For many of us, the prospect of moving and living in Japan is both exciting yet daunting. Especially for those coming here on a tight budget, Japan's reputation as the most expensive country in the world in which to live, certainly doesn't help. So, this week, I'd like to cover some of the typical costs of living here. This is purely a guide only, you can do it both cheaper and much more...

In a tight labor market, it's the newly arrived people who feel the pinch first. I frequently get mail from people who've just landed in Japan and can't find a job, they're running low on funds and are starting to get desperate. Almost always, the writers are here because of a Japanese spouse or partner, and they were planning to come regardless of whether they could get a job first. If you're a native English speaker and have a degree, there are always...

H.O: Hello! I am looking for a translation job (English <-> Japanese) in which I can work during my free time (I don't want to have to go to the office everyday) as I am working another part time job already. Do you know of any employers or recruiting companies that offer such translation work?Terrie: Translation is probably the most under-appreciated profession in Japan. Not only are jobs hard to find, but most customers consider price to...

Once every now and again I look around the Japan-focused chat boards to get a feel for what people are looking for work and how they find it. Over the last few months, I've noticed more and more postings from people who are dissatisfied with recruiting companies - and labeling one company or another as "useless". But before giving up on recruiters, let's take a step back and look at what you should be using a recruiter for...