jj_457@yahoo.com <jj_457@yahoo.com> wrote:

> 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

That's less than half of what I made 15 years ago.

> company will pay no living expenses, no taxes, no health care, etc.

Very strange.

> Also, there is no bonus.

Not as strange as it seems.

> 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

An important consideration. Have you looked for other jobs?

> 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.

Try
http://www.daijob.com/dj/en/index.html

Mike