Hi,

I've been working in Japan for 2 years now, but my current job is
ending.  I've been offered a new job starting this summer at a company
in Tokyo (I'm an electrical engineer).  The contract is basically a 1
year contract (with probable renewal) for 300,000 yen a month.  The
company will pay no living expenses, no taxes, no health care, etc.
Also, there is no bonus.  Bascially, 300,000 yen a month and that's it.
 I have to take care of everything else myself.  Even though the per
month salary is a little higher than normal employee might receive, the
company would help a normal employee with taxes/health inurance, yearly
bonus, etc.  So in the end, it seems like not such a great contract and
actually pays less than a normal employee would receive.  After 1-2
years, it might be possible to join the company as a normal employee.
Compared to jobs in the similar jobs in the U.S. (where I'm from), the
salary is extremely low, but as I would like to stay in Japan, I'm
thinking about taking it.  So, my question is, what do others who have
work experience in Japan think about this contract?  After paying taxes,
national health insurance, housing (probably 60-80K/month), it seems
like there's not much left over.  How much do you think you could save,
if any, living in Tokyo on this salary?  Am I getting poor contract
terms?  Everyone told me that if you sign short term contracts, you get
higher pay at the expense of job stability, but this seems to not be the
case.

Thanks,
John