Considering Language School vs. Bachelor’s Degree in Japan vs Part time Degree in Singapore for Moving to Japan (Age, Career, and Financial Trade-Offs)

Hi everyone,

I’m currently exploring pathways to move to Japan and would appreciate some advice from people who have been through this process or who know the landscape well. I want to make a realistic plan that accounts for finances, age, and long-term prospects.

My background:

I’m 33 years old, originally from Myanmar, and have been living and working in Singapore for the past decade.

My highest qualification is a diploma from Polytechnic in Singapore (completed over 10 years ago). Since then, I’ve been working in Semiconductors industry.

I currently earn around $5k/month. It’s not a high salary by industry standards, but it’s steady, covers living comfortably, and allows me to save.

My work arrangement:

I work 12-hour rotating shifts (3 days work, 4 days off; 4 days work, 3 days off).

The nature of the job sometimes allows me to study during working hours (depending on workload), in addition to my regular days off.

This means I realistically have time to pursue Japanese studies or even a part-time bachelor’s while continuing to work.

Options I’m considering:

1. Language school in Japan (2 years): Full-time study to build language ability and potentially transition into further studies or work, but would require me to give up my current income.

2. Bachelor’s degree in Japan (4 years): Gain both language and formal qualifications locally, but with a longer period of no income and uncertainty about post-graduation job prospects (Considering my age will be almost 40).

3. Part-time degree in Singapore (2~3 years): Enroll in a Private Education Institution to complete a bachelor’s while continuing to work and study Japanese on the side. This would delay my move to Japan but reduce financial risk and potentially strengthen my qualifications before applying.

My dilemma:

If I commit to options 1 or 2, I’d be foregoing a steady income of ~$5k/month for years, with no guarantee of earning something similar in Japan afterward. Financially, I've saved enough ($150k~200k in cash and investments) to support myself for studies and living in Japan for several years if needed.

Option 3 feels safer, but it delays relocation by a few years and I’m conscious of my age — I’m in my mid-30s, so the return on investment may look very different compared to someone younger.

Additional context:

I fully understand that average salaries in Japan may be lower than what I currently earn in Singapore, and I’m fine with that. My goals are not purely financial. I want to build a sustainable life in Japan, immerse myself in the culture, and travel around the country during my time there. Longer term, I hope to work toward residency and eventually citizenship. After that, my dream is to also have the freedom to travel more widely around the world.

My goals:

Secure long-term residency in Japan, ideally leading to citizenship.

Build a sustainable and realistic future in Japan, not just a short-term experience.

Questions for the community:

For someone in their mid-30s with a diploma and modest but stable income, does it make more sense to pursue language school, a degree in Japan, or a part-time degree in Singapore first?

Are there industries (engineering, semiconductors, or others) where my work experience might outweigh the lack of a degree when applying for jobs/visas in Japan?

For those who went the study route (language school or university) — did the trade-off (lost income + time) pay off in the long run?

Any pitfalls or overlooked factors I should keep in mind before committing?

Thanks in advance for your insights. I’m trying to weigh this carefully since the decision will significantly impact my career and life trajectory.