Hi everyone! As the title says, I just got a job offer from a IT company in Japan, and I’m kind of hesitating about whether to accept it or not. Let me give you some background first.
I’m a 29-year-old man from a developing country, currently working in marketing for an entertainment company. My current company is overseas, so I work fully remote, and the salary is decent, better than the average in my country. After working here for 5 years, I started asking myself if I want to stay here forever, even though the environment is really good. The answer is no. I want a higher salary and more achievements in my life. That’s when I found this job opportunity.
The job is in my area of expertise and pays really well from my perspective (5.5-6M yen per year). I also speak Japanese fluently and have JLPT N1, so language won’t be a barrier. The company will also help me apply for a working visa, which is a relief.
But here’s the problem: if I take this job, I’ll have to move to Tokyo. The work style is hybrid, so I don’t need to go to the office every day, which is nice. However, in a casual conversation before the final interview, I asked HR about a relocation package, and they clearly said they don’t offer one. That’s a big concern. If I take the job, I’d need to cover all the relocation costs myself, flight tickets, first month’s rent while looking for a long-term place, the upfront costs of renting in Japan (shikikin and reikin), buying essential furniture, plus living expenses. I do have some savings, but it’s far from enough. I even considered taking a loan to cover the setup costs, but then I started questioning whether it’s really worth it.
Sure, the salary is much higher than my current job, and the career prospects look promising. But there are risks too. What if I regret moving? What if I don’t pass the probation? Then I’d have to come back home with debt.
I know this is ultimately my decision to make, but I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you were in my position, what would you do?
PS: I have a 面談 about the offer next week. Do you think I could still try negotiating for a relocation package then?
by godfast43