"Nick Rees" <nick_rees@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:4134fee8@212.67.96.135...
>
> "Ryan Ginstrom" <ryang@gol.com> wrote in message
> news:2pk8hfFle3agU1@uni-berlin.de...
> > Do you speak Japanese?
>
> Many thanks Ryan for your help with this. Im in my third year of learning
> Japanese in the UK.

That could mean many things, but I'll assume you have the ability to
basically get by...

> I do have a Japanese gf currently back in Tokyo and the aim is to be
> reunited with her late this year.

... and a motivation to learn (and live in Japan)

> Im 32 years old and hold a business degree but have been in IT for years.

That is probably borderline for JET.

Another possibility is to go to Japan as a student, if you have a bit of
money socked away. My first time to Japan was as a university student at
Nanzan University's Japanese program, and there were a couple students
(mostly Japan residents) in their 30s. Private language schools will
probably have a greater mix of older students. I believe the student visa
also allows you to work 20 (or was it 10?) hours/week.

One of the posters here did JET, then Japanese langauge school, then the IT
thing.

Ability to communicate in Japanese (say around the 1-kyu level) reportedly
commands a premium. Some say that in today's market, it is essential (except
in industries like finance).

Good luck.

-- 
Regards,
Ryan Ginstrom
ryang@gol.com