Someone you know has left or is planning to leave. 1,000 Ways To Japa will speak to real people and explore the infinite number of reasons and paths they use to get to Japa
Mfon* (28) was broke, depressed, and recovering from the psychological effects of a toxic job, until she decided to change her life. In this story, she shares how getting a foreign job and relocating to Japan with less than ₦7 million has taken most of her problems away.
Where do you currently live, and when did you move out of Nigeria?
I currently live in Japan. I moved in March 2025 because I needed a break from Nigeria. It was the easiest and most affordable place for me to live.
Why did you need a break from Nigeria?
I was depressed at the time, and it all went back to 2023, when I had to quit a toxic job for my sanity. I moved in with my parents after quitting my job. I was doing nothing with my life, and it continued that way until 2024. I decided I couldn’t continue living like that, so I started focusing on fashion design, but I didn’t find satisfaction in it because the mental effects of that toxic job still haunted me. I also wanted to do something tangible with my life. That’s why I started considering relocation.
I’m sorry you went through that. How did Japan come into the picture?
I got a job that came with a visa sponsorship. In pursuit of tangible achievements, I stumbled on websites where I found international job listings. That’s usually the easiest way to get a job in Japan. The website is called GaijinPot. Some Japanese companies have websites where you can apply for jobs directly. I did both–I applied through company websites and GaijinPot – but the one that went through was the company website job listing.
Can you share more job-hunting tips?
From personal experience, you can’t do much to influence the Japanese hiring process. However, having basic qualifications goes a long way.
I applied for a language teaching assistant job, and I needed at least a bachelor’s degree, which means that I was required to have 12 years of education. They also added that I needed to be a native English speaker or from an English-speaking country. I couldn’t meet that requirement, so I substituted with something close.
What did you do?
I acquired a Teaching English as a Foreign Language certificate from Alison.com. This worked for me, but other people’s journeys might be different. Just do your research, find out what your employer wants and tailor your application to match their requirements. Whatever the case, having teaching experience helps when applying for a teaching job. I only had three months of experience, and I got the job.
Thank you. What was the immigration process like for you?
After I got the job offer, the company asked me to send some documents to process my Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which is a necessity in the visa application process.
Here’s how it works: The party sponsoring the visa (the company) has to apply for the COE in Japan. When it’s out, the sponsor sends it to you. Once you receive it, you can apply for the visa. You have to book an appointment at the embassy, go with your passport, COE, and the rest is pretty straightforward. The visa is typically ready within a week. It was a fast process for me. I got the job in December, my COE was prepared in February, and I moved in March.
How much did the process cost you?
The company’s sponsorship didn’t cover much, so I had to pay for my visa and every other minor expense. My company recommended budgeting 600,000 yen for the relocation process, which is about ₦7 million. My flight cost me about $1,000. I needed a police character certificate, which cost around ₦50,000, and the visa cost me ₦12,500. Those were the major expenses.
Oh, that’s relatively affordable! How’s life in Japan going?
It’s been two months, but I love it here already. I’ve always wanted a life outside Nigeria.
Life didn’t magically become great, but it’s easier because there’s a system in place here. And as someone who loves nature, it feels like a perfect fit because of the beautiful parks. I can go to the park anytime I like because it is free. The only thing I’m still trying to get used to is how much they mind their business. Even when you try to greet them, they won’t respond sometimes. But everything else is great!
Is that because of the language barrier?
I don’t think so. The primary requirement of my job is that I speak no Japanese to my students, because the school is trying to encourage them to use English as much as possible. So I don’t speak Japanese at all at work. That is the entire point of my job.
When I’m outside work, I use a translator app or speak the basic Japanese I know. But that’s not why they like to mind their business. I’ve concluded that it’s either a national trait or they are shy.
Aside from the solid system in Japan, what are the perks of living there?
It’s a really safe country, and my salary here is much better than what I earned in Nigeria. My favourite part is that there’s stable electricity, and it doesn’t cost that much. The transportation system is also solid. There are more perks that I’ll discover the longer I live here.
Is Japan your final destination?
It’s a beautiful country and a great place to raise children, but Japan is famous for not being completely accepting of immigrants. Most of the time, you can only get English teaching jobs. With my visa, that’s the only career I can explore here. Getting permanent residence can also take 10 years if you don’t have a really good job. So, I’m not sure if this is my final destination.
I was not happy in Nigeria. I was broke, depressed, and without electricity. It sounds funny, but it was a big deal. I was a tailor, and I needed constant electricity, but the power supply was nothing to write home about. I was spending too much on fuel.
On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you in Japan?
A solid nine. I’m just happy to be away from Nigeria.
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