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 Working in Japan, Malaysian working in Japan.

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sacwoc
post Apr 18 2016, 11:37 AM

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Interesting Thread here. Been working in Tokyo for a few years and basically there are a lot of Malaysian here as well. Most can actually speak good Japanese as they graduated from a Japanese universities. I have a few non Malaysian friends who cannot speak Japanese working here as well. But they were send here initially from their home countries.

Comparing to Malaysia, pay here is good, but the taxes are really high. You need to pay two taxes - municipal and government. Besides that you need to pay to the pension scheme that you most probably wont get back unless you work 25years. Most you can get back is two months worth of salary. On the plus side, since you pay taxes you are treated like a normal Japanese. If you plan to give birth in Japan you get lots of benefits compare to Malaysia.

As for housing, be prepare to live in a small house. If you are single I guess its fine, but with family, you need to get use to it. As mention by @flanegan, you need to pay deposit and Key money as well. However now quite a number of places do not need to pay these. During my negotiation, I negotiated a longer period than the normal 3 years, to get the rent down and no key money. My agent is very good and can speak perfect English. He help me with all the negotiation with the landlord. For two months, every weekend, he drove me around Tokyo to look at apartments/houses until I make a decision. It was really interesting as you get to see lots of Japanese houses design.

Finally you need to be prepare for earthquake. It happens often in Tokyo that it just dont get reported as its not big - average magnitude of 3. But its still unnerving when you feel the building shake.

This post has been edited by sacwoc: Apr 18 2016, 11:44 AM
sacwoc
post Apr 18 2016, 01:07 PM

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QUOTE(james 2 @ Apr 18 2016, 01:11 PM)
sound nice any good recommended vacancy
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You can try Rakuten. I know they hired a lot of non Japanese speaking people in their IT department. Google Rakuten jobs and should lead you to their homepage.
sacwoc
post Apr 18 2016, 03:33 PM

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QUOTE(james 2 @ Apr 18 2016, 02:23 PM)
owh sad i do not have IT qualification
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There are also non IT jobs out there which you just need to find. Of course you will have advantage if you know Japanese. I know a few non Japanese who are doing audit, sales and engineering who are not expat. However you must have a niche skills that makes them want to hire you.
sacwoc
post Apr 19 2016, 10:01 AM

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QUOTE(Lozy @ Apr 18 2016, 06:53 PM)
heard that even a skilled programmer's salary is relatively low compared to the cost of living there..

do you have anything to talk about programming in japan ?
5001 soon
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I used to be a programmer long time ago but left that industry long time ago. I know a few people who are doing programming for games company but I did not ask further. Also there is a Malaysian here who actually have his own company doing freelance and promoting python.
sacwoc
post Apr 19 2016, 01:08 PM

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QUOTE(Lozy @ Apr 19 2016, 01:14 PM)
Where are you senpai
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I am in Tokyo
sacwoc
post Apr 19 2016, 05:09 PM

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QUOTE(Flanegan @ Apr 19 2016, 03:43 PM)
I think I know who is that guy.. haha
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hahaha.......he is a very famous guy in the malaysian community.
sacwoc
post Apr 20 2016, 09:10 AM

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QUOTE(qwertyuioped @ Apr 19 2016, 08:31 PM)
Getting a job there is easier if you graduated from Japanese university right? Any idea how to get into Japanese universities? I already have a diploma though.
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Just apply.......there are lots of information in the web and I am sure you can find it. There are a few universities in Japan that offer classes in English but subjects are limited. If not you will need to take at least one year full time Japanese class before you can really start your degree as all classes will be in Japanese. You need to read the website to know what is the qualification needed. I did my post graduate in Japan but since its quite specialized its all in English.
sacwoc
post Apr 20 2016, 11:22 AM

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QUOTE(qwertyuioped @ Apr 20 2016, 11:41 AM)
Are you working in japan now? It seems that taking degree in japan gonna take atleast 5 years including 1 year japanese class. I think better take degrer here and then cont masters in japan. But would it be easier to get job that way?
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Yup I have been working here for a few years even though my Japanese is not at the business level yet. Well the question is do you still want to spend 2-3 years of your time and money to do your masters? really depends what you want.
sacwoc
post Apr 20 2016, 12:55 PM

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QUOTE(qwertyuioped @ Apr 20 2016, 12:34 PM)
It would be nice if we can migrate to Japan. Malaysia is not that good also except the food. I'm already 22, if i go japan now and take degree I'll probably graduate like 27-28? Thats too old i think. Also I heard theres age discrimination when it comes to finding jobs, is that true? Mind sharing your experience how you land a job there?
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Migrate to Japan? For work maybe yes, but for retirement, dont think so as it will be too expensive. But everyone has his/her preference. You might like it here. There is still some age discrimination but its not that bad. Now the trend is changing. Last time people will work for one company for life. Not anymore. The people I hire so far, non has been a graduate and the oldest I hired was 48, though at manager level. And alot of companies are also hiring mid career. So as long as you have the skills, then its fine.

My case is simple. My company ask me do you want to work in Japan....so here I am. So this is another option that you can try. smile.gifc
sacwoc
post Apr 20 2016, 03:45 PM

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QUOTE(Flanegan @ Apr 20 2016, 03:20 PM)
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.
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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!
sacwoc
post Apr 22 2016, 10:42 AM

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QUOTE(IvyCai @ Apr 22 2016, 11:33 AM)
Sacwoc, what kind of position you work on? Your "too specialized" makes me have quite interest on the position.
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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.
sacwoc
post Apr 22 2016, 01:53 PM

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QUOTE(5p3ak @ Apr 22 2016, 12:40 PM)
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?
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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"
sacwoc
post Apr 25 2016, 09:30 AM

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QUOTE(alfredbeoulve @ Apr 24 2016, 07:16 PM)
Parking for strong interest, while question wise... Well I wonder do they have legal casino there? Working in one should be interesting.
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Gambling is illegal in Japan. There is a lot of pachinko around but technically they are not gambling. If you have seen the news a few of their badminton players was ban from playing because they visited some illegal casino. They was a plan previously to actually setup a casino but I think that discussion have stalled.
sacwoc
post Apr 25 2016, 09:33 AM

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QUOTE(z21j @ Apr 25 2016, 01:34 AM)
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?
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Pretty much depends on your budget Japan is not like Malaysia where space is a premium here. If you have those facilities, be prepare to pay a premium not only in rent but maintenance fees. There might be some apartment with swimming pool, but tennis court, I am not too sure.
sacwoc
post May 9 2016, 12:45 PM

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QUOTE(z21j @ May 2 2016, 04:53 PM)
In Japan, even if you are a part time staff, you are required to pay for employment pension (usually 8%-10% of gross salary).

What if a person leaves Japan subsequently? Does he/she got to wait until 50 y/o then only can claim, or he/she can make lump-sum withdrawal upon leaving the country?
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That is not really true. Alot of this so call part timers are not paying to the employment pension which is one of the main reason the pension system is close to collapsing.

The pension system is not like our EPF. Its more similar to our govt pension scheme where you get monthly allowance after you retire. You need to work a certain numbers of years (I think its 26 years now) before you are eligible to get a monthly pension. If you do leave Japan, with less than these numbers of years, the most you get back its just 2 months (if not mistaken) of your last drawn salary.
sacwoc
post May 9 2016, 12:54 PM

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QUOTE(s|dE @ May 9 2016, 12:11 PM)
Thanks for the info guys, seems like 0.09% chance  bye.gif
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If you never try you never know. smile.gif
Admittedly most foreigners I know here are being transferred from their parents companies in their home countries, but there are one or two who actually travel to Japan and found a job/wife here and settle down.
sacwoc
post May 10 2016, 08:41 AM

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QUOTE(z21j @ May 9 2016, 08:00 PM)
Ok. Thanks for the explanation. Which part of Japan that you are in currently?
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Currently in Tokyo。
sacwoc
post May 12 2016, 09:50 AM

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QUOTE(z21j @ May 12 2016, 01:06 AM)
Seems that tokyo is a hot spot for malaysians
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Besides student there are actually a lot of Malaysians here in various industry. Quite a few are in high position who are not an expat. This means they work their way up. And of course currently we have Iris, the Malaysian girl who appears in a TV show and she is getting famous now in Japan. I think she even have her own album now.
sacwoc
post May 13 2016, 11:14 AM

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QUOTE(Flanegan @ May 12 2016, 03:42 PM)
She's famous because of the hitchhiking kan. lol
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Yeah. I think she appears in a few episode but I only saw one. Suddenly she becomes famous and have her first album.
sacwoc
post May 13 2016, 11:15 AM

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QUOTE(z21j @ May 13 2016, 01:50 AM)
Anyone in osaka city then?
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I know one guy who have been working there for about 10 years. I am sure there are more especially students.

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