" Hello. I''m French speaking, teacher of mathematics, and I wish to move and start a new life in JAPAN next year. I cannot speak JAPANESE but I speak English (not fluently). 1. Do you know a Web site providing useful information for people expatriated in JAPAN? Do you have some advice to start a new life in JAPAN? 2. What work can a French speaking person do in JAPAN (maybe volunteer)? 3. Which JAPANESE city is more ''interesting'' for French speaking people? 4. Are all JAPANESE cities expensive as TOKYO? Do you know a Web site providing price index comparisons (statistics) for main JAPANESE cities? 5. Where can I post these questions (BBS, forum, ...)? Pleases, forward this message if you have no idea! Thank in advance. Dave BUDDAX / buddax@email.com "

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" Hi Dave, Good luck to you! I am currently in Japan as an Assistant English Teacher on the JET program. Have you heard of it? More info at www.jet.org. You can have a contract from one to three years usually starting in April or July. There are also positions for french speakers as Assistant French Teachers. You will teach with a Japanese teacher who studied French. The program is great, pays well, and is very organized but you may have less flexiblity where you move in Japan since French isn''t quite as in demand as English. There are many great places here though, it just depends on your preference. Do you like outdoor recreation, a small town feel or big city life? Both are here in abundance. If you do live in a small farming or fishing town, a nice area or big city is likely not far. I recommend you check out the JET program and once here check into more permanent jobs if that is your intention. Tokyo is definitely very expensive. In smaller towns though I have found food (at the grocery store) to be comparable to America. Restaurants and gas are expensive everywhere. In big cities, the train is the best option, but also cost a little. Rent is huge in Tokyo, but if you choose JET, it is often subsidized. I pay only 15000 yen a month! Very cheap! I also recommend taking a course in Japanese and beginning to study Kanji. It will make life much more enjoyable. You also learn a lot at the beginning. It''s easy to pick up and you can always find someone to help you in English if necessary. Take care! Heather Wittmayer "

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" Hi Dave, For a number of reasons, I recommend Tokyo. It is the most foreigner-friendly and quite cosmopolitan -- you can find anything here. What kind of work you do will depend on what your skills are. There are a number of French multinationals with large operations in Japan (some are in my building), but if you''re looking for some time flexibility to see the country, many people teach their native language (there are many private language schools like Berlitz). There is a demand for French teachers, but I don''t know how to go about applying. I am told that many French expats have settled in the Yotsuya area of Tokyo (it is near the French international school), but I don''t know much about it. The single greatest challenge to living in Japan (which is actually a very livable place -- I love it here) is the language. If you are serious about coming, I recommend starting serious study now. Of course, the most widely spoken foreign language is English, so it might be helpful to brush up on your English conversational skills if you have extra time -- I expect that you will get around in English for most of the first six months you are here. Hope that helps, feel free to ask more questions if you have them. Regards, Rich "

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" Dave, Had another thought. If you teach math, you might consider contacting the French international school about openings. That might be an ideal opportunity, and if you have kids, it might help you reduce the cost of living here. International schools and life in general is expen$ive. Tuition for kids at the British or American school here is US$25,000 per year -- prohibitive for most unless one''s company is paying. Rich "

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" Hello, I have a question regarding moving from Holland and working as an expatriot in Tokyo. I wonder where it would be possible to get information about the differences in living standards, expenses for food etc., between the two countries. Also I’m looking for an indication of what a general expatriot contract would contain, if there is such a thing… I’m grateful for any information possible to get on this matter. Thank you in advance. /Joakim Nilsson "

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