With many opportunities available for Pilots across the world, choosing the best location for your next Pilot job can be tough. How do you know if you will choose the right location?
If you are either planning or thinking about relocating to Japan, you are in the right place. Having recently partnered with one of Japan’s leading airlines, Peach Aviation, the GOOSE Recruitment team have been busy talking to Pilots about the opportunities this airline has to offer and as a result we have received a lot of questions around what it is actually like to live and work there.
It is no secret that Japan is a thriving and extremely desirable place to live. With so much to offer in terms of beautiful and scenic places to live, as well as a thriving economy, it is not hard to see why Japan is considered to be one of the most attractive places in the world for expats to relocate to.
As a result of this and due to the demand we have received from Pilots wanting to know more about relocating to Japan, we wanted to share some insights around everything you need to consider before making the move.
1. Will I need to speak Japanese?
One of the most common concerns people have when moving abroad is the language barrier. As a Pilot, English will probably be the most commonly spoken language you will use when flying, but when you are living in Japan you will need to ensure that you at least know some basic Japanese phrases.
A high percentage of the Japanese population will speak a second language and tend to be very accommodating to expats and tourists who struggle with the language barrier. However, making the effort to speak Japanese will go a long way. Not only will this show that you are making an effort, but you need to bear in mind that not everyone will speak English, especially in more remote areas.
Why not consider taking up a few Japanese lessons? There will be plenty of language classes on offer to expats and this is a great way to meet new people that are in the same position as you living in your area.
2. Is Japan a safe place to live?
If safety is high on your priority list in deciding whether or not to move to a new country, you won’t need to worry about safety in Japan.
Japan has been ranked as the 25th safest place to live in the world and is considered to be incredibly safe for tourists to visit, and equally, expats to live. If this is your first Pilot role abroad, you’ll have no trouble settling into the Japanese way of life. In particular Pilots with families will be safe in the knowledge that Japan’s low crime rate makes it a great place to enjoy living.
3. What is it like to live in Japan?
Japan is famous for being extremely clean and well looked after and is a country that takes great pride in ensuring every public area is immaculate. Everywhere from the streets, busy central areas, public toilets, restaurants, public transport, parks and local areas are clean, even in the busiest cities, which is something that can be rare in other places.
The cleanliness alone is one of the main reasons so many people choose to live in Japan, but let’s not forget that Japan is also a naturally beautiful place to live with a lot to see and do. So, if you are looking for a place to live that provides you with opportunities to explore, Japan is definitely a place to consider moving to.
The community of Japan are also very passionate about recycling. If this is something that is important to you, you will fit in well.
4. What is Japanese culture like?
Taking influence from Asia, Europe, and North America, Japanese culture is extremely vibrant and diverse. Japanese culture combines both old and new and has evolved greatly over the years. Typically, Japanese culture is associated with traditional arts, unique traditional customs, worldwide famous cuisine, ground-breaking technology, architecture and traditional festivals.
With Japan having such a diverse culture there is so much to learn about, explore and get involved with. Japan is truly a fascinating place to live and no matter what your interests are, you’ll find that there is much to learn about, explore and get involved with.
5. Is it expensive to live in Japan?
The cost of living will depend on where you choose to live but accommodation is likely to be the highest outgoing for most people. However, compared to most Western European countries, Japan is considerably cheaper when it comes to most other things.
When it comes to things like the food, the local supermarkets and restaurants are typically inexpensive, with an average restaurant meal costing you between 1000 and 3000 Yen (approximately £7 – £23). It is also worth noting that Japan is well-known for it’s delicious and nutritious food offerings.
6. Is it easy to get around Japan?
Transport is typically inexpensive and there are plenty of transport options to get you around the city, including buses, tubes, taxis and trains. Public transport is renowned for being extremely efficient and punctual but if you do decide to rent a car to explore, this is an inexpensive option.
If you like the sound of living, working and exploring a country that has a lot to offer, we would love to hear from you. To find out more about working for Peach Aviation in Japan and the A320 Captain opportunities they have on offer, then please read the full job description for A320 Captains here. Alternatively, if you would like to speak to one of our specialist recruitment consultants you can contact our team.
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