thanks for watching :') lmk if you have any questions below! blog version here → cybersteffie.io/blog/the-reality-of-moving-to-japan:-8-hard-truths-tips-from-an-8-year-resident-and-freelancer
I wouldn’t trade my time at Code Chrysalis for anything. That experience was key to landing my first huge international client contract as a freelancer because I stood out in the interview as a full stack designer. I’m occasionally in touch with my classmates and senpai. A close graduate friend seems to be switching jobs every two years (and jumping salaries) in Japan but currently working at Rakuten. A big chuck of my classmates, including one of my Foundations professor ended up at Octopus Energy’s Tokyo branch which I hear has an awesome company culture and work environment. Seems like everyone who joins never leaves. Lol
People forget (if they ever learned this through research in the first place) that Japan is one of the most highly defined and detail oriented cultures in the world. Lots of social ques specific to the culture. It is not about the individual, it is about the collective group. Not disturbing others in the public space is a huge cultural value. English is not commonly spoken and those who do speat it often have their limits. I think too many people visit or try to relocate without the foundation of a knowledge and actual love for the culture and way of life. Work and dating culture are not like the west. Japanese are not westerners. Beware of the rules about work permits. The new digital nomad visa is only valid for six months and you have to make a certain amount of income.
Yes, yes and yes! Lots of good tips here, I would love to listen to you on a podcast or video haha. I've met too many people who've romanticized coming to Japan and are not ready to adapt. Moving here will be hard, in a different way.
@@CYBERSTEFFIE Thank you so much for your reply, that is very kind. After my next trip sometime I may endeavor a video on appreciation and knowledge of Japan. Its something special but it exists on its own terms, as you well know. Hang in there through the ride of it all.
I live in Japan and learn langauge through immersion. Best thing to do is get a part time job アルバイト in a restaurant or Izakaya. I have done this and it improved my speaking far beyond anything school taught me.
Thanks a lot for sharing your experience! Tips like these are really helpful even though I’ve been living in Japan for a while too. I loved the way you put it all together, and your speaking manner is so calm and pleasant to listen to, without those exaggerated intonations youtubers often make. Wishing you all the best with the channel and with further life in Japan~
This was really great. First time here and I subscribed easily. And I'm crossing fingers you make videos that expand on #3 or #6. Welcome back to RUclips 🎉
Great story and advice. I was just randomly flipping through RUclips and came across. Very smooth conversation and very relaxed. I would not be against hearing more about your story. I get this feeling that you have a lot of wisdom to give the world. ADHD is tough, from one to another, I'm glad you found a way for yourself. Keep up the good work. Subscribed.
Nice to see you back on RUclips. Been here even longer and for the stuff we have in common everything you said resonated. Looking forward to more vids!
As a retired CISSP, ex graduate student , now part time teacher at Univ (Python) you hit the nail on the head! I've been here since 2019, and I can attest to your tips. I am giving a remote presentation to my old hacking group back in Virginia next week and you have given me a head start. loved the explanation about 1 year visa. I was told I need to make at least 1 million yen to be taxable enough to justify a 1 year visa. Thanks. Larry
@@zeusconquers It all depends on hard skills that you can put on your resume like, sys admin, some software, HTML, networking, and exposure to some PEN testing. Security clearances opens so many doors. Team interactions, wide breadth of people that you know, and they know your abilities. Just the CISSP alone is not enough for a good paycheck. Also in cyber arena you can expect many hours to respond to incidents, hacks etc. I am just part time now, since I've retired 15 years ago. 80K jr to 150K senior , many factors, hands on certs will get you more with good resume.
Informative, not clickbaity, straight to the point. Love it. "You are the obstacle to your own success." Definitely going to my motivational phrase list. Hope you all the best
First of all, great video! I've been watching quite a lot of "similar" content regarding moving to Japan, as a young professional with a multidisciplinary background (creative and technical, in both corporate and freelance contexts). Absurdly, I had never stumbled upon what you tackled with number 4 in this video and would be super interested in learning more! Welcome back to RUclips!
Some cracking insights here. Not sure what's the best way to say this, but I really jam with your temperament (or at least the way you've come across in the vid). Thanks for putting this out there for us. New to the channel - look forward to anything that comes next. Love from 🇬🇧
This video was really helpful. My wife and I just got through the process of setting up a Business Manager Visa for ourselves to be able to stay in Japan and that point about paying enough taxes to be able to get longer term visas is really something I'm going to have us reflect on for when I renewal comes up next year.
I think the Business Manager visa is different from the rest. You’re going to need to check in every year due to the volatile nature of business. There is a way for you to transfer for the HSP (Highly Skilled Professional) which is 1,3 or 5 years.
Ditto, I’m looking to escape SF to Tokyo when my freelance business has matured. I just came back from a five trip out there and realized some of the pitfalls you had mentioned. It’s nice to see a well thought out video about this. Thanks.
Great insight that you don't see a lot in other videos (which tend to stick with just the culture shock or touristy stuff). I'd love to see a more detailed video about EOR, as well as any recommendations on where to find a good immigration lawyer and accountant. You got my like and subscribe.
Great points in this vid. I recently visited Japan and it did make me reconsider some ideas I had IF I moved there. This video only reinforces some of the issues I was concerned about. If you can afford it and you are not in some dire situation, visiting a place first may help with any planning or at least give you an idea of what being there is actually like, thats something you can't really get with just reading or watching about it. That said, there will be situations you just can't avoid or predict, but knowing what resources you have to deal with it is vital.
THANK YOU. Finally made my first trip to Japan early this year. And I never fell in love with another country so quick. Last time that happened was Barcelona. But hearing your story is so inspirational. I’m in my early 40s, a musician also in the Bay Area, (still feel) young and single, making a life in Japan is highly desirable. I also have family in Saitama for support in case. But we’ll see!
i did the same thing as you i went to a language school and struggled with the spoken side of japanese, started again this year and have a strong base in my knowledge and i struggled with the spoken side of the language. now i'm using a someone off italki to help with the spoken and it has helped with actually forming a sentence as the person points out what i am doing wrong and what i am doing right. everyone needs to approach living and working in a new country regardless of which country it is in a way that works for them. Language helps but not always benificial having the mindset helps as well
Been working freelance in Japan for several years. I didn't know about the EOR, so I would love to see a video on that. It could help me and others significantly.
So helpful! So interested in freelancing in Japan as an option to making it work to move there. I'm a data scientist and do see data science jobs in Japan but am also nervous about japanese work culture.
Hey Steffie! I heard from someone who has been in Japan for 16 years that usually the visa is offered in a 1,1,1,3,5 pattern. And at the end of 5 years (11 years total) you are usually eligible for permanent residency.
@@BrownmannZero Not necessarily. There are a lot of factors for that visa number. Some people are given 5 years right off the bat. Usually the details in the contract in themselves play a big factor: (1) salary (2) terms of length and (3) whether the company is well known or established. My visa pattern was 1.5 (student), 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 3. You cannot apply for permanent residency with a 1 year visa. You need at least a 3. It is also possible for immigration to revert you form a 5 to a 3 or a 3 to a 1 if they deem proper reason (new lower income tax than previous years, less accomplished company, delinquent records like failing to pay health insurance etc.)
@@CYBERSTEFFIE The person who told me this was an English Teacher, I think he was speaking from his experience. Though of course, you will have to pay your taxes properly each year to move on to the next step, as well as continuous and proper employment. In your case, you could have gotten the 3 year visa a bit earlier, had it not been for the bad advice you received.
Just stumbled across your channel for the first time. I came to Japan when I was 18 in part to escape from the situation I was in and put myself in back home in Australia. Been here 35 years now and can really relate to a lot of things you comment about. Language: I was teaching English and attending a Japanese language school in the day 2 or 3 times a week. I quit the language school after a month and decided to work as a bartender a few nights a week and put myself in a situation where I simply had to use the language. After 2 years I was totally comfortable conversing in Japanese in almost any topic. Motivation to learn is key! Income potential: Total agree that Japanese ability has very little to do with how much you earn. It all comes down to what industry to decide to work in. I went to university and then graduate school in Japan and majored in Sports and Health Science and am now a university professor in that field. The salary is the same as what other Japanese people earn in that field. Not bad income but not making me super rich either. But life is about doing what you love so it's all good! Never needed an immigration lawyer because I was always employed by a Japanese company buy even though I had lived in Japan for over 15 years (12 as a student). I couldn't get a permanent visa because I hadn't been paying tax for 5 years (I was living off student scholarships). As soon as I had worked at my current university for 5 years and reapplied for the permanent visa I got it straight away. So yes, its not random it's about how much tax you have paid and for how long you have been paying it. I had some really bad experiences with key money also and it really matters when you are living month by month. Changing apartments frequently just wastes that money especially if you lived in a place that has Japanese tatami mats because you have to pay for them to be replaced even if you only stayed in the apartment for a few days. It is what it is. I was not in a relationship when I came to Japan but I can say that having foreign friend you make in Japan can be quite sad because most of them leave eventually. It's hard to make Japanese friends the same way as foreign friends even if you speak the language perfectly. No matter how good at Japanese you become you will never look at the world the same way most Japanese people do and will feel the gap. That said, I have of course made many Japanese friends that are friends for life despite not seeing them much anymore. Staying positive and believing in yourself is so important! My motivation was succeed in sport here despite there being no advantage being a foreigner here in that field. I try to adhere to the GROW model to keep myself grounded and continuing to try and accomplish new goals. Presently it's trying to break 80 at golf so Japan has done well by me I guess! Hope to see you put out more content!
@@CYBERSTEFFIE That's a fair/valid point! :) I'm glad you learned from the experience and are now sharing what you wish you knew with others. As someone planning to move to Japan, this could really help me. Like, I didn't even know about the key money thing.
It's been 10 years in Japan and to this day nothing has changed, and a big recession/depression around the corner is going to end it all. From that point on, I will vow not to repeat the same mistakes that lead up to this 🤞
No doubt "wherever you go there you are" but I'll take learning life lessons in Tokyo over San Francisco any day. Excellent video and congratulations on your expat accomplishments.
Living the dream! I wanna live in japan to experience and learn all about the culture too. That part you said about learning the language doesnt guarantee a job was real ha. Being able to talk to ppl is like bear min of society, having a skill is huge. Congrats on making it work even thru the good n bad parts of it. 👏🎉 great tips
I came back to Japan in late 2015, after having been here on a visa from 2005 to the end of 2010. When I came back, I did so with my own company (Frederick W Gundlach LLC). Steffie, you make a lot of good points.
It has been a while since you posted on RUclips but has it been years? 🤯 Language schools are great for things like learning the basics, being able to read, etc. But it's best to actual be around native speakers to learn how to communicate in everyday life and in a professional setting. This was very informative. As with anything in life, a lot of times we need to hit rock bottom to be able to build ourselves up and become even better. Sometimes it's good to step away from things and start from scratch. See what works for you and keep going from there.
QUESTIONS please 🙏; (Great informatively helpful video btw)... 1.) Do you remember the yen amount you have to pay in taxes to obtain the 3 year visa?? 2.) Was your ADHD diagnosed while in Japan? 3.) Can you get treatment/medication for it in Japan, effectively, because my understanding is that Japan in general, doesn't address issues regarding ADHD much...?? So, we are moving to Japan next year. I have managed with hardships, to exist and get by with my untreated ADHD my whole life... but my young adult daughter is definitely struggling. i know she has undiagnosed ADHD and suffers from it. She received some free American governmental low quality mental health care briefly, and was only (mis?)diagnosed with severe depression with suicidal tendencies. After 18 years of age, her counseling had stopped, she entered an expensive university and is failing everything now, when she used to be a 4.0 A+ kid before puberty took over. I always see her spiraling and her Japanese tiger mom's only solution is to constantly verbally assault her. New appointments for ADHD testing has not been possible/available here yet for some reason, and she will have to return back to distant college soon again... so, do you think she could be treated if she comes with us to Japan, or maybe she has to stay behind in the free American "health care" mess if that's all she can get...???... im just worried that her life is in jeopardy if untreated and continued misdiagnosis.... Thank you so much, im reaching out because i felt that maybe you could relate...?
HEY first of all I am so sorry you're going through this with your daughter. Let me answer some questions you have. 1) It was 5.6mil taxable. I don't want to attribute my taxable income as the ONLY thing that helped me get 3 years, because my application had a lot of other supporting documents. I had my new contract in Japanese and had 5 year renewal period, stated my potential income (more than the 5.6mil). I also had a heartfelt letter that I wrote in Japanese and had 4 native speakers look over and edit. I also had letters of recommendation from my guarantor and an award my recent project won that year of application. I did ask for 5 years. They gave me 3 and I'm quite alright with that. I will have more info about this in my eBook, so if you're interested it please sign up for the waitlist! 2) Yes. I had no idea until life got really hard in 2020 and I literally lost control. This is what my next video is going to be about so stay tuned. 3) Some medication is available. Popular ones are concerta and strattera. This is exactly what I will be talking about in the next video, and in addition how to get affordable ADHD care, which is not as accessible for foreigners. Short answer to your question for help your daughter's ADHD struggles, I really can't compare ADHD care in America and Japan because 100% of my mental health care has been in Japan. I don't have US health insurance since I left and I've never seen an American psychiatrist. For now I can recommend some posts on Reddit I've gone into detail about my medication and my story (you can see I'm quite active in the mental health area-- because that's where I found help.) I have noticed that Japan Reddits lean on the negative side. I don't want you to think it encompasses how all foreigners think about Japan. Hope this helps for now: www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/1cqm42y/comment/l8pq6ku/
Quality video - definitely resonated。。。 been in Tokyo the past 3 years and was raised in a half-Japanese / American family. Love the come back ~ cheers 👏
@cybersteffie Right? 😂 Identity crisis in the states growing up accompanied by the second wave of Asian / western identity crisis in Japan… lol let’s make a video on that.
My family is half Japanese and we spend time in Japan. But I feel that the pension system will destroy foreigners. One day you'll be old. And you need ~$2mil invested at 4% to retire.
6:40 Great video and thanks for sharing your experience! Absolutely resonate with lots of these things after living in Tokyo for 7 months and studying Japanese at a language school. I’m assessing my career options now, Recruiting is one but have also thought about Software Development. Looks like freelancing with your software skills is working well for you - I’m curious about your experience at Code Chrysalis coding bootcamp and how successful it is at launching careers in tech, such as: 1) What was the timeline from graduating to launching your coding career in/from Tokyo? 2) Since you’ve graduated a while back and now running your own business, perhaps a different angle of my question is, if you are still in contact with your coding classmates, what are they doing now? 3) How much (hrs per week?) do you have to re-skill with new tech coming out? 4) If you had to go back in time, are there things you would’ve done differently? Really appreciate the work put into this video and the blog 🙏
Ive lived here for 25 years plus. I actually couldn't even come up with one hard truth if you asked me. I think over time you just get accustomed to everything to the point where it feels normal. Perspective and mindset changes over time. I`m sure i had a long list back in the day.
@@CYBERSTEFFIE Thanks. In all my time here I've never gotten homesick once so integrating well into a different environment and culture may also be related to someone's personality as well. I think I'm pretty flexible and can rationalize everything in my mind even if it doesn't make sense logically.
I finally made solo plans to visit Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka in September. I just got tickets to teamLaB Borderless, and I'm confirming dates to DJ at Débris and BAIA, but it'd be great if you had suggestions on things to do during the day.
Great video it was really helpful. Can you please dive into EOR? I’m currently working remotely for a company in the US however I need to sort out my taxes, HR and all of that and I think that your information will come in very handy
@@steffieinjapan yes, we arrived on the first week of march. My wife is Japanese so I’m on a Spousal visa and I’m currently in the middle of sorting things out with my company but I want to know what my options are and if there is something I could do to make things “easier” for my current employer as to make this happen sooner than later
Being able to say I truly own my own house (in hard cash)every day would give and gratitude instead of living in a tiny apartment without universal Healthcare with no way to afford to buy a home even with a huge mortgage for 30 years. So a lot of huge opportunities in Japan and lots of business opportunities due to lots of market inefficiencies some due to cultural norms that a foreigner capitalize on. Such as the the Akiya problem or the garbage problem or the language barrier problem etc etc.
This is the first video I see of you but you seem very interesting! Subbed, hope you post more! I've also been on a YT hiatus (for a year and a half) because life got busy but I can't wait to be back!!!❤
hey fellow creator!! thank you so much!! sometimes we need the break. :) i sure did. when you come back you'll have a fresh angle and perspective that you didn't have before.
I'm very interested in point 4. I'm a freelancer and assumed I'd have to give it up if I managed to find a Japanese company to hire me and sponsor my visa. Would love to know how you set up and navigated that.
Self-taught for one year in 2018, then in 2019 I joined Code Chrysalis coding bootcamp. That was enough to get my a full-time job for 1 year, then transition to freelance work. It's worth checking out Le Wagon Tokyo and their programs because it's not just limited to software engineering. Though I personally went to CC, I know many successful graduates from Le Wagon as well.
Very interesting perspective! I am a fairly long term expat - 15 years. I love Japan! The only thing is I find it difficult to develop really deep relationships with other same-age Japanese people. (I’m a guy, btw.) I have gotten used to it - and my family fills that need in my life. It’s just a thing that will never be, I guess. Lot’s of great acquaintances- and people in general are all great in my opinion. Just I feel there is a wall that will always be there. To be clear, I could totally be the cause as well. (Just not trying hard enough, etc.) Just something I have noticed in my experience.
Through the Japanese language school you could only learn the basic Japanese but as to communicate with Japanese you have to learn the way of speaking 敬語けいごespecially with the customer or people you meet for the first time then you could continue the conversation.
wow, i just moved to japan and this is relly great info. hope you can teach me other life's hack to survive in japan it is really hard to find friends here
Hey I've been there! Welcome!!! Stay tuned. You can lmk what suggestions you have for videos. I also have a Discord community you might be interested in with #suggestions and #japan-life channels.
Surely they have some standards for visa's period. I work as a contract staff at same company for 6 years, every year i got 1 year visa but finally this year i got 5 years. All the contract terms were same, salary raised only, but this year I got a perm contract via labor regulation, result was changed.
you're absolutely right, there was multiple factors forsure. your income increasing over time + general taxable income is definitely one of them. but also the contract term needs to be 3 years or more if you want the 3 year visa, 5 years or more if you want the 5 year visa. my recent contract had 5 years on it, but i still received the 3 year visa. which i'm still happy about.
Very helpful!😁 How did you go about the adhd? Did you get medication? Ive been trying to get treated myslef but dont really know where to start in japan, i was diagnosed in my home country already.
I have ADHD too I feel a desk job is not possible for me and I like helping people so counselling is my career choice. Sadly its not possible to be a counsellor in Japan if I am not a native speaker
Sorry San Francisco does suck though. The Bay Area overall is ok, except for insane cost of living, insane real estate market, horrific traffic and a culture that is not very welcoming to non-natives (yeah that happens in other places too). Language. Needing to get a “language partner” or Japanese speaking friends in order to become more fluent… sorry but that’s an obvious one. Job skills vs Japanese language skills. Truth. Japanese helps to expand your marketability, but if that’s all you got, you’re going to get crappy low-paying jobs. Your primary job skills… be it software engineering, project management, or system/network engineering… that’s going to be the big one to land the good paying jobs.
can ya recommend the good immigration lawyer u got? also wait so u can like not pay taxes in japan cause it sounded like u were not paying taxes? what was that situation?
You need to pay income tax if you're making money and living in Japan by law. If you're a freelancer, and fill out the form with a blue form, you're considered a sole proprietor and there are certain things that can be justified as expenses, which can include your internet, cell phone, a portion of your rent (if you work from home) and any supplies that support the work that you do (laptop, accessories, camera, etc.). Your income is the amount of money you've made. Your taxable income is your money that is qualified for tax after expenses. If you're taxable income is around 3.5-4 million jpy and you're contract is 1 year or less from a smaller company, I can almost assure you you'll get a 1 year visa. What I did this past year was not list things as expenses (even though they were business expenses) and declared around 5.6-6mil, and a bunch of other things.
Hey Steffie! Hi from Fukuoka 🙋🏽♂️ Welcome back to the RUclips, awesome to see and great edit. Love seeing others perspectives and stories living here. Can you ever see yourself living in a different city, if so, where? Christian 🙋🏽♂️🇯🇵
Hey Christian! Yoroshiku ne. I've always live in Tokyo just for the vast number of international opportunities present, but I have entertained the idea of moving to a smaller city in Japan. I mean the housing pricing alone makes it desirable! Haha
@@CYBERSTEFFIEhaha Yeah those housing prices in Tokyo can be wild. It’s where I’ve spent most of my time before moving here. Being in the tech world in Tokyo, have many of your friends spoken about Fukuoka? Huge tech startup scene here. I’m making a video with a founder here soon but I’m interested to know if other cities know about the scene here hey?
Not sure if you talked about that anywhere (since this is the first video of yours I've watched), but I would like to know more about your coding phase. I'm currently thinking of changing career paths and coding is an area I'm interested in. I would like to know how that is in Japan. Thank you!
Hello! It's a bit outdated but I did do a Q&A at the coding bootcamp I went to in 2019 right after I graduated. Me and another classmate was offered a job through them during the bootcamp, so I never personally experienced their career support part of the course. So I was actually employed BY them while I made and published this video. They did not pay me for this (that would've been nice lol). It was not part of my job, but part of my initiative to be a RUclipsr. Just wanted to aknowledge that. It's definitely the more rosy me right before my depression/ADHD diganosis so please take it with a grain of salt. This was also before I got offered a fullstack designer job at an american cybersecurity firm that lead me to a deeper understanding of the freelancing in Japan. ruclips.net/video/eB2oBZzVSCw/видео.html
Japan isn't the most welcoming place to live, but it is much better than Canada. Japan has a better heatlhcare system, better housing, better transportation, better school system, etc. Canada is a third world dumpster compared to Japan. I lived in both countries and I know these truths very well.
You mention youre a freelancer. What do you freelance in? I thought it was programming, but at the end of the video where you said you learned to code there, it became obvious, i assumed incorrectly
@@richfamous6845 I coin myself as a creative technologist as my skill set covers a wide array of tech services. I would not have the confidence to do that if i didn’t work as a programmer. I would say these days I do a lot more marketing and design focused work but the coding background is necessary for the things i create. It doesn’t take up a majority of my workflow though.
@@CYBERSTEFFIE Interesting. So were you programming when you first landed in japan? Did you do the bootcamp there? Creative technologist? Hmmm, not sure what that means. Do you provide a service to businesses, or your own business? Do you have a website that describes your services?
My job allows me work remotely from anywhere in the world. Is it possible to stay in Japan for longer than 6 months without using the digital nomad visa? Or staying for three using the tourist visa? Let me know, thanks!
Yes, depending on your passport country. Generally it's 3 month tourist visa, then you'll have to take an international trip. I know some people who will book 2 days in Korea and come back to Japan for another 3-months. Unless you're trying to stay in Japan long term, apply for a 1-2 year rental lease, get a Japanese housing loan, or your countries tax rate is higher than Japan's... a tourist visa might just be fine for you. If you have more questions you can book me! Or just wait for my POE/EOR video and eBook which I'm planning to release in the following months. Links are in description.
There is no freelance visa. All the aspiring foreign photographers making any money, including on a humanities visa without declaring it are in a dark gray area. They oftentimes have a second bank account which is not declared to immigration and use that for freelance activities. Then if you’re lucky enough to earn 1 million yen the bank will flag you and you’ll be questioned on where it came from. To reiterate; there is NO freelance visa. If you want to earn money in creative fields in Japan you have to either get a job in that field; start your own business or become a permanent resident.
There is no freelance visa correct. But you CAN legally freelance though without being a kaishain, and you do not have to make a company, and you don't need to be hired full time. I am living proof. My first work visa was Humanities (most flexible visa for freelance work in misc fields). The company I was brought on as a part-time contractor for literally says in their contract "we don't sponsor visas." But when I asked them if I could have document A, B, and C, to renew my visa, they said yes. I just had to do everything myself.
I heard that another contractor was able to do this at the company, and after researching on RUclips, I went to immigration myself and was able to get 1 year visas this way for the longest time. Finally on my 3 year visa. And I am still freelancing.
Hello. I just found your channel by random due to searching for Japan. Are you half or full Asian by the way? You look very beautiful. Kinda reminds me of Kristen Kreuk.
My dream is to move to Japan and not the big city. Maybe it's near Tokyo or Kyoto. The problem is I don't have money to sustain my life. Haha, all the problems are money problems. If you have enough money, you just don't care.
thanks for watching :') lmk if you have any questions below!
blog version here → cybersteffie.io/blog/the-reality-of-moving-to-japan:-8-hard-truths-tips-from-an-8-year-resident-and-freelancer
I wouldn’t trade my time at Code Chrysalis for anything. That experience was key to landing my first huge international client contract as a freelancer because I stood out in the interview as a full stack designer.
I’m occasionally in touch with my classmates and senpai. A close graduate friend seems to be switching jobs every two years (and jumping salaries) in Japan but currently working at Rakuten.
A big chuck of my classmates, including one of my Foundations professor ended up at Octopus Energy’s Tokyo branch which I hear has an awesome company culture and work environment. Seems like everyone who joins never leaves. Lol
Ok sorry I don’t know how to use RUclips. lol I meant to reply to a different comment here ^^^
People forget (if they ever learned this through research in the first place) that Japan is one of the most highly defined and detail oriented cultures in the world. Lots of social ques specific to the culture. It is not about the individual, it is about the collective group. Not disturbing others in the public space is a huge cultural value. English is not commonly spoken and those who do speat it often have their limits. I think too many people visit or try to relocate without the foundation of a knowledge and actual love for the culture and way of life. Work and dating culture are not like the west. Japanese are not westerners. Beware of the rules about work permits. The new digital nomad visa is only valid for six months and you have to make a certain amount of income.
Yes, yes and yes! Lots of good tips here, I would love to listen to you on a podcast or video haha.
I've met too many people who've romanticized coming to Japan and are not ready to adapt. Moving here will be hard, in a different way.
@@CYBERSTEFFIE Thank you so much for your reply, that is very kind. After my next trip sometime I may endeavor a video on appreciation and knowledge of Japan. Its something special but it exists on its own terms, as you well know. Hang in there through the ride of it all.
#1: Wherever you go, there you are.
You might live in a different country, but your issues live within you.
awh i luv this reflection so much. i can feel how much you grew from all these life experiences, it’s inspiring
awww gloria so much has changed! I also see you living your life and making some content :) GANBATTE YO!!
I live in Japan and learn langauge through immersion. Best thing to do is get a part time job アルバイト in a restaurant or Izakaya. I have done this and it improved my speaking far beyond anything school taught me.
When I was going to nihongo gakkou, I really wish I did baito. That would've really been the perfect opportunity for immersion.
It’s so cool that you do talk open about your problems
I hope people can learn from my mistakes!! Especially other expats/immigrants here.
Thanks a lot for sharing your experience! Tips like these are really helpful even though I’ve been living in Japan for a while too. I loved the way you put it all together, and your speaking manner is so calm and pleasant to listen to, without those exaggerated intonations youtubers often make. Wishing you all the best with the channel and with further life in Japan~
This was really great. First time here and I subscribed easily.
And I'm crossing fingers you make videos that expand on #3 or #6. Welcome back to RUclips 🎉
Great story and advice. I was just randomly flipping through RUclips and came across. Very smooth conversation and very relaxed. I would not be against hearing more about your story. I get this feeling that you have a lot of wisdom to give the world. ADHD is tough, from one to another, I'm glad you found a way for yourself. Keep up the good work. Subscribed.
Nice to see you back on RUclips. Been here even longer and for the stuff we have in common everything you said resonated. Looking forward to more vids!
As a retired CISSP, ex graduate student , now part time teacher at Univ (Python) you hit the nail on the head! I've been here since 2019, and I can attest to your tips. I am giving a remote presentation to my old hacking group back in Virginia next week and you have given me a head start. loved the explanation about 1 year visa. I was told I need to make at least 1 million yen to be taxable enough to justify a 1 year visa. Thanks. Larry
Um that 60k USD. From cissp to python teacher. Oh man. How much does cissp make
@@zeusconquers It all depends on hard skills that you can put on your resume like, sys admin, some software, HTML, networking, and exposure to some PEN testing. Security clearances opens so many doors. Team interactions, wide breadth of people that you know, and they know your abilities. Just the CISSP alone is not enough for a good paycheck. Also in cyber arena you can expect many hours to respond to incidents, hacks etc. I am just part time now, since I've retired 15 years ago. 80K jr to 150K senior , many factors, hands on certs will get you more with good resume.
uuu Lary... trouble so hard...😅
Informative, not clickbaity, straight to the point. Love it.
"You are the obstacle to your own success."
Definitely going to my motivational phrase list.
Hope you all the best
Great video! Super interested in #4 so I hope to see your separate video on it some day in the future!
Excellent, that video might take some time for me to organize. Might time it with the release of my Freelancers Guide to Japan eBook
First of all, great video! I've been watching quite a lot of "similar" content regarding moving to Japan, as a young professional with a multidisciplinary background (creative and technical, in both corporate and freelance contexts). Absurdly, I had never stumbled upon what you tackled with number 4 in this video and would be super interested in learning more! Welcome back to RUclips!
Some cracking insights here. Not sure what's the best way to say this, but I really jam with your temperament (or at least the way you've come across in the vid). Thanks for putting this out there for us. New to the channel - look forward to anything that comes next. Love from 🇬🇧
It think it's good to get multiple opinions and always make your own decisions! This is just my experience :)
eeyy! welcome back!
YESSS! more to come!
Good to see you again. Such a informative video. And the Editing was awesome.
i'm baaaaaaaaaack :D
This video was really helpful. My wife and I just got through the process of setting up a Business Manager Visa for ourselves to be able to stay in Japan and that point about paying enough taxes to be able to get longer term visas is really something I'm going to have us reflect on for when I renewal comes up next year.
I think the Business Manager visa is different from the rest. You’re going to need to check in every year due to the volatile nature of business. There is a way for you to transfer for the HSP (Highly Skilled Professional) which is 1,3 or 5 years.
This one has extra perks as you can apply for PR after the year 3 one or better.
I'm soooo interested in the #4th topic - I'm currenly in similar situation! Thanks for this video! Trully informative :)
same situation. let me know if you do some progress
Ditto, I’m looking to escape SF to Tokyo when my freelance business has matured. I just came back from a five trip out there and realized some of the pitfalls you had mentioned. It’s nice to see a well thought out video about this. Thanks.
Great insight that you don't see a lot in other videos (which tend to stick with just the culture shock or touristy stuff). I'd love to see a more detailed video about EOR, as well as any recommendations on where to find a good immigration lawyer and accountant. You got my like and subscribe.
I was impressed with your dialog. You cut the fat away and articulated each of your 8 truths helping me to understand what you went through.
Great video! Thanks for all the solid information. Looking forward to the Freelancing eBook!
Cheers and happy to hear you are thriving in this country.
Wow, what an insightful video! I’m moving to Japan in the new year and I’m saving this video for later. This was great information, thank you!
Great points in this vid. I recently visited Japan and it did make me reconsider some ideas I had IF I moved there. This video only reinforces some of the issues I was concerned about.
If you can afford it and you are not in some dire situation, visiting a place first may help with any planning or at least give you an idea of what being there is actually like, thats something you can't really get with just reading or watching about it.
That said, there will be situations you just can't avoid or predict, but knowing what resources you have to deal with it is vital.
THANK YOU. Finally made my first trip to Japan early this year. And I never fell in love with another country so quick. Last time that happened was Barcelona. But hearing your story is so inspirational. I’m in my early 40s, a musician also in the Bay Area, (still feel) young and single, making a life in Japan is highly desirable. I also have family in Saitama for support in case. But we’ll see!
i did the same thing as you i went to a language school and struggled with the spoken side of japanese, started again this year and have a strong base in my knowledge and i struggled with the spoken side of the language. now i'm using a someone off italki to help with the spoken and it has helped with actually forming a sentence as the person points out what i am doing wrong and what i am doing right. everyone needs to approach living and working in a new country regardless of which country it is in a way that works for them. Language helps but not always benificial having the mindset helps as well
Very Details and informative video for who wants to move Japan. As a video editor I can say the Editing was top notch.
:D very glad, thank you!
Been working freelance in Japan for several years. I didn't know about the EOR, so I would love to see a video on that. It could help me and others significantly.
If you're freelancing, likely you're already using the EOR method and not realizing it! Anyway I hope to enlighten people who are curious :)
So helpful! So interested in freelancing in Japan as an option to making it work to move there. I'm a data scientist and do see data science jobs in Japan but am also nervous about japanese work culture.
Hey Steffie! I heard from someone who has been in Japan for 16 years that usually the visa is offered in a 1,1,1,3,5 pattern. And at the end of 5 years (11 years total) you are usually eligible for permanent residency.
@@BrownmannZero Not necessarily. There are a lot of factors for that visa number. Some people are given 5 years right off the bat. Usually the details in the contract in themselves play a big factor: (1) salary (2) terms of length and (3) whether the company is well known or established.
My visa pattern was 1.5 (student), 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 3.
You cannot apply for permanent residency with a 1 year visa. You need at least a 3.
It is also possible for immigration to revert you form a 5 to a 3 or a 3 to a 1 if they deem proper reason (new lower income tax than previous years, less accomplished company, delinquent records like failing to pay health insurance etc.)
If you came to japan to work as a doctor, engineer, or as a nurse then you can apply for a permanent visa after 3-5 years.
@@user-dq9qx9en1l I see,...the person who told be this was an English Teacher.
@@CYBERSTEFFIE The person who told me this was an English Teacher, I think he was speaking from his experience.
Though of course, you will have to pay your taxes properly each year to move on to the next step, as well as continuous and proper employment. In your case, you could have gotten the 3 year visa a bit earlier, had it not been for the bad advice you received.
@@user-dq9qx9en1lYup, that is through the Highly Skilled Professional visa scheme.
Such great information. Well done with moving forward.🙂🤘
Wooooooo steffie vidjooooo she uploaded much wow!
yas, new bidjooooo yus!!! ilysm!!
Good stuff Steffie! Agree with it all :)
Just stumbled across your channel for the first time. I came to Japan when I was 18 in part to escape from the situation I was in and put myself in back home in Australia. Been here 35 years now and can really relate to a lot of things you comment about.
Language: I was teaching English and attending a Japanese language school in the day 2 or 3 times a week. I quit the language school after a month and decided to work as a bartender a few nights a week and put myself in a situation where I simply had to use the language. After 2 years I was totally comfortable conversing in Japanese in almost any topic. Motivation to learn is key!
Income potential: Total agree that Japanese ability has very little to do with how much you earn. It all comes down to what industry to decide to work in. I went to university and then graduate school in Japan and majored in Sports and Health Science and am now a university professor in that field. The salary is the same as what other Japanese people earn in that field. Not bad income but not making me super rich either. But life is about doing what you love so it's all good!
Never needed an immigration lawyer because I was always employed by a Japanese company buy even though I had lived in Japan for over 15 years (12 as a student). I couldn't get a permanent visa because I hadn't been paying tax for 5 years (I was living off student scholarships). As soon as I had worked at my current university for 5 years and reapplied for the permanent visa I got it straight away. So yes, its not random it's about how much tax you have paid and for how long you have been paying it.
I had some really bad experiences with key money also and it really matters when you are living month by month. Changing apartments frequently just wastes that money especially if you lived in a place that has Japanese tatami mats because you have to pay for them to be replaced even if you only stayed in the apartment for a few days. It is what it is.
I was not in a relationship when I came to Japan but I can say that having foreign friend you make in Japan can be quite sad because most of them leave eventually. It's hard to make Japanese friends the same way as foreign friends even if you speak the language perfectly. No matter how good at Japanese you become you will never look at the world the same way most Japanese people do and will feel the gap. That said, I have of course made many Japanese friends that are friends for life despite not seeing them much anymore.
Staying positive and believing in yourself is so important! My motivation was succeed in sport here despite there being no advantage being a foreigner here in that field. I try to adhere to the GROW model to keep myself grounded and continuing to try and accomplish new goals. Presently it's trying to break 80 at golf so Japan has done well by me I guess!
Hope to see you put out more content!
Your journey is so cool and inspirational. 😊 Thanks for sharing some stories and helpful tips!
erika thank you! i am glad it sounds cool but it really wasn't pretty. hope that i can save ppl some of the pain i went through with this info.
@@CYBERSTEFFIE That's a fair/valid point! :) I'm glad you learned from the experience and are now sharing what you wish you knew with others. As someone planning to move to Japan, this could really help me. Like, I didn't even know about the key money thing.
Algorithm is on fire, just got to Japan, and get served this :)
Thanks for sharing your journey.
@@MarketHustle Good luck!! and ようこそ！
I am new here, i like your channel. Keep making videos it will gain more views coming years. You can do this 🇯🇵🇹🇷
It's been 10 years in Japan and to this day nothing has changed, and a big recession/depression around the corner is going to end it all. From that point on, I will vow not to repeat the same mistakes that lead up to this 🤞
When I moved here the USD:JPY ratio was 1:101... not it's 1:155 :[
Great video Stephie 👏🏻
Glad you liked it!! Move to come, Chuck!!
@@CYBERSTEFFIE quick question did you ever go to the Olympics when it was in Tokyo and did you post anything?
Extremely useful information, especially about the Immigration lawyer. Subbed!
Thank you!! Let me know what else you'd like to hear about :)
PLEASE do a video on freelancing in Japan. That is currently my goal and it would be a huge help :)
No doubt "wherever you go there you are" but I'll take learning life lessons in Tokyo over San Francisco any day. Excellent video and congratulations on your expat accomplishments.
Yay new vid! This is really great info thank you.😎👍🏼
jono, thanks! lmk if you have questions. :]
Yes, need to know more about the EOR.
video coming uppppppppppppppppppppppppppp!!!
Living the dream! I wanna live in japan to experience and learn all about the culture too. That part you said about learning the language doesnt guarantee a job was real ha. Being able to talk to ppl is like bear min of society, having a skill is huge.
Congrats on making it work even thru the good n bad parts of it. 👏🎉
great tips
After living in Japan for more than a decade, I can summarize the experience in two words: *Comfortably* *depressed*
Leaving soon.
I came back to Japan in late 2015, after having been here on a visa from 2005 to the end of 2010. When I came back, I did so with my own company (Frederick W Gundlach LLC). Steffie, you make a lot of good points.
Thanks for baring it all for us, telling the hard truths. You're a photography inspiration to me, and now an emotional inspiration.
@@kungfool69 thank you for your sweet comment! It feels really refreshing to open up. More useful vids to come.
It has been a while since you posted on RUclips but has it been years? 🤯
Language schools are great for things like learning the basics, being able to read, etc. But it's best to actual be around native speakers to learn how to communicate in everyday life and in a professional setting.
This was very informative.
As with anything in life, a lot of times we need to hit rock bottom to be able to build ourselves up and become even better. Sometimes it's good to step away from things and start from scratch. See what works for you and keep going from there.
it HASS, well you've been on twitch so maybe it doesn't seem like it :P
thank you nike! agreed. definitely ups and downs though.
QUESTIONS please 🙏;
(Great informatively helpful video btw)...
1.) Do you remember the yen amount you have to pay in taxes to obtain the 3 year visa??
2.) Was your ADHD diagnosed while in Japan?
3.) Can you get treatment/medication for it in Japan, effectively, because my understanding is that Japan in general, doesn't address issues regarding ADHD much...??
So, we are moving to Japan next year. I have managed with hardships, to exist and get by with my untreated ADHD my whole life... but my young adult daughter is definitely struggling. i know she has undiagnosed ADHD and suffers from it. She received some free American governmental low quality mental health care briefly, and was only (mis?)diagnosed with severe depression with suicidal tendencies. After 18 years of age, her counseling had stopped, she entered an expensive university and is failing everything now, when she used to be a 4.0 A+ kid before puberty took over. I always see her spiraling and her Japanese tiger mom's only solution is to constantly verbally assault her. New appointments for ADHD testing has not been possible/available here yet for some reason, and she will have to return back to distant college soon again... so, do you think she could be treated if she comes with us to Japan, or maybe she has to stay behind in the free American "health care" mess if that's all she can get...???... im just worried that her life is in jeopardy if untreated and continued misdiagnosis....
Thank you so much, im reaching out because i felt that maybe you could relate...?
HEY first of all I am so sorry you're going through this with your daughter. Let me answer some questions you have.
1) It was 5.6mil taxable. I don't want to attribute my taxable income as the ONLY thing that helped me get 3 years, because my application had a lot of other supporting documents. I had my new contract in Japanese and had 5 year renewal period, stated my potential income (more than the 5.6mil). I also had a heartfelt letter that I wrote in Japanese and had 4 native speakers look over and edit. I also had letters of recommendation from my guarantor and an award my recent project won that year of application. I did ask for 5 years. They gave me 3 and I'm quite alright with that. I will have more info about this in my eBook, so if you're interested it please sign up for the waitlist!
2) Yes. I had no idea until life got really hard in 2020 and I literally lost control. This is what my next video is going to be about so stay tuned.
3) Some medication is available. Popular ones are concerta and strattera. This is exactly what I will be talking about in the next video, and in addition how to get affordable ADHD care, which is not as accessible for foreigners.
Short answer to your question for help your daughter's ADHD struggles, I really can't compare ADHD care in America and Japan because 100% of my mental health care has been in Japan. I don't have US health insurance since I left and I've never seen an American psychiatrist. For now I can recommend some posts on Reddit I've gone into detail about my medication and my story (you can see I'm quite active in the mental health area-- because that's where I found help.) I have noticed that Japan Reddits lean on the negative side. I don't want you to think it encompasses how all foreigners think about Japan.
Hope this helps for now: www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/1cqm42y/comment/l8pq6ku/
@@CYBERSTEFFIE Biotics research TMG powder - Trtimethylglycine
+
biomed b12 folate methylb12 mef60 (
We need more of this. And an EOR video !!!
Coming in the next few months. :)
Very interested in the EOR video.
Not my next video (as the info takes time to distill) but it's coming up!
@@steffieinjapan Thank you! My family and I are planning a move, so all information is helpful.
Quality video - definitely resonated。。。 been in Tokyo the past 3 years and was raised in a half-Japanese / American family.
Love the come back ~ cheers 👏
thank you
Cheers! Thanks :]
I'm also of mixed ancestry, mom is Filipina and dad is Korean/white form America.
@cybersteffie
Right? 😂 Identity crisis in the states growing up accompanied by the second wave of Asian / western identity crisis in Japan…
lol let’s make a video on that.
My family is half Japanese and we spend time in Japan. But I feel that the pension system will destroy foreigners. One day you'll be old. And you need ~$2mil invested at 4% to retire.
Very realistic video especially on escapism 😅. Subbed for more
6:40 Great video and thanks for sharing your experience! Absolutely resonate with lots of these things after living in Tokyo for 7 months and studying Japanese at a language school. I’m assessing my career options now, Recruiting is one but have also thought about Software Development.
Looks like freelancing with your software skills is working well for you - I’m curious about your experience at Code Chrysalis coding bootcamp and how successful it is at launching careers in tech, such as:
1) What was the timeline from graduating to launching your coding career in/from Tokyo?
2) Since you’ve graduated a while back and now running your own business, perhaps a different angle of my question is, if you are still in contact with your coding classmates, what are they doing now?
3) How much (hrs per week?) do you have to re-skill with new tech coming out?
4) If you had to go back in time, are there things you would’ve done differently?
Really appreciate the work put into this video and the blog 🙏
Working in Japan is it as harsh as the media makes it out to be? Thanks for the content, very helpful
Ive lived here for 25 years plus. I actually couldn't even come up with one hard truth if you asked me. I think over time you just get accustomed to everything to the point where it feels normal. Perspective and mindset changes over time. I`m sure i had a long list back in the day.
@@nrz197 it seems we are at very different parts of our journey! happy to hear this perspective and looking forward to feeling like this 😂
@@CYBERSTEFFIE Thanks. In all my time here I've never gotten homesick once so integrating well into a different environment and culture may also be related to someone's personality as well. I think I'm pretty flexible and can rationalize everything in my mind even if it doesn't make sense logically.
I finally made solo plans to visit Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka in September. I just got tickets to teamLaB Borderless, and I'm confirming dates to DJ at Débris and BAIA, but it'd be great if you had suggestions on things to do during the day.
Great video it was really helpful. Can you please dive into EOR? I’m currently working remotely for a company in the US however I need to sort out my taxes, HR and all of that and I think that your information will come in very handy
Are you already in Japan? Which visa are you on? Is your company willing to negotiate your contract with them?
@@steffieinjapan yes, we arrived on the first week of march. My wife is Japanese so I’m on a Spousal visa and I’m currently in the middle of sorting things out with my company but I want to know what my options are and if there is something I could do to make things “easier” for my current employer as to make this happen sooner than later
Being able to say I truly own my own house (in hard cash)every day would give and gratitude instead of living in a tiny apartment without universal Healthcare with no way to afford to buy a home even with a huge mortgage for 30 years. So a lot of huge opportunities in Japan and lots of business opportunities due to lots of market inefficiencies some due to cultural norms that a foreigner capitalize on. Such as the the Akiya problem or the garbage problem or the language barrier problem etc etc.
Great advice. EOR video please!
Nice work, keep it up Steppie!
thanks kuya! one love, big love!!
This is the first video I see of you but you seem very interesting! Subbed, hope you post more! I've also been on a YT hiatus (for a year and a half) because life got busy but I can't wait to be back!!!❤
hey fellow creator!! thank you so much!! sometimes we need the break. :) i sure did.
when you come back you'll have a fresh angle and perspective that you didn't have before.
Video on eor pls
I'm very interested in point 4. I'm a freelancer and assumed I'd have to give it up if I managed to find a Japanese company to hire me and sponsor my visa. Would love to know how you set up and navigated that.
very informative! thank you!
Thank you for sharing, your tips are indeed helpful ! I am interested in your coding journey, how and where did you start?
Self-taught for one year in 2018, then in 2019 I joined Code Chrysalis coding bootcamp. That was enough to get my a full-time job for 1 year, then transition to freelance work. It's worth checking out Le Wagon Tokyo and their programs because it's not just limited to software engineering. Though I personally went to CC, I know many successful graduates from Le Wagon as well.
I look forward to MORE videos from Cyber Steffie, too! :D
I WILL DO MY BEST!! at least 1 vid month *HUFF PUFF HUFF*
there WILL be more!
Sorry if you have answered this somewhere already, but can you share the contacts of your immigration lawyer please?
Maybe a website or something.
Love to visit Japan, but I prefer life in Taiwan, but good to know Japan is minutes away by flight, I frequent Okinawa which is 30/40 min flight.
Very interesting perspective!
I am a fairly long term expat - 15 years. I love Japan!
The only thing is I find it difficult to develop really deep relationships with other same-age Japanese people. (I’m a guy, btw.)
I have gotten used to it - and my family fills that need in my life.
It’s just a thing that will never be, I guess.
Lot’s of great acquaintances- and people in general are all great in my opinion.
Just I feel there is a wall that will always be there.
To be clear, I could totally be the cause as well. (Just not trying hard enough, etc.)
Just something I have noticed in my experience.
Through the Japanese language school you could only learn the basic Japanese but as to communicate with Japanese you have to learn the way of speaking 敬語けいごespecially with the customer or people you meet for the first time then you could continue the conversation.
I just clicked for a sec because Cybersteffie is cute, and the algorithm surely put this in my thread because Japanese culture interests me.
Please make a vid on EOR. This is very interesting. Thanks for sharing 🙏
It's not my next video, but I am working on this! :)
Thanks for this list.
wow, i just moved to japan and this is relly great info. hope you can teach me other life's hack to survive in japan it is really hard to find friends here
Hey I've been there! Welcome!!!
Stay tuned. You can lmk what suggestions you have for videos. I also have a Discord community you might be interested in with #suggestions and #japan-life channels.
@@CYBERSTEFFIE interested to join the discord community, how can i get the invite link ?
@@edirza discord.gg/cybergang
Nice video! Do you happen to have a list of the songs you used?
Surely they have some standards for visa's period.
I work as a contract staff at same company for 6 years, every year i got 1 year visa but finally this year i got 5 years.
All the contract terms were same, salary raised only, but this year I got a perm contract via labor regulation, result was changed.
you're absolutely right, there was multiple factors forsure. your income increasing over time + general taxable income is definitely one of them. but also the contract term needs to be 3 years or more if you want the 3 year visa, 5 years or more if you want the 5 year visa. my recent contract had 5 years on it, but i still received the 3 year visa. which i'm still happy about.
Very helpful!😁
How did you go about the adhd? Did you get medication? Ive been trying to get treated myslef but dont really know where to start in japan, i was diagnosed in my home country already.
@@M-xz4gf Hey! This is my next video since it’s very important to me and I didn’t really cover any how tos in this video. Stay tuned :)
glad it wasn't a negative video
thanks for your comment! i am naturally a sad person, so i need positive mentality to move forward!
@@CYBERSTEFFIE dont be sad cause u made a video that made me smile, we exchange happiness for more joy
great video Steffie! thank you
also, you mentioned finding affordable therapy. where did you look? thanks
This is exactly the video I'm working on next! For now I encourage you to check out konoka.framer.wiki
I have ADHD too I feel a desk job is not possible for me and I like helping people so counselling is my career choice. Sadly its not possible to be a counsellor in Japan if I am not a native speaker
Actually.... you should check out a lot of the foreigner friendly therapy businesses here have overseas accreditation
Sorry San Francisco does suck though. The Bay Area overall is ok, except for insane cost of living, insane real estate market, horrific traffic and a culture that is not very welcoming to non-natives (yeah that happens in other places too).
Language. Needing to get a “language partner” or Japanese speaking friends in order to become more fluent… sorry but that’s an obvious one.
Job skills vs Japanese language skills. Truth. Japanese helps to expand your marketability, but if that’s all you got, you’re going to get crappy low-paying jobs. Your primary job skills… be it software engineering, project management, or system/network engineering… that’s going to be the big one to land the good paying jobs.
can ya recommend the good immigration lawyer u got? also wait so u can like not pay taxes in japan cause it sounded like u were not paying taxes? what was that situation?
You need to pay income tax if you're making money and living in Japan by law. If you're a freelancer, and fill out the form with a blue form, you're considered a sole proprietor and there are certain things that can be justified as expenses, which can include your internet, cell phone, a portion of your rent (if you work from home) and any supplies that support the work that you do (laptop, accessories, camera, etc.).
Your income is the amount of money you've made. Your taxable income is your money that is qualified for tax after expenses. If you're taxable income is around 3.5-4 million jpy and you're contract is 1 year or less from a smaller company, I can almost assure you you'll get a 1 year visa.
What I did this past year was not list things as expenses (even though they were business expenses) and declared around 5.6-6mil, and a bunch of other things.
Hey Steffie!
Hi from Fukuoka 🙋🏽♂️
Welcome back to the RUclips, awesome to see and great edit.
Love seeing others perspectives and stories living here.
Can you ever see yourself living in a different city, if so, where?
Christian 🙋🏽♂️🇯🇵
Hey Christian! Yoroshiku ne.
I've always live in Tokyo just for the vast number of international opportunities present, but I have entertained the idea of moving to a smaller city in Japan. I mean the housing pricing alone makes it desirable! Haha
@@CYBERSTEFFIEhaha Yeah those housing prices in Tokyo can be wild. It’s where I’ve spent most of my time before moving here.
Being in the tech world in Tokyo, have many of your friends spoken about Fukuoka? Huge tech startup scene here. I’m making a video with a founder here soon but I’m interested to know if other cities know about the scene here hey?
I’m flying over next weekend. To look at a house to buy to start making moves to come live over there. Got any tips. Any help would be appreciated
Not sure if you talked about that anywhere (since this is the first video of yours I've watched), but I would like to know more about your coding phase. I'm currently thinking of changing career paths and coding is an area I'm interested in. I would like to know how that is in Japan. Thank you!
Hello! It's a bit outdated but I did do a Q&A at the coding bootcamp I went to in 2019 right after I graduated.
Me and another classmate was offered a job through them during the bootcamp, so I never personally experienced their career support part of the course. So I was actually employed BY them while I made and published this video. They did not pay me for this (that would've been nice lol). It was not part of my job, but part of my initiative to be a RUclipsr. Just wanted to aknowledge that.
It's definitely the more rosy me right before my depression/ADHD diganosis so please take it with a grain of salt. This was also before I got offered a fullstack designer job at an american cybersecurity firm that lead me to a deeper understanding of the freelancing in Japan.
ruclips.net/video/eB2oBZzVSCw/видео.html
@@CYBERSTEFFIE, I watched the video. Thank you very much for your insight!
Japan isn't the most welcoming place to live, but it is much better than Canada.
Japan has a better heatlhcare system, better housing, better transportation, better school system, etc.
Canada is a third world dumpster compared to Japan. I lived in both countries and I know these truths very well.
Why I feel that the people(who work in Japan) from USA more colder than europeans
Good info and hope the earthquakes and heat are ok there, yoku gambatemashita. Sonkei shiteimasu,.
You mention youre a freelancer. What do you freelance in? I thought it was programming, but at the end of the video where you said you learned to code there, it became obvious, i assumed incorrectly
@@richfamous6845 I coin myself as a creative technologist as my skill set covers a wide array of tech services. I would not have the confidence to do that if i didn’t work as a programmer. I would say these days I do a lot more marketing and design focused work but the coding background is necessary for the things i create. It doesn’t take up a majority of my workflow though.
@@CYBERSTEFFIE Interesting. So were you programming when you first landed in japan? Did you do the bootcamp there?
Creative technologist? Hmmm, not sure what that means. Do you provide a service to businesses, or your own business? Do you have a website that describes your services?
My job allows me work remotely from anywhere in the world. Is it possible to stay in Japan for longer than 6 months without using the digital nomad visa? Or staying for three using the tourist visa? Let me know, thanks!
Yes, depending on your passport country. Generally it's 3 month tourist visa, then you'll have to take an international trip. I know some people who will book 2 days in Korea and come back to Japan for another 3-months. Unless you're trying to stay in Japan long term, apply for a 1-2 year rental lease, get a Japanese housing loan, or your countries tax rate is higher than Japan's... a tourist visa might just be fine for you.
If you have more questions you can book me! Or just wait for my POE/EOR video and eBook which I'm planning to release in the following months. Links are in description.
There is no freelance visa. All the aspiring foreign photographers making any money, including on a humanities visa without declaring it are in a dark gray area. They oftentimes have a second bank account which is not declared to immigration and use that for freelance activities. Then if you’re lucky enough to earn 1 million yen the bank will flag you and you’ll be questioned on where it came from.
To reiterate; there is NO freelance visa. If you want to earn money in creative fields in Japan you have to either get a job in that field; start your own business or become a permanent resident.
There is no freelance visa correct. But you CAN legally freelance though without being a kaishain, and you do not have to make a company, and you don't need to be hired full time. I am living proof. My first work visa was Humanities (most flexible visa for freelance work in misc fields). The company I was brought on as a part-time contractor for literally says in their contract "we don't sponsor visas." But when I asked them if I could have document A, B, and C, to renew my visa, they said yes. I just had to do everything myself.
I heard that another contractor was able to do this at the company, and after researching on RUclips, I went to immigration myself and was able to get 1 year visas this way for the longest time. Finally on my 3 year visa. And I am still freelancing.
can you make a vid about EOR please and thank as this is first time hearing about it after countless other vids
Hello. I just found your channel by random due to searching for Japan. Are you half or full Asian by the way? You look very beautiful. Kinda reminds me of Kristen Kreuk.
My dream is to move to Japan and not the big city. Maybe it's near Tokyo or Kyoto. The problem is I don't have money to sustain my life. Haha,
all the problems are money problems. If you have enough money, you just don't care.
Not sure what country you're from but if you make USD your dollar can go a longer way in Japan :P
@@CYBERSTEFFIE It also depends on how much dollars you are making
would love to know about EOR please