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"Life and Study in Japan"
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Cost
of Living
Among the concerns that has often discouraged potentials
visitors is Japan's reputation for high prices, especially
in its major cities Tokyo and Osaka. While one can without
a doubt quickly spend a great deal of money, there are ways
to avoid that. The oft cited $5.00 cup of coffee and the
$90 cantaloupe do exist, but they don't represent the price
of consumables. In fact, a price revolution (downward) is
underway as distribution systems are relaxed.
Perhaps the most important categories of "sticker shock" are
in housing (see next subject) and travel. Food can be expensive,
according to the source. You can eat fairly inexpensively
if you learn to prepare your own meals. Reasonable restaurants
can be located in most areas with a little scouting work.
The average costs of university fees, tuition, etc. in the
first year of study are as follows:
National university - 773,800 yen;
Local public university - 878,370 yen;
Private university - in the low 1,000,000 yen,
but arts,
pharmacy, medicine, and dentistry are higher.
Graduate schools are slightly less.
Subsequent years require no admission fees and so entail
about 70% of the first year's expenses.
Japanese Language Institutes vary widely in cost, from 357,000
yen to 422,000 yen for six-month course and from 410,000
yen to 1,017,400 yen for a one-year course.
There are also average figures for average monthly living
expenses of an international student living in various regions.
| Hokkaido |
122,591
yen |
| Tohoku |
118,375
yen |
| Kanto |
154,182
yen |
| Tokyo |
158,920
yen |
| Chubu |
124,539
yen |
| Kinki |
136,676
yen |
| Chugoku |
124,009
yen |
| Shikoku |
117,238
yen |
| Kyushu |
119,602
yen |
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(Figures are from 2002 Study Guide to Japan, AIEJ)
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Housing
and Transportation
Usually students live in student housing such as dormitories,
in apartments rented from private owners, in so-called "gaijin
houses," or in homes through a homestay arrangement.
Ways to get around some of the high costs of housing in Japan
include procuring student housing (which sometimes includes
meals), finding a roommate, or living farther from the center
of town. Private apartments permit the most flexibility and
are the most expensive, as a rule. "Gaijin houses" can
resemble hostels or even apartments, are created for foreign
students, and may ease the transition for some students.
Homestays - staying with a family - are fairly rare (especially
long-term) but can be rewarding if all participants make
an effort to learn about and respect each other.
The train system in Japan is both extremely good and relatively
expensive, about $1.10 for the shortest one-way trip in Tokyo.
However, there is almost no need whatsoever for a car or
the associated maintenance and insurance costs.
In almost all cases, living in the major metropolitan areas
of cities such as Tokyo and Osaka is dramatically more costly
than suburban or rural locations. It is not impossible however,
as borne out by the number of international students there.
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Working
While You Study
So many foreigners in Japan work as language teachers that it might be assumed
that that is what you are doing. Indeed, although the big earnings that once
existed for English teachers are gone, many students can help pay their school
or living costs and at the same time meet Japanese people who have an interest
in them as foreign speakers. Other jobs are available, but most, naturally, require
good Japanese language ability. For employment, get to know people already there.
IMPORTANT:
The type of visa which one enters Japan determines whether or not one can pursue
money-making activities. In general, students with student visas can work up
to 20 hours per week.
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Other
Foreign students who will be in Japan for a year
or longer must join the National Health Insurance
Program. The student should go to the National Health
Insurance Section of his municipal (city or ward)
office to carry out the paperwork. After this, the
student will make monthly payments into the system.
Foreign students, upon declaration of lack of income,
will receive a discount on these payments. Showing
the National Insurance Card when receiving medical
treatment will permit the student to pay only 20-30%
of incurred costs. |
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Living
in Japan as a Student