Since I have nothing to do since I'm back in Malaysia.
Decide to open a new thread and share my experience working in Japan.

Am from Sabah, Ghetto area of Putatan district. Just below the capital city Kota Kinabalu. or where the Airport located at, yup that's literally in Putatan district although the land own by KK City Council.
Am One of the minority where I have to tick "others" or "dan lain-lain" all the time.


Graduate from Australian University, and then out of the blue after working as journalist for a local own-state online news (which is already closed after the GE).
With my 'Follow your bloody heart and go where you wanna go'.

I chose Tokyo as my first step to start my career. The only 'Gaijin' in the creative agencies and lack of Japanese language efficient. It took 3-4 months for me to digest the lifestyle, working culture and understanding their ethical value of daily life.
Somehow, it only lasted for 2 years due to family matters here in Sabah. I have to cancel my visa and working contract and now doing freelance back in KK City.

I will post and share my experience here once in a while.

Nevertheless, if you have any interests or question regarding working or starting a career in Japan (especially creative industry).
Do not hesitate to ask me, will try my best to answer the question.



As far as I know, there's only 5000 registered Malaysian in Japan.
Majority of them living in Tokyo and Osaka.

Good Question.

Here's my personal one :

Salary-wise is fine for me, every month or 2, am able to transfer my leftover to my Malaysian bank account. or Sometimes I hold depends on the currency exchange, until the exchange rate stable.

Maybe I got the 'Gaijin' Priviledge so they tend to give me a little bit more freedom and increment 3 months after turning into full-time contract, and then another increment in 6 weeks.
I realize 1 thing about them is, if you're good at what you doing. They appreciate your skills a lot.

Maybe because the Creative Industry is very saturated where jobs come in-and-out like mad.
I'll get stress once in while especially Spring and Winter season. That's the time where all the production going on for upcoming Spring/Summer/Spring/Winter Release.

I've work straight 11 days before in Studio and Outdoor non-stop (3-4 hours break a day, only went home 2 times to take shower) but after that you'll get used to it and the agencies will let us rest for 2-3 days depends on the schedule. The manager will slot rest day for us. But being Japanese, usually they'll only take 1 day break and continue moving on. As for me, I took advantage of the system and take 2 days break, extra 1 day usually I'll explore Tokyo wandering around.

Once a few people recognize you within the industry, I'll get more percentage from any gigs you got assign.
Once in a while in a month I'll get more what I get.

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In General,
Big Corporate Company (The one where most Salaryman and Office-lady works) it's normal for them to stress-out because of 'Senpai-Kouhai Relationship'.
The Japanese hold a very strong traditional value and they seems to accept it althou personally some of them hate it so much. They don't really have the guts to break the 1000years rules and tradition.

After work, it's normal for them to go out to Izakayas with the Boss until late-night because they have to entertain the big boss to maintain their office relationship.
Although the goverment already implement after work, everyone allowed to go home and spend more time with their families. Majority of them still believe office relationship are more important that family relationship.
The local mentality here is very different, sometimes I don't get their common sense. Mind-blowing once in a while!

Once in a while you'll hear a story about a Kouhai got bully in a office. Always got demand to do this and that until the person him/herself doesn't have personal time to relax ended up quitting the job or the worst one commit-suicide because the person can't accept how they treat him/her. or worsts come to worst, some even died from overwork.

Usually this case happen because of Black Company, is a very famous phrase in Japan where most of fresh graduate or Freeter (those who commit working part-time only) avoid those company as much as they can because they know they will overwork and earn less from what they got promise during the interview or in the contract.

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So ya, it depends on personal here.
Since most Japanese I know don't really express themselves and tend to be quite if there's an issue within them. They will keep themselves.
Some able to find a solution to solve the problem and some (usually appear on International News) can't find a solution and bad things happen which is a bum-bum to me.

The Answer is Yes but not in general.

Yup, I opt for overseas. Not keen to move to KL (me bring typical native Sabahan). haha

Not sure about Malaysia's Creative industry, so far I have no luck yet. Most of the jobs are given towards Big Studio side and never heard of representative agencies before like in Japan.

Haha...

Not an expert about it but it's very common for single desperate guy to go to Soapland during their break time as far as I know..
I knew one guy who are very proud and happy to tell me that 'last night, I went to soapland to chill my spine.' A lil bit of culture shock to me.

I met a few not-so-famous JAV actress thou at a bar. I didn't know who they are until one of my angmoh friend told me the ladies are pronstar.
Bunch of normal looking, one of our gang so curious.. On the way back home, he research on the net while we waiting for our train and indeed a legit one. haha

My original purpose is to go there and study Japanese language for 6months - 1 year while trying to attend as many concert / live house, art exhibition and attending cultural event since I love their neo-modernism culture.
To be honest, I didn't really learn a lot because they taught everything formal and a lil' bit old school, the phrases I learnt and trying to converse with my Japanese friend at first felt awkward because I can't apply in real-life.
I got called "showa gaijin" because the way I speak like stuck in the 70-80's.

Yes, Japanese language is important since most of the people you will work are Japanese and their main communication solely Japanese language.
Unless you have close Japanese friend who are international-ninja (knows outside culture and fluent in English) but rare.

I met like 5-8 Malaysian who only speaks basic conversation and been living for almost 5-10 years.
Most of them working for Big Foreign Company or English Business Teacher for Business English School (ei-kaiwa)or English for Primary School Children, and of course Married to Japanese wife/husband.

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How I get my work in Japan goes like this..

One day, I felt bored after class after 1 month.

I asked my Japanese friend who are in the same industry is it possible for me to work in Japan maybe in long-term since I generally like Tokyo as 1 city and also the convenience of going everywhere without having cars.
They said is possible since I have the skills and unique experience. I only need to find the right person and everything will be fine.
So, they offered to help me, learn a few important phrases, word and structure sentences real-life and send a few agencies recommendation.

Straight 2 months after 1 month in Japan. Beside them helping me looking for vacancy or spread my name to a few agencies they know.
I apply a few agencies and commercial studio that I bookmark a few years ago when I'm in Australia. Send them an email and also post mail just to show my existence and my seriousness.

Out of 100+, I got like 20+ response to visit their office/studio just for meeting and see whether I'm fit to join with my specialty.
Majority of them have the photographer that have similar specialty with me, they're not interested to hire because afraid the job they receive can only support 1 photographer. But we still keep in touch until now.

End of Spring, before Summer season comes on my 3rd month in Japan.
While on the way to Omotesando to check out new sneakers shoe store and chocolate cafe at ura-harajuku.
I got a call back from 1 of the agencies. The President interested to meet me after one of the senior photographer hands him my portfolio. Since I'm on the way to Omotesando Station inside the train already, I ask them whether we can meet up now since I'm around the city center. They say ok..

After meet-up with the president of the agencies, with my chapalang Japanese but understandable.
He ask me a few simple question and random one.. What kind of girls I like.. Will I marry Japanese girl if I stay in Japan long-term.. haha
They hire me on the spot as part-timer since they want me to attend Japanese school for another month or 2.

2 months later, the president invited me to have a lunch with him. This time ask me some serious question.
What if they help me to apply working visa, but I'll pay for the application (which is only 4000yen that time, around RM120+).
The next day, went to immigration applied working visa and 2 weeks later got a call from immigration, brought my passport. Get a new visa and also new resident card.

3 months after living in Japan, Got a working visa and officially employed full-time.

A month later, I got appointed to do a CM for Sandisk Japan and got send to New Zealand with my Colleague Photographer for 2 weeks.
Quite memorable one out of all the gigs I get while working in Japan.



This post has been edited by Flanegan: Apr 11 2016, 10:22 AM

Hospitality Industry, Yes!

Olympics 2020 will be held in Tokyo. Don't go for 4-5 stars hotel.
You'll enjoy more either working with Guest House company or "Foreign Rental House Staff".
Usually they're looking for bilingual or trilingual staff.

Do search online, there's heaps of them.
Just try your luck and apply.
I believe you'll have more chance if you were in Japan and try to apply, of course need to plan out properly.

Hi Ivy,
Thank you for your offer. Unfortunately I'm not interested, different profession and I never take JLPT test before..
Learn all my useful Japanese by working and observing my Japanese colleague and friend.

I believe in KL, there's heaps of them who are interested with the vacancy.
I'm based in Kota Kinabalu.

4-5 stars you need recommendation from the Hotel you used to work. Like Hyatt in KL to Tokyo, my friend ended up got send to Dubai instead.

Have a few friend who's studying hospitality and work in 4-5 stars resort or hotels in KK try to apply in Japan. So far, no one got the job.
I think maybe because of the standard qualities, Japan have tons of Michelin stars restaurant in Hotel's restaurant.

Not sure where you can search, try gaijinpot or hotel's main website on careers page.

As for guest house.
Search Sakura-House online.

Yes, they prefer those who have visa from previous job but I knew a few angmoh who come with 3 months holiday visa able to land a job although they don't have working visa.

So far, Malaysian have good stand from the Japanese. Maybe a few changes since lots of obnoxious incident from the China Tourist.
If you're Malaysian Chinese, just tell them you're Malaysian and don't say "Malaysian Chinese". haha

They think all Chinese in the world are the same now.

Average Salary for most in Japan is around 200k Yen - 500k Yen.
Sometimes Fresh Graduate will earn from 150k Yen for a few months before get increment 2-4 months later.

Yes, it is Important to Speak Standard Japanese when it comes to engineers job since they have their own words and terms in Japanese word. Same goes to Science and Maths.
But IT sectors, there's big chance for non-Japanese speaker to work in Japan. Met a lot of Indian Nationals work as IT in Irish Pub (Western Bars, in Japanese Terms) and most of them don't really speak Japanese.
Of course, those single one want to pick-up Japanese girl.. They'll learn their heart out to get one. haha

There's a few Malaysian who study engineering in Japan ended up working in Japan, so far they never complain on financial side so far.
Some even married to their childhood sweetheart or Malaysian wife and move them here.

There's lots of guide you can find in Japan for free.

My guide/life in Japan are more like the local. Most place I visit usually where local hang out which is cheap and reasonable.
Tourist and foreign recommended place the price usually double or triple.

Yup, you have the freedom to voice out... Public or Online.
How this happens, all started from the 3/11 incident. The Tsunami, Earthquake and Nuclear Reactor Explosion at West Tohoku.

The Japanese, especially young one (millenials) started to voice out more on their opinion and lost trust on their politician.
Since most politician in Japan are comes from family generation, age between 50-70 and doesn't think much about the situation.

Places like Shibuya and Shinjuku always have big demo once in a while or in-front of parliament diet at Kokkaigijidomae.
Got invited to join my bunch of my friend, especially those hip-hop lifestyle friend who believe in changes and new policy for the future of Japan.
They sick and tired of ponzi tax for elderly retirement fund and also negative interest on their bank account especially those who earn a lot.

Of course once in a while if they bump into right wings (those who still believe empire era with black vans and huge microphone and speaker on top of the car wandering around tokyo) they'll exchange abusing words each other or didn't layan them. If you can read Japanese and check some of the right wing troller comments on youtube or blog where normal Japanese voice out. It is actually worst than troll or different extreme supporter like what we read in Malaysia. Some even took to another level and create a scandal just to shut them off. Which causing them losing jobs, hard to find a jobs etc. Yes, worst than the kurang ajar's if you know what I mean.

Yeah, when you got the freedom sometimes you need to fight with those extreme right wing people too.
Sometimes freedom will exploit your personal life if you goes all the way.

Yup, Networking (a.k.a Lubang) is important and easier to get connection. Japanese language is a must, don't need to be super fluent but conversational level where both party understood.

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Bingo!
Rexona get it right.

If you want to work in a foreign land. Not sure what's your plan, maybe for experience or for long-term migration.
There's no luxury or easy path to get a job in foreign-land unless you work for a company who can send you to overseas especially in IT and Banking industry, sometimes tourism.

This is what I learn when I was in Australia, meeting up with my Asian Aussie friend's parents who are basically f.o.b in the 60's. But settled and become Australian and denounce their birth country citizenship.
Took all what they have and move to Australia, try to get a job as fast as you can to get the legal document and work your arse off and forget all the luxury and priviledge you have back home.

At the end of the day, if everything all right with no problem.
Life become content and you live the dream you want.
Like the Aunty and Uncle I met in Australia, of course there's a few regret this and that but everyone always regret in everything mistake they did.

So let's say if I can turn back time or will I do it again if everything settled in Sabah.
For sure I'll do it again from point A. Since I already know the consequences and the struggle for a few months or years at the end of the day you'll get it somehow.
And also I love the lifestyle and super conveniences in Japan.

Most of my friend in Sabah says I'm crazy but at least I showed them everything is possible if there's no opportunity in your own motherland, if you know what I mean.

But if you're married, I encourage don't do that.
If you're single and have nothing to lose (throw aside the ego and pride).. If you want to experience hows life outside, maybe refresh your life with new friends and environment. Go for it.

A little bit of out of topic but just a tiny wee-bit encouragement for those who ever think of getting out of the comfort zone.

This post has been edited by Flanegan: Apr 12 2016, 08:15 PM

Yes, every 丁目cho-me (area) within every district (市) in Wards/Town (区/府) have a special board where the politician can post their campaign propaganda.
Something like this :


5 working days a week most of the time, but my case in creative production weekend kadang2 ada but will replace the break date on weekdays.

Saturday and Sunday is like any normal weekend in Japan.
Going to cafes, wandering around the cities, going to see their favourite artist/musician open live space,otaku goes to akihabara milk em out, lepak2 at their favourite park, visit any awesome modern township, admire their favourite train passing-by, dating, going to music store and listening good tune, heading to bookstore looking for inspiration, searching for the best ramen or udon or tsukemen, jogging around the riverside etc.

It's more fun in Tokyo because there's more choice and adventure you can do for me personally.

In KK, I tend to get stress out if I want to go out and meet friend or meeting to land a contract because I have to plan my time, stuck in jam, spend another 10mins-30mins looking for parking, have to pay parking, have to focus driving.. Once reaching the destination almost lost my energy already. haha (reserve culture shock problem)

In Tokyo, it's more like commuter/walking society. Everywhere is walkable, once in a while you'll get 'human traffic jam' then I'll opt for taking public bus or taxi if the destination is only 12-15mins.

Rental will be around 40k-80k yen a month depends on location, distance to train station and also the age of the building. Oh ya, plus the size.
Elite or Prime area will be around 70k-200k yen a month.

Average of normal rental will be cost around 60k yen a month.. If you're lucky enough, 40k yen a month is like jackpot for everyone here.
I manage to get 45k yen a month, 12 mins walk to Station or 5 mins bicycle ride to Station. Neighbourhood located at the riverside between East Tokyo and West Chiba.
Perfect spot for me to have evening breeze walk once in a while...

Depends on your personal financial. Start struggling in the beginning and enjoy the progress like any other Japanese who comes from different prefecture. (Trust me, they are broke as f*ck than any foreigner who move to Japan)
Or save as many saving as you can, start plurge in the beginning and slowly control your budget financially.

I booked a share house room a month in-advanced once I decide to move to Tokyo. Sign a non-duration contract deal and pay 15k yen deposit only and 1 month rental of 50k yen a month which is include electric, water, gas and internet bills. Opposite the Share House is Aeon Supermarket, basically every evening I'll drop by there to buy fresh food and vege and cook decent meal (cost around 300-400yen) for myself every night. Metro Station just 8 mins walk, convenient as f*ck and felt like heaven for the first time.

But I have that dream/ideal place, where I always watch Japanese movie (where those lonely single guy/lady own a cool small studio house or apartment a little bit further down from the station.)
Everyweek for 2 months, I'll visit a real estate agent and tell them I'm looking for my ideal studio house/apartment and hopefully they can find 1 for me with the budget I mentioned.

On 2nd month, Those famous or well-known real estate agent cannot find the criteria I want and I took another alternative way which is go to district local estate agent (those only accept japanese customers). Give it a try with my almost perfect Japanese conversation and ask them I'm looking for a studio house/apartment, in resident housing area and 15-20mins away from any public train.
They have a few on their list, list down to 5 apartment to see. Drove me around the area and have a look at the house or apartment.

Found the one I like, which is a House Studio (attach beside another apartment but separately), 45k yen a month, 12mins walk or 5 mins cycle to Metro Station or another 20mins walk or 9 mins cycle to different Train company station, 2 blocks away from Edo River and there's a jogging track where you can jog the other opposite way to Arakawa River. Decide to go for that Studio House.

At first the landlord reject my application because they a little bit hesitate when it comes to foreigner. And then I was lucky, very lucky to meet up the landlord at the office where she pick-up some document from the estate agency. The guy who help me apply the application point at me and say I'm the guy who applied her Studio House to rent and her first impression thought I'm Japanese instead of Foreigner (look and physically). Had a small chit-chat with the landlord and the landlord decide to cancel the reject application and let me rent her Studio House to me.

I had my first own rent studio house in Japan and cheap one 45k yen a month.
The first month I need to pay is :
First month rental : 45k yen
Deposit (You'll get back 50%-75% once you move out): 30k yen
New Key Installation : 8k yen
Real Estate fees : 15k yen.
No Key Money Fees and Landlord Fees, luck again on my side.

Total is : 98000k yen to get the dream house I want. (back in 2012, around RM3.6k)

Basic Monthly bills on my side for own place is :
4500yen for Fiber Optics Internet (Yahoo! Hikari)
500 yen - 2000 yen for Electricity.

Every 2 months :
1200yen for Gas
800yen for Water

Total Rent include bills is : 51500yen a month. Equivalent to RM515 or conversion RM1800+

Separate non-house bills is my Softbank + Iphone Bills which cost 6k yen a month. (Unlimited LTE + Calls, most Japanese use phone mail to contact with each other. Rarely SMS)

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And again, do not convert the yen to Ringgit because you earn your salary in Yen.
The right way to see the living expenses is by seeing the equivalent.

RM1 = 100yen.

While in Malaysia you cannot buy lots of stuff for RM1.
But 100yen you can get Onigiri or Bun in a local bakery shop.

I challenge myself to Survive with only 500yen a day for a month (Breakfast & Lunch).
Surprisingly, I can get lots of stuff for 500yen in a day in Tokyo.
Like 90yen of Melon Bun with 100yen Lemon CC for Breakfast. 300yen Bento for Lunch.

But in Kota Kinabalu RM5, small packet of M&M already cost RM3 or 1 Chicken Pao already cost RM4 for breakfast.

At least a Degree, according to Immigration Work Force Law.
Mine is very straight, a Degree Holder and a company willing to provide mandatory document to apply visa. I do all the paper work myself without using Immigration Lawyer, easier but am try to avoid to safe some cash for other stuff.

But I knew a few who don't have Degree or Education Cert but still manage to work legally in Japan.
There's a blackhole within the system for sure, I don't know how they get but maybe working experience or legal help from Lawyer.

Yup, either it will shake vertically or horizontally.. I think both combine are the most scariest one.

If work in office or corporate style no matter how skillfull you are (unless someone hires you for your skill, different stories.)
You have to start from average salary, then it will slowly increase once you reach or promote to certain position.

I know it sucks, but thats how Japan's salaryman/office lady office culture work.

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Most of Talented or Skillful Japanese friend I know either become Freelance, because they earn more from working in office.
Took a risk, go to Europe, US or Australia working what they good at (Make Up, Painting and Fashion especially)
or Open their own company with a few mates who have the same skills but different specialty.

I think I know who is that guy.. haha

Am a Aussie Uni Graduate, I apply myself thru a partner agent where I'm from, then I took risk to find a job in Japan while study casual japanese language course after graduate in Australia.

I reckon Japan is the same, but you have to take full-time 1 and half years Japanese class in-order to enter Japanese Uni Exam Entrance, from what I heard from a friend who chose Japanese Uni as their education choice.
I wish someone with Japanese Education can answer your q's.

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.