Pros
You get to live in Japan and experience a great country and culture. The Job can be fun.
Cons
Everything to do with the comapny and the contract. The contract is 29.5 hours however you WILL be working more than this - Typical day is 08.30 - 16.30, lunch is 30 - 45 min long - Do the math. The 29.5 hour contract is specifically set up so that the comapny (interac) does not have to pay contributions to your health insurance or pension (called Shakai Hoken). Also, although the salary is advertised as approx. 230,000 JPY per month, this is not the case as there are many months where you will not receive the full pay due to pro rata system (APR = ¥195,500, AUG = ¥115,000 DEC = ¥172,500 and MAR = ¥135,909 ). I have calculated that the average annual base salary is 2,458,909 JPY. this therefore works out as an average gross monthly salary of 204,909 JPY and considering you will be working 40 hours per week, this equates to an average gross hourly rate of 1,182 JPY. Not much considering bar / restaurant staff can earn between ¥1,000 - ¥1500 per hour and the Japanese minimum wage is ¥780 per hour. On top of all this, there is no progression as they do not offer bounses or pay rises for "loyal" (naive) employees. Also, please take into consideration, after your first year, the amount you have to pay for Taxes, health insurance and pension REALLY goes up. Therefore, your time in Japan will be more 'survival' than 'living' after all the taxes, rent and utilities. Interac may also give you a car - however, they will only subsidise approx 1/2 of the monthly rental fee and fuel reimbursement is calculated on an 'average' so onve again you lose out on expenses... plus they don't tell you when you have a car, you need to also pay for monthly parking along with the overpriced Leopalace apartment (similar in size to a british university dorm room). Speaking of which, as accomodation is arranged by Interac, if you leave them for whatever reason, you wil also have to leave the accomdation within 3 weeks. FINAL ADVICE - JOIN A UNION TO PROTECT (SUCH AS GENERAL UNIION, OR TOZEN) YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS AND ENSURE YOU HAVE FAIR WORKING CONDITIONS.
