Trade-working in Japan?

[Brick101]

Hello all!

I'm a 24 years old man from Canada.
I'm a bricklayer-mason, I lay bricks for a living. Bricks, Blocks, Stones etc.
Also sand-finish and what not.
I also have experience installing carpets and other flooring.
During winter it is very hard to find work in my field.
Therefor I've thought of moving elsewhere where winter don't reach -20.
Japan has always been a place of interest for me, and now I'm thinking of going there for work.

Now my questions :

- Does anybody know if there's good money to be made in that field? Any trades work at all?

- How hard is it for someone to start up a small company? What do you have to go through to eventually register a company?

I speak French, English and just enroll in a local Japanese-speaking class.
I wish to be able to hold a conversation before I set foot in the plane, so I can speak clearly to my client.

I am not really into the big city thing, or if I were to live in one like Tokyo, Kyoto or such, I'd like to live at the extreme end of it.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. As I've found nothing so far but english-teaching or hotelry jobs.

Thanks
Matt

[Mike Cash]

The first hurdle you have to clear is visa eligibility. Have you researched that aspect of this yet?

[DoctorP]

If you are truly good at your trade, you could have some real success. If you are just average however, you would have a very difficult time surviving.

[Brick101]

Mike Cash : I was thinking of first going on the Japanese Holiday program wich is available with my country. They say I could work around 25 hours/week, the rest of the time is to visit, I don't mind that for a starter, and to get to know the opportunity in Japan in my trades-job.
Then I'd get a full working visa and work full time.
If I'm not mistaken you have to already have a job to get ahold of a working Visa, I think going there first and fining a job in a working holiday program is a great opportunity.

If you are truly good at your trade, you could have some real success.

I'm certainly not the fastest guy around, but when it comes to quality I'm hard to beat. If quality is what Japanese are looking for then my service will be much appreciated.

Is there anyone on this board working as a skilled trades-man?
Anything?

Thanks for the reply
Matt

[Mike Cash]

Originally Posted by Brick101

Mike Cash : I was thinking of first going on the Japanese Holiday program wich is available with my country. They say I could work around 25 hours/week, the rest of the time is to visit, I don't mind that for a starter, and to get to know the opportunity in Japan in my trades-job.
Then I'd get a full working visa and work full time.

The working holiday visa program will certainly help you out on the first go-round. But if this is something you plan to do as more than a one-shot deal, then you need to look into the visa requirements for a regular (non "Working Holiday, in other words) working visa.

[misa.j]

I agree with Mike on looking into working visa since your plan seems to be getting a seasonal job in Japan.

My father used to be a mason(he is retired now), worked with bricks, blocks and cement. He had worked at a company at first but started his own business after getting some certificates and lisence which were useful for getting contracts.

Money in this field in Japan is not good despite the fact that it's a hard labor, although it might depend on how good of a businessman you are; my father was not.

He told me that he occasionally worked with other contractors who had hired Pakistanis for extra help.
You might be right at targetting in small towns than big cities.

Anyhow, good luck. I hope your plan works out.

[DoctorP]

Originally Posted by Brick101

I'm certainly not the fastest guy around, but when it comes to quality I'm hard to beat. If quality is what Japanese are looking for then my service will be much appreciated.

Matt...speed is not so important as is quality and uniqueness. If you have vision and can do something slightly different than what is already available, or you are skilled in working with different types of materials, then I see you doing quite well over here! Market your trade more like an art form and I believe that it could take off.

[Brick101]

I really think that stones, bricks, and blocks are the highest material one can use when building a house, or whatever (I like stone fences).
Take for exemple Europe castles, well built, using stones, back then, stone-working and stone-cutting was a secret well kept and the tradesman we're making good money out of it, and pulled great pride out of their work too.
I'm sort of like that, I like the idea of what I'm building will exceed my lifespawn. A remain of me when I'm gone, all over the world if I can.
Despite the fact that in winter in Canada we don't work as much as we'd like to, it's good money, I make a good salary, but with a 2 or 3 months off during winter. I hate being at home doing nothing.
Maybe next year I will attend the working holiday program during the "dead" period in my trades-line.
Just have to find a way to get in contact with a brick company in Japan.
That'd be the hardest part I think.
Thanks everyone!

misa.j : Was your father working in Japan? I did'nt catch it from your message.

Thanks again
Matt

[misa.j]

Originally Posted by Brick101

misa.j : Was your father working in Japan? I did'nt catch it from your message.

Yeah, he is a Japanese and worked in Japan.
He worked kind of like you do, would rather use his own rhythm than work fast.

I think the houses made with stones are beautiful, not very common for the Japanese houses nowadays, though. You seem to have experiences, knowlege and passion in your job, so CC1's advice of marketing as art might bring you more opportunities.

[Brick101]

Hi.
I'm currently making a portfolio of all my greatest work.
From chimney, to light posts, to whole house, etc.
I'm sure light post could be quite popular in Japan. At least the way I see it.
And some bigger house, or mansion might want that western look to their houses.
I've even custom built outdoor barbecue out of bricks. People love them, it's great looking and useful during summers.
I think for a tradesman like me, nothing beats a new client reffered by an old one!
That just says it all
Thanks again for the reply.
Matt