mtfester@netMAPSONscape.net wrote:
> 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?
> 

I've looked some at other jobs, but nothing was offered.  I'm in a bit
of a specialized field, so there aren't that many companies who have
opportunities in what I do.  Of course, I could broaden the types of
jobs I would accept and that would open up a lot more opportunities.
But, I enjoy the area I'm working in a lot, and I would rather not
change.  Plus, once you stop working in the area I'm in for a few years,
it's hard to get back in due to the rapid change in technology.  So, in
 a way, I feel this is my last chance if I want to stay in Japan.


> 
>>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

Thanks for the link.  I didn't see anything in my area, but I was
suprised to see the engineering salary ranges.   Almost every job listed
a salary between 6-11 M yen per year or negotiable.  Only a couple
started at 5 M.  My current job pays about 4.8 M / year, so I'm being
offered a fairly hefty pay cut.

John