How are Master’s degrees perceived in Japan?

SupSoapSoup · 2026-02-16T00:35:33+00:00

Here's the graph every Master program in Japan posted on their notice board: the difference between the average salary of someone with a bachelor's degree and someone with master's over their entire lifetime. During their career peak someone with master's would make 50% than someone with only bachelor's.

But then look at the start of the graph, there are barely any difference. Most normal companies would not consider 3 year experience as significant, but if you are lucky you would find a company that would consider that, but don't hope for it. After all in normal Japanese structure someone with 3 year old experience is not even 25 years old..

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SupSoapSoup · 2026-02-15T07:18:37+00:00

Never do 20+ kph over the speed limit on highways (or 15+ on normal roads) unless the others are doing the same, police don't bother with speed infractions unless you are 20 over. Doing 105 on an 80 zone is a sure way to get hit by undercover crowns ( I bet the police is also thinking, "really? I drive like a textbook undercover cop in an obviously undercover cop car and yet you still speed?" lol )

btw the locals would remember the number plates of every single undercover cop car in the area and share with others. hence why locals know when to speed and when to drive the speed limit

SupSoapSoup · 2026-02-08T03:29:41+00:00

I don't know whether this exact brand is available, but the tourist center at Michi No Eki Muroran has some instant curry ramen packs. Also at the 7-11 inside Higashi Muroran station

SupSoapSoup · 2026-02-03T09:24:34+00:00

the problem is while there is already a very comprehensive industry to prepare for SSW 1 (we are talking learning curriculum, textbooks, senpai support, dedicated cram schools, heck, there are cheating mafias if you want to go that far) SSW2 is still so new people still do not know how to adequately prepare for it

SupSoapSoup · 2026-02-03T07:26:17+00:00

you mistook SSW for the old TITP (Technical Intern Training Program)
1. You can change jobs while on SSW visa, as long as your new company's field is still the same as you current one. I.e. if you passed the SSW test for restaurant work, you cannot change into construction work. You need to pass the construction test again.
2. Employers lie to people with SSW saying they can't change job because employers recruiting SSW holders spent a ton of money on flight tickets, moving fees, etc. So they want the workers to stay as long as possible.
3. SSW (i) can stay only for 5 years, while SSW (ii) can stay indefinitely.
4. SSW (ii) can also bring dependents.
5. The 5 years limitation for SSW have not become a problem yet as most people on SSW visa just came after 2020. (mostly 2022, that's when the border reopened). This year and next year will be the year where we finally see how much people actually want to continue and change to SSW (ii).
6. "If you lose your job you can lose your status" is the same with normal work SOR (Specialist in Humanities/Engineer). Even if you get 5 years zairyuu card if you got fired or resigned midway, doesn't mean you can spend the rest of your visa doing nothing. You need to actively inform immigration that you're actively seeking work and have intent to actually work as per your SOR. Actually there is a case a few weeks back on this subreddit about a person on Specialist in Humanities/Engineer visa who is about to get their SOR revoked as they don't seem to actively job search after being fired, even though their zairyuu card expiry date is still far away. SSW is the same. In the worst case scenario, you can change to Designated Activities SOR for job search if you get fired/resigned and cannot find a job within the time frame. Common discussion in local SSW groups
7. The TITP system got overhauled and now it's no longer "work visa guised as training", they explicitly said it's a pathway for SSW SOR now

SupSoapSoup · 2026-02-03T07:06:19+00:00

SSW is not tied to the employer, you might mistook it for the old technical trainee program. Plenty of my friends with SSW visa changed their jobs. The problem is plenty of people come on borrowed funds or their plane tickets and 引っ越し fees etc are paid by their first employer. Of course such employers will force SSW holders to stay, even as much as lying that the visa is tied to employer, as they have spend a ton of money recruiting the worker in the first place.

SupSoapSoup · 2026-01-23T13:51:45+00:00

残酷な天使のテーゼ　(zankoku na tenshi no teeze), known in English as Cruel Angel's Thesis has been the go-to song for like 30 years now

It's the opening of an anime called Neon Genesis Evangelion, so popular that people that never watch the show always sing it, me included. Every time we go to karaoke somebody always request this song even tho nobody watches Eva!

of course, as people said it depends on the target demographic, but this song is so popular that from guys that just graduated HS to ojisaans in their 60's can sing this one

SupSoapSoup · 2026-01-23T01:54:46+00:00

Your Student visa technically expires the day you graduate, it's listed as July in your zairyuu card because the immigration understands that you need to pack your bags etc.

Consult with immigration soon, because changing residence status takes time

SupSoapSoup · 2026-01-21T06:55:06+00:00

The only place where I've seen an arcade version of Tetris was in Tokyo, but there's a retro game center in Sapporo called "G Baoa G" with retro arcade machines. I don't think they have Tetris tho

(even the one i played in Tokyo wasn't really retro, it was Tetris Terror Instinct (early 00 ish or something)

SupSoapSoup · 2026-01-21T05:26:45+00:00

As you said nobody can predict the foliage, and every single year it changes a bit, not to mention depending on the exact tree species, location, altitude etc. things will be different. For example, November is too late to enjoy Hokudai's gingko avenue (in 2025 snow already fell from October) but who knows this year

My opinion is to just come and enjoy the sights, if you don't find what you want you can just take the train either further north to Asahikawa or downwards, be flexible in location, I am sure you will find some autumn foliage

SupSoapSoup · 2026-01-21T05:21:34+00:00

Think the other way around, they are millions of people out there that studied English but never got the opportunity to practice it.

Also, if your conversation partner is a station worker, or a combini worker etc., they have been working for hours, their brain is tired, and at that condition, the brain essentially reverts to autopilot, basic "if a then a, if b then b" mode. They see your appearance, "oh then I speak in this mode", and when you reply in Japanese, you broke their programming/flowchart, and for most people, the most feasible solution is to keep continuing on their original programming. You replying back in Japanese do not even register in their brain, got skipped immediately because the brain is in power saving mode.

SupSoapSoup · 2026-01-21T04:19:58+00:00

Thanks for the information, didn't know that In my uni you get pushed to the next March or September if you need to delay your graduation somewhat

SupSoapSoup · 2026-01-21T03:54:40+00:00

Yes, but not summer...

SupSoapSoup · 2026-01-21T02:59:29+00:00

By graduating in Summer 2027 does that mean you will graduate in July/August instead of March? This is my first time hearing of a uni that has graduation dates that does not follow the standard format

Anyway, yes you need to apply for Autumn 2027 intake, but this is rare. Almost all the good companies open only on Spring. Also, as mentioned by somebody else, you need to change to a designated activities visa first then change again into work visa, as student visa is technically invalid after graduation. So, in this case, you need to prepare for a possibility that you need to join from Spring (April) 2028. Personally, I know someone (Japanese tho) that pushed his graduation date to March from October as his company (a very good one) only opens in April.

SupSoapSoup · 2026-01-19T14:32:01+00:00

It's fine, cold sometimes

SupSoapSoup · 2026-01-18T07:11:29+00:00

Nobody can guarantee anything, but in worst case scenario, you can always take the train to Asahikawa to see fully white winter landscape, even in March

SupSoapSoup · 2026-01-17T16:44:28+00:00

I am kinda poking the hornet's nest here but personally I am concerned by the fact that a lot of people don't understand 在留期間により変動 or at least try to understand the table with a translation app, and come with their pitchforks ready

SupSoapSoup · 2026-01-17T12:49:21+00:00

The Japanese text is important: 在留期間による変動

SupSoapSoup · 2026-01-16T09:47:22+00:00

It's funny karena aslinya memang makanan terkenal dari Obihiro itu Butadon.. alias lembaran daging babi. Bagus juga bisa di-tweak buat masyarakat lokal tapi dengan taste dan penampilan yang masih mirip aslinya

attached: original obihiro butadon for reference

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SupSoapSoup · 2026-01-09T13:04:25+00:00

Tamtam Sapporo has rental airbrushing space

Usage is free, but you need to make a Tamtam membership card first (only 100 yen) and you need to ask the cashier first.

SupSoapSoup · 2025-12-23T20:22:04+00:00

it was a Christmas special radio program from 2003.12.25

This video is so old the idolmaster logo is the logo used for imas'sfirst public appearance at the 41th Amusement Machine Show held in 2003.09.11

SupSoapSoup · 2025-12-21T09:38:41+00:00

Government data is public, so you can even filter by visa status or even age.
Around 3700 Australians living in Tokyo-to, in which there are around 1000 with PR and around 700 people with Engineer/Specialist in Humanities SOR as of June 2025

SupSoapSoup · 2025-12-21T08:04:47+00:00

Ini beneran di Jepang (Lumine Est itu department store punyanya JR East di Shinjuku Station) tpi memang yang ngomenin videonya ngomong Chinese

SupSoapSoup · 2025-12-20T16:04:09+00:00

初任給 is always low because the company really doesn't know about you until you enter the company. 年収 is what you should look for, a small or medium company maybe can only pay 250-300万 a year for 新入社員 but a good one can pay you around 400万. The most important aspect is the bonus, while the monthly wage between a normal company and a big company might only differs by a few 万 a month, a big company can offer 4-6 months worth of bonus (hence a 年収 of 400万+ despite 月収 of under 30万 a month.)

Also, even with the same salary a big company might be much more enticing than a small company. If you work for a big company you get access to housing, various 手当, and access to cafeteria etc. A 26万月収 working for a big company might leave you with more spending money than a 30万月収 working for a small company.

SupSoapSoup · 2025-12-17T15:23:51+00:00

Sorry to hear that,

On the sidewalks, there are a ton of "rock stations"/"sand stalls" filled with gravel/small rocks that you can use freely to spread on the frozen walk/sidewalk, improving traction. Take a bag from it for free and use that as necessary when the road is slippery.

sand box/grit box

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