Japan: The Land of the Rising Opportunities
May 3, 2013
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Geographically, Japan is located in the East where the sun rises and that is why it is considered to be the Land of the Rising Sun. But could there be more reasons? Is it called the “Land of the Rising Sun” because it also means a new beginning and a new hope?
Japan has 6,852 islands and four of its largest is Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku, which completes ninety-seven percent of Japan's land area. The country ranks tenth in the world’s largest population, with over 127 million people. Honshu’s Greater Tokyo Area, comprise Tokyo which is the largest metropolitan area in the world having 30 million residents.
Japan’s government is a constitutional monarchy giving the emperor a very limited power. The emperor is defined as "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people". Power is held chiefly by the Prime Minister of Japan and other elected members of the Diet, while sovereignty is still given by the Japanese.
As of March 2011, there are 305, 972 Filipinos is Japan. As a matter of fact, from years 1990 to 1999, overseas Filipino workers in Japan were able to remit US$1 billion. OFW remittances are indeed a life support for the very weak Philippine economy.
The growing economy in Japan makes it not odd to think why so many Filipinos aspire to work there. According to the Japanese Immigration System, Foreigners, who wish to work in Japan, must be able to submit a work visa from a Japanese embassy or consulate outside Japan to get a residence permitting work. There are a lot of statuses, each allowing the holder to work only in a specific professional field. If you change jobs while you are in Japan and your new job falls into a different field you definitely have to change your status of residence.
The residence card is required by banks in Japan you will also need it when buying a cell phone, converting a driver’s license and similar activities. It has the holder's personal information, including the current address, the status of residence and period of stay. It is required for foreign residents to carry their residence care all the time.
A bachelor’s degree and a working experience are required to qualify for a working visa. Residence permits can be a 6 month long period and may be extended up to 5 years.
In demand jobs in Japan are usually in the entertainment industry, farming industry, engineering industry, and food industry. Most Filipinos in Japan apply for multiple part time jobs to maximize their income.
I have watched some life stories of Filipinos in Japan and was actually inspired by their success. Their life became an epitome of how hard work can actually change one’s life. Japan is indeed the land of the rising sun.
Latest Job Openings in Japan for Filipinos!