Silicon valley -> Tokyo expat here. It took me < 2 weeks.
This process is hard but not as nightmarish as people who don't live in the country reading articles make it sound.
Just like anything, there's right and wrong ways to do it.
If you do it the traditional way with a japanese speaking landlord who mistrust foreigners, yes it can be hard. That is a significant portion of the market.
One thing I will say, there are real estate companies that actually cater to foreigners.
There are other companies like this in the space. Look on places like gaijinpot for more information like this:
https://gaijinpot.com/
It's just like any real estate market, do your research beforehand.
Where I will admit it can be harder is when you want to procure a larger house. They don't tend to ask too many questions for studios (which should be enough for entrepreneurs family aside).
That being said, if you do have family, spend your time finding right place and ask for referrals.
Japan has its downsides but it's by far the best place I have ever lived (especially compared to SF) both food wise and price wise.
>This process is hard but not as nightmarish as people who don't live in the country reading articles make it sound.
Agree wholeheartedly. Been living in Fukuoka myself for the past two years, and I cannot help but notice that the foreign population here has been steadily growing. Although the city is marketing themselves to be the new Startup hub in Japan, I still think it has to be as global as say, Tokyo, to catch up. English is also not so commonly spoken here as Tokyo.
The city has definitely been pushing hard for foreign startups but the changes they are making are only baby steps and PR in my opinion. I thought it was rather strange that the press conference held by the mayor to promote foreign startups had to have an interpreter because the mayor couldn't manage any English and the foreign entrepreneurs on stage didn't speak Japanese.
I went to the Startup cafe a couple of times, but I failed to grasp all the general amazement around it. I hoped to meet new people and learn about their entrepreneurial activities, but again, the people didn't speak English; and those that did, didn't seem interested.
Depends I guess? I identify more as an expat right now because I don't actually have permanent residency?
It really depends on what your definition is I guess.
I also don't really feel like I've integrated with the culture. I've really only been here a year. I don't know a lick of the language (I mean I can do basic things like order food, have basic conversation etc) but ultimately I don't think I'll consider myself an "immigrant" till after that happens. Hope that helps. I'm sure other folks would define it as well.
It's a gray area. I still get paid by america (while living in japan)
That's a fair answer: ambiguous status and what-not. It's worth noting though immigrants everywhere feel alienated culturally/linguistically all the time.
I apologize if my question came off as hostile, but it was meant to be to a certain extent! I've been here for 4 years now (leaving soon) and "expat" just rubs me the wrong way. It's a light term with an adventurous connotation that applies exclusively to Westerners; I've never seen third-world labor described as "expats" here, regardless of however permanent or transient their residence might be. At a time when the notion of immigration conjures up such hostility, it seems in poor taste to cordon off a subset of migratory activity as something distinct: "I'm not in your country, taking advantage of its resources; I'm simply outside my country." It doesn't help that many "expats" I've come in contact with have espoused remarkably reactionary opinions regarding foreigners in their home countries.
I can only speak for myself, but I left a $10/hr job in the US during a recovery that wasn't because I thought I could shake it better in Japan (studied Japanese in uni.) Even though I'm not going to wind up living here forever, I'm still the definition of an economic migrant.
Oh no not at all! It was a fair point. I plan on getting perm residency and using it as my base in asia. I also fly a lot as well. Japan is by far the place I feel at home which is why I advocate so strongly for it. You're right that you'll never completely fit in, and that's actually not my intention.
Ironically, I've created jobs in Japan so I feel like I'm contributing actually. I'm happy with my position in the country and hope to stay for a long time. My co also employs people in the US though.
Being that I'm a founder myself, I strongly advocate for US immigrants where possible. I wouldn't have been able to get my start anywhere else (even japan) if I didn't have US resources (especially being YC backed)
Yes the bank account is hard. I still use my foreign account.
I setup my company and then got my bank account. I still don't use it.
I'm assuming anyone in this thread looking seriously at japan will be hiring the right operations person to help you. Otherwise, you can't get much done without speaking the language (day to day is fine,
but for example the immigration office expects you to know some japanese if not just bringing someone with you to help you)
I have three bank accounts and two credit cards and setting them all up was trivial. I'm self-employed. That's personal accounts though, I hear it's much more difficult for business accounts.
Just like anything, there's right and wrong ways to do it. If you do it the traditional way with a japanese speaking landlord who mistrust foreigners, yes it can be hard. That is a significant portion of the market.
One thing I will say, there are real estate companies that actually cater to foreigners.
This has been my landlord for a year and I just renewed: http://tokyoeasyrent.com/en/
There are other companies like this in the space. Look on places like gaijinpot for more information like this: https://gaijinpot.com/
It's just like any real estate market, do your research beforehand.
Where I will admit it can be harder is when you want to procure a larger house. They don't tend to ask too many questions for studios (which should be enough for entrepreneurs family aside).
That being said, if you do have family, spend your time finding right place and ask for referrals.
Japan has its downsides but it's by far the best place I have ever lived (especially compared to SF) both food wise and price wise.