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English Teaching Jobs in Japan
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Japan recruits instructors year-round, both in Japan and overseas.
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Living costs in Japan
and especially in Tokyo are famous to be among the world's highest. However, if
you live outside of central Tokyo, adjust to a Japanese lifestyle and do not
depend too heavily on food and products from your home country, you may be
surprised how inexpensive Japan can be. Most of the large chain schools will
provide you with some type of accommodation. This is a very big help as it is
difficult to find accommodations on your own without the help of a Japanese
national. Not to mention being very expensive. Although the type provided will
vary, expect things to be on the small side.
Utilities such as gas, water and especially electricity are expensive, and phone
rates are high. For international calls, consider internet phones, callback
services and other offers for the foreign community. Local supermarkets are
relatively inexpensive if you stick to Japanese food such as seasonal
vegetables, seafood, soya bean products and rice. If you visit supermarkets
shortly before closing time in the evening, you can purchase remaining
perishable products at big discounts. There are plenty of restaurants where you
can have a full meal for between 500 and 1000 Yen. Noodles such as ramen and
soba, curry rice, bibimba, hamburgers and many more types of dishes are
available at such inexpensive restaurants. Look for them around and inside large
train stations and in business areas. During lunch hours, many restaurants offer
inexpensive teishoku (set menus) at around 1000 Yen. Lunch boxes (bento), which
are sold in convenience stores and department stores, train stations and at
temporary stands in business areas are also a good deal.
Clothing departments of supermarket chains such as Ito Yokado or discount
clothing stores such as Uniqlo offer inexpensive clothing. The availability of
large sized clothes may become a problem if you are over 180 cm tall or a big
person, otherwise. Department stores and boutiques are more expensive. Japanese
hair dressers are famous for their great service and high prices. However, there
are also places where you can get a quick haircut for around 1000 Yen.
Commuters can purchase commuter passes for unlimited travel between their home
and office/school for a given time period. A large variety of other discount
offers is available for train travel in Japan. Owning a car in Japan is
expensive due to the mandatory bi-annual inspections (shaken), mandatory
insurance, an automobile tax and the fee for a parking space (in large cities).
The cars themselves, however, are relatively inexpensive, with smaller new cars
starting at less than one million yen. A liter of gasoline costs around 100 Yen.
The use of highways is subject to tolls.
Electronic goods, such as TVs, stereo sets, cameras and computers are relatively
inexpensive at stores like Yamada Denki, Yodobashi Camera, Sakuraya and Bic
Camera, and in discount shopping areas like Akihabara in Tokyo.
While some embassies are listed below, others can be found on.
http://www.embassiesabroad.com/embassies-in/Japan
Australian Embassy
Chancery: 2-1-14, Mita, Minato-ku. Post Code: 108-0073
Tel. 03-5232-4111
Osaka
Australian Consulate-General
Twin 21 MID, Tower, 16F., 2-1-61, Shiromi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi. Post Code:
540-6116
Tel. 06-6941-9271
Fukuoka
Australian Consulate-General
Tenjin Twin Bldg., 7F., 1-6-8, Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi. Post Code: 810-0001
Tel. 092-734-5055
Sapporo
Australian Consulate
Sapporo Center Bldg., 17F., 6-2-2, Nishi, Kita 5-jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi. Post
Code: 060-0005
Tel. 011-242-4381
Nagoya
Australian Consulate
Level 13, AMMNAT Bldg., 1-3-3, Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi. Post Code: 460-0008
Tel. 052-211-0630
United Kingdom Embassy
Chancery: 1, Ichiban-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Post Code: 102-8381
Tel. 03-5211-1100
Osaka
British Consulate-General
Epson Osaka Bldg., 19F., 3-5-1, Bakurou-machi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi. Post Code:
541-0059
Tel. 06-6120-5600
United States of America Embassy
Chancery: 1-10-5, Akasaka, Minato-ku. Post Code: 107-8420
Tel. 03-3224-5000
Sapporo
American Consulate-General
28 Nishi, Kita 1-jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi. Post Code: 064-0821
Tel. 011-641-1115/7
Osaka-Kobe
American Consulate-General
2-11-5, Nishitenma, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi. Post Code: 530-8543
Tel. 06-6315-5900
Fukuoka
American Consulate
2-5-26, Ohori, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi. Post Code: 810-0052
Tel. 092-751-9331/4
Nagoya
American Consulate
Nagoya International Center Bldg. 6F., 1-47-1, Nakono, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya-shi.
Post Code: 450-0001
Tel. 052-581-4501
In the Japanese health care system, healthcare services, including free
screening examinations for particular diseases, prenatal care, and infectious
disease control, are provided by national and local governments. Payment for
personal medical services is offered through a universal health care insurance
system that provides relative equality of access, with fees set by a government
committee. People without insurance through employers can participate in a
national health insurance program administered by local governments. Patients
are free to select physicians or facilities of their choice. It is compulsory to
be enrolled in a Japanese insurance program if you are a resident of Japan.
Japanese healthcare providers are predominantly private hospitals and
physicians. Hospitals must, by law, operate as not-for-profit entities. About
80% of hospitals are private, physician-owned, and 20% are large, public,
state-owned teaching hospitals. Both hospitals and clinics treat outpatients,
and patients can choose where they want to undergo treatment. All doctors in
Japan are paid the same fee for each service. The healthcare available in Japan
is comparable to that in other industrialized nations. Urban Japanese medical
facilities are well equipped, and Japan boasts the highest ratio of CT and MRI
scanners per capita than any other country.
Hospitals of Japan work under the guidance of health care system offering
various health care services. The national and the local governments provide
these services. General hospitals in Japan play a more prominent role in
delivery of good health services mostly to the elders. Most of the hospitals in
Japan are limited to major cities only. There are about 1000 comprehensive
hospitals, around 8,700 general hospitals and 1000 mental hospitals in Japan.
These hospitals provide both out-patient and in-patient care.Yet after medical
revolution the rural areas of Japan still face shortage of adequate medical
facilities. The specialized hospitals in Japan are mainly located in the major
cities. Akagi-kohgen hospital is a psychiatric hospital that is located in the
heartland of Japan. This hospital is specialized hospital in the treatment of
alcoholism and is one of the famous hospitals of Japan. Other specialized
hospitals and the most famous ones are Akashi Tsuchiyama hospital (Psychiatric),
Chiba University hospital, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, International
Medical Center, Japan Red Cross Naqoya First Hospital, Osaka university hospital
and U.S. Naval hospital are few. Some English speaking hospitals are listed
below:
Hiroshima University Hospital
1-2-3 Kasumi-cho, Minami-ku, Hiroshima
Tel: (082) 251-1111
http://home.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/med/ibyou/main.htm
Mazda Co. Ltd., Mazda Hospital
2-15 Aosaki-Minami, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima
Tel: (082) 282-1111
Website: http://hospital.mazda.co.jp
Kobe Adventist Hospital
4-1 Arinodai 8-chome, Kita-ku, Kobe
Tel: (078) 981-0161
Kobe Central Municipal Hospital (Kobe Chuo Shimin Byoin)
4-6 Minatojima-Nakamachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe
Tel: (078) 302-4321
http://www.city.kobe.jp/cityoffice/18/menu07/simin
Kyoto City Hospital (Kyoto Shiritsu Byoin)
1-2 Higashi Takada-cho, Mibu, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
Tel: (075) 311-5311
http://www.city.kyoto.jp/hokenfukushi/siritubyoin/index.html
Japan Red Cross Hospital (Nihon Sekijyuji Byoin)
5-53 Fudegasaki-cho, Tennoji-ku, Osaka
Tel: (06) 6771-5131
Website: http://www.osaka-med.jrc.or.jp/index.html
Japan does not require certain conditions concerning your passport's validity. While it is better to have a passport which is valid for a longer period than six months, as long as your passport is not expired when you depart from Japan there should be no problem with your entry into Japan. Ensure that your passport is stamped upon entry in Japan to avoid any immigration problems.
Living in Japan can be exciting and stimulating, but it can also be confusing,
frustrating and overwhelming at times. You will inevitably be faced with
challenges, such as the open-concept layout of the Japanese workplace.
While you get yourself accustomed to living in Japan, recognize that adjusting
is hard work. View it as a challenge rather than a threat. Establish a routine
as soon as possible. A routine for eating, sleeping and personal time provides
an anchor when everything else is flux. Make your accommodation a comfortable
and safe haven. Create a space of your own and take time out for yourself. It is
not enough to look forward to vacations. Next, learn the rules of living in
Japan. Try to understand how and why the Japanese act the way they do. Japanese
behavior and customs are different from your own, but they are neither better
nor worse than what you are used to. Instead of trying to change everybody else,
adjust yourself. For instance, people greet each other by bowing. When bowing to
someone of higher social status, a deeper, longer bow indicates respect.
Conversely, a small head nod is casual and informal. However, most Japanese do
not expect foreigners to know proper bowing rules and so a nod of the head is
usually sufficient. It is also common to bow to express thanks, to apologize, to
make a request or to ask someone a favor.
Get over the language barrier by learning some Japanese. Learning even a little
Japanese will make your life a lot easier and is always appreciated by the
Japanese. The best time to start is at the beginning of your stay, as many
foreigners lose momentum and end up living in the country for years without
speaking a word of Japanese. Get involved and meet people. Pursuing interests
you share with others is a good way to bridge the cultural gap. At the same
time, keep in touch with friends and family back home.
Female teachers have to bear in mind that women still tend to take second place
in the Japanese workplace, and you may have some disagreeable experiences. You
may be shocked at incidents you perceive as sexual harassment. How you respond
is up to you, but it is important to discuss your opinions with others while
maintaining cultural sensitivity. Do not let others pressure you into conforming
to the norm of Japanese femininity.
Food of all types is widely available in Japan and you should not have
difficulties with finding ingredients or eating your favorite cuisine. Make a
budget and stick by it, as eating out everyday can become an expensive affair.
In no time, you will find yourself short of money.
Living in Japan can be exciting and stimulating, but it can also be confusing,
frustrating and overwhelming at times. You will inevitably be faced with
challenges, such as the open-concept layout of the Japanese workplace.