Relocating to Japan for Employment

Japan has survived a tsunami, earthquake and a global recession, and yet it still makes the list of the best countries in the world to relocate to for employment.

Job Market

Currently, Japan's job market is very competitive. For foreign workers searching for a job in Japan, it is almost essential for them to have an excellent command of Japanese and English in order to do well in the workplace.

Proficiency in Japanese, combined with specialist knowledge, a good education and work experience will significantly increase your chances of landing a top job in Japan . Without knowledge of Japanese, your only realistic option to work in the country would be to teach English.

VISA

One of the biggest issues in obtaining a work visa is that a Japanese company must sponsor you, and what with the hassle involved in obtaining permits and hiring non-local staff, many companies avoid hiring international candidates.

Major industries of employment (if you can speak both English and Japanese)

• IT
• Business
• Finance
• Translation
• Electronics
• Robotics
• Communications
• Food processing
• Chemicals
• Motor vehicles
• Nano and biotechnology
• Alternative energy

Living and working in Japan

The most popular city for employment is Tokyo, which is also the country's capital city. Other popular locations for employment amongst expats include Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo and Kobe.

Many expats from across the globe relocate to Japan in order to work for some of the world's largest companies, including Sony, sharp, Hitachi, Toyota and Canon (all of which are operational from Japan).

Working conditions in Japan are generally very high, especially in some of the big multinational companies operating there. However, employees are often known to work very long hours.

Essentially, it depends on the type of job you have, the company you work for and the level at which you are employed. If you are a manager, you can expect to receive good benefits and work more favorable hours, however, if you are working in a non-skilled, labour intensive job, then you may end up working 60 hours per week!

With regards to holidays, employees receive a minimum of 2 weeks paid leave each year.

Work Permits

If you are a foreign national and you want to relocate to Japan for work purposes, you must apply to your Japanese embassy or consulate for the appropriate work permit. The type of work permit you require varies according to the type of job and length of intended stay in Japan. However, all applicants seeking a Japanese work permit must satisfy the criteria of being highly skilled and qualified, and able to fulfill the requirements of the job.

It should be noted that in order to qualify for a work permit, you first need to obtain sponsorship from an employer in Japan, and a formal offer of employment is necessary. Work permits are valid for up to 3 years, and extendable thereafter.

Business etiquette in Japan

Business etiquette in Japan is based on loyalty, manners, and respect. Education, ambition, and determination are highly regarded, especially in the workplace. When meeting business professionals it is appropriate to provide a soft handshake and most Japanese businessmen/women will avoid eye contact when doing so. It is important to be aware of the customs in Japan, as many people will greet each other with a bow. It is considered rude to stare at another person and, unlike many other countries, prolonged eye contact should be avoided.

Punctuality is very important in the workplace and it is always advised to arrive early for meetings. Speaking Japanese is greatly appreciated and will show you are making a conscious effort to integrate.

Courtesy: Alexandra Konavska

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Qaumi Watan Party: Formation & challenges

Himayatullah Yaqubi

The political landscape in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is undoubtedly very fluid and irregular due to a number of factors. The most significant dynamics influencing the political inclinations of the public in the province are its geographical location and perpetual external involvement in the region. Recent political trends have largely been changed by the ongoing war on terror penetrating by USA led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces against the Taliban and its allies.
For that matter the Pakhtuns-the predominant ethnic group of the province happened to be one of the most oppressed nations of the world. It witnessed the Russian invasion in 1978 which killed thousands of the inhabitants of the area. It was ideological orientation and socialist trends that Awami National Party-the traditional nationalist political organization of the province, ignored the miseries and very strong anti-Russian sentiments of the Pakhtuns, and passionately supported the Russian invasion. Contrary to their political positioning the nationalists once again extended gesture of goodwill and friendship to the American forces when they marched against the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. Along with the militant Islamist, thousands of Pakhtuns are becoming the victim of US bombardment, drone strikes, Taliban attacks and incessant operation against the insurgents. In the midst of the war millions of the Pakhtuns have been displaced. The unending warfare in the region and the opportunist policy of the outmoded nationalist parties has virtually increased the weariness of the people in the province. Consequently, the political scenario witnesses the emergence of new trends and challenges which could be seen from reasonably different perspective. In the process the people were gradually dismayed by the performance of the so-called nationalist parties due to their ignorance of public opinion. The common masses look for an alternative political force for addressing their grievances and broad-based issues. Hence, the emergence of the Qaumi Wattan Party (QWP), the leadership of which is claiming the true representative nationalist party of the Pakhtuns in Pakistan. It based the party program on the progressive political ideas of Hayat Muhammad Khan Sherpao, elder brother of Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao. He remained the federal minister for petroleum, natural resources, youngest governor and senior minister of the province during the Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto regime.
Hayat Mohammad Khan Sherpao, known as an ideologue and Shaheed-i-Watan to most of the political workers of the QWP was an outstanding Pakhtun progressive politician, intellectual and social worker. He initiated an enlightened and progressive vision for the Pakhtuns residing in Pakistan. The title of Shaheed-i-Watan was accorded to him by thousands of his followers and those people who thought that he was not only a political leader par-excellence but also visualized a bright and prosperous future for the downtrodden masses. The realization of his being an outstanding politician and visionary does not come as a sudden phenomenon because his services were often themes of hujra discussion among the Pakhtun elders, intellectuals, Ulama, peasants, students and common men and women. The new title which the Pakhtuns bestowed on him emanated from this perception which is continuously developing day by day. The general Pakhtun intelligentsia is deeply concerned about their present predicament. The practicable and politically all-encompassing vision of Hayat Sherpao is attracting a large of number of them to redefine their objectives in the given circumstances. This gradual realization is interpreted by political analysts as an attempt to create an alternative Pakhtun nationalist political force in the shape of QWP.
QWP was formerly called Pakistan Peoples Party–Sherpao (PPP–S) a split away group from the Pakistan Peoples Party just before the 2002 general elections. PPP–S was named after its leader Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao. Differences had cropped up between PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto and Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao in 1999 and then the latter decided to design his own political organization. In October 2012, PPP-S was renamed as QWP when it changed its political agenda and declared itself as a Pakhtun neo-nationalist party. Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, by establishing the party has visualized a prosperous and bright future for the Pakhtuns in the political program of the QWP. He very shrewdly builds on the flaws of the traditionalists and capitalized on their consistent irrational policies. Aftab Sherpao remained among the masses and bravely faced the wretched law and order situation when the Pakhtuns were facing worst kind of terrorism in their history. Several times he was targeted by suicide attacks, having lost his near relatives and party workers. He bravely faces the anger of those whose near and dear ones have lost their lives in the attacks perpetrated to remove him from the scene. Unlike other nationalist leaders, however, Sherpao never fled from the sight and give the people a sense of a political leader having strong nerve who could ready to sacrifice his life for the progress of his own nation. He gladdened the injured and participated in the Nimaz Janaza of the deceased. Despite his own injuries and threats of more attacks, he went to the houses of many other grieving families to condole with them. From this moment on, it would be a yardstick by which politicians were to be judged that whether they possess the courage to face the threats and solve it once for all.
By remaining among the masses in the toughest hour of trials, Sherpao remained quite successful to develop a perception of nearness among the masses. He infused in their hearts a concept of leadership who shares both their mourning and cheerfulness. One may rightly designate it a charismatic dimension of his leadership style. It gradually increased his popularity among the Pakhtuns and projected him a capable leader who possesses the quality of deliverance at the demanding times. Moreover, his long association with the people of the province and his continuous endeavors for public welfare transformed the perception of his colleagues and workers for making the party more vibrant with a neo-nationalist program. The party appealing manifesto and sensational electoral strategy to counter other contenders has largely been successful because of its relatively better performance in the 2013 elections.
Accordingly the name and manifesto of the QWP were formally changed on October 17, 2012. The tri-color flag was also changed by replacing the green color with white. Aftab Ahmad Sherpao believes QWP will work for rights of the Pakhtuns of the entire region, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Afghanistan, Karachi, Balochistan and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). The challenging environment confronted by the Pakhtuns is because of the flawed policies of the previous governments. Owing to the absence of a tangible and pragmatic policy over fifty thousand people were killed and millions others injured in acts of subversion over the last several years. QWP has asked the federal government to seek a viable solution to the problems being faced by the Pakhtuns and take steps to restore sustainable peace in the country, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
At the legislative elections of 20 October 2002, the then Pakistan Peoples Party–Sherpao won 2 out of 272 elected members. In the 2008 general election, the party won only 1 seat in the National Assembly, in which the party leader Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao was successful. On the other hand, it won 6 provincial assembly seats, all in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. The 2013 elections mark a record for Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao and the party because it contested the elections with a Pakhtun nationalist political agenda. His success in the NA-8 Charssadda is the eighth successive electoral victory since 1977. During the elections the party branded itself as a nationalist force challenging the traditionalist ideological orientation of the ANP. The party leadership shrewdly out-maneuvered other nationalist political parties by capitalizing on their flawed policies. The party improved its position through making headway among the strong hold of ANP in a number of areas. It secured 10 seats in total, of which 8 were directly elected. This made it the fourth largest party in the province, and it joined a coalition government led by Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI). With support in the Pakhtun mainland like Peshawar, Mardan, Charssadda, Swabi, Buner and Dir, the party would pose a huge challenge for other contenders in the upcoming elections. Given the political program of the party, it can be argued here that it could neither be the spoiler, costing the ANP crucial votes nor the king maker, but a challenging nationalist force because of its pro-Pakhtun agenda. The joining of so many well-known retired bureaucrats, lawyers, educationists and other personalities is a clear indication of the QWP decisiveness in the provincial politics.

US insists drone strikes comply with international law

WASHINGTON: The United States on Tuesday denied its drone strikes in Yemen and Pakistan and elsewhere infringed international law and said it did all it could to avoid civilian causalities. The comments followed the publication of reports on the US drone war by two human rights groups, and came a day before Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is expected to bring up concerns about the US tactic at White House talks. "We are reviewing these reports carefully," White House spokesman Jay Carney said. "To the extent these reports claim that the US has acted contrary to international law, we would strongly disagree. "The administration has repeatedly emphasized the extraordinary care that we take to make sure counterterrorism actions are in accordance with all applicable law." Carney also said that by deciding to use drone aircraft against terror suspects, rather than sending in troops or using other weapons, Washington was "choosing the course of action least likely to result in the loss of innocent life." Earlier Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch unveiled reports detailing civilian casualties in a number of US operations in Pakistan and Yemen. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International are jointly calling on the US Congress to fully investigate the cases the two organizations have documented as well as other potentially unlawful strikes, and to disclose any evidence of human rights violations to the public. Those responsible for unlawful killings should be appropriately disciplined or prosecuted. The groups called on Obama to provide a full legal rationale for targeted killings in Yemen and elsewhere. (AFP)

Nawaz Sharif takes up post-war ties with Obama

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WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif heads to the White House Wednesday seeking to build a new type of post-Afghanistan war relationship as he presses for an end to drone strikes.
In a nod to the fading of tensions since the 2011 raid that killed Osama bin Laden, President Barack Obama's administration has moved to release more than $300 million in blocked security assistance to Pakistan.
But tensions remain over the US campaign of drone attacks aimed at extremists deep inside the country's lawless areas. Sharif urged an end to the strikes, which a new Amnesty International report said may violate international law by killing civilians.

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But Sharif, calling for a fresh partnership with the United States on the eve of his meeting with Obama, largely steered clear of Pakistan's past narrative of outside interference that has jarred relations.
"It is my endeavor to approach this important relationship with an open and fresh mind, leaving behind the baggage of trust deficit and mutual suspicions," Sharif said at the US Institute of Peace.
"The greatest challenge to Pakistan comes from terrorism and extremism," Sharif said, calling his nation "a major victim" of a decade of attacks that have killed more than 40,000 people.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said Obama hoped to use the meeting with Sharif to promote "a stable, secure and prosperous Pakistan that is contributing to regional and international security and prosperity."
The White House meeting is Sharif's first since he swept to power in May elections. It comes a year before the United States plans to pull out combat troops from Afghanistan, ending its longest war launched after the attacks of September 11, 2001.
In a message sure to be welcomed at the White House, Sharif said that Pakistan supported a "peaceful, stable and unified Afghanistan" -- whose leaders often accuse Pakistan's powerful spy network of covertly supporting the Taliban.
Sharif said he has assured Afghan President Hamid Karzai "that we wish neither to interfere in Afghanistan's internal affairs, nor do we have any favorites."
Obama is expected to sound out Sharif for ideas on reaching an elusive peace agreement involving the Taliban, as well as practical support for pulling out most of the 50,000 US troops in Afghanistan. Keeping expectations in check Cameron Munter, the US ambassador to Pakistan until last year, said that both sides wanted a more stable relationship that did not just revolve around crises.
Sharif has projected himself as "modern and moderate" and has been upfront about his challenges, Munter said.
"He's tried to say we can put this back on a good footing (and) trying to keep expectations fairly low."
Robert Hathaway, director of the Asia program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, said that Sharif had "no alternative" but to raise drones due to the sweeping opposition inside Pakistan to the attacks.
"By the same token, I think it's unrealistic that Obama is going to have any real give on this subject so long as the insurgents continue to find a sanctuary in Pakistan and then slip across the border to kill Americans and NATO forces," Hathaway said.

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Torture or training? Inside the brutal Chinese gymnasium where the country's future Olympic stars are beaten into shape

Her face etched with pain, a child trains for Olympic glory while her gymnastics trainer stands on her legs.
The cartoon space rockets and animal astronauts on her tiny red leotard are a stark and powerful reminder of this little girl's tender age as she trains as hard as any adult athlete in the Western world.
Nanning Gymnasium in Nanning, China, is one of many ruthless training camps across the country to which parents send their children to learn how to be champions.

Hard training: Her face etched with pain, a child trains for Olympic glory while her gymnastics trainer stands on her legs.

But while training techniques appear extreme to Western eyes, they provide an insight into why China's athletes at London 2012 seem so easily able to swim, dive, lift and shoot their way to victory.
Gymnastic stars are known for starting at an incredibly early age, and this group of children appear no different as they battled to complete the demanding routines on bars, rings, and mats.
Boys and girls who looked no older than five or six-years-old were tasked with swinging on beams, hanging from pairs of rings and bounding across floor mats during the physically strenuous training sessions.

Ruthless: Boys and girls who looked no older than five or six-years-old were tasked with swinging on beams, hanging from pairs of rings and bounding across floor mats during the physically strenuous training sessions

Growing strong: Nanning Gymnasium in Nanning, China, is one of many ruthless training camps across the country to which parents send their children to learn how to be champions

Going for gold: While training techniques appear extreme to Western eyes, they provide an insight into why China's athletes at London 2012 seem so easily able to swim, dive, lift and shoot their way to victory

Stretchy: Gymnastic stars are known for starting at an incredibly early age, and this group of children appear no different as they battled to complete the demanding routines on bars, rings, and mats

The youngsters at the same training school will be hoping to emulate the success of 16-year-old swimming sensation Ye Shewin, who glided into the record books on Saturday night.
Only last January harrowing photographs were posted on the internet showing Chinese children crying in pain as they were put to work.
In case they had forgotten why they were there, a large sign on the wall reminded them. 'GOLD' it said simply.
Charges are often taught by rote that their mission in life is to beat the Americans and all-comers to the top of the podium.

24/7 routine: A child stretches at home during a gymnastics training session in Nanning, China

To the top: Charges are often taught by rote that their mission in life is to beat the Americans and all-comers to the top of the podium

No nonsense: The trainers are tough on the children who go through rigorous training schedules

Home time: Children wait for their parents after completing a gymnastics training session in Nanning

Ye Shiwen astounded the swimming world by knocking more than a second off the world record for the 400m individual medley

Mission accomplished: Miss Ye poses with her gold medal on the podium. Ye insists that her 'results come from hard work and training'

Winning at all costs: Children are put through their paces doing punishing exercises to toughen them up

Children are trained at camps where the word 'gold' is hung on the wall to make them focus on success

Young boys and girls are put through their paces at the Chen Jinglun Sports School, the alma mater of Ye Shiwen

The school also trained Sun Yang, who won the 400m freestyle at London 2012

Ye's team-mate, 23-year-old Lu Ying, this week attacked China's grindingly repetitive coaching regime

A group of young boys await their turn in the pool

Source Mail Online