Jobs.CoolerThanThou.net - Working In Japan or China

Working Abroad, and Calling Home

Colonel Sanders — Sat, 09 May 2009 00:15:48 +0800

Very often when working abroad, you international calling charges rack up pretty quick. Some people turn to IP cards for international calls, but I find that they're a little expensive. If you can manage to convince the party on the other end of the line to use Skype.com, then of course you can call for free using Voice over IP (VOIP).

Now if they are somewhat technologically challenged, or don't really use computers so much, you might have to resort to using Skype Out which enables you to call from your computer to a regular landline.

If Skype Out doesn't work for you, there are some other services that might to the trick. I haven't tried these personally yet, but I hear good things about them.

What services do you use to call home? Any recommendations?

Please leave them in the comments.

Get out and Walk: 6000 Commuters Walk the Tracks

Colonel Sanders — Thu, 07 May 2009 15:39:36 +0800

During this today's morning rush hour, 6000 of Tokyo's commuters on the Yokosuka line had to get out and walk after their trains were halted after another train was shut down due to brake problems.

Besides those passengers forced to get out and walk, it is estimated that a total of 357 000 commuters were delayed due to the problem. Some passengers complained of being sick after having been stuck inside the trains for extended periods of time.

Given the weather in wet weather in Tokyo over the past few days, this must not have been a pleasant experience for anyone. I wonder how far that they had to walk? Any of our readers out there unfortunate enough to be among them?

Read more about this incident at japantoday.

Asian Need Not Apply

Colonel Sanders — Wed, 06 May 2009 21:35:29 +0800

I came across this video on OMG Soysauce. This guy specifies "No Asians" in his classifieds ad. When the camera crew go to his house to follow up, of course they expect some backwoods racist bumpkin. Instead they just found a backwoods bumpkin who can't spell.

This is so awesome!

EMBED-Old Aussie Says Asians Need Not Apply? - Watch more free videos

Being a comedian in Japan isn't so easy

Colonel Sanders — Wed, 06 May 2009 00:09:34 +0800

I don't think I could ever be a comedian in Japan. While it looks like a pretty awesome profession in the west (who wouldn't want to be Jerry Seinfeld or Dave Chapelle?), in Japan comedians are often the object of nothing less than torture. Candid camera pranks are a favorite with audiences, and more often than not the victim is a famous talent/comedian from television.

Take for example this particular prank, where a television personality is made to believe he's being arrested, when really he's going to be driven in a police car by a stunt man. Of course, as often happens in Japan, hilarity ensues soon after:

Skateboarder Rodney Mullen in Japan (1984)

Colonel Sanders — Mon, 04 May 2009 23:05:14 +0800

Besides all the normal jobs that people end up coming to Japan for, there are also thousands of performers and sports stars that make Japan one of their main destinations. Even back in the 70s and 80s this was a common practice, even in sports like skateboarding where there wasn't so much money early on.

Check out this amazing video showing a performance by Rodney Mullen in Japan. The whole thing is done without a single cut, making it all the more impressive.

I'm no expert on skateboarding, but this was a pretty damn cool display. Any thoughts?

Best Job Ever: Zookeeper

Colonel Sanders — Fri, 01 May 2009 20:26:53 +0800

Forget all the days that you have to clean up elephant poop. I think if this little guy doesn't put a smile on your face, then there's something wrong with you.

Being a zookeeper must surely be the best job ever. Does anybody know what kind of animal this is? He does look pretty cute, with his arms all stuck up in the air.

I need to head off to the zoo with my resume in the morning for sure (as long as they have one of these little guys in stock, of course!)

Mexican travelers to China forced into quarantine

Colonel Sanders — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:24:00 +0800

China has been exhibiting less than tactful diplomacy in dealing with the swine flu pandemic.

Mexico's foreign minister said Mexican citizens with no signs of infection had been isolated in "unacceptable conditions" in China. Patricia Espinosa told a news conference Saturday that such measures were "discriminatory and ungrounded" and that the government is advising Mexicans to stay away from China. WSJ

For any Mexicans who might be traveling to China for work, you should be advised that you travel plans are likely to be interrupted by this whole mess. As the Mexican foreign Minister advises, it might be wise to stay clear of China if you can. While air travel in all countries has become a mess, it's particularly crazy in China who still bear the blame for the last global pandemic, SARS.

Has anyone been in a Chinese airport in the past week? If so, what was your experience like?

An Unusual Job in Japan

Colonel Sanders — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 22:22:00 +0800

Ever wanted to be a butler? Well, it turns out that at least one place in Tokyo is in the market for western guys to fill that role. According to 3yen, butlerscafe.com is looking for staff. Must be willing to work flexible hours and answer to the name of Belvedere. Just kidding...

Once the maid cafe became so popular, it was kind of inevitable that we'd see this.

This might be an interesting job for any of you guys out there who want to jump at it. Technically it's probably no different that any other waitstaff job. Aside from the fact that you get to dress up way fancy.

Has anyone out there tried this yet?

45 year-old Japanese boxer says retirement not an option for her

Colonel Sanders — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 06:30:40 +0800

While most can would hope to retire from our work as early as possible, Japanese boxer Kazumi Izaki has set no time limit on her career. Aging boxers who follow Rocky's example are somewhat commonplace in the US, but it's a little unusual to find one in Japan. And it's even more unusual that she's a woman.

Al Jazeera news did a report on Kazumi, and you can check that out in the video below to learn more about her and her ambitious boxing plans.

(skip to the 12 minute mark)

Jobs in Japan - April 27, 2009

Colonel Sanders — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:04:44 +0800

Another week is starting, and as much as I didn't want this weekend to end I figure it's best to try to get things going on the right foot on this Monday evening. With that in mind here is a list of some of the latest jobs open on the net here in Japan.