summers and mild winters. Japan's rainy season usually starts in early June and ends in middle July except in the Hokkaido region. 5 or 6 typhoons pass over or near Japan every year from early August to early September, sometimes resulting in significant damage. Annual precipitation, which averages between 100 and 200 centimeters, is concentrated in the period between June and September.
Japan has an endless supply of restaurants - both western and traditional Japanese style. In larger cities, it's common to wait up to 1 hour before being seated as eating out is a favorite pastime amongst the Japanese. Many restaurants have a row of seats outside for patrons to wait on. Fast food is popular and can be found in all cities throughout Japan. Tap water is safe to drink, however many people drink chilled tea in the summer and hot coffee or tea in the winter. Japan has the highest ratio of vending machines in the world per square kilometer. A variety of coffees, teas, soups and soft drinks can be found. Expect to pay around ÂĄ120 to ÂĄ150 per drink.
Japan has an efficient public transportation network, especially within metropolitan areas and between large cities. Japan's public transportation is characterized by its punctuality, its superb service, and the large crowds of people using it. Trains, scooters, buses and taxis are all available in Japan. Driving in Japan is on the left side of the road with steering wheels on the right. The minimum legal age for driving is 18 years. Road signs and rules follow international standards. Foreigners, who reside in Japan for more than 1 year and wish to continue driving, must convert their driver's license into a Japanese license by taking an eye exam, and possibly a practical exam. A translation will also be required of your local licence at the Japanese Automobile Federation.
In Japan, the rules for disposing of garbage are quite strict. Each neighborhood has its own pick-up schedule which is usually posted in the neighborhood at the designated disposal sites. If garbage is put out on the wrong day, or if types of garbage are mixed, the collectors will most probably refuse to pick it up. Knowing how to read the kanji characters for the days of the week is helpful, as the different types are collected on the same day each week. There are 3 main types of garbage which must be separated completely from each other:
Burnable - Household trash such as paper, diapers, clothes, food stuffs etc.
Non-Burnable - Metal, glass, china, rubber, plastic packages or wrappings etc.
Recyclables - Cans, bottles, newspapers.
ATMs are widely available around Japan. Most International credit cards are accepted everywhere. Convenience stores such as 7-11 are almost on every street corner and are all open 24 hours in Japan. You can get snacks, microwave popcorn, sushi, basic toiletries and lots of different kinds of beverages.
Health services in Japan are excellent and amongst some of the best in the world. Dental work however is very expensive. Whilst medical care in Japan is good, English-speaking physicians and medical facilities that cater to foreigner's expectations are expensive and not very widespread.
Traditional Japanese legend maintains that Japan was founded in 600 BC by the Emperor Jimmu a direct descendant of the sun goddess and ancestor of the present ruling imperial family. About AD 405, the Japanese court officially adopted the Chinese writing system. During the sixth century Buddhism was introduced. These two events revolutionized Japanese culture and marked the beginning of a long period of Chinese cultural influence.
Japanese leaders of the late 19th century regarded the Korean Peninsula as a "dagger pointed at the heart of Japan." It was over Korea that Japan became involved in war with the Chinese Empire in 1894-95 and with Russia in 1904-05. The war with China established Japan's dominant interest in Korea while giving it the Pescadores Islands and Formosa (now Taiwan). After Japan defeated Russia in 1905 the resulting Treaty of Portsmouth awarded Japan certain rights in Manchuria and in southern Sakhalin which Russia had received in 1875 in exchange for the Kurile Islands. Both wars gave Japan a free hand in Korea which it formally annexed in 1910.
World War I permitted Japan which fought on the side of the victorious Allies to expand its influence in Asia and its territorial holdings in the Pacific. The postwar era brought Japan unprecedented prosperity. During the 1920s Japan progressed toward a democratic system of government. However, parliamentary government was not rooted deeply enough to withstand the economic and political pressures of the 1930s during which military leaders became increasingly influential. Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931 and set up the state of Manchukuo. In 1933, Japan resigned from the League of Nations. The Japanese invasion of China in 1937 followed Japan's signing the "anti-Comintern pact" with Nazi Germany the previous year and was part of a chain of developments culminating in the Japanese attack on the United States at Pearl Harbor Hawaii on December 7 1941. After almost 4 years of war resulting in the loss of 3 million Japanese lives and including the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan signed an instrument of surrender on the U.S.S. As a result of World War II, Japan lost all of its overseas possessions and retained only the home islands. Manchukuo was dissolved and Manchuria was returned to China; Japan renounced all claims to Formosa; Korea was granted independence; southern Sakhalin and the Kuriles were occupied by the U.S.S.R.; and the United States became the sole administering authority of the Ryukyu Bonin and Volcano Islands. The 1972 reversion of Okinawa completed the United States' return of control of these islands to Japan. After the war Japan was placed under international control of the Allies through the Supreme Commander General Douglas MacArthur. U.S. objectives were to ensure that Japan would become a peaceful nation and to establish democratic self-government supported by the freely expressed will of the people. Political economic and social reforms were introduced such as a freely elected Japanese Diet (legislature). The country's Constitution took effect on May 3 1947. The April 28 1952 Treaty of Peace with Japan afforded a progressive and orderly transition to the restoration of full sovereignty from the stringent controls immediately following the surrender.
The post-World War II years saw tremendous economic growth in Japan with the political system dominated by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). That total domination lasted until the Diet Lower House elections on July 18 1993. The LDP in power since the mid-1950s failed to win a majority and saw the end of its four-decade rule. A coalition of new parties and existing opposition parties formed a governing majority and elected a new Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa in August 1993. In April 1999, he resigned and Prime Minister Tsutomu Hata formed the successor coalition government. 2 months later he resigned. Eventually, Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi took office on July 30 1998.
Japanese is the sixth most spoken language in the world, with over 99% percent of the country's population using it. Amazingly, the language is spoken in scarcely any region outside Japan. The origin of the Japanese language has many theories in reference to it; some believe it is similar to the Altaic languages, namely Turkish or Mongolian. It is recognized and acknowledged to be close in syntax to the Korean language. The writing system of Japanese itself comes from the Chinese, but the differences between the two languages are immense. Dialects are used in areas, particularly in Kyoto and Osaka, but standard Japanese, based on the speech of Tokyo, has become more popular through the use of television, radio and movies.
Medical insurance is one of the greatest concerns for foreigners living and
working in Japan. All residents of Japan are required to be enrolled in a
Japanese insurance program. Medical insurance is mandatory when living in Japan
for 1 year or longer. Contrary to popular rumors circulating among the foreign
community, foreigners are not automatically covered by National Health
Insurance. As National Health Insurance premiums are based on your previous
year's income, the first year of coverage is relatively cheap.
The 2 main types of Medical Insurance are:
Social Insurance "Kenko Hoken" - For company employees.
National Health Insurance "Kokumin-Kenko Hoken" - For students and the
self-employed
Other types include Mutual Aid Associations "Kyosai Kumiai", which covers most
public service and private school employees. Under Japanese insurance, you are
generally required to pay about 30% of the medical expenses incurred. Many
foreigners opt to take out insurance policies offered by foreign companies in
Japan or by those located back in their home country.
Please check the legitimacy of such healthcare products beforehand such as:
Underwriter of the product
Standard and Poor's rating
Emergency Assistance Company
Representative Company of the product
Japan has a population of about 126 million (the eighth largest in the world),
Out of this, about 75% of them live in urban areas where population density is
very high. Much of the countryside in Japan is sparsely populated. Japan is a
country of remarkable ethnic and cultural homogeneity. The non-Japanese make up
only about 1% of the overall population and the vast majority of this population
are Koreans. Shinto and Buddhism are Japan’s major religions. Shinto is a
polytheistic religion with no book of religious canon and forms Japan's native
folk religion. Mahayana Buddhism came to Japan in the sixth century and evolved
into many different sects. The Japanese people's religious concerns are mostly
directed towards mythology, traditions, and neighborhood activities rather than
as the single source of moral guidelines for one's life. Japanese people use
Confucianism or Taoism as the basis for morality.
The Japanese culture has evolved greatly over the years, originating from the
country's original JĹŤmon culture to the contemporary culture that we know of
today. The modern culture is a conglomeration of influences from Asia, Europe
and North America. Crafts like ikebana, origami and ukiyo-e form the traditional
arts in Japan. The fusion of traditional woodblock printing and Western art has
led to what we know of as manga, a typically Japanese comic book format that is
now popular within and outside Japan. Japanese music borrows instruments, scales
and styles from neighboring cultures. Post-war Japan has been heavily influenced
by American and European modern music.
The Japanese diet is believed to play a role in longevity. Through a long
culinary past, the Japanese have developed a sophisticated and refined cuisine.
Japanese food is popular in other parts of Asia and the West like US and Europe.
Dishes such as sushi, tempura, and teriyaki chicken are some of the foods that
are popular within Japan and worldwide. There are many staple foods that are
considered part of the nation's national cuisine today. These include rice,
noodles and bread. In a traditional Japanese setting (e.g. served in a conic
bowl), the rice served is known as gohan or meshi. Noodles also form an integral
dish in a Japanese meal. However, the Japanese appetite for rice is so strong
that many restaurants even serve noodles-rice combination sets. Although not a
native to Japan, bread became a common food item in Japanese food culture since
its introduction in Japan in the 19th century.
There are a number of options available for sending money overseas. The fastest,
of course, is by telegraphic transfer ("TT"), but you pay for the convenience.
Most banks charge either 2,500 or 4,500 yen per transfer (4,500 for urgent TTs)
for most currencies. You can also send money through the Post Office via
telegraphic transfer with fees ranging from 1,000 to 2,500 yen, depending on the
amount (up to 1,000,000 yen- 500 yen for every additional 500,000 yen).
Western Union
It’s a convenient and easy way to transfer money. After approval, your money
arrives in your home country in minutes. Your loved ones can then pick up the
money right away. There are however restrictions as listed below.
Maximum Send from locations Tokyo & Yokohama: 500,000 JPY or USD equivalents
Maximum Send from Telephone Banking Transfer: 500,000 JPY or USD equivalents
All senders must provide valid Identification that contains full names printed
in English spelling, birth date and physical address in Japan.
Senders who are short-term visitors or tourists in Japan must provide their home
countries address. ;
For passport to be accepted as a valid ID it must contain the full address;
include street address of the sender.
Money transfer from Japan to Nigeria, Russia, Ukraine and Moldova is limited to
JPY 300,000 or USD equivalent.
Total amount sent shall not exceed JPY 1,000,000 or USD equivalent per customer
within a 30-day period.
The most valuable things to bring to Japan are a positive attitude and a sense
of humor.
The Japanese mostly use cash for paying for things. Most stores in Japan don't
accept credit or debit cards so you should remember to bring plenty of cash with
you. You can also bring traveler’s checks and exchange them into yen at a local
bank. Since the weather varies extensively, you will need a range of clothing to
suit all seasons. Buying clothes in Japan can be an option, although they are
expensive, and finding larger sizes may be a problem if you are not near a major
city.
Consider bringing the following items with you:
• Rainwear; an overcoat; winter clothes.
• A suit for men and a conservative skirt or pant suit for women; something dark
for formal occasions.
• Underwear: it can be difficult to find larger sizes.
• Footwear: larger sizes are not readily available; slippers or indoor shoes
must be worn inside Japanese homes and schools.
• Sportswear: locally purchased items are expensive and usually polyester-based.
• Cosmetics: Japanese brands can be expensive and suited to Asian skin and hair.
• A spare set of contact lenses or glasses.
• Presents: in keeping with Japanese tradition, you may want to bring courtesy
gifts for your boss, colleagues and students, as well as your neighbours.
To minimize luggage, consider sending winter clothing and gifts ahead. A popular
and relatively cheap means of sending belongings is by surface mail.
Medicines and Toiletries
Japan Customs places strict restrictions on the amounts and types of medications
and toiletries that can be brought into or sent to Japan. Medicines sold over
the counter in Canada are illegal in Japan if they contain stimulants. Codeine
is also illegal. Check the contents of cold, allergy, sinus and pain medications
carefully. If you plan to bring a supply of such products with you, contact the
Embassy of Japan or one of its consulates in Canada to inquire about Japanese
customs restrictions. Most over-the-counter medications are available in major
cities, although prices may be higher.
Medications and products, such as cosmetics, ointments, eye drops, deodorants,
sanitary products, fluoride toothpaste and dental floss, are restricted to 24
pieces per product. Note that antiperspirant is not available in Japan.
Prescription medications are restricted to a one-month supply. Larger amounts
may be seized, and you could be charged with intent to sell illegal substances.
Once your supply has run out, get a new prescription from a doctor for an
equivalent medicine sold in Japan. Leave medication in its original package and
keep a letter from your doctor stating its purpose, as well as a copy of the
prescription.
You may also want to carry some supply of tissue paper. You may not believe it,
but in many Japanese public bathrooms and restrooms there is no toilet paper!
Thus bringing some pocket tissues along is essential when living in Japan. A
handkerchief or a small towel will also be very handy because you may not find
hand dryers or paper towels in some public restrooms.
Fuji/Hakone/Izu National Park in Honshu
This is Japan's most famous park. The entire area is covered with seaside spas,
hot springs, coastlines, golf resorts and places of historic interest. Fuji-san,
a dormant volcano, is the national mountain of Japan.
Tokyo Disneyland
The Disneyland in Tokyo is one of the top theme parks in Asia and one of the
most popular tourist destinations in Japan. There are 7 themed areas, each
unique in its own style. In 2007, Tokyo Disneyland hosted approximately 13.9
million guests, ranking it as the fourth most visited Disneyland Park in the
world.
Markets
The one market worth seeing is the Tsukiji fish market. Crowded as early as 5.30
am, it is amazing to see the Japanese pursuing their biggest passion- Seafood.
If you are on a tight budget then, visit the flea markets in Japan. Haggling is
the norm and bargain antique treasures and souvenirs are waiting to be found.
Most of the flea markets are held irregularly, so make sure to check schedules
before you go. Also, flea markets aren't usually open when it rains. So, do
check if flea markets are operational before heading out.
Ride a bullet train
Do remember to take a ride on Japan’s high-speed bullet trains called Shinkansen.
These comfortable trains can take you pretty much anywhere you want in Japan at
speeds close to 186 mph (300 km/h). There are 7-day, 14-day, and 21-day rail
passes for unlimited travel on all Japan railway lines throughout Japan.
Definitely worth your money if you intend to travel frequently within Japan.
Take a communal bath
Ever heard of a communal bath being a tourist attraction? In Japan, you can
safely put fears of public nudity aside and dip into a steaming-hot pool at a
communal bath. These are known as sento or onsen. Onsen makes use of water from
hot springs. Japanese traditionally bathe in the evening, but communal baths are
open for several hours in the morning as well.
Qualifications
Japan’s immigration laws require you to have a bachelor’s degree (in any
subject) to be eligible for a work visa. Schools in Japan will prefer if you
hold a TEFL certificate. If you have a degree and your native language is
English everything is pretty much straightforward once you have found a company
to sponsor you. If you are recruited in your home country, your new company will
provide the paperwork so you can get a Certificate of Eligibility (CEO). This
can take up to 8 weeks to process. If you don't have a degree the next option is
to see if you are eligible for a working holiday visa.