I'm a US citizen in tech (user experience designer at a regular corporate job, not FAANG/big tech) who recently married my Japanese spouse (in Japan). We've decided I should move to Japan first, with plans to eventually return to the US in 1-5 years. Spouse visa process is underway and expected to take 2-3 months. I'll need to leave my current US-based job when I move, as they can't support remote work from Japan.
Key Context:
– I'll be living in Tokyo
– Almost no Japanese language skills currently
– Have ~1 year of modest savings to live on
– Spouse works full-time in Tokyo (moderate income, nothing fancy)
– We're planning to start a family soon
– Will likely move back to US in 1-5 years to be near aging parents
– Looking for stable income; bonus: if it allows freedom to do side gigs
– Prefer simple tax/paperwork situations due to (actual) OCD that makes complex administrative tasks especially stressful
I'm considering these options and would deeply appreciate advice/insights from others who've been in similar situations:
-
Start freelancing/contracting
Pros: Flexibility, potential for higher income
Concerns: Never freelanced before, dislike networking/sales, weak portfolio, unsure whether to structure as US LLC vs Japanese business entity (godo kaisha), uncertain about targeting US vs Asian vs Japanese clients -
Find role at multinational US company
Pros: Familiar work environment, easier taxes, likely better pay and stability
Concerns: Few openings in my field, highly competitive, previous experience at big corps wasn't great -
Work for Japanese company
Pros: Local presence, less complex tax situation(?)
Concerns: All recruiters say to wait until I'm in Japan before giving interviews, language barrier, lower typical compensation
Looking for:
– Experience from others who've made similar moves
– Suggestions for options I haven't considered
– Specific advice about business structure if going independent
– Recommendations for finding English-speaking work in Japan
– Tips for managing international finances/taxes
– Ways to make this transition smoother
I know this is a lot to ask, and I'm grateful for any insights or advice you can share. I'm not looking for an easy path – just trying to make informed decisions. Thanks in advance.
by breaksofast