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Working in Japan, Jobs in Tokyo Working in Japan Foreigners need to have a firm and definite employment contract and the permission of the consular authorities before leaving. It is preferable to learn the language, and at least to speak English. There are several French organizations established in Japan. Certain companies in Tokyo or Kyoto authorize visits by the public. You can get information on them from the Japanese representatives in France. The entrepreneurial system in Japan advocates a job for life and compensates its employees in kind (house, fringe benefits). The employee is reputed for his reliability and his devotion to his company. Social Welfare : There is no convention existing between France and Japan. You may be employed under the French legislation, but you may be employed as an expatriate and in this case it is indispensable to take out a personal insurance. Before leaving : It is advisable to take English lessons or improve your level. Knowing Japanese is a decided advantage if you plan to work for any length of time in Japan. Preparing your departure and looking for a job : You can start gathering information by writing to French associations established in Japan, visiting services of economic expansion, commercial services in Japanese banks in France or French banks which are established in Japan. Regional French consulates have a service dealing with jobs and training and can introduce you to local companies which are looking for French personnel. The French Chamber of Commerce also proposes information about the job market and the most dynamic sectors of the economy and they edit a bulletin reserved for French companies or Japanese members. You could publish a job application. The PEE (the Post of Economic Expansion) or the CFCE in Paris distributes a list of French companies established in Japan. A lot of documentation concerning the country is available at the Cultural Service in the Japanese Embassy in Paris. You can prepare your stay in a more precise way by taking a personal appointment with the Chamber of Commerce in order to complete the information that you have collected during your initial research and from your first contacts, and get some professional advice. While you are compiling your information you could also directly contact companies by sending your candidacy and proposing your services. Where can you find job offers? In the French press (Le Monde, France Soir, Figaro, Moniteur du Bâtiment, expat magazine, etc..) for French companies sending people overseas and in most of the big papers like : Asahi Shimbun, 5-3-2 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, TOKYO 104-11, Tel. (03) 3545-0131 ; Mainichi Shimbun, 1-1-1 Hitotsubashi, Chiyoda-ku, TOKYO 100, Tel (03) 3212-0321 ; Nihon Keizai Shimbun, 1-9-5 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, TOKYO 100-66, Tel (03) 3270-0251; OVNI, 9 rue de la Fontaine au Roi, 75011 PARIS, Tel 47 00 11 33 ; Sankei Shimbun, 1-7-2 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, TOKYO 100-77, Tel (03) 3231 7111 ; Yomiuri Shimbun, 1-7-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, TOKYO 100-55, Tel (03) 3242 1111. In Japan networks like Internet are widely used. Most job data banks are available on internet to subscribers or you can access by a modem to telecharge information and ads. The international press also publishes job offers overseas, often for European companies. Each month "Expat Newsletter International Job Opportunities" presents a wide range of adverts for all destinations, Japan included, and you can find it directly on internet at the following address http://www.expat.tm.fr/ French organizations abroad publish bulletins 'Le Trait d'Union' by the Alliance Française, and other publications from the CCI and the PEE. Recruitment and our recommendations : Your cv : Your cv must be very clearly set out and detailled, written in English or Japanese and must be accompanied by a hand written letter. Keep information about your civil status very short. Highlight your international competence and your experience in France. Your competence and experience are very important, usually more so than diplomas. Don't hesitate to emphasize your strong points and important moments in your career. In Japan the fighting spirit of an associate is very important, it shows your will to get ahead for your company. The job interview : Whatever job your are applying for we recommend that you dress well for the interview. The Japanese are very sensitive to dress and presentation. The interviews can be very short for a preselection but could last several hours if your candidacy is found to be interesting, and depending on the job offered you may have to do psycho-technical tests (graphological analysis) or aptitude tests. Be careful not to seem pretentious about your know-how or exagerate your professional competence. They are extremely competent and their methods of recruitment are tried and tested. Don't forget that there is a high rate of unemployment in Japan, so don't take a job interview lightly when they are so difficult to get. Stress your competence, your ease of adaption, your mobility, your ability to work in team and your eagerness to participate with your know-how. It never does any harm to be modest and it may help you to establish a friendlier relationship with your interviewer. Conclusion : It is difficult to find a job in Japan but if you really want to, then spend time on it and stay motivated whatever happens. Your accompanying letter should show between the lines that your are the indispensable candidate that your future employer has been looking for.  The job market and unemployment : You are taking your family along and your partner will definitely want to work also. You should know that French companies will rarely employ the partner and that Embassies, consulates and other official organizations will rarely take someone on locally. The Club's advice : Go to Japan for a French company or for the Japanese subsidiary of a French company. Before leaving France don't forget to enrol on an election list so that you can vote while you are out of the country. Have any necessary vaccinations done well in advance and also prepare beforehand for accomodation, and have a rented car waiting for you on arrival if you need one. If you are arranging to send furniture contact removal companies (look at Useful Addresses in France). Moving : Try and arrange it all before you go so that all your local taxes and charges can be deducted while you are away. Transport by sea takes about a month (6 weeks door to door), and 48 hours by plane. Preparing your departure : Check that your passport is valid. No visa is necessary for French citizens if you are staying less than 3 months. The employer himself makes the request for the work visa from the Japanese immigration service, this will be sent to France to the Japanese consulate. The work permit is given by the immigration service. Repatriation for health reasons : In the case of an accident you have to make a declaration to the Caisse des Français de l'Etranger in Rubelles or in Paris. Retirement : To take out an insurance covering old age, disablement and death, if your are not employed contact CANCAVA, if you are an independent professional contact CNAVPL. If you are employed in Japan submit an annual tax declaration before the 30th June to the Income Tax Centre for Non-Residents.

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