What's the Japanese word for ulcer?

[c9]

So my dear 1_2_ready_go is interviewing for a full-time job with his company in Tokyo. Eeeep!

He can speak Japanese - the job would be in English anyway - but I can't and have zero career prospects. Teaching English is always an option but would mean essentially stopping my career aspirations for a while. We're not sure whether this makes sense yet, but I know he really wants to go and won't go without me.

Needless to say, stress.

• House: we could put stuff in storage and rent it out.
• Job: I could teach English (dunno how long I would like that), act/model* (but only in English), or possibly work remotely for a company in Canada (but this only works short-term because I can't stay in the country more than 6 months in any 12-month period). We're not recognized as married for visa rules as far as I can tell, so even with his job visa I couldn't stay.
• Cats: can't go with us, can't stay with house or friends or family due to heavy budget and care requirements and inability to not get eaten/run over. No solution here yet.

The end point of all this is a big question mark. No idea when/how/if. But luckily that doesn't prevent stress and ulcers from getting started right away.

Anybody know anyone working in Japan that needs an English-speaker?

[crickets]


* No seriously! Being a white guy is valuable, even if I'm not a svelte model-type. But there's a lot of competition in this area from other slackers hanging out in Japan. :)

Comments

[skeezix1000.livejournal.com]

Wow! What a great opportunity. I know it's a full time job, and presumably a permanent position, but does hubby have any sense of how long a commitment this would be? Is there an anticipation/promise that he would transfer back to Canada at a certain point?

In any event, how would this work, if you could only ever spend half of the year with him in Japan (and presumably back in Canada for the other 6 months)? It would limit your ability to find meaningful work in Japan (unless you did score an opportunity to work remotely for a company elsewhere), and would complicate efforts to rent your house.

[c9.livejournal.com]

Well, if I can get myself a job with a Japan-based office, then I can get my own visa. If no job, no visa, no move.

So kind of frustrating that the options seem so bleak for me, since Vincent will be missing out on a great opportunity to advance his career and his hobbies.

[skeezix1000.livejournal.com]

Good point. But is that a given that a Japan-based job offer would entitle you to a visa? That's not true of every country.

Surely there is demand in Japan for native English-speaking techies, someone to better communicate and assist the non-Japanese speaking gaijin over there or their customers in other countries?

[skeezix1000.livejournal.com]

Not to mention you would have a long-distance marriage for half the year, every year.

[bartok.livejournal.com]

Google tells me that were Vinny to get the job he could sponsor you for a work permit. Obviously if you were to go your first priority would be to learn Japanese. We ran into a few "westerners" who lived there and seemed to be surviving.

But also would you both want to move there permanently? What about it being a 1-2 year thing with you staying in Canada with house/cats? I know a couple of people from here who moved to Tokyo and don't recommend it as a place to live.

[c9.livejournal.com]

We've been to Japan multiple times (visiting again in March) and living there is only a little scary - I'm sure it would be a wonderful experience and adventure. Not a permanent thing, but a couple years for sure. Me staying home is a non-starter.

Do you have a link for whatever Google told you? My research has not found that information yet, only volume after volume of other necessary information. Same-sex spouses don't appear to get dependency visas (which are different from the 20+ types of work visas).

[bartok.livejournal.com]

Just this in a forum: http://www.justlanded.de/english/Japan/Japan-Guide/Visas-Permits/Family

Which basically amounts to "contact the government". Can't you import the cats?

[c9.livejournal.com]

Ha - good timing. Import cats: requires over 7 months before departure, lots of paperwork, a terrible flight that we think Lucky wouldn't survive, and needing a new prescription food supply that he might not be able to handle. He's way high maintenance.

[bartok.livejournal.com]

Well if you were interviewing now you might as well start with the tests. Going in phases is probably a good idea in that Vinny goes first and you stay in TO for a while. As for flights, they sit in a box for a few hours, the pets can cope.

I hate to be the horrid voice of experience but this sort of thing is possibly the most stressful thing you could possibly take on. But it can be done!

[c9.livejournal.com]

We're pretty sure our older cat would not survive the flight: he would have a mental break or literally not survive it. Not interested in that scenario upon landing.

But it's all hypothetical for at least a few more weeks. Hmmm.

[bartok.livejournal.com]

While the hypothetical bit is true considering the ramifications if he *is* offered a position you really can't waste this time. If you've got one cat that's ill you'll probably have to seriously consider putting it down if you're leaving the country and just take one cat.

Also, I recommend calling the Japanese embassy in Canada (http://www.ca.emb-japan.go.jp/) immediately to determine if you can be sponsored or not. I'd also say that it might be a good idea to look at if Vinny were to get the job that he goes for a month or two first to see if he likes it before you go and quit your job. As difficult as it was I'm glad we did that when Phil got work in Wellington since otherwise we would have moved for a job he didn't like in a place that wasn't as nice to live in.

[c9.livejournal.com]

http://www.justlanded.de/english/Japan/Japan-Guide/Visas-Permits/Family

Still can't find more details on the USELESS immigration website, but still. First time I've found anything positive.

whooo off topic!

[halfwitted.livejournal.com]

Since I don't have an e-mail address for you that I trust to work:

Thank you for the work you're doing in Toronto. Good quote in the Star.

-Tim Mollison
tim.mollison@tritag.ca

Re: whooo off topic!

[c9.livejournal.com]

Thanks Tim! All previous emails still work, plus the LJ one forwards to me still too. Yay for being a little OCD about email!

Japan

[(Anonymous)]

I have a (canadian) friend who teaches at a Japanese university. Would you like me to send you her info?

@ParulekarP

Re: Japan

[c9.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Turns out the transfer is not happening, so no need right now. :)