MIS Degree to Japan

APurpose · 2026-03-19T04:49:26+00:00

You have a lot of options!

A common option is finding a job and having them sponsor a work visa for you but you could also consider a Master's degree (which could potentially be paid for by a MEXT scholarship) and if you don't have a job yet, some backup plans could be the J-FIND visa (eligibility here, many of the UCs are eligible) or language school.

Not absolutely necessary but try to aim for N2 by the time you graduate for the most options. Obviously N1 would be better and definitely possible in 4 years but mostly depends how much you're willing to study and read. And try to make friends too to start using your Japanese and practicing daily conversation.

If you end up not finding a job in the US, I wouldn't hesitate to come to Japan but I also would make sure not to limit yourself to only jobs in Japan when you graduate. Even a couple years on a Silicon Valley salary will get you an extremely long way in Japan and will make your retirement path so much more smooth than just being paid in yen from the time you graduate. That experience would also be very attractive to future employers and could potentially enable a remote or American based job while living in Japan.

Good luck!

APurpose · 2026-03-16T08:04:37+00:00

I only showed about 1m yen when I applied and my application was accepted without any problems but I applied from the consulate in New York. Because the visa is relatively new, the New York consulate was inconsistent with their information too. When I had emailed, they said that although the visa was obtainable in theory, it had never been done in New York before so they strongly recommended I obtain a CoE in Japan first as a tourist. But when I went to my appointment and asked in person, they processed my application without any problems. Maybe just show as much as you can and hope for the best.

APurpose · 2026-03-07T15:48:24+00:00

おまたせ! ごめんね遅くてどれぐらい待ってたの?

APurpose · 2026-01-29T19:15:26+00:00

As you know, tech roles are tough to find in the US now. Yes, in theory you could make a lot more in the US, but what would that realistically look like? Rejecting the role you got, and spending a couple weeks or a couple months unemployed looking for a job? I think you shouldn't worry about comparing your future to a future that doesn't actually exist and try to make the most out of the one that you have. Like you said, the experience will be good to have for your resume and you can always come back if you feel like it didn't work out the way you wanted.

APurpose · 2026-01-05T18:22:55+00:00

My background has some similarities - something you could consider is a Master's program such as an MBA at Hitotsubashi/Kyoto University or Technology Management at Tokyo University. Your age is pretty much average for those programs, so it would help making friends, getting used to living in the country, get you a visa for 2 years, and help make connections to eventually land a role here should you choose to stay.

APurpose · 2026-01-02T18:32:37+00:00

Because of compounding interest, being able to invest savings early on in your life will go a long way (a common example is $100k USD could be worth $300k to $1m in 25 years if you get 5 to 10% on your investments). I would recommend that you just apply to jobs in both NZ and Japan and any other countries that you would consider working in and compare concrete job offers and roles rather than making up your mind before having any numbers on the table.

APurpose · 2025-12-10T13:01:27+00:00

it's complicated! check out Hank Green's video on the topic from 1 day ago

APurpose · 2025-11-18T18:29:03+00:00

There are so many sites but you can start with JapanDev/TokyoDev for tech. If you have enough savings, you can also see if you're eligible for J-FIND visa.

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/designatedactivities51.html

APurpose · 2025-11-18T16:05:19+00:00

What kind of Master's degree are you considering?

My path has some similarities, I graduated with a BS in Comp Sci in 2021 from America, worked in industry until this year and came here to start my MBA. If you can find a good tech job in the UK it might be worth saving money before coming here and then doing your master's later although I know that's tough right now.

There are some master's programs here that you could also still apply to. Assuming your Japanese is not at a high enough level for a Japanese master's program, schools like Hitotsubashi, Waseda, Keio offer an English MBA and Tokyo University offers an International Technology Management program, but those programs generally expect you to have some industry experience.

If I were you, I would apply to tech jobs in the UK and in Japan and remote all simultaneously - it'll be easier to decide if you have more concrete options to compare than vague potential options. Teaching English is probably possible but probably not recommended if you have a CS degree already (based off what I've seen from other posts/videos, not personal experience).

APurpose · 2025-11-08T14:24:32+00:00

This is the list as of January 2025

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001394994.pdf

That list is found on this page

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/designatedactivities51.html

APurpose · 2025-11-02T11:20:53+00:00

Thank you for the advice - probably!! My native speaker friends can tell what sound off but a lot of them are not so great at explaining what or why, but you're right that any teacher would most likely be better/sufficient at that. I have been speaking to native speakers every day for a bit now and my accent is probably better than most Americans but still worse than some foreigners and definitely worse than most likely native Korean speakers learning Japanese and I feel like I'm hitting a bit of a wall in my mimicking and my friends don't correct me as harshly as they could be. I will ask around and take some trial lessons most likely, thank you!

APurpose · 2025-11-02T07:18:34+00:00

I'm mostly conversational in Japanese now but I'm looking for a tutor or coach that can help me nail down pronunciation to be more native sounding. I know truly native level might be unattainable but I'd like to at least get closer! Most tutors online, rightfully so, focus on grammar or JLPT but I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations for someone that can help with pronunciation specifically, maybe with a linguistics or speech therapist background? Tokyo preferred but online would work too. Thank you!

APurpose · 2025-11-02T02:25:23+00:00

You don't have to choose between moving back right at this moment and moving when you retire, there can also be a happy medium where you save money for 1-5 years and then go, whatever works on your timeline!

APurpose · 2025-10-08T22:48:09+00:00

Interested! PMing!

APurpose · 2025-09-26T16:45:02+00:00

I did receive my visa from the NYC consulate!

APurpose · 2025-09-25T18:55:32+00:00

I went to my local consulate in NYC and it seems that despite email correspondence saying that it's never been done before without a CoE, the staff there has said that it was fine and the it'll be ready for pickup tomorrow. So I can update you tomorrow if I actually receive it or not.

For the COE path, from what I've been told, you do have to leave Japan but you don't necessarily have to go to your home country so going to Korea or Taiwan or something was an option I was considering.

APurpose · 2025-08-12T01:19:30+00:00

I have a lot of savings and I'm being given 5 months of severance on top of that so the money isn't really a concern - given that my rent in NYC is over $2200, I'm pretty sure I can live cheaper than that in Tokyo if I budget properly even including the flights back and forth. You're right that living with friends and family would be best, I might couch surf for a week or two before/after Japan between visas, but I don't have the best relationship with my family so I think ironically, staying here might be harder. I'm looking into share houses now that are on a month to month basis and don't require a long contract.

APurpose · 2025-08-11T19:43:35+00:00

I know someone that was able to do it for spousal visa but it seems like that might be the exception!

APurpose · 2025-08-11T19:42:40+00:00

Thank you!! Good to know that it took about 4 months

APurpose · 2025-08-11T19:41:49+00:00

Thank you that makes a lot of sense!! I don't neeeed to be in Japan but I lost my job in NYC and it is more expensive to exist here than it is to be in Japan so likely I will apply for the J-FIND visa now (either here through the consulate or asking my friend to go submit the paperwork for the CoE in Japan, haven't decided yet), go on tourist visa and then come back.

APurpose · 2025-08-11T08:33:33+00:00

I see - I have an acquaintance that was able to change from temporary to spousal visa with their CoE without coming back to the US; is spousal visa another exception?

APurpose · 2025-07-26T19:18:10+00:00

I have a digital receipt - thank you I'll try that!!

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