Living in Japan - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

alansmithee · 09-18-2005, 05:42 PM

I figured I'd post this here first before I'd check other threads (maybe general?). I've recently been thinking of taking an extended vacation/absence from the US after I graduate and before I start grad school. I've been thinking about possibly applying for the JET program (which has students from other countries teaching their native language [primarily English] in Japanese schools). I have been trying to get as many first-hand opinions from other Americans who have spent an extended time over in Japan on their experiences there. There's a message board for former/current JET participants, but their comments/experiences seem mostly negative/scary (I read on a site by another current JET participant that many of the people on that board don't like their jobs whatsoever, so that probably coloured their responses).

So, any advice/stories/observations on living in Japan as a foreigner would be greatly appreciated. Also, any impressions on how other races are treated their would also be helpful in my decisionmaking (specifically how black people are viewed). Thanks in advance for your advice.

Vincentt · 09-18-2005, 09:40 PM

I typed a long rant. but.. deleted.
After 5months here in Tokyo, I have found many things I don't like about Japan.

But, it shouldn't scare you off.

You don't learn these things unless you come here. It is something to get away from America, and to be in another country.

JET pays more, but they send you to bumblefuck.

NOVA and berliz can get you a job closer to Tokyo (not sure if that is a good thing).
I also know a small english school just outside Tokyo (in Chiba).

I think the english teaching jobs are kinda shit though, and seem boring.

It is better to come as a student, if you can.

Most of the black people I have met in Japan are shady as hell. They are from like Africa or somewhere, but they dress in American hip-hop styles and ask me in a horrid accent to come check out their 'young girls" and 'free drink free touch' for 19min. for only 3000yen.

No one is going to attack you because you are black.. but expect lots of dumb questions and shit...

Bob Biter · 09-19-2005, 02:54 PM

OK. I just finished a 2-year tour on the JET Programme and I loved it. The pay is great for the amount of work you do (in my case, not much), but this is offset by the fact that many JET participants get sent to inaka (Japanese for "country" or "boonies"), as Vincentt said. However, that's not EVERYONE. I got sent to Sendai, which is one of the biggest city north of Tokyo, along with Sapporo.

Of course, the ultimate goal of the JET Programme is for one to learn Japanese while teaching English, so ending up in the middle of a rice field might seem depressing, but your skills with the language go up FAST.

The application deadli8ne for the program is this September, so you should be hauling ass right now to get all the paperwork done. It's a loooong process (apply now, interview in January, leave in July), but this is a government-funded program, so were talking great pay, subsidized accomodations, free airfare to the place and excellent guidance. NOVA, AEON and GEOS just don't have that. However, you would be teaching in junior or senior high schools, which are fun as hell, but teach English as a required course. Were you ever forced to take a language class in HS that you didn't want? French or Spanish, maybe? Well, it's the same in Japan: some kids like English, some don't, but everyone has to be in class and that can pose some problems (nothing too major, though - I never had seriously bad cases). Private schools have students who PAY to be there, so obviously the interest level is way better, but NOVA and GEOS work the ass off of their staff.

As for being black, this doesn't seem to be a problem in Japan, in the sense that you won't be attacked, charged higher prices, ridiculed or any seriously blatant things like that. What you must understand is that black people are "extra foreign" to the Japanese, who are more used to white people as tourists and whatnot. Vincentt is right about the type of blacks you see in big cities. They're from Africa and most of them speak their native tongue and fluent Japanese, but rarely English (I met a Senegalese club employee in Tokyo with whom I spoke French, which was pretty surreal) and, in Sendai, they all work at hip-hop stores and just stand outside all day, as if this gives their place more cred. However, since many Japanese still harbor some pretty hardcore stereotypes about foreigners, this whole thing works for the Africans ("A black man in front of a hip-hop store? I must go there! This is a real hip-hop store!").

I know it sounds unbelievable, but I've seen it many times in Sendai, Tokyo and Osaka. I can't speak for the boonies, but if you end up there, expect a lot of attention, curiosity, and people requesting to touch your hair and skin.

However, humans excel at adapting, so if you end up living in Japan, then I'm sure you'll manage just fine. Those that don't end up complaining all the time and leaving early, but they're in the minority.

Best of luck!

irateplatypus · 09-19-2005, 03:12 PM

i've not spent more than 5 weeks in japan, so i'll leave the long-term advice to vincentt and bob...

every foreigner seems to carry a bit of novelty with the japanese, but i do think a man with black skin would have unique obstacles in living in japan. every african-looking person i encountered over there was extremely shady. they do stand outside of clubs and hip-hop stores... content to live out whatever stereotype they're hired for. don't let that put you off completely, i'm confident that with a professional appearance and pleasant countenance you'll make great headway.

Lotronex · 09-20-2005, 11:33 AM

http://outpostnine.com/editorials/teacher.html

The editorials of a black man currently doing the JET program. Most of it is incredibly funny, but he does talk about how the Japanese interact with outsiders. One of my favorite sites, good for information, or just a laugh.

jorgelito · 09-20-2005, 03:06 PM

Oooh, that's a really good site with good references and stuff. Alan, definitely give it a look. Make sure you spend a lot of time on there.

alansmithee · 09-20-2005, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorgelito

Oooh, that's a really good site with good references and stuff. Alan, definitely give it a look. Make sure you spend a lot of time on there.

Hehe, that's actually the site I initially heard about the program from.

jorgelito · 09-20-2005, 10:35 PM

Ha! That's great Alan, that was one of the sites I wanted to recommend to you but I couldn't remember the URL. Did you ever figure out what the "octopus" was"?

Vincentt · 09-21-2005, 02:00 PM

My post was a little negitive, but I really do recommend everyone to go abroad.

And Japan is a real good place to go, safe, yet still so very diffrent.

JET is great because they will take good care of you, and will not work you too hard.
It is a bit competitive though, depending on where you live.

Try your best, and if you make it, drop me a line

09-18-2005, 05:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
alansmithee Junkie	Living in Japan I figured I'd post this here first before I'd check other threads (maybe general?). I've recently been thinking of taking an extended vacation/absence from the US after I graduate and before I start grad school. I've been thinking about possibly applying for the JET program (which has students from other countries teaching their native language [primarily English] in Japanese schools). I have been trying to get as many first-hand opinions from other Americans who have spent an extended time over in Japan on their experiences there. There's a message board for former/current JET participants, but their comments/experiences seem mostly negative/scary (I read on a site by another current JET participant that many of the people on that board don't like their jobs whatsoever, so that probably coloured their responses). So, any advice/stories/observations on living in Japan as a foreigner would be greatly appreciated. Also, any impressions on how other races are treated their would also be helpful in my decisionmaking (specifically how black people are viewed). Thanks in advance for your advice.

09-18-2005, 09:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
Vincentt Addict Location: Tokyo, Japan	I typed a long rant. but.. deleted. After 5months here in Tokyo, I have found many things I don't like about Japan. But, it shouldn't scare you off. You don't learn these things unless you come here. It is something to get away from America, and to be in another country. JET pays more, but they send you to bumblefuck. NOVA and berliz can get you a job closer to Tokyo (not sure if that is a good thing). I also know a small english school just outside Tokyo (in Chiba). I think the english teaching jobs are kinda shit though, and seem boring. It is better to come as a student, if you can. Most of the black people I have met in Japan are shady as hell. They are from like Africa or somewhere, but they dress in American hip-hop styles and ask me in a horrid accent to come check out their 'young girls" and 'free drink free touch' for 19min. for only 3000yen. No one is going to attack you because you are black.. but expect lots of dumb questions and shit... __________________ .

09-19-2005, 02:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bob Biter Non-smokers die everyday Location: Montreal	OK. I just finished a 2-year tour on the JET Programme and I loved it. The pay is great for the amount of work you do (in my case, not much), but this is offset by the fact that many JET participants get sent to inaka (Japanese for "country" or "boonies"), as Vincentt said. However, that's not EVERYONE. I got sent to Sendai, which is one of the biggest city north of Tokyo, along with Sapporo. Of course, the ultimate goal of the JET Programme is for one to learn Japanese while teaching English, so ending up in the middle of a rice field might seem depressing, but your skills with the language go up FAST. The application deadli8ne for the program is this September, so you should be hauling ass right now to get all the paperwork done. It's a loooong process (apply now, interview in January, leave in July), but this is a government-funded program, so were talking great pay, subsidized accomodations, free airfare to the place and excellent guidance. NOVA, AEON and GEOS just don't have that. However, you would be teaching in junior or senior high schools, which are fun as hell, but teach English as a required course. Were you ever forced to take a language class in HS that you didn't want? French or Spanish, maybe? Well, it's the same in Japan: some kids like English, some don't, but everyone has to be in class and that can pose some problems (nothing too major, though - I never had seriously bad cases). Private schools have students who PAY to be there, so obviously the interest level is way better, but NOVA and GEOS work the ass off of their staff. As for being black, this doesn't seem to be a problem in Japan, in the sense that you won't be attacked, charged higher prices, ridiculed or any seriously blatant things like that. What you must understand is that black people are "extra foreign" to the Japanese, who are more used to white people as tourists and whatnot. Vincentt is right about the type of blacks you see in big cities. They're from Africa and most of them speak their native tongue and fluent Japanese, but rarely English (I met a Senegalese club employee in Tokyo with whom I spoke French, which was pretty surreal) and, in Sendai, they all work at hip-hop stores and just stand outside all day, as if this gives their place more cred. However, since many Japanese still harbor some pretty hardcore stereotypes about foreigners, this whole thing works for the Africans ("A black man in front of a hip-hop store? I must go there! This is a real hip-hop store!"). I know it sounds unbelievable, but I've seen it many times in Sendai, Tokyo and Osaka. I can't speak for the boonies, but if you end up there, expect a lot of attention, curiosity, and people requesting to touch your hair and skin. However, humans excel at adapting, so if you end up living in Japan, then I'm sure you'll manage just fine. Those that don't end up complaining all the time and leaving early, but they're in the minority. Best of luck! __________________ A plan is just a list of things that don't happen.

09-19-2005, 03:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
irateplatypus can't help but laugh Location: dar al-harb	i've not spent more than 5 weeks in japan, so i'll leave the long-term advice to vincentt and bob... every foreigner seems to carry a bit of novelty with the japanese, but i do think a man with black skin would have unique obstacles in living in japan. every african-looking person i encountered over there was extremely shady. they do stand outside of clubs and hip-hop stores... content to live out whatever stereotype they're hired for. don't let that put you off completely, i'm confident that with a professional appearance and pleasant countenance you'll make great headway. __________________ If you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly, you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance for survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves. ~ Winston Churchill

09-21-2005, 02:00 PM	#9 (permalink)
Vincentt Addict Location: Tokyo, Japan	My post was a little negitive, but I really do recommend everyone to go abroad. And Japan is a real good place to go, safe, yet still so very diffrent. JET is great because they will take good care of you, and will not work you too hard. It is a bit competitive though, depending on where you live. Try your best, and if you make it, drop me a line __________________ .

09-20-2005, 11:33 AM	#5 (permalink)
Lotronex Tilted	http://outpostnine.com/editorials/teacher.html The editorials of a black man currently doing the JET program. Most of it is incredibly funny, but he does talk about how the Japanese interact with outsiders. One of my favorite sites, good for information, or just a laugh.

09-20-2005, 03:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
jorgelito All important elusive independent swing voter... Location: People's Republic of KKKalifornia	Oooh, that's a really good site with good references and stuff. Alan, definitely give it a look. Make sure you spend a lot of time on there.

09-20-2005, 10:35 PM	#8 (permalink)
jorgelito All important elusive independent swing voter... Location: People's Republic of KKKalifornia	Ha! That's great Alan, that was one of the sites I wanted to recommend to you but I couldn't remember the URL. Did you ever figure out what the "octopus" was"?