When I was stationed in Okinawa, I was so jealous of the civilian workers. They get all the perks of working overseas without getting treated like shit all the time.

Great video! I learned a lot. I've looked at available jobs in Okinawa and you needed a BA for almost all of them. It's good to know about working at the stores or fast food places that don't require a degree and also that the pay is pretty good for those jobs given the exchange rate. Good idea for you and Kit & friends to start a travel agency! Good luck! You may have really found a niche with that idea!

My brother in law is in the military. I am not, I just graduated from college and have been traveling abroad for about a year now. I am currently in Oki since March, waiting to hear back from a job, so hopefully I get that going. I really want to learn Japanese, (perhaps move to mainland later in the years), and have an experience living abroad on my own. Thank you for your video. I am extremely grateful and excited to live here in the next few years.

@baniantoine9246

Ай бұрын

how is it?

I was stationed at Kadena 86-89, and I’d LOVE to go back! In my early 60’s nows and I REALLY want to go snorkeling there again especially up at Okuma. So beautiful, like swimming in a tropical fish tank! And I loved the typhoons! Weird I know but the buildings are built for it! 😁 Thanks for this vid and now subscribed!

Great Info @Matt. Awesome scenery as well. Good to see you live. Say hello to Kit for me 🤗🤟

Yes that was very informative. Thank you for that !!!

@MutekiMatt

Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

I worked as a contractor at a military industrial complex in the states. They did background checks but only back 12 years so if you've had no felonies for 12 years your good. Use the "Don't ask, don't tell" formula.

@RealWorldAviationandGaming9392

11 ай бұрын

Nice going genius

One major reason I'm living in Okinawa and not working a SOFA job is because SOFA is not a visa, you are not considered to be contributing towards Japanese society and therefore time spend on SOFA doesn't count towards getting Permanent Residency. It is tempting though because the money is so much better especially with the exchange rate recently.

@MutekiMatt

Жыл бұрын

Yes! Great point. That is a big downside I forgot to mention. Pretty important for someone who plans to permanently move to japan.

@brandonsheffield9873

8 ай бұрын

My wife is Okinawan and my kids are more fluent and educated in Japan, we spent my last 4 years in Marine Corps in California, my kids were barely getting by in American Schools, language barrier, towards the end they started to better on their own. Anyway wife and kids wanted to go back to Japan for work, school and family. I could not resist, because I hauled them around with me for 17 years of (my kids are 15 and 11 now). So now I am the one that needs a Japanese green card to live there for about 2 or 3 years before moving permanently back to Florida. So any help therewould be great, last thing I want is to be kicked out causing my wife kids to never be able to return home. However, I want to get a Federal job, and maybe to satisfy Japan government get a part time local job or maybe do volunteer work that is recorded or tracked by local officials that would count as my contribution? Any ideas come to mind?

@toriashimoji1658

8 ай бұрын

@@brandonsheffield9873 hi Brandon! Seems like any SOFA job would really benefit you guys since you don’t plan to move here permanently! The money is good especially with the exchange rate currently. Keep in mind, as long as you don’t want to buy a house here, or live here forever this is a good option!

Burger is readily available on Honshu. Electronics are pretty cheap in Akihabara, especially with the exchange rate. I use to go to Honshu all the time when i was in japan.

I was stationed in Okinawa between 77 and 79. I lived outside gate 2 street a couple of blocks out behind what was then the Manhatton club. It was sad to see what it looked like in what I think was a video done by your wife. I am definitly trying to get back to the island and hopefully live there. Thanks for the info from this video

I lived in Japan as an airman, and i loved Japan. Also, i got paid very well!!!

If I wish to live in Okinawa as a senior citizen from US w/o needing to work as i'm retired what Visa would I need or be able to get. Also as a veteran could I use base medical facilities? Thank you for your help

Awesome info. I was in Okinawa in May. I have been thinking about trying to find a job in Japan.

I grew up in Okinawa before heading off to college in the US. Interesting video. I never thought that Americans would ever want to live in Okinawa. Having lots of Marines as friends in High School in Japan, I remember Marines treating Okinawa as a hardship duty and calling it the rock. LOL

@Surfbird11

6 ай бұрын

That's because low ranking Marines are poorly treated by the Corps. They are usually not there for long which is good as they are the main source of crime on the island with their drunken fights and breaking things. I spent 9 years there in the Air Force and we were treated very well by both the military and Okinawans. It's a beautiful island with amazing people and history. Okinawa was the final battle of WW2. Scuba diving and other water sports are fantastic.

Excellent video and content my wife and I want to move to Okinawa soon from Hawai’i and would love to take some tours with you and your wife and friends 🤙🏽✌🏽🏝🌊you guys are so awesome 😎 let’s link up !

Awesome video 👍🏽

You mentioned Tokyo, what would be the best way to do what you’re talking about in Tokyo?

I'm fluent in Japanese/have dual citizenship in the US and JP. I sometimes consider moving since I miss the tropics but dislike both Japan and mainland U.S. culture lol. Im from Guam and its severely getting hit of the consequences being a colony. Fortunate enough to have relatively easy access to Okinawa, loved it whenever I visited. They do have a different dialect tho

What if I just want a long term visa? Is SOFA the way? I’m not interested in permanent residency.

Im married to an Okinawan citizen. What is the fastest way to get a temporary or non immigrant status equivalent to green card? I just retired from Marine Corps and am looking forward to applying for specialized job in IT. However, the job application process is very tough, my plan was to wander around the bases where they have Telecom/ IT service related activities and get to know people and ask advice on what to put in the resumes that would give me a good chance at getting job. My wife left USA ahead of me and she already has an apartment in Naha for us and the kids. So now I am getting ready to fly to Okinawa this month from Florida. Crazy thing is a one way ticket costs more than a round trip LoL. BTW, the apartment we have is 2 bedrooms, 3 if you count the tatami room and 1 bathroom, its small but cheap $900 per month. Most all Japanese housing/apartments have only 1 bathroom, the exeption is all the homes SOFA personnel (mainly military families) have 2 bathrooms.

Thanks for interesting video. Would your strategy work in getting a job in military base in Korea to live in Korea as well?

I really would like to learn Okinawan language, are there any text books on the language?

@MutekiMatt

Жыл бұрын

I don’t know if any.

@kalexander00

Жыл бұрын

It is definitely really interesting. I am currently living here, so I try to see if I can find any.

@RealWorldAviationandGaming9392

11 ай бұрын

Are you referring to the Japanese language or the traditional Okinawan language called Uchinaaguch or Hogan?

Hey Matt. This is an awesome video! I am thinking of moving abroad and possibly to Okinawa late next year and I hadn't thought about this option for employment/sponsorship. I looked at some of the employers you have listed above, How can I tell if the job would fall under the GS vs. NFA vs Contractor? Specifically I looked at Jobs with Navy Federal, and with the DODEA. Also have you heard of anyone moving over with a pet? I have a dog that is medium sized (around 30 pounds). Thank you in advance! All the best, Theo

I know that they need teachers as well, people to work as a cyber security etc there is a lot more then restaurants jobs 😊

Do they have need for nursing

Hey one quick question. As a civilian can you own a car and a motorcycle? I had both in the Airforce.

The biggest drawback of being SOFA status were the lockdowns due to Americans sexually assaulting locals. During my time there, it got so bad that we were only allowed to go to our homes or on base. Even going to the vending machine outside my house was a risky move. The biggest benefit to me besides the housing allowance was the SOFA driver's license. Our license was free and it was very easy get a motorcycle endorsement later through the military. It was also good even after our stateside license expired as long as we were still on military "orders".

@MutekiMatt

Жыл бұрын

Good info. 👍

@gonzarellious6102

Жыл бұрын

Were you military at the time? I ask because when I was there I don't remember the civilian SOFA folks ever being locked down.

@TheVwboyaf1

Жыл бұрын

@@gonzarellious6102 It was in about 2011 I think, and they locked all SOFA people down.

@RealWorldAviationandGaming9392

11 ай бұрын

Well now your stateside license must be valid for a sofa license.

@RealWorldAviationandGaming9392

11 ай бұрын

All Sofa status holders are under the same rules.@@gonzarellious6102

Visiting Okinawa really soon trying to find out if you are still offering tours. Not sure how to contact you directly.

@MutekiMatt

Жыл бұрын

Yes, we’re still offering tours. Here’s our website: tours.ryu9style.com You can also contact us from there as well if you have any questions. 😊

This is brilliant! Are there any travel restrictions? What happens if you lose you job? Can you apply for Japanese visas while there on this program?

@RealWorldAviationandGaming9392

11 ай бұрын

Unfortunately no. Your visa is conditional or should I say term. Some have overstayed, but once caught, you will be deported and never be able to return back to Japan again. As the gentle just stated he knows some that have tricked the system, hopefully, he does not get contacted for their whereabouts, but he will find himself deported as well. I don't know why people doing these videos are not mindful, you never know who is looking,

How long is the visa or how long can we stay there?

@MutekiMatt

Жыл бұрын

As long as you’re working you can stay. Just like a regular work visa. 😊

I got married also brotha 😂😂😭

Great video. Can i move to Okinawa and apply as a nurse in the military base?

@RealWorldAviationandGaming9392

11 ай бұрын

The author of this video miss informed the viewers, that for any govt job, you have to apply through the USjobs.gov website and this is how you might get a full JTR (Housing etc.) Jobs that you get here while on the island are called local jobs and are normally for spouses, dependents, and local nationals. Skilled labor does require a degree of some sort.

What if you work remote already 😁?

👍

What about English speaking people from other countries?

@StanRiiStan

2 ай бұрын

I believe most English speaking people from other countries(ex. Canada, Australia, Etc) have the option of getting a working holiday visa, US does not have that visa. With the working holiday visa, one can work and live normally in Japan with few restrictions. However that visa is only valid for 1 year and cannot be reused again, one must change their visa to a more long term visa during their working holiday. More long term visa would be a normal work visa, tokutei ginou, student, trainee, spouse, etc.

@Qwervy

2 ай бұрын

@@StanRiiStan Hmm.. yeah I was already think along those lines. Thanks tho!

@StanRiiStan

2 ай бұрын

@@Qwervy Ooo nice ! you're welcome and wish you good luck on your journey to Japan 🇯🇵

@forestkane_

Ай бұрын

Military jobs in Japan are only for people who hold Japanese or USA citizenship they will not give other people SOFA visa

Do they sponsor Europeans?

@Mondoshawn

6 ай бұрын

Interesting question, I would think they wouldn't. Maybe you would need at least a green card for the USA first.