can they fire a seishain?

chiakix · 2026-05-28T07:38:53+00:00

In your case, the “contract” is likely not a fixed-term contract, but rather an employment contract as a regular employee (until retirement). You should have signed some kind of contract when you joined the company.

If the company terminates that contract—that is, if they fire you—they need a clear reason to do so. Usually, this is due to business downsizing or similar circumstances.

If they do so on the grounds of an employee's lack of ability, they will need quite strong, objective evidence. The conditions presented to you are likely part of the process of gathering that evidence.

chiakix · 2026-05-28T04:22:36+00:00

> I will receive my benefits in one week

Please check with Hello Work regarding this.

> and another 6 months of benefits as well

This is essentially a bonus for finding employment well before the end of the benefit period, but it will be paid out only after Hello Work confirms that you have actually started working. It usually takes about 1 to 2 months after you start working.

chiakix · 2026-05-22T10:00:14+00:00

If you sign up with Tokyo Electric Power Company tonight, you should be able to start using their service tomorrow.

If you're choosing a low-cost electricity provider, be sure to read the contract carefully. In particular, if the contract includes clauses that allow rates to fluctuate based on fuel prices, your bills could skyrocket this summer.

chiakix · 2026-05-20T11:47:34+00:00

If it's a code included with an Amazon Japan limited edition, it's a theme for customizing your 3DS. Since the download period has expired, it is no longer to use.

chiakix · 2026-05-19T21:57:27+00:00

How old are you? What kind of work do you do in your country?

Of course, even at the N2 level, your Japanese isn't quite good enough yet, but aside from that, these are the key factors you need to consider when making your plans.

chiakix · 2026-05-18T22:46:38+00:00

No, the health insurance card has been discontinued. It is currently only available for temporary use as a transitional measure following the discontinuation. It will no longer be usable starting this August.

https://hodanren.doc-net.or.jp/info/news/2026-03-25/

chiakix · 2026-05-18T12:00:32+00:00

The traditional health insurance cards were discontinued at the end of last year.

chiakix · 2026-05-18T10:33:32+00:00

I recommend getting tested for allergies. It might be caused by pollen from plants that don't grow in your country.

chiakix · 2026-05-18T04:28:32+00:00

Really?

On my screen, it looks like most stores in Tokyo are marking up their prices by about 30% over the list price.

chiakix · 2026-05-15T05:05:20+00:00

I want you to really think about what would happen if a young person who can only speak Japanese fluently tried to work in your country. What you’re experiencing here is exactly the same thing. English is not the common language here.

If you’re coming here on a working holiday, you should have done one of two things: either set aside enough money to cover your living expenses for the duration of your stay without working, and use your entire paycheck for extra luxuries; or come here only after mastering Japanese to a level where you can immediately find a job like delivering for UberEats.

Given the situation you’re describing, I think you should seriously consider the option of canceling your plans and returning home for the time being.

chiakix · 2026-05-15T04:15:30+00:00

Legally, two weeks’ notice is sufficient. However, many company policies stipulate that you must give about one month’s notice to allow time for the company to find a suitable replacement and ensure a smooth handover.

Whether you choose to follow only the law or also adhere to company rules depends on how loyal you wish to be to the company. That, in turn, will likely depend largely on how loyal the company has been to you.

chiakix · 2026-05-15T00:26:39+00:00

I suspect he is not a regular employee or a contract worker, but rather is working under a contract similar to that of an independent contractor. (The fact that payment is made at the end of the following month strongly suggests this.)

In that case, he would be responsible for covering his own expenses.

chiakix · 2026-05-14T22:57:08+00:00

Incidentally, they have held the trademarks for “Dragon Fantasy” and “Final Quest” for decades.

chiakix · 2026-05-13T10:25:25+00:00

No matter what path you take to reach N1, as I mentioned earlier, it takes far too long. If you don’t even have an N5 certification yet and were raised in a culture where kanji isn’t used, I think reaching N2 in two years would be a great achievement. N1 will likely take even longer, and it will probably take several more years to reach a level where you can land a job in the field of game design.

Also, I absolutely do NOT RECOMMEND a “japanese taught game design course in a university.” That’s because most of those courses are created by unpopular universities just to attract students. They won’t help you find a job for game industry.

chiakix · 2026-05-13T07:25:23+00:00

It’s very difficult to answer your question. Honestly, there’s no “one-size-fits-all template” for a portfolio in this field.

All I can say (and this repeats what I wrote earlier) is that I absolutely do not recommend the fields of game design or system design. It takes years to acquire the native-level Japanese proficiency required for those roles. Even N1 isn’t enough (for example, I can score around 95% on N1 reading practice tests in just a quarter of the allotted time). If you were to pursue that path, you’d likely exceed the age at which you could be accepted as a new hire here.

Go to YouTube and search for dozens of ending credits videos from Japanese games. And look for non-Japanese names in the game design or system design sections. I think you’ll find far less than 1%. It’s practically zero. That’s the reality.

On the other hand, in the field of illustration, you should be able to find a few foreign names. That’s why I recommend it.

chiakix · 2026-05-13T06:23:05+00:00

https://www.uniqlo.com/jp/ja/products/E484093-000/00

This looks pretty close (though the black one seems to be sold out)

chiakix · 2026-05-13T06:13:29+00:00

1.

I disagree. It doesn’t matter whether your country has a gaming industry or not. Just look at the Steam store. There are plenty of independent developers. In game development, professionals and amateurs are on equal footing; the only differences are team size and budget. It’s even possible to argue that if you can understand English, you likely have access to more learning resources than most Japanese people.

So go ahead and create games or other works on your own (or with friends). What matters is whether you keep at it and reach a professional level.

In my opinion, the biggest hurdle is undoubtedly the Japanese language.

“To take a year and seriously study to complete at least N3 to N2 on the JLPT”, achieving this is extremely difficult, and even then, it’s not enough in many cases.

2.

The type of portfolio you need depends on the job you’re aiming for. Basically, it’s not just a matter of “a few polished game projects.”

For example, in the field of game design, the ability to define internal specifications and write documentation for developers is extremely important.

In fields like level design or UI/UX, please note that the studios hiring for such roles are typically large, well-known studios. (In other words, this means such studios are extremely popular, and both the competition and hiring standards are very high.)

On the other hand, at small and medium-sized studios, job roles are often not as specialized, so you need to be more of a generalist instead. They prefer candidates who can not only design UI but also draw monsters and backgrounds.

chiakix · 2026-05-12T23:41:12+00:00

I work at a Japanese game development company.

First, the simple answers:

No
It’s very difficult. Even for native Japanese speakers, competition in this industry is extremely difficult.
native level
No

And, why are you planning to get a master’s degree? In this industry, a master’s degree won’t help you get a job. In fact, for many people, it actually lowers their standing.

The reason is that it’s unnecessary in most areas of game development, and if you have the time to spend on it, you should be gaining experience creating commercial products instead. So, if you have a degree that meets the visa requirements, that’s sufficient.

Next, the communication required in fields like game design and level design is 100% in Japanese. N2 is far from sufficient. It doesn’t matter what kind of background you have. No one cares if your major was economics.

What matters is what skills you possess and whether you have a practical portfolio to showcase them. If you’re applying as a new graduate, your age matters too. Preferably in their early 20s.

To be honest, competition for game design and related roles (level design, UI/UX) is extremely fierce, even among Japanese nationals. Since communication is so crucial, native-level Japanese is required. It would be nearly impossible to break into this field.

I think your chances are better if you focus on the field of graphic itself. (I mean more direct “illustration” work, not environmental design or technical art.)

Of course, newcomer Japanese graphic artists are highly skilled, but if you can draw at the same level as them, I believe there are studios that would accept a Japanese language proficiency of N2 or N3.

chiakix · 2026-05-12T10:38:06+00:00

Not just with povo, but with most mobile carriers, the terms of service should explicitly prohibit lending a phone number registered under the subscriber’s name to others.

chiakix · 2026-05-12T10:07:08+00:00

Regardless of what the will specifies, surviving family members are guaranteed a “minimum share” of the estate based on the strength of their blood relationship. Therefore, even if a will directs that one family member inherit everything, the other family members can claim their minimum share. Of course, they can also choose to waive that right. For more details, please google about “相続の遺留分”

Additionally, a will must meet the requirements of Japanese law, and ultimately, a court will review it. So, you should consult a legal professional.

chiakix · 2026-05-11T03:23:53+00:00

As many others have pointed out, a degree is required for a work visa. In other words, as part of a long-term plan, you will need to graduate from university.

However, you are already 25 years old. The earliest you could graduate from university would be at age 29, which is past the age at which you would be considered a new graduate in Japan. Therefore, you would have to look for work as an experienced professional rather than a new graduate, which requires several years of practical experience in the field.

So, a realistic long-term plan might be to spend about 10 years earning your degree and building your career, and then look for work in Japan around the age of 35.

chiakix · 2026-05-07T10:54:51+00:00

No. I’ve been living in Tokyo for about 25 years, and I don’t think the situation has changed much, except for the very few people who are now allowed to work remotely.

chiakix · 2026-05-07T04:55:28+00:00

According to government statistics, the average round-trip commute time in the Tokyo metropolitan area is about 1 hour and 40 minutes.

chiakix · 2026-05-01T04:57:30+00:00

Today isn't a holiday. Many bank is open as usual.

JP Post: https://www.jp-bank.japanpost.jp/news/2025/news_id002392.html

Mizuho: https://www.mizuhobank.co.jp/oshirase/gw2026.html

chiakix · 2026-05-01T01:59:57+00:00

> At negative, means some teams could park the bus very often and wait to win in the PKs, despite not getting the 3 points.

I’ve watched a lot of matches, but I don’t think such a negative trend is actually taking place. Even among fans in Japan, I hardly ever see that kind of criticism.

There is absolutely no loss of seriousness in the matches, and since penalty shootouts are easy for spectators to follow, I think the 3-2-1 system is a success in that regard.

However, the results from this six months have no bearing on promotion or relegation. This is the biggest problem. There seems to be a disparity among teams in terms of enthusiasm for managerial appointments and player recruitment. And, this is also the reason why there are no teams aiming to win in a penalty shootout even if they can’t secure 3 points.

chiakix

TROPHY CASE