Fun / foon Tokyo

Sunday, March 28, 2004

Get eikaiwa "certifiable" for $295, hee, hee
Topic: adviceS
Schools around the world need you to teach English
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Posted by trek/taro at 12:59 PM JST
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Friday, March 19, 2004

Japanese resumes: Mo' boring, mo' betta.
Topic: adviceS

How to submit a resume in Japan

Guess what happens to EVERY resume submitted electronically at Maybe-the-Largest-in-Japan Inc?

We automatically rip it ASCII plain text and index the keywords. Resumes like the one you're planning with the "complex tables" seldom make it throught that auto-ASCII rip, and SO THOSE RESUMES ARE OFTEN IGNORED.

If you want a mega-coporation job, always email an ASCII resume.

At the interview present them with a resume w/small photo, printed on only 1 page of clean while bond paper and without any font frou-frou. In Japan, the more boring the resume the better. Buy the Japanese form you can get in any stationary store. See the FG thread: Give me the full deal on Japanese resumes

Posted by trek/taro at 1:16 PM JST
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Friday, March 12, 2004

Where Can I Find Big Shoes in Tokyo
Topic: adviceS
Shoes? Easy, but your selection is limited.
(You should just buy them in your home country.)
Try Iseten Shinjuku 6th floor, Sports Authority, CostCo Japan, etc.
Washington --- the most "famous" big shoes store of Japan not cheap
Varied footwear available in larger sizes
5-7-7 Ginza http://www.wguides.com/city/80/225_89853.cfm
Footlocker
The popular American athletic shoe chain

in Parco http://www.wguides.com/city/80/225_35231.cfm

See my friends' advice at
Metropolis [Tokyo] Looking Good: Big is beautiful
Fun not serious help
http://www.tokyoshoes.com/blog/archives/2003_06.html

Or read the thread
http://www.gaijinpot.com/forums/read.php?f=22&i=263&t=26
_________________
"The haggis that is sold in Tokyo is very expensive."

Posted by trek/taro at 2:56 PM JST
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Saturday, March 6, 2004

Why the Peace Sign in all Japanese photos?
Topic: adviceS
"Edoolittle" on March 5, 2004 07:19 PM wrote in the Conclave Project...
Q: "So What is up with the two digit peace sign and why is it so cool?"

A:
It was introduced to Japanese via hippy 60s and the Viet Nam War (and in an odd way the 5th Beatle, Yoko Ono promoted it). Since Japanese like to PRETEND to be pacifists, it stuck.

Posted by trek/taro at 11:28 PM JST
Updated: Saturday, March 6, 2004 11:46 PM JST
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Sunday, February 29, 2004

Japanese Social Security now works in the US for Americans
Topic: adviceS

Good news Bad news

Japanese Social Security now works in the US for Americans but Medicare will not, arrrrg. All the following information is vague, but it's a start at least.
From: American Embassy Tokyo
Subject: American Community Security Update - March 2004

Some Social Security and Medicare Questions

Q: Because I have worked abroad most of my life, I have not paid enough into the U.S. system to collect social security benefits. Is there any way I can make up the difference by paying into the U.S. social security system (a lump sum, for example) to get the remaining credits?

A: The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not allow voluntary contributions in order to meet the required number of quarters of coverage to be eligible for SSA benefits, including Medicare.

Q: Since the U.S. and Japan signed a Social Security Totalization Agreement, would I have to give up all of my Japanese social security benefits in order to qualify for U.S. Medicare benefits? I think I only need a few more years of work in the U.S. to qualify for Medicare there, can I use part of my Japanese years to make up the total?

Answer: You do not have to give up your benefits in Japan. However, you cannot use your benefits in Japan to qualify for Medicare in the U.S., as there are no Medicare benefits covered under any proposed Totalization Agreement. Please refer to SSA regulation GN 01701.130A.

Q: If there is no way I can qualify for Medicare in the U.S., can you suggest alternate insurance plans?

A: If you are a U.S. citizen, when you return and establish residence in the U.S. you are eligible for Supplementary Medical Insurance (Part B of Medicare). You can enroll during your initial enrollment period (IEP), which is the seven month period that covers three months before and three months after the month you establish residency in the U.S. Please refer to SSA regulations HI 00805.005A2., HI 00805.007B., and HI 00805.015A. Example: You returned and established residency in the U.S. in June 2003. Your initial enrollment period is from March 2003 through September 2003. If you fail to enroll during this period, there will be a premium surcharge of 10% for every full twelve months you did not enroll after your initial enrollment period. The premiums, as of January 2004, are $66.60.

Q: How do I find the SSA regulations you referred to above?

A: You can search for SSA regulations at SSA's website:

Go to http://www.ssa.gov

On the left side of the screen, under "Resources", click on "Freedom of Information"

On the right side of the screen, under "www.socialsecurity.gov", click on "Manuals and Instructions"

Click on "SSA Program Operation Manual (POMS)"

From here, you can search either by clicking on the first 2 letters of the specific POMS reference (i.e., RM, GN, HI, etc.) or by using the search mode and indicating the specific POMS reference, i.e. GN 01701.130.

Please note that the Embassy and our Consulates do not have information on Japanese social security (nenkin) benefits or procedures. Please contact the appropriate Japanese officials at your local ward or city office.

The American Embassy in Tokyo
American Citizen Services
1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420
Tel: 03-3224-5174
Fax: 03-3224-5856
http://www.tokyoacs.com

Posted by trek/taro at 3:42 PM JST
Updated: Sunday, February 29, 2004 3:57 PM JST
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