Japan, A Working Holiday Guide

For any of you readers contemplating travelling to Japan and at the same time finding some kind of employment, Southerden's book will prove to be indispensable. It is very well organized, as you will immediately discover when you look at the table of contents. There are twelve sections dealing with such topics as: a general introduction, why Japan, perspectives pertaining to Japan, general tourist information, exploring Japan, living in Japan, a day as a Tokyo alien, life as a rural alien, working in Japan, tasting the food, searching for the real Japan and finally, leaving the country.

From the very first chapter dealing with the subject matter, why choose Japan, the author is able to grab our attention. As she mentions, her choice of Japan happened virtually by chance. She had little or no knowledge of the Japanese language or culture and the very thought of going to Japan was enough to cause her severe anxiety, doubt and perhaps even fear. However, as the author looks back on her experience, she states "living in Japan has changed how I think about the world and my place in it, how I see myself and what I value in life."

It should be noted that Southerden left a full time position in Sydney to live amidst rice paddies on the outskirts of Miyazaki, a coastal city in southern Kyushu. Her work consisted of teaching English about 14 hours per week, which brought in enough money to survive.

The chapter dealing with working in Japan devotes considerable space to teaching in Japan, as this kind of employment is generally the job of choice for foreigners. Why? It is one of the few jobs where you can work minimal hours per week and earn enough to enjoy yourself while living in Japan. Furthermore, you don't need any teaching experience nor do you need to know how to speak Japanese. As for credentials, in most instances, a Bachelor's degree or equivalent in any subject matter is sufficient.

However, you would definitely have an edge if you have the diploma or certificate in TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language). The author is very comprehensive in mapping out the various steps necessary to teach in Japan, what salary to expect, where to find teaching positions, and other vital information. We are also directed to various web sites in order to complement our search for a teaching position in Japan. The author also deals with non-teaching positions and provides various pointers as to how to secure these jobs.

Other sections of the book help the prospective traveller understand various other aspects of living in the country, such as the food, living conditions, travelling around Japan, and the usual caveats pertaining to health matters and local rules and regulations. The end of the book provides the reader with an appendix listing books to read, web sites, useful addresses and phone numbers, and some simple phrases. The book is good value for the money and will save you a great deal of time and energy in researching the topic.