For this project I researched graphic design and UX/UI jobs in and around Tokyo, Japan. I picked Tokyo because I have lived in Japan before, I speak Japanese, and I have close friends there who I would like to be able to spend time with. I also think that the quality of life there is overall good. Japan has national health insurance, which means that medical care is accessible and affordable. Social systems and public infrastructure are also good. One challenge as a non-resident, however, is finding work and obtaining a visa. My Japanese used to be fluent, but I haven’t had much opportunity to use it over the last few years, so I’m pretty rusty. I was curious to see what jobs, if any, would be available that fit my situation.
Graphic Designer (Asus Japan) – 4,000,000-6,000,000 Japanese Yen
UX Designer – 4,800,000-6,000,000 Japanese Yen
Website Production – 3,720,000-4,243,200 Japanese Yen
Graphic Communication (IKEA) – salary not listed
Given the current exchange rate, these salaries wouldn’t go very far in Seattle, but even the lower range is more than enough for an apartment and other living expenses, at least outside of the Tokyo city limits. I checked out apartments along the train line I used to live on in Saitama Prefecture, and it looks like average rent is around 50,000-60,000 yen. Add to this another 70,000 to 100,000 for other living expenses and the salaries listed above would be comfortable. Only one mentions visa help, so I’m not sure how viable this fantasy really is, but it’s fun to think about.