Marvel wrote:
> "CL" <flothru@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:f0lofr$rs7$1@nnrp.gol.com...
>> Marvel wrote:
>>> <dame_zumari@yahoo.com> wrote in message 
>>> news:1177399714.677364.266520@t38g2000prd.googlegroups.com...
>>>> On Apr 24, 11:58 am, "Marvel" <mar...@helpcarl.com> wrote:
>>>>> A friend of mine married a chick from Osaka, first they lived in the 
>>>>> USA
>>>>> awhile and now have gone back to Japan.
>>>>>
>>>>> Any ideas what type of work he (male 44) might pursue to have a decent 
>>>>> job
>>>>> as well as life?
>>>>>
>>>> That would depend on what other skills he has. Presumably he did have
>>>> some sort of job in the States?
>>>>
>>> Yes he is a master trim carpenter (installing intricate staircases and 
>>> tedious trim)
>>> I fear there is no call for that sort of thing in Japan.
>> Why?
>>
>> There are a number of gaijin-run construction outfits around Kansai which 
>> boast that they can build a better house than the local daiku.  A couple 
>> of them have been featured on the home renovation show Tokoro Joji 
>> hosts -- although I only vaguely remember that one of them was a couple of 
>> college guys running a renovation company in Kyoto between classes. 
>> Finding them is going to require that your friend have access to the local 
>> jungle telegraph, but they're out there.
>> CL
>>
> Jungle Telegraph..hmmm
> Meaning he needs to do some mingling with the locals ?
> Could you elaborate?

Sorry, no.  I am a Kantojin and am not familiar with all of the strange 
religions and rites of Kansai, except for okonomiyaki.  I only know what 
I've been told by friends in the area but I don't have any meishi or 
names in the pile of Kyoto / Osaka / Hyogo cards on my desk.  A lawyer 
friend told me of a Finn owned and a (different) Canadian owned 
construction company that were constructing imported houses out in one 
of the higher elevation (and price) areas of Osaka-fu.  Maybe someone 
more local can fill in some of the blanks.

About the only thing I can think of is that your friend let enough 
non-teaching gaijin know of his interest in working as a finish 
carpenter.  He'll get a reply in pretty short order.  His wife may be 
able to help him locate smaller companies through Internet listings or 
business directories.