₦airaland Forum

Gerrard59:
Can you post the link here because on Google, there is nothing like an E9 visa.

That said, I think there are specific companies that recruit or match applicants to companies, but you need to know the language up to N3 level. Cameroonians have a strong number here due to the Japanese language school in their country.

Getting a job here is not the issue; it is knowing the language. It is extremely important.

That's what am sayin,the E9 visa is not available on their site,I guess they don't want Nigerians using it to flood their country,so a company over there will have to give you,I guess I need to learn Japanese here first,thanks so much

investorcj:
That's what am sayin,the E9 visa is not available on their site,I guess they don't want Nigerians using it to flood their country,so a company over there will have to give you,I guess I need to learn Japanese here first,thanks so much

What I am saying is that the E9 visa does not exist. If it does, please post the link. I am in Japan, so site access does not affect me.

E9 visa is for South Korea, not Japan.

And yes, language school is one of the easiest and surest routes to migrating to Japan.

Nfest:
Sorry for the late reply, I didn't use any agent in my own case so I don't have an idea. Try to find out how you can contact the agents.

Agents from Japan will cost good money but they will make everything extremely easy for you.

You can search for Japanese language school agents on Google if it will bring back results.

I saw some, but it doesn’t look legit, I’ll keep searching tho! Thanks

uchman:
What type of agent are they talking about? Ask them to refer you to an agent

Alright, I’ll send a responding email to that effect.

Gerrard59:
Try the Human Academic Japanese language school

I have met two Nigerians who are undergoing the language program at the school. I have also met another Nigerian who studied at ISI, but he previously lived in Hong Kong.

Okay, thanks bro….. I’ll look out for the school and give you feedback

Geetee111:
Okay, thanks bro….. I’ll look out for the school and give you feedback

Why not just try vocational schools?
Mechanic, heavy vehicle operator, fashion designer etc and also learn Japanese at the same time for free.
This is what Cameroonians and kiwis do.

We have said it several times, the easiest way is through school.

My humble 2 cents

blackbriar:
Why not just try vocational schools?
Mechanic, heavy vehicle operator, fashion designer etc and also learn Japanese at the same time for free.
This is what Cameroonians and kiwis do.

We have said it several times, the easiest way is through school.

My humble 2 cents

Not like I haven't done my research but if you've a vocational school that their fee is between 2 to 4k dollar could you share or better still refer to your friend about it sir, I would appreciate.
Some of the vocational school I came across their fee is above 1m yen which is way higher than Msc prog.

Look forward to hearing back 😊

Unlimitedlucky:
Not like I haven't done my research but if you've a vocational school that their fee is between 2 to 4k dollar could you share or better still refer to your friend about it sir, I would appreciate.
Some of the vocational school I came across their fee is above 1m yen which is way higher than Msc prog.

Look forward to hearing back 😊

Vocational school without or before Japanese proficiency is putting the cart before the horse.

Road to failure!

Vocational schools aren't cheap because they've a near 100% employment for their graduates.

blackbriar:
Nope. Not allowed.

If you really want to go to Japan to hustle. Try school route.

Japan Language Schools will give you student visa and part time job (baito) provisions, and it is a residency visa.

Greetings to you sir, please would you recommend any affordable language school I can check out and apply??... Secondly do I still need a BSC to apply to a language school in Japan, and finally would I apply and be accepted by the school before I can apply for student visa??

Please I know these questions might sound odd to you guys but I'm totally a novice in these things and I do not have a bachelors degree but I'm looking forward to giving my life a meaning with this thread I just found. Been looking for something like this for ages.

I've read quite a couple of pages on the thread from the beginning and from the last but I still needed to ask the three questions above

God bless you as you reply..

@Gerrard59 🙏

LivinusOnyi:
Greetings to you sir, please would you recommend any affordable language school I can check out and apply??... Secondly do I still need a BSC to apply to a language school in Japan, and finally would I apply and be accepted by the school before I can apply for student visa??

Please I know these questions might sound odd to you guys but I'm totally a novice in these things and I do not have a bachelors degree but I'm looking forward to giving my life a meaning with this thread I just found. Been looking for something like this for ages.

I've read quite a couple of pages on the thread from the beginning and from the last but I still needed to ask the three questions above

God bless you as you reply..

LivinusOnyi:
Greetings to you sir, please would you recommend any affordable language school I can check out and apply??... Secondly do I still need a BSC to apply to a language school in Japan, and finally would I apply and be accepted by the school before I can apply for student visa??

Please I know these questions might sound odd to you guys but I'm totally a novice in these things and I do not have a bachelors degree but I'm looking forward to giving my life a meaning with this thread I just found. Been looking for something like this for ages.

I've read quite a couple of pages on the thread from the beginning and from the last but I still needed to ask the three questions above

You did not read the entire thread.

You are on the same Internet as myself and everyone else, please use it to find affordable language schools. YOU, not me, want to go to a language school. It is YOUR DUTY, not mine, to search for schools. That is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. I already gave tips on how to find an affordable language school. Please read, read and read.

I saw your request earlier on, but decided not to reply as I find it irritating to reply to a post when the answers have been provided countless times in this thread, and there is Google. What is difficult in "affordable language schools in Japan" There is even ChatGPT! If you are given a mattress, MUST you ask for a pillow?

As for Bsc, I have explained tirelessly about the importance of age when seeking admission into language schools. Please read the entire thread and don't quote me again.

Thank you!

Thank you for your response sir, I appreciate

Gerrard59:
You did not read the entire thread.

You are on the same Internet as myself and everyone else, please use it to find affordable language schools. YOU, not me, want to go to a language school. It is YOUR DUTY, not mine, to search for schools. That is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. I already gave tips on how to find an affordable language school. Please read, read and read.

I saw your request earlier on, but decided not to reply as I find it irritating to reply to a post when the answers have been provided countless times in this thread, and there is Google. What is difficult in "affordable language schools in Japan" There is even ChatGPT! If you are given a mattress, MUST you ask for a pillow?

As for Bsc, I have explained tirelessly about the importance of age when seeking admission into language schools. Please read the entire thread and don't quote me again.

Thank you!

Gerrard59:
You did not read the entire thread.

You are on the same Internet as myself and everyone else, please use it to find affordable language schools. YOU, not me, want to go to a language school. It is YOUR DUTY, not mine, to search for schools. That is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. I already gave tips on how to find an affordable language school. Please read, read and read.

I saw your request earlier on, but decided not to reply as I find it irritating to reply to a post when the answers have been provided countless times in this thread, and there is Google. What is difficult in "affordable language schools in Japan" There is even ChatGPT! If you are given a mattress, MUST you ask for a pillow?

As for Bsc, I have explained tirelessly about the importance of age when seeking admission into language schools. Please read the entire thread and don't quote me again.

Thank you!

Greetings Sir Gerard and other gents here..

My friends, it has been quiet lately but I'm just getting ready for my Master application for the next window and I know some people here are planning the same,

I've two things in my mind and I guess it's better I come here and hear from my brothers who has been there.

1. When writing my researching proposal, where do you think I should use as case study and where do I draw my data from in case of methodology application? Eg, I am writing on about Nigeria drawing data from bureau of statistics to justify my thesis in Japan.
2. Do you think is wise applying for multiple schools or just apply for just a school and stay on it? Considering application fee
3. Emphasis has been on getting school outside the Tokyo but I would appreciate some right direction on areas which one has little bit considerably international friendly and helpful too.

I would appreciate your response and thank you for your insight 😊

Unlimitedlucky:
nd I guess it's better I come here and hear from my brothers who has been there.

1. When writing my researching proposal, where do you think I should use as case study and where do I draw my data from in case of methodology application? Eg, I am writing on about Nigeria drawing data from bureau of statistics to justify my thesis in Japan.

You use the Nigerian one. You are not in Japan, you are not Japanese, nor do you speak/write/understand Japanese. They expect international students to return to their home countries at a certain point. You will get this question from almost every Japanese person you converse with, including recruiters. "When do you plan to return to your home country?" Or paraphrased as "you learn this and that, so you become a leader in the field in your home country". From my observations, they don't expect foreigners, especially Africans, to live in Japan for a long time. It might be different for other East Asians or Southeast Asians. So use the Nigerian case studies.

2. Do you think is wise applying for multiple schools or just apply for just a school and stay on it? Considering application fee

If you have a strong application vis-à-vis the program you are applying, the calibre of the professor and school, you can stick to one. One way to know how strong your application is: compare it to people you know who applied to institutions in the West.

However, if you have enough funds and know the competition is stiff or you want to be almost certain you get admitted, then you can go for more than one application. I applied to two schools and got admitted, then chose the higher-ranked university.

3. Emphasis has been on getting school outside the Tokyo but I would appreciate some right direction on areas which one has little bit considerably international friendly and helpful too.

If you have sufficient funding or a fully backed scholarship, stick to Tokyo and its metropolitan areas, especially as you stated - international friendliness. However, living in Tokyo does not provide one with a do-or-die scenario to learn the language, as bilinguals are abundant there. Also, if you wish to apply for PR/naturalisation, the process is faster outside Tokyo. Nevertheless, Tokyo offers one the best economic opportunities in terms of jobs and salaries.

Hello Everyone,

I have a question please. I have secured a supervisor for a phd program and he told me to prepare my application documents. One of the documents listed is the oral presentation outline. I want to clarify does that mean the power point itself or just table of content.

ireti34:
Hello Everyone,

I have a question please. I have secured a supervisor for a phd program and he told me to prepare my application documents. One of the documents listed is the oral presentation outline. I want to clarify does that mean the power point itself or just table of content.

to be safe i would assume presentation itself.
But best to clarify by email.
Anyways, during your research you would be doing almost weekly peer review presentations.

blackbriar:
to be safe i would assume presentation itself.
But best to clarify by email.
Anyways, during your research you would be doing almost weekly peer review presentations.

Thank you I will send an email also should include a picture of myself in the presentation.

ireti34:
Thank you I will send an email also should include a picture of myself in the presentation.

copied from Page 47 of this thread

You can’t go into a meeting with a professor with mere words. It wont fly, he won't even get your points. You would fail miserably to impress.

So, I will advise to make a presentation with at most 3 slides.
Share slides with Professor 1-2 hours before re-schedule zoom meeting.

Slide 1 Introduction
Add your picture
Name: Musa Chima Segun
Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in Comp Sic form University of bla bla Nigeria.
Language spoken: English fluently, Japanese: zero
Work Experience: CEO and Front-End Engineer with Shell and Chevron
Vast experience in Java, Pascal programming language, Robotics etc

You get the gist.

Slide 2 Your research intention in master’s Program
With my knowledge in a pascal, I want to write a program to fly an unmanned car to the sun and back.
Hint: Add image of car flying to the sun.

Slide 3 Your future after master’s program
I want to continue to phd, so that I can invest more in my master’s research and program the car to fly to the sun and into heaven to and come back to earth safely. I would also like to do a post-doc program in Japan.
Hint: Add image of car flying to the sun and into heaven.

OR.

I want to us my knowledge from my master research to work in Japanese company like JAXA (Japan equivalent to NASA) bla bla etc.

You get the gist. So that Prof can understand you clearly and know how to help you. So, during your zooming meeting you would be sharing your slide presentation.

Keep your slides brief, no write plenty English, straight to the point and let illustrations, images speak more for you in the slides.

blackbriar:
You can’t go into a meeting with a professor with mere words. It wont fly, he won't even get your points. You would fail miserably to impress.

So, I will advise to make a presentation with at most 3 slides.
Share slides with Professor 1-2 hours before re-schedule zoom meeting.

Slide 1 Introduction
Add your picture
Name: Musa Chima Segun
Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in Comp Sic form University of bla bla Nigeria.
Language spoken: English fluently, Japanese: zero
Work Experience: CEO and Front-End Engineer with Shell and Chevron
Vast experience in Java, Pascal programming language, Robotics etc

You get the gist.

Slide 2 Your research intention in master’s Program
With my knowledge in a pascal, I want to write a program to fly an unmanned car to the sun and back.
Hint: Add image of car flying to the sun.

Slide 3 Your future after master’s program
I want to continue to phd, so that I can invest more in my master’s research and program the car to fly to the sun and into heaven to and come back to earth safely. I would also like to do a post-doc program in Japan.
Hint: Add image of car flying to the sun and into heaven.

OR.

I want to us my knowledge from my master research to work in Japanese company like JAXA (Japan equivalent to NASA) bla bla etc.

You get the gist. So that Prof can understand you clearly and know how to help you. So, during your zooming meeting you would be sharing your slide presentation.

Keep your slides brief, no write plenty English, straight to the point and let illustrations, images speak more for you in the slides.

Regarding the recruiter.
Well done here.
Try to understand from the recruiter point of view.
Recruiter does not have Job for you. He is not the company.
However, recruiter has personal access to companies probably IT companies.
So recruiter would go to these companies to say the following in summary:

Hello, it is me again, your good friend, Mr recruiter.
I have a good candidate for you. His profile is strong and good. He will fit right into your company smoothly.
However, he is not Japanese and can’t even say one word in Japanese, not even Ohayo.
Also, he is not in Japan, so visa required bla bla …you get the gist her as well.

so while also targeting recuriters, also target companies directly.

My humble 2 cents

Please I am preparing myself for the next application window, I'm trying to get all right. This illustration you talked about gained my attention, please how can I prepare this slide?

What package will be preferable for the best experience and

also I am sending mails to professor and associates, do you know if it too early?

Unlimitedlucky:
Please I am preparing myself for the next application window, I'm trying to get all right. This illustration you talked about gained my attention, please how can I prepare this slide?

What package will be preferable for the best experience and

also I am sending mails to professor and associates, do you know if it too early?

Hi.

Thanks for your question.

I pray you do get the placement. For research you will do presentations and peer review a minimum of twice monthly. For slides, it is more of illustrations than writing.

Illustrations mean images., charts, graphs, diagrams to present your topic, rather than English grammar.
Also please always remember, ENGLISH IS NOT THE FIRST LANGUAGE OF THE JAPANESE, even though a professor may speak it.

For example, a slide about introducing yourself.
An image of yourself in a graduation gown and your school's name in the background, sends the message faster and without doubt than explaining in many dictions and vocabularies.

Just an example of an image lifted form the internet:
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-coventry-university-graduation-day-85582281.html

Another example would be a slide on your research interest.
A process chart passes the information promptly and precisely than speaking grammar.
Let the illustrations do the talking, while your minimal write up would be backup info on slides.

Regarding sending mails to Professor and Associates.
I am afraid you might be a bit late here, kindly send out your emails to several professor promptly and unfailingly. Next session enrolment is for March 2026, which means applications should be closing soon.

My humble 2 cents.

Unlimitedlucky:
Please I am preparing myself for the next application window, I'm trying to get all right. This illustration you talked about gained my attention, please how can I prepare this slide?

What package will be preferable for the best experience and

also I am sending mails to professor and associates, do you know if it too early?

A friendly and timely advice to you and anyone planning on moving to Japan via study route.

(A) Choose schools around Tokyo/Osaka. These are places with lots of Jobs and English is widely spoken.
(B) Seek scholarship (MEXT or JICA), else you will struggle.
(C)All East and Southern Africans whether below or above 30 i have met here are on JICA
(D) All Nigerians i have met here are on MEXT.
(E) Will be official soon, tuition will increase by 25% next year.
(F) There are jobs, but not easy to get if you don't understand Japanese.
(G) Getting a job here is easier through recommendation. Even at that, you might not get more than 18hours a week and school activities might not allow you to hustle.
(H) What we frown at in Nigeria as agency fee when looking for house to rent is normal here, they call it key money and it is way expensive.
(I) Your monthly rent for 1k apartment might be ¥40k while the initial moving cost will be around ¥200k, and you will still pay rent for that month.
(J) Rental duration is between 1 year and 2 years. If you sign a rental contract of 2 years and decide to leave after 6 months, you will have to pay the remaining 18months rent.

Talking from experience o. IF YOU ARE A SELF-FUNDED, make sure you have LOTS of money else you will struggle, real struggle. All Africans (Nigerians inclusive) i have met here are on scholarship and they look at me in disbelief (like i committed a crime lol ) when i tell them i am self-sponsored. The job i am doing is via recommendation from an African brother. Kudos to the African community.

Rictech:
A friendly and timely advice to you and anyone planning on moving to Japan via study route.

(A) Choose schools around Tokyo/Osaka. These are places with lots of Jobs and English is widely spoken.
(B) Seek scholarship (MEXT or JICA), else you will struggle.
(C)All East and Southern Africans whether below or above 30 i have met here are on JICA
(D) All Nigerians i have met here are on MEXT.
(E) Will be official soon, tuition will increase by 25% next year.
(F) There are jobs, but not easy to get if you don't understand Japanese.
(G) Getting a job here is easier through recommendation. Even at that, you might not get more than 18hours a week and school activities might not allow you to hustle.
(H) What we frown at in Nigeria as agency fee when looking for house to rent is normal here, they call it key money and it is way expensive.
(I) Your monthly rent for 1k apartment might be ¥40k while the initial moving cost will be around ¥200k, and you will still pay rent for that month.
(J) Rental duration is between 1 year and 2 years. If you sign a rental contract of 2 years and decide to leave after 6 months, you will have to pay the remaining 18months rent.

Talking from experience o. IF YOU ARE A SELF-FUNDED, make sure you have LOTS of money else you will struggle, real struggle. All Africans (Nigerians inclusive) i have met here are on scholarship and they look at me in disbelief (like i committed a crime lol ) when i tell them i am self-sponsored. The job i am doing is via recommendation from an African brother. Kudos to the African community.

G: You are right about the recommendation or referral, and it is possible to get 18 hours or more, including the standard 28 hours. This depends on the kind of job and who referred you. If you have the physical strength, seek a job in warehouse. But please note: you will lose the ability to have an erect preek after a month.

H: Agent money is a global phenomenon. Nigerians who frown at it are illiterates. No landlord has the time to interact with so many prospective tenants when an agent can handle everything. Some landlords have more than one property or type of property and might not even reside in the same city where these properties are located. Yes, key money is very expensive. Moving costs are prohibitive. This results in residents living in the same apartment for a long time until they have saved enough for a down payment, are married, gotten a higher-paying job or are moving to a new location. This is also why staying in the hostel as an African is the cheat code: you save a lot and avoid these accommodation-related issues until you opt for, say, a PhD or get a job.

I: Yes, you pay all sorts of insurance costs, electricity costs, gas bills, water utilities and Internet connection if required. You pay both the current month and the last month. Yes, once you move, you pay for breaking the agreement. You also pay the guarantor's fee. The reason many don't move. The good thing is: rents don't get increased arbitrarily. Any rent increment would/might be after the initial 1 or 2 years agreement.

J: Agreement is agreement.

---

I was privately financed and got scholarships (three), including an offer to continue to PhD level (which I later declined). I strongly recommend that you do the same. Just as you, the Nigerians I met here were all on MEXT and were shocked to know that I was privately financed. Other Africans were either on MEXT, JICA or Ashinaga Scholarships. The only other privately financed student I met (a Burkinabe) had a previous scholarship (MEXT Teacher's Training) and returned for his MSc. He taught me how to navigate the tuition waiver system, and we got waived quite a number of times.

What I did was to search through StudyinJapan website for scholarships. When I got into the country, I sat in my lab seat to carefully go through the requirements and their eligibility. You would find out that there are many scholarships for Southeast Asians. Target "World" and "Africa".

Yes, tuition fees would be increased o. One of the reasons I chose Japan was that the tuition fees are the same for both citizens and foreigners. So I targeted the top schools (national universities). I read earlier in the day that Tohoku University would increase its fees, and it is the first to do so. Thus, I expect other Teikoku Universities to do the same. Tokyo Tech was already a 100K yen more expensive than Todai. I can imagine its fees today.

Gerrard59:
G: You are right about the recommendation or referral, and it is possible to get 18 hours or more, including the standard 28 hours. This depends on the kind of job and who referred you. If you have the physical strength, seek a job in warehouse. But please note: you will lose the ability to have an erect preek after a month.

H: Agent money is a global phenomenon. Nigerians who frown at it are illiterates. No landlord has the time to interact with so many prospective tenants when an agent can handle everything. Some landlords have more than one property or type of property and might not even reside in the same city where these properties are located. Yes, key money is very expensive. Moving costs are prohibitive. This results in residents living in the same apartment for a long time until they have saved enough for a down payment, are married, gotten a higher-paying job or are moving to a new location. This is also why staying in the hostel as an African is the cheat code: you save a lot and avoid these accommodation-related issues until you opt for, say, a PhD or get a job.

I: Yes, you pay all sorts of insurance costs, electricity costs, gas bills, water utilities and Internet connection if required. You pay both the current month and the last month. Yes, once you move, you pay for breaking the agreement. You also pay the guarantor's fee. The reason many don't move. The good thing is: rents don't get increased arbitrarily. Any rent increment would/might be after the initial 1 or 2 years agreement.

J: Agreement is agreement.

---

I was privately financed and got scholarships (three), including an offer to continue to PhD level (which I later declined). I strongly recommend that you do the same. Just as you, the Nigerians I met here were all on MEXT and were shocked to know that I was privately financed. Other Africans were either on MEXT, JICA or Ashinaga Scholarships. The only other privately financed student I met (a Burkinabe) had a previous scholarship (MEXT Teacher's Training) and returned for his MSc. He taught me how to navigate the tuition waiver system, and we got waived quite a number of times.

What I did was to search through StudyinJapan website for scholarships. When I got into the country, I sat in my lab seat to carefully go through the requirements and their eligibility. You would find out that there are many scholarships for Southeast Asians. Target "World" and "Africa".

Yes, tuition fees would be increased o. One of the reasons I chose Japan was that the tuition fees are the same for both citizens and foreigners. So I targeted the top schools (national universities). I read earlier in the day that Tohoku University would increase its fees, and it is the first to do so. Thus, I expect other Teikoku Universities to do the same. Tokyo Tech was already a 100K yen more expensive than Todai. I can imagine its fees today.

Regarding the bold part of your H: Your alma mater's policy is good! I don’t know about other schools, but at my own school, international students (scholarship/self-funded/exchange) are not allowed to stay in the school dorms beyond the first 6 months. I found out about this through my labmates. In fact, we received an email from the International Students Division earlier in November advising us to start looking for housing, because by March, we are expected to have moved out to make room for incoming international students. The cycle continues. By December 9th, the International Students Affairs Division will be holding an apartment search consultation.

Regarding the colored part, thanks, I will explore that option.

I was actually looking forward to another Web Development interview today (2025/12/03), but I just received an email saying it has been canceled. I believe I have a strong CV, but could you or anyone in IT please review it? I would really appreciate it.
cc: @blackbriar, @tensazangetsu20

Rictech:
A friendly and timely advice to you and anyone planning on moving to Japan via study route.

(A) Choose schools around Tokyo/Osaka. These are places with lots of Jobs and English is widely spoken.
(B) Seek scholarship (MEXT or JICA), else you will struggle.
(C)All East and Southern Africans whether below or above 30 i have met here are on JICA
(D) All Nigerians i have met here are on MEXT.
(E) Will be official soon, tuition will increase by 25% next year.
(F) There are jobs, but not easy to get if you don't understand Japanese.
(G) Getting a job here is easier through recommendation. Even at that, you might not get more than 18hours a week and school activities might not allow you to hustle.
(H) What we frown at in Nigeria as agency fee when looking for house to rent is normal here, they call it key money and it is way expensive.
(I) Your monthly rent for 1k apartment might be ¥40k while the initial moving cost will be around ¥200k, and you will still pay rent for that month.
(J) Rental duration is between 1 year and 2 years. If you sign a rental contract of 2 years and decide to leave after 6 months, you will have to pay the remaining 18months rent.

Talking from experience o. IF YOU ARE A SELF-FUNDED, make sure you have LOTS of money else you will struggle, real struggle. All Africans (Nigerians inclusive) i have met here are on scholarship and they look at me in disbelief (like i committed a crime lol ) when i tell them i am self-sponsored. The job i am doing is via recommendation from an African brother. Kudos to the African community.

Thanks for your kind suggestions.

This is just my personal opinion. Please don't be angry toward me.

Sometime getting the scholarship offshore can be tough.
1. JICA scholarships are mostly for public servants especially the Naija participants. they are 97% govt officials that still have their jobs back home in Naija in ministries and govt parastatals.

2. MEXT scholarship (Embassy recommendation route) for Naija has been so bastardized that is mainly for high ranking govt official's wards. all MEXT scholarship students from Africa that I have met are ether daughter of diplomat, or son of federal judge etc.. you get the gist. and these ones get scholarship all the way to PHD just like that for free. No aptitude test, no essay, no interview, nothing and they go to the very best schools in Japan.

3. The other MEXT avenue via university recommendation is so competitive that you are competing against the whole of Asia ranging from Chinese, Koreans, Mongolian students etc that can already speak fluent Japanese. It is not impossible, but his route will require massive self-improvement that Naija universities do not offer and fasting on the mountain for 40 days and nights.

4. Ashinaga is for orphans and also via Embassy recommendation.

5. My small advice, if you have funds to survive for 1 year, apply and move already. apply for scholarships onshore. There are several scholarships that available to enrolled students onshore.

6. In your communique with your Professor, let him/her know that you require scholarship along the line. Use your Africanness for once. You are poor and want to get a good education.

7. build a large friendship community if you are on ground, don't be friends only with the African community. Be friends with everyone, Vietnamese, Indian, Siri Lankan etc. My first part-time job was help via my Vietnamese friend not through the local African community.


Will it be though, Hell yea.
Tougher than Naija, Hell no.
Worth it in the end, YES.


last Advice, LEARN JAPANESE, even if it is street JAPANESE.

My Humble 2 cents

It is not easy but i have met 3 Africans from Togo that used this route and they are doing well today.

Rictech:
Regarding the bold part of your H: Your alma mater's policy is good! I don’t know about other schools, but at my own school, international students (scholarship/self-funded/exchange) are not allowed to stay in the school dorms beyond the first 6 months. I found out about this through my labmates. In fact, we received an email from the International Students Division earlier in November advising us to start looking for housing, because by March, we are expected to have moved out to make room for incoming international students. The cycle continues. By December 9th, the International Students Affairs Division will be holding an apartment search consultation.

Regarding the colored part, thanks, I will explore that option.

I was actually looking forward to another Web Development interview today (2025/12/03), but I just received an email saying it has been canceled. I believe I have a strong CV, but could you or anyone in IT please review it? I would really appreciate it.
cc: @blackbriar, @tensazangetsu20

I personally don't think it has anything to do with your CV.
It might just be because you are on a student visa and far from graduation, and maybe your Japanese level.
Anyways, keep grinding and pushing. you are very close.

Besides, how's life?
Studies? and,
Part time job hunting?
Ready for winter?


regards.

@Blackbriar @Gerald59 @Rictech,
I have been searching for a school that my wife will go for her Masters by September next year, the course she’s looking for is anything Tesol or in Education.
I have flipped through almost all the schools but non have September 2026 intake.
Please can anyone help on this?

Rictech:
Regarding the bold part of your H: Your alma mater's policy is good! I don’t know about other schools, but at my own school, international students (scholarship/self-funded/exchange) are not allowed to stay in the school dorms beyond the first 6 months. I found out about this through my labmates. In fact, we received an email from the International Students Division earlier in November advising us to start looking for housing, because by March, we are expected to have moved out to make room for incoming international students. The cycle continues. By December 9th, the International Students Affairs Division will be holding an apartment search consultation.

Things have changed drastically after the pandemic. The hostel I lived in had a similar policy - one year residence - and move out to your own apartment. My friend (came in during lockdown) who lived there got an automatic extension. I came in a year after and got an extension via a lottery system. Fast forward to today, and the one year policy has been reinstated.

Regarding the colored part, thanks, I will explore that option.

Please do. While Japan is cheaper than many Western countries, as an African (apart from South Africans), it is quite costly. On paper, part-time jobs can pay for tuition costs provided the person does not do Black Tax. However, it will take a huge toll on your physical and mental health. I do not recommend. Life is for the living.

I was actually looking forward to another Web Development interview today (2025/12/03), but I just received an email saying it has been canceled. I believe I have a strong CV, but could you or anyone in IT please review it? I would really appreciate it.
cc: @blac.kbriar, @tensazan.getsu20

It is your visa status. Recruiters/Employers are so interested in the residence status of applicants, even before their qualifications and skills. I recommend learning the language rigorously, practising LeetCode whenever you can and commencing job hunting a little bit early before Japanese students do. That is, if you are an April entry, commence job hunting in January of the penultimate year to graduation. For October's entry, commence from April/May of the penultimate year. This is to accomodate mistakes, back to back interviewing while working in the lab etc. You wouldn't want to wait until the last months on your visa.

blackbriar:
Thanks for your kind suggestions.

This is just my personal opinion. Please don't be angry toward me.

Sometime getting the scholarship offshore can be tough.
1. JICA scholarships are mostly for public servants especially the Naija participants. they are 97% govt officials that still have their jobs back home in Naija in ministries and govt parastatals.

2. MEXT scholarship (Embassy recommendation route) for Naija has been so bastardized that is mainly for high ranking govt official's wards. all MEXT scholarship students from Africa that I have met are ether daughter of diplomat, or son of federal judge etc.. you get the gist. and these ones get scholarship all the way to PHD just like that for free. No aptitude test, no essay, no interview, nothing and they go to the very best schools in Japan.

3. The other MEXT avenue via university recommendation is so competitive that you are competing against the whole of Asia ranging from Chinese, Koreans, Mongolian students etc that can already speak fluent Japanese. It is not impossible, but his route will require massive self-improvement that Naija universities do not offer and fasting on the mountain for 40 days and nights.

4. Ashinaga is for orphans and also via Embassy recommendation.

5. My small advice, if you have funds to survive for 1 year, apply and move already. apply for scholarships onshore. There are several scholarships that available to enrolled students onshore.

6. In your communique with your Professor, let him/her know that you require scholarship along the line. Use your Africanness for once. You are poor and want to get a good education.

7. build a large friendship community if you are on ground, don't be friends only with the African community. Be friends with everyone, Vietnamese, Indian, Siri Lankan etc. My first part-time job was help via my Vietnamese friend not through the local African community.


Will it be though, Hell yea.
Tougher than Naija, Hell no.
Worth it in the end, YES.


last Advice, LEARN JAPANESE, even if it is street JAPANESE.

My Humble 2 cents

It is not easy but i have met 3 Africans from Togo that used this route and they are doing well today.

Thanks baba, all suggestions are duly noted. I no fit vex o

blackbriar:
I personally don't think it has anything to do with your CV.
It might just be because you are on a student visa and far from graduation, and maybe your Japanese level.
Anyways, keep grinding and pushing. you are very close.

Besides, how's life?
Studies? and,
Part time job hunting?
Ready for winter?

regards.

Life is happening, and it’s truly for the living.
Study is going on fine.
I’m still searching for a regular part-time job. The part-time job I’m doing now always clashes with my school schedule because it’s an 8–5 and mostly on weekdays.
Today’s cold was terrible, and we haven’t even entered winter yet. With today's cold, I’m not sure i am ready at all.
Thank you for asking, i appreciate

Gerrard59:
Things have changed drastically after the pandemic. The hostel I lived in had a similar policy - one year residence - and move out to your own apartment. My friend (came in during lockdown) who lived there got an automatic extension. I came in a year after and got an extension via a lottery system. Fast forward to today, and the one year policy has been reinstated.


Please do. While Japan is cheaper than many Western countries, as an African (apart from South Africans), it is quite costly. On paper, part-time jobs can pay for tuition costs provided the person does not do Black Tax. However, it will take a huge toll on your physical and mental health. I do not recommend. Life is for the living.


It is your visa status. Recruiters/Employers are so interested in the residence status of applicants, even before their qualifications and skills. I recommend learning the language rigorously, practising LeetCode whenever you can and commencing job hunting a little bit early before Japanese students do. That is, if you are an April entry, commence job hunting in January of the penultimate year to graduation. For October's entry, commence from April/May of the penultimate year. This is to accomodate mistakes, back to back interviewing while working in the lab etc. You wouldn't want to wait until the last months on your visa.

Thank you Gerrard

uchman:
@Blackbriar @Gerald59 @Rictech,
I have been searching for a school that my wife will go for her Masters by September next year, the course she’s looking for is anything Tesol or in Education.
I have flipped through almost all the schools but non have September 2026 intake.
Please can anyone help on this?

Hello Mr Uchman, I do not have any info on this