Like what sacwon mentioned,
Never ever retire in Japan, unless you married to a local. Then let's call Japan is your home. But not retirement after work from different country, confirm your savings drain faster because of the unwritten rules tax.
Thank god the artist agencies I used to work help me to settle all the tax for me.

Migrate to Big Cities like Tokyo or Osaka, Actually overall whole Japan while working with Corporate Company as Salaryman is not a good choice if you know hows the tax and retirement ponzi scheme works here.
Unless you know hows the market in Japan where you believe can earn decent money until you have enough savings without worrying paying tax for the elderly. Then different story.

If you have the cliche skills that available in Japan. For example my case taking Celebrity/Talent Photograph or Photograph for certain brand related with People product, then you have the chance to work under agencies representative, very competitive but you'll get certain job because the market here is over-saturated.

I guess the grass is not much greener on the other side.

It's greener if you don't think of earning a million. or money at all.
Malaysia is still a heaven place for bankers, businessman because they know they can earn money in long-term.
Malaysia is still consider cheap when it comes to taxes, opening business or even earn a small small decent money as pocket money.

Japan, on the other side.. Not a place for person to work easily, earn easily and retire easily.
You need to work seriously, earn the money you want and get respect your value or work and become advisor or have small businesses once you reach age where young generation already took over the industry (70 y/o+)

You can get a lot's of stuff here..
The Food are good (I prefer food in Tokyo than in KK), Their public transport are the best (don't need to worry of owning a car), To own a car is cheaper (RM100k+ for BMW) or RM30k for normal Suzuki/Toyota-kei car, Very convenient (Groceries, Supermarket are everywhere, their Vending Machine are usable not for decoration), Entertainment (Music, Movie, Theatre, Concert) happens everyday anywhere.

I have lots of friends in KK (where I'm from) kept on asking me to introduce a job to them in Japan like they thought how's the system work in Malaysia.
I told them, once they move and work there.. They'll forget all their interests on Japan (especially the Otaku) because you realize you have to pay to watch anime and also there's no subtitle when it release the manga or anime on TV, haha. You'll be busy focus on the job, tired every night and forget to catch up your favourite show.

I always tell them a joke.. If you want to live in Japan and still enjoy your Anime stuff. Better be Danny Choo or anyone who are now trying to catch their dream job in Japan.
Some become Game Developer (Final Fantasy), Some become Manga Writer (got scouted and hire to do one) or become a Talent (Appear on TV Show and recently got chosen to be ambassador for a beauty product).

It's about, you want to do it or not with you own will.

For me working here is about money and experience. I prefer working life back home. People are much more open and "nicer' to work with. And as you mention working as a salaryman, is not fun at all. You cannot really make real friends in the company. Its all about business.

Thought of going back, but difficult to find a job that pays what I am getting now and also the nature of my job is too specialized and not many open position in Malaysia

I always tell my friends, coming to Japan as a tourist is fine......but to stay back and work, you need to think twice!

Yup, but am in different industry thou.
I'm quite enjoy working as Photographer in Japan, like you mentioned.. The pays is darn good and nature job doesn't exist in Malaysia.
Kinda miss the busy life in Japan.

Now back in KK, I have no idea what to do.. Job are in-consistent. hehe

I know it's hard to make friend especially in office environment, but gaman-kudasai.

great insights.

I wanted to go work in japan, still working on my japanese. am in IT line but my japanese is still chapalang level despite having JLPT N3 (going N2 this year).

Is there any job portal besides rakuten ? I believe there are headhunting agencies as well in Japan?

Sacwoc, what kind of position you work on? Your "too specialized" makes me have quite interest on the position.

I actually change "jobs" alot in the same company. I worked in IT, PMO for M&A, Communications and now supply chain in Japan. In a nutshell, need to ensure that products we export/import have the necessary documents for customs, reach customer on time - not too late or early, production runs smoothly, etc.

This thread is interesting as I used to work in a Japanese Restaurant. Japanese head chef was really strict.

So having been to Japan, how is the actual Japanese food compared to Malaysia's Japanese food?

Is it true that Tokyo don't have some special food like takoyaki?

so much truth on this....i been working in tokyo for about 5 months and i can't wait to go back to Malaysia once my project end. The salaryman life is no joke here...

office culture is abit weird as well. Maybe we can hangout and have fun in izakaya after work but the next day in the office, they behave like a stranger n "cold" towards each other.

YES!! go jap as a tourist is fine, but if for working....for me is abit

Chef here are really strict in how they prepare their food. Hence there are quite a lot of Michelin Restaurants in Tokyo. But nowadays a lot of restaurants are cutting corners and there are some food scandals as well.

Of course you cannot compare between Japan and Malaysia. Its about business and food are made to suit the taste of the customers. I have eaten a RM40 wan tan mee in tokyo that cannot compare with a RM5 that I can get in KL! The ingredients alone are already different, sure there will be a lot of difference.

You can practically find takoyaki anywhere in Tokyo. Someone fed you the wrong information. Takoyaki is not really "special food"

For food, go for Tabelog (食べログ). They have tons of recommendation.
I have my own fav place around Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Sapporo area if I drop by the city. Am a big eater of Ramen and food in a bowl (ドン) especially Matsuya's ビビンどん.

Maybe I come from a very mixture family, so I don't really have particular favourite malaysian food in me. Maybe Char Kuey Teow only.. haha
Tokyo's Indian Community version of Roti Canai is one hella flavourful food, especially Nepalist food.

Takoyaki is not a special food, you can get anywhere every 2-3 blocks in the town area.

Everything is strict in Japan (厳しい) and if you look at their work. It's all about Details and Quality (細かい) of the product that are USABLE. If it's nice but meaningful, they will trash out the idea and create another one immediately. I learn a lot from that during production.

This post has been edited by Flanegan: Apr 22 2016, 05:47 PM

hi TS, let's say if i want to migrate to Japan without any work. I earn my income from my investments in Malaysia and stock market in SG/MY. Can i get a non-employment visa to stay in Japan as a resident?

Nope, either you need to get a business visa with 5 million yen capital.
or You can get Self-Employed visa with at least a proof earnings of at least 200,000yen a month to survive in Japan, but this one only applies to those who previously work in Japan with 'Working Visa'.

Since Malaysian passport don't need to apply for Visa anymore.. You can just come to Japan and stay for 3 months tourist visa.

Japan Immigration Lawyer might help you to with this issues.

hmm 5 mil yen capital that is very low. but dont think will go for this route as i dont plan to do business there.
how about buying a house there?

Awesome thread! Looks like Japan is a pretty sweet place to be. Maybe I'll see if I can get a job there once I'm done with my stint here in China

Parking for strong interest, while question wise... Well I wonder do they have legal casino there? Working in one should be interesting.

Hmmmm... Casino, I don't think so.
But there's a lot of Pachinko every 2-3 blocks around Japan.

It's like a legal gambling area with Metal Ball Slots.
I knew a guy, very dodgy one able to make a living by playing Pachinko everyday.

Good Luck..
As long company willing to help you with Working Visa, you can work and live here.

Last week I checked with a Japanese agent and telling him that I'm looking for a condominium (with full facility like swimming pool, tennis court, etc) in Osaka City. I was given few options but I'm wondering how come their condominium is just like normal apartment (probably with nice lobby). What should I tell the Japanese agent if I want to look for "condominium with facilities"? or there isn't such a thing in Japan at the first place?