Jobs for foreigners in Japan

[coolblue110]

At this point in my life I am only a middle school student about to turn fourteen in August. I have decided to learn Japanese early on to prepare myself for my future; I plan on living in Japan one day (if only for a year).
Teaching isn't ruled out, but I would much rather get a different job. I was thinking for a Japanese publishing company who needs a translator.
Which job would be good for a foreigner in Japan?
Which job is possible for a foreigner to possibly get?
I plan on going to a public high school or one of the arts schools near me (I live in New Jersey).

Thank you for your much needed help.

(Family friends have told me Okinawa is a great place to start out since the military base is there)

[Javizy]

It seems like a lot of people have success with IT related jobs, especially programming. I've read a lot of interesting posts about this kind of thing on this forum http://forum.koohii.com/viewforum.php?id=9 Try posting your question there, and I'm sure you'll get some informative answers. If you haven't already tried using Heisig, SRS, and all of the other "power" learning tools, then you should find a lot of other good information on that forum as well. You could learn a (relatively) tiny 3000-4000 words a year, and you'd be laughing by the time you were ready to go. What I wouldn't give for that sort of time...

[taikutsu]

You're quite young - I don't think career choice is a decision you need to make now. In other words, chillax.

I think you're framing this in the wrong context, though. What consistutes a good job depends on what you like doing and provides enough money to survive on. If you want to work in careers other than as an English teacher, learn to speak Japanese along with some skills you find interesting.

[jclemons]

If you wish to make it in Japan, don't let Japan as a residence decide your career. Instead, become a specialist in a field and be proficient in the language. That will open more doors than becoming something just to live here.

I know many people in various fields who happen to speak Japanese and do what they love.

Finance, Art, Architecture, Photography, Research, IT...

It's all available here (speaking Japanese helps though)

[rjsprague]

Also, be aware that careers in translation and interpretation require the highest levels of ability (generally speaking) in a given language. Considering how difficult Japanese is to master for people born in Japan, especially written Japanese, it is not something to be taken on lightly. Everyone I have spoken with says something like 8 years of intensive study to achieve something you could call fluency. Now that probably depends on methods use, personal talent at learning languages, how soon you start, how consistent you are with your learning, etc. I also want to get there and I'm older than you and started later, but I think I can do it, and I feel it is worth the time spent because I love the Japanese culture. I want to be able to move within their culture seamlessly in terms of understanding and being able to communicate. As it is I have just completed two semesters of intensive study in Japan, and I am nowhere close to being fluent. If it was Spanish or French I probably would be much farther along. This is not meant to discourage you, however, if you work hard and keep at it I am sure you can achieve your goals! 頑張ってください！（がんばってください！）(ganbattekudasai!)(Do your best!/Work hard!)

[Javizy]

Translation is still pretty poorly paid work without specialisation. For example, if you could translate legal documents, software engineering reports, medical journals, etc you'd be able to command a higher salary. If you could handle simultaneous interpreting though...

Just as if you were staying in your own country, your field of speciality should be your top priority. Fluency with a language is pretty much a given.