Relocating to Tokyo - Please help (any answer will be helpfull)
Moris_zen
I am considering relocating to Japan - Tokyo (from a western state
US/England).
My company will pay for an apartment and health insurance .
I have a few questions and would appreciate advise from someone who
experienced it .
1.I will be moving with my wife and 2 year old child .Will she be able
to work there , how can a work permit be obtained ?
2.What is the price of kinder gardens ? is it public/privet?
3.What kind of difficulties should my wife and i expect ?
4.What should I expect the cost of living to be ?
5.What should I expect to receive in terms of salary (Technical
(Engineer) support / Training / sales / Local foreign connection)?
6.What kind of benefits should I request ?
7.How does income tax work there (70K$-150k$)?
8.What types of health insurance are there , Costs ?
9.If a child is born there does he/she receive citizenship ? how long
do you need to stay there to receive citizenship?
10.Are Japanese open to foreigner or closed ?
11.What can I expect in terms of housing (2 bed room) / costs ?
Michael Cash
belched the alphabet and kept on going with:
>Answering any of my questions would be mostly appreciated.
>I am considering relocating to Japan - Tokyo (from a western state
>US/England).
Huh?
>My company will pay for an apartment and health insurance .
Must be nice.
>I have a few questions and would appreciate advise from someone who
>experienced it .
>1.I will be moving with my wife and 2 year old child .Will she be able
>to work there , how can a work permit be obtained ?
Sorry, don't know on that one.
>2.What is the price of kinder gardens ? is it public/privet?
The price is going to depend on whether you go with public or private.
Having already glanced down to question #7, I really don't think a
little thing like this is going to put you in the poorhouse. Don't
give it a second thought.
>3.What kind of difficulties should my wife and i expect ?
Since your company is going to be wiping your butt for you, I can't
think of any serious ones. Just some minor annoyances which if you
take on with an adventurous spirit shouldn't be particularly
burdensome.
>4.What should I expect the cost of living to be ?
Well, you don't have to worry about housing. As F. Gump said, "Which
is good, 'cause that's one less thing."
We don't know where you're going to live, or to what standard of
living you expect to live. So there's really no way to answer that
question. Again, referring to question #7, if a family of three can't
get by handsomely, or at least comfortably, on that amount then you'll
be getting no sympathy from me. I'm feeding four on one hell of a lot
less than that, and haven't lost one to starvation yet. Don't worry,
you'll be alright.
>5.What should I expect to receive in terms of salary (Technical
>(Engineer) support / Training / sales / Local foreign connection)?
How would we know? Shouldn't you ask your employer this?
>6.What kind of benefits should I request ?
How would we know? Shouldn't you ask your employer this?
>7.How does income tax work there (70K$-150k$)?
Way out of my range. Can't tell you. But with that amount of income,
you should perhaps concern yourself with what your tax obligations in
your home country are going to be when it comes to foreign earned
income.
>8.What types of health insurance are there , Costs ?
Most folks are one of the national health insurance plans. Premiums
are based on the previous year's income. Your first year, you won't
have a previous year's income to base it on, and your premiums will be
scandalously low. If you hang around for a second year, you may expect
an astronomical jump in the premium cost. Nothing unaffordable, mind
you, but a hell of a jump.
The weird thing is, if your income were to drop to zero for the entire
third year of your stay, your would still be facing premiums based on
the good salary from the second year.
>9.If a child is born there does he/she receive citizenship ?
Not unless you or your wife is a Japanese citizen.
>how long do you need to stay there to receive citizenship?
There is no clear-cut answer on this one.
>10.Are Japanese open to foreigner or closed ?
Yes. No.
>11.What can I expect in terms of housing (2 bed room) / costs ?
Jesus, somebody else is providing you with the shit. Why not ask them?
--
Michael Cash
"There was a time, Mr. Cash, when I believed you must be the most useless
thing in the world. But that was before I read a Microsoft help file."
Prof. Ernest T. Bass
Mount Pilot College
Louise Bremner
> Answering any of my questions would be mostly appreciated.
> I am considering relocating to Japan - Tokyo (from a western state
> US/England).
Which? Or from both? (In which case, how?)
> My company will pay for an apartment and health insurance
> I have a few questions and would appreciate advise from someone who
> experienced it .
> 1.I will be moving with my wife and 2 year old child .Will she be able
> to work there , how can a work permit be obtained ?
I assume you're asking about your wife, not your child? If your wife is
given a spouse visa, my understanding is that she would not be permitted
to work on that. And there's very little volunteer work in Japan. Expat
spouses can end up getting very bored.
> 2.What is the price of kinder gardens ? is it public/privet?
If your company is paying for the apartment and health insurance,
shouldn't they be paying for schooling too?
> 3.What kind of difficulties should my wife and i expect ?
How much Japanese do you speak and how much hand-holding do you expect
from your company?
> 4.What should I expect the cost of living to be ?
I've seen a claim that the cost of living here is 2-1/2 times that in
the States, but that's based on a lifestyle that's as near States-normal
as possible.
> 5.What should I expect to receive in terms of salary (Technical
> (Engineer) support / Training / sales / Local foreign connection)?
Depends whether your company really is sending you over on an expat
package, which somehow seems unlikely from some of the questions you are
asking....
> 6.What kind of benefits should I request ?
If this is an expat package: full health insurance for all three of you,
fees for International Schools, airfares home every year.... go on, be
creative....
> 7.How does income tax work there (70K$-150k$)?
Uh.... Income tax is a percentage of your income over a certain fairly
low limit, and that percentage rises as your income rises--is there any
other way that income tax works? You might be liable for tax in both (or
all three?) localities too.
> 8.What types of health insurance are there , Costs ?
If your company is paying for this, why are you asking?
> 9.If a child is born there does he/she receive citizenship ?
No.
> how long do you need to stay there to receive citizenship?
Length of stay is not the only criterion.
> 10.Are Japanese open to foreigner or closed ?
Just a thought.... If you expect people to be closed to foreigners, they
will be.
> 11.What can I expect in terms of housing (2 bed room) / costs ?
Depends whether your company really is paying for housing.
I think the first thing you need to do is ask your company some of these
questions--either they are paying for all this or they aren't.
________________________________________________________________________
Louise Bremner (log at gol dot com)
If you want a reply by e-mail, don't write to my Yahoo address!
Kevin Gowen
> Answering any of my questions would be mostly appreciated.
> I am considering relocating to Japan - Tokyo (from a western state
> US/England).
Well, which one is it? Or, do you commute?
> My company will pay for an apartment and health insurance .
Good for you.
> I have a few questions and would appreciate advise from someone who
> experienced it .
> 1.I will be moving with my wife and 2 year old child .Will she be able
> to work there , how can a work permit be obtained ?
She doesn't need a permit for her job, which is stay at home with the 2 year
old child.
> 2.What is the price of kinder gardens ? is it public/privet?
Since your child is 2 years old, this question is irrelevant.
> 3.What kind of difficulties should my wife and i expect ?
How the hell should we know?
> 4.What should I expect the cost of living to be ?
How the hell should we know? You could be living in downtown Tokyo or
buttfuck Mie.
> 5.What should I expect to receive in terms of salary (Technical
> (Engineer) support / Training / sales / Local foreign connection)?
One usually has the good sense to ask such things at a job interview.
> 6.What kind of benefits should I request ?
See above.
> 7.How does income tax work there (70K$-150k$)?
You have no idea what you will be making? 70k-150k is a pretty wide range.
You don't seem very clever, so I feel that I should point out that 150k is
more than double the amount of money that 70k is. You don't strike me as
being particularly clever or curious about things, so you would be very
lucky to find someone who thinks you are worth $70k.
> 8.What types of health insurance are there , Costs ?
Mike handled this one.
> 9.If a child is born there does he/she receive citizenship ?
No. Japan is a jus sanguini jurisdiction. That fancy Latin term means that
conferral of citizenship is based upon whether or not one of one's parents
has Japanese citizenship.
> how long
> do you need to stay there to receive citizenship?
It depends. You would need to live continuously in Japan for at least five
years.
> 10.Are Japanese open to foreigner or closed ?
Are people from a western state US/England) open to foreigner or closed?
> 11.What can I expect in terms of housing (2 bed room) / costs ?
Why the hell does this matter? Your employer is paying for it, right?
--
Kevin Gowen
"The US economy accounts for about one-third of global GDP-greater than
the next four countries combined (Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom
and France)."
- "Advancing the National Interest: Australia's Foreign and Trade
Policy White Paper", Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Dave Fossett
> I assume you're asking about your wife, not your child? If your wife is
> given a spouse visa, my understanding is that she would not be permitted
> to work on that.
If the conditions are the same as for the "Spouse of Japanese National"
visa, then his wife should be able to work without restriction.
> I think the first thing you need to do is ask your company some of these
> questions--either they are paying for all this or they aren't.
My thoughts too.
--
Dave Fossett
Saitama, Japan
Louise Bremner
> > I assume you're asking about your wife, not your child? If your wife is
> > given a spouse visa, my understanding is that she would not be permitted
> > to work on that.
>
> If the conditions are the same as for the "Spouse of Japanese National"
> visa, then his wife should be able to work without restriction.
See: <http://globalwarming.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/04.html#a>,
scroll down to Dependent then scroll up again to see the category at the
top of that section (Statuses of residence not permitting work). Spouse
of Japanese National is in the category below that.
Years ago, when I had some contact with the expat community, a common
complaint amongst gaigin spouses was that they were not permitted to
work on their visas. Many left Japan precisely because of that.
Dave Fossett
> See: <http://globalwarming.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/04.html#a>,
> scroll down to Dependent then scroll up again to see the category at the
> top of that section (Statuses of residence not permitting work). Spouse
> of Japanese National is in the category below that.
Naruhodo... thanks. I thought they were basically the same, but obviously
that's not the case.
Declan Murphy
> Dave Fossett <re...@via.newsgroup> wrote:
>
>>>I assume you're asking about your wife, not your child? If your wife is
>>>given a spouse visa, my understanding is that she would not be permitted
>>>to work on that.
>>
>>If the conditions are the same as for the "Spouse of Japanese National"
>>visa, then his wife should be able to work without restriction.
>
> See: <http://globalwarming.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/04.html#a>,
> scroll down to Dependent then scroll up again to see the category at the
> top of that section (Statuses of residence not permitting work). Spouse
> of Japanese National is in the category below that.
Assuming the wife of the original poster is a foreigner and will be a
dependant, then along with sprogs, they would be on the kazoku-taizai
visa, a status of residence not permitting work (as mentioned above).
However, in the case of the spouse, she would almost certainly be
granted on application to the nearest immigration bureau a document
called "Permission to engage in activities other than those designated
by current visa status". Which in the majority of cases, would authorise
part-time work of up to 4 hours per day, for 28 hours per week maximum.
This is also what just about every college student (ryugakusei) in the
country has in their back pocket. Of course, if the wife sought
full-time work (beats hanging out in Azabu supermarkets and the Tokyo
American Club?), then it would be possible to take up the job, subject
to applying for change of visa status (shikakuhenkou). If the employer
is prepared to wait 6-10 weeks for this to be approved, then no problem.
The sprogs would remain on dependant visas.
> Years ago, when I had some contact with the expat community, a common
> complaint amongst gaigin spouses was that they were not permitted to
> work on their visas. Many left Japan precisely because of that.
Aye. But that was years ago.
--
"You call Donald Rumsfeld and tell him our sorry asses are ready to go
home." - Private First Class Matthew O'Dell
tee hee
Elbow
> Answering any of my questions would be mostly appreciated.
> I am considering relocating to Japan - Tokyo (from a western state
> US/England).
America rule the world.
> My company will pay for an apartment and health insurance .
Thats going to help quite a bit.
> 1.I will be moving with my wife and 2 year old child .Will she be able
> to work there , how can a work permit be obtained ?
It would depend on her VISA status.
> 2.What is the price of kinder gardens ? is it public/privet?
My children go to a public one and its free because Im an English
teacher. (clever readers will be able to work this one out)
> 3.What kind of difficulties should my wife and i expect ?
Lots and lots, low door frames (buy a crash helmet for the first 6
months), buying softner when you wanted whitner, spreading wasabi on
your toast,
Language would be the main dificulty.
> 4.What should I expect the cost of living to be ?
That would depend on what you earn, if you earn your 70K$ and your
company are paying your rent. you could afford to live well and even
send me some pocket money.
> 5.What should I expect to receive in terms of salary (Technical
> (Engineer) support / Training / sales / Local foreign connection)?
Your company didnt tell you so you will prob be working for NOVA.
> 6.What kind of benefits should I request ?
Ask that you dont wan to be a teacher. You may be able to get some
benefit for your daughter, we get 5,000 yen per child.(but they do
have to clean the chimneys at out local town hall)
> 7.How does income tax work there (70K$-150k$)?
They deduct it from your salary every month.
> 8.What types of health insurance are there , Costs ?
Public costs me 12,000 yen a month for 5 of us. all kids are under 16
> 9.If a child is born there does he/she receive citizenship ?
I dont think so. And why would you want it?
>how long do you need to stay there to receive citizenship?
I think its 5 yrs without leaving.
> 10.Are Japanese open to foreigner or closed ?
Closed in an open kind of way. In Roppongi they seem to be more open
to most gaijins, the girls that is. (not that ive had experience, just
reading the toilet walls)
> 11.What can I expect in terms of housing (2 bed room) / costs ?
If your company is any good prob quite a nice little place, perhaps 75
mｲ
If they are bad then expect a rabbit hutch.
Hope this helps,
Kevin is a nice polite soul isnt she?
Brett Robson
>
>Moris_zen wrote:
>> Answering any of my questions would be mostly appreciated.
>> I am considering relocating to Japan - Tokyo (from a western state
>> US/England).
>
>Well, which one is it? Or, do you commute?
>
>> My company will pay for an apartment and health insurance .
>
>Good for you.
>
>> I have a few questions and would appreciate advise from someone who
>> experienced it .
>> 1.I will be moving with my wife and 2 year old child .Will she be able
>> to work there , how can a work permit be obtained ?
>
>She doesn't need a permit for her job, which is stay at home with the 2 year
>old child.
Maybe he isn't rich. Anyway 2 years olds become 5 year olds in around 3 years
and go to school.
>
>> 2.What is the price of kinder gardens ? is it public/privet?
>
>Since your child is 2 years old, this question is irrelevant.
Children aren't like toys, they tend to grow up.
>
>> 3.What kind of difficulties should my wife and i expect ?
>
>How the hell should we know?
>
>> 4.What should I expect the cost of living to be ?
>
>How the hell should we know? You could be living in downtown Tokyo or
>buttfuck Mie.
Tokyo, that's in Kanto.
>
>> 5.What should I expect to receive in terms of salary (Technical
>> (Engineer) support / Training / sales / Local foreign connection)?
>
>One usually has the good sense to ask such things at a job interview.
>
One usually has the good sense to ask such things before a job interview.
(Kevin doesn't know)
>> 6.What kind of benefits should I request ?
>
>See above.
(Kevin doesn't know)
>
>> 7.How does income tax work there (70K$-150k$)?
>
>You have no idea what you will be making? 70k-150k is a pretty wide range.
>You don't seem very clever, so I feel that I should point out that 150k is
>more than double the amount of money that 70k is. You don't strike me as
>being particularly clever or curious about things, so you would be very
>lucky to find someone who thinks you are worth $70k.
(Kevin doesn't know)
>
>> 8.What types of health insurance are there , Costs ?
>
>Mike handled this one.
Good thing you pointed this out, he may have missed it.
(Kevin doesn't know)
>
>> 9.If a child is born there does he/she receive citizenship ?
>
>No. Japan is a jus sanguini jurisdiction. That fancy Latin term means that
>conferral of citizenship is based upon whether or not one of one's parents
>has Japanese citizenship.
yoku dekita!
>
>> how long
>> do you need to stay there to receive citizenship?
>
>It depends. You would need to live continuously in Japan for at least five
>years.
>
>> 10.Are Japanese open to foreigner or closed ?
>
>Are people from a western state US/England) open to foreigner or closed?
>
>> 11.What can I expect in terms of housing (2 bed room) / costs ?
>
>Why the hell does this matter? Your employer is paying for it, right?
(Kevin doesn't know)
Don't know about Kevin, the less he knows about something the more strident his
writing.
---
"he [John Ashcroft] deliberately left Jesus out of office prayers to avoid
offending non-Christians." - Ben Shapiro 27/2/2003
Louise Bremner
> > See: <http://globalwarming.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/04.html#a>,
> > scroll down to Dependent then scroll up again to see the category at the
> > top of that section (Statuses of residence not permitting work). Spouse
> > of Japanese National is in the category below that.
>
> Assuming the wife of the original poster is a foreigner and will be a
> dependant, then along with sprogs, they would be on the kazoku-taizai
> visa, a status of residence not permitting work (as mentioned above).
> However, in the case of the spouse, she would almost certainly be
> granted on application to the nearest immigration bureau a document
> called "Permission to engage in activities other than those designated
> by current visa status".
...providing, of course, that said spouse is happy just with part-time
work. It's not clear what nationality she is (since the original poster
was so vague about where they are coming from), but if she's British she
might not be able to get such permission (thank you s-o-o-o-o-o much for
that, Mrs Thatcher).
> Of course, if the wife sought
> full-time work (beats hanging out in Azabu supermarkets and the Tokyo
> American Club?), then it would be possible to take up the job, subject
> to applying for change of visa status (shikakuhenkou). If the employer
> is prepared to wait 6-10 weeks for this to be approved, then no problem.
Yup.
>
> > Years ago, when I had some contact with the expat community, a common
> > complaint amongst gaigin spouses was that they were not permitted to
> > work on their visas. Many left Japan precisely because of that.
>
> Aye. But that was years ago.
Truenuff. That might hold for the restrictions on the Permission,
too....