The Not Your Sensei Podcast

Not Your Sensei
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Thinking about building a life in Japan, or wondering what comes after teaching English? Not Your Sensei is hosted by a long-term expat who came over as an English teacher with a general degree and no tech background. After more than 10 years working in tech in Japan, he shows you how to do the same, even if you have no background in the field. It wasn't a straight line. Teaching, a year in recruitment, a helpdesk job, and a lot of trial and error in between. Some of it went well, plenty of it didn't. Each episode talks through one part of that road: working holidays, teaching as a way in, moving into IT without a degree in it, how much Japanese you really need, what jobs pay, and dealing with visas. Whether you're already here or still thinking about the move, take what's useful and leave the rest. More at notyoursensei.com

Episodes

  1. Nov 1

    Average Salary in Japan by Industry: Where the Money Really Is

    IT isn't the best-paid industry in Japan. So why do I keep pushing it? And from October 1, 2026, staying here got a lot more expensive. In this episode: - Japan's average salary, and how pay compares across industries - Why utilities and finance pay more, but are mostly closed to mid-career foreigners - Why IT is the best-paying door that's actually open - Renegotiating your salary, and what I learned doing it - The new visa renewal and permanent residency fees, and what to do about them IT salary guide and offer-check tool: https://notyoursensei.com/japan-it-salary-guide.html [About the figures: salary data covers pay for the full year of 2024 and was published by the National Tax Agency on September 26, 2025. Visa fees are the ones in force from October 1, 2026, confirmed by the government on August 25, 2026. This episode was recorded on September 19, 2026, so newer salary figures may be out by the time you listen.] 📊 Update: new National Tax Agency figures (2025 pay, published Sep 29, 2026) came out after recording. - Average: ¥4.87M (up 1.9%) - Utilities ¥8.54M, finance ¥7.26M, IT ¥6.82M (up 3.4%) - Hotels and restaurants: ¥2.76M (down 1.3%) IT is still third, and still the best-paying door that's actually open. Sources: - National Tax Agency, 2025 results: https://www.nta.go.jp/publication/statistics/kokuzeicho/minkan/gaiyou/2025.htm - National Tax Agency, 民間給与実態統計調査 (Private Sector Salary Survey), 2024 results: https://www.nta.go.jp/publication/statistics/kokuzeicho/minkan/gaiyou/2024.htm - Industry breakdown summary, JILPT: https://www.jil.go.jp/kokunai/blt/backnumber/2025/12/kokunai_01.html - Immigration Services Agency, fee revision from October 1, 2026 (Japanese PDF): https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001469200.pdf - Immigration Services Agency, online applications: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/online/onlineshinsei.html General information only, not legal or immigration advice. For your own application, check with immigration or a licensed 行政書士 (visa specialist). Free 15-min call: https://cal.com/notyoursensei Instagram: @notyoursensei1 Music: Opening/Ending: "Lost" by Hunter Milo Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 (CC BY 3.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Download / stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/hunter-milo/lost Music promoted by Audio Library Background: "Marshmallow" by Lukrembo Source: https://freetouse.com/music/lukrembo/marshmallow

    Average Salary in Japan by Industry: Where the Money Really Is

  2. Oct 18

    Japanese or Tech Skills: What to Learn First for an IT Job in Japan

    Every few weeks, someone asks how to get an IT job in Japan. Usually they have no Japanese and no IT skills yet. That's fine, but there's a step before the job hunt. In this episode: - Why you need one of two "weapons" to get started: Japanese or tech - What each one opens up, and why having both makes you rare - Which to start with, depending on whether you're already in Japan or abroad - A realistic first year: one beginner cert plus steady study toward JLPT N3 - Where CCNA fits if you're heading into networking - What having N2 actually did for me at helpdesk Not sure which to start with? Take the quiz: https://notyoursensei.com/#path-quiz Mentioned in this episode: - Episode 9, "Which IT Certifications to Get First (Part 2)": where to study for CompTIA A+ and how to book the exams - Episode 4, "Do You Need Japanese to Work in IT in Japan?": how good your Japanese really needs to be, and the JLPT - Episode 6, "Your First IT Job in Japan": why user support is the best place to start - CompTIA A+: https://www.comptia.org/en - Cisco CCNA: https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/learn/training-certifications/exams/ccna.html - Professor Messer (free A+ training): https://www.professormesser.com Free 15-min call: https://cal.com/notyoursensei Instagram: @notyoursensei1 Music: Opening/Ending: "Lost" by Hunter Milo Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 (CC BY 3.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Download / stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/hunter-milo/lost Music promoted by Audio Library Background: "Marshmallow" by Lukrembo

    Japanese or Tech Skills: What to Learn First for an IT Job in Japan

  3. Oct 4

    Moving to Japan in 2026: What's Changed Since Season 1

    Back after a break. Three things that changed about getting into Japan: the working holiday visa (32 countries, and some now allow a second stay), using teaching as a way in, and how much Japanese you really need. 🎁 From October 4th, the next 5 people get a free Recon call in exchange for an honest review. Email contact@notyoursensei.com with "free session" in the subject. Links: - Take the quiz: https://notyoursensei.com/#path-quiz - Working holiday guide: https://notyoursensei.com/working-holiday-japan-eligibility.html - Tools (Working Holiday Launch Kit, Teacher's Exit Kit, IT Offer Check): https://notyoursensei.com/tools.html Sources: - MOFA, Working Holiday Programmes in Japan: https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/w_holiday/index.html Free 15-min call: https://cal.com/notyoursensei Instagram: @notyoursensei1 Music: Opening/Ending: "Lost" by Hunter Milo Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 (CC BY 3.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Download / stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/hunter-milo/lost Music promoted by Audio Library Background: "Marshmallow" by Lukrembo Source: https://freetouse.com/music/lukrembo/marshmallow

    Moving to Japan in 2026: What's Changed Since Season 1

  4. 08/03/2025

    Which IT Certifications to Get First (Part 2)

    Where to study for CompTIA A+, Network+ and TCM's Practical Help Desk, and how to book the exams once you're ready. 🎁 From October 4th, the next 5 people get a free Recon call in exchange for an honest review. Email contact@notyoursensei.com with "free session" in the subject. Links: - Take the quiz: https://notyoursensei.com/#path-quiz - Jobs open to foreigners in Japan: https://notyoursensei.com/japan-jobs-guide.html - Tools (Working Holiday Launch Kit, Teacher's Exit Kit, IT Offer Check): https://notyoursensei.com/tools.html Resources: - Professor Messer: https://www.professormesser.com - CompTIA: https://www.comptia.org/en - TCM Practical Help Desk: https://certifications.tcm-sec.com/phda Free 15-min call: https://cal.com/notyoursensei Instagram: @notyoursensei1 Music: Opening/Ending: "Lost" by Hunter Milo Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 (CC BY 3.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Download / stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/hunter-milo/lost Music promoted by Audio Library Background: "Marshmallow" by Lukrembo Source: https://freetouse.com/music/lukrembo/marshmallow

    Which IT Certifications to Get First (Part 2)

  5. 07/19/2025

    Which IT Certifications to Get First (Part 1)

    What CompTIA A+ and Network+ are worth for entry-level IT jobs, and how TCM's Practical Help Desk course helps close the experience gap. 🎁 From October 4th, the next 5 people get a free Recon call in exchange for an honest review. Email contact@notyoursensei.com with "free session" in the subject. Links: - Take the quiz: https://notyoursensei.com/#path-quiz - Jobs open to foreigners in Japan: https://notyoursensei.com/japan-jobs-guide.html - Tools (Working Holiday Launch Kit, Teacher's Exit Kit, IT Offer Check): https://notyoursensei.com/tools.html Resources: - CompTIA A+: https://www.comptia.org/en/certifications/a/ - CompTIA Network+: https://www.comptia.org/en/certifications/network/ - TCM Practical Help Desk: https://academy.tcm-sec.com/p/practical-help-desk Free 15-min call: https://cal.com/notyoursensei Instagram: @notyoursensei1 Music: Opening/Ending: "Lost" by Hunter Milo Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 (CC BY 3.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Download / stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/hunter-milo/lost Music promoted by Audio Library Background: "Marshmallow" by Lukrembo Source: https://freetouse.com/music/lukrembo/marshmallow

    Which IT Certifications to Get First (Part 1)

  6. 07/13/2025

    No IT Degree? Why Certifications Level the Field in Japan

    No degree or experience in IT? Certifications get you taken seriously. Why they work, what they build, and how they help you stand out. 🎁 From October 4th, the next 5 people get a free Recon call in exchange for an honest review. Email contact@notyoursensei.com with "free session" in the subject. Links: - Take the quiz: https://notyoursensei.com/#path-quiz - Jobs open to foreigners in Japan: https://notyoursensei.com/japan-jobs-guide.html - Tools (Working Holiday Launch Kit, Teacher's Exit Kit, IT Offer Check): https://notyoursensei.com/tools.html Free 15-min call: https://cal.com/notyoursensei Instagram: @notyoursensei1 Music: Opening/Ending: "Lost" by Hunter Milo Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 (CC BY 3.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Download / stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/hunter-milo/lost Music promoted by Audio Library Background: "Marshmallow" by Lukrembo Source: https://freetouse.com/music/lukrembo/marshmallow

    No IT Degree? Why Certifications Level the Field in Japan

  7. 07/06/2025

    Your First IT Job in Japan: Why to Start in User Support

    Whatever you want to do in IT long term, user support is the best place to start. Here's why. 🎁 From October 4th, the next 5 people get a free Recon call in exchange for an honest review. Email contact@notyoursensei.com with "free session" in the subject. Links: - Take the quiz: https://notyoursensei.com/#path-quiz - Jobs open to foreigners in Japan: https://notyoursensei.com/japan-jobs-guide.html - Tools (Working Holiday Launch Kit, Teacher's Exit Kit, IT Offer Check): https://notyoursensei.com/tools.html Free 15-min call: https://cal.com/notyoursensei Instagram: @notyoursensei1 Music: Opening/Ending: "Lost" by Hunter Milo Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 (CC BY 3.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Download / stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/hunter-milo/lost Music promoted by Audio Library Background: "Marshmallow" by Lukrembo Source: https://freetouse.com/music/lukrembo/marshmallow

    Your First IT Job in Japan: Why to Start in User Support

  8. 06/27/2025

    Stop Waiting: How to Actually Start Your Career Change in Japan

    Four books that changed how I think and helped me stop putting off my own career change in Japan, and what you can take from them. 🎁 From October 4th, the next 5 people get a free Recon call in exchange for an honest review. Email contact@notyoursensei.com with "free session" in the subject. Links: - Take the quiz: https://notyoursensei.com/#path-quiz - Stay, pivot or go home guide: https://notyoursensei.com/stay-or-leave-teaching-japan.html - Tools (Working Holiday Launch Kit, Teacher's Exit Kit, IT Offer Check): https://notyoursensei.com/tools.html Free 15-min call: https://cal.com/notyoursensei Instagram: @notyoursensei1 Music: Opening/Ending: "Lost" by Hunter Milo Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 (CC BY 3.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Download / stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/hunter-milo/lost Music promoted by Audio Library Background: "Marshmallow" by Lukrembo Source: https://freetouse.com/music/lukrembo/marshmallow

    Stop Waiting: How to Actually Start Your Career Change in Japan

  9. 06/21/2025

    Do You Need Japanese to Work in IT in Japan?

    You can't skip the language if you want to work here. Why Japanese matters, a quick intro to the JLPT, and how good your Japanese really needs to be. 🎁 From October 4th, the next 5 people get a free Recon call in exchange for an honest review. Email contact@notyoursensei.com with "free session" in the subject. Links: - Take the quiz: https://notyoursensei.com/#path-quiz - Jobs open to foreigners in Japan: https://notyoursensei.com/japan-jobs-guide.html - Tools (Working Holiday Launch Kit, Teacher's Exit Kit, IT Offer Check): https://notyoursensei.com/tools.html Free 15-min call: https://cal.com/notyoursensei Instagram: @notyoursensei1 Music: Opening/Ending: "Lost" by Hunter Milo Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 (CC BY 3.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Download / stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/hunter-milo/lost Music promoted by Audio Library Background: "Marshmallow" by Lukrembo Source: https://freetouse.com/music/lukrembo/marshmallow

    Do You Need Japanese to Work in IT in Japan?

  10. 06/10/2025

    Stuck on the Help Desk? How IT Careers Grow in Japan

    The common IT roles, how careers usually move past the help desk, and rough salary ranges in the US and Japan. 🎁 From October 4th, the next 5 people get a free Recon call in exchange for an honest review. Email contact@notyoursensei.com with "free session" in the subject. Links: - Take the quiz: https://notyoursensei.com/#path-quiz - Japan IT salary guide: https://notyoursensei.com/japan-it-salary-guide.html - Tools (Working Holiday Launch Kit, Teacher's Exit Kit, IT Offer Check): https://notyoursensei.com/tools.html Free 15-min call: https://cal.com/notyoursensei Instagram: @notyoursensei1 Music: Opening/Ending: "Lost" by Hunter Milo Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 (CC BY 3.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Download / stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/hunter-milo/lost Music promoted by Audio Library Background: "Marshmallow" by Lukrembo Source: https://freetouse.com/music/lukrembo/marshmallow

    Stuck on the Help Desk? How IT Careers Grow in Japan

  11. 06/02/2025

    From a Rural JET School to an IT Career in Japan

    How I went from teaching in the countryside to recruitment and then into IT, what I learned from the people I've coached along the way, and why now might be the time to look beyond the classroom. 🎁 From October 4th, the next 5 people get a free Recon call in exchange for an honest review. Email contact@notyoursensei.com with "free session" in the subject. Links: - Take the quiz: https://notyoursensei.com/#path-quiz - Stay, pivot or go home guide: https://notyoursensei.com/stay-or-leave-teaching-japan.html - Tools (Working Holiday Launch Kit, Teacher's Exit Kit, IT Offer Check): https://notyoursensei.com/tools.html Free 15-min call: https://cal.com/notyoursensei Instagram: @notyoursensei1 Music: Opening/Ending: "Lost" by Hunter Milo Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 (CC BY 3.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Download / stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/hunter-milo/lost Music promoted by Audio Library Background: "Marshmallow" by Lukrembo Source: https://freetouse.com/music/lukrembo/marshmallow

    From a Rural JET School to an IT Career in Japan

  12. 05/28/2025

    From English Teacher to Network Engineer in Japan

    Tired of teaching and not sure what's next in Japan? This is where the series starts: why IT is a realistic way out of the classroom whatever your background, and why now is as good a time as any to make the move. 🎁 From October 4th, the next 5 people get a free Recon call in exchange for an honest review. Email contact@notyoursensei.com with "free session" in the subject. Links: - Take the quiz: https://notyoursensei.com/#path-quiz - Stay, pivot or go home guide: https://notyoursensei.com/stay-or-leave-teaching-japan.html - Tools (Working Holiday Launch Kit, Teacher's Exit Kit, IT Offer Check): https://notyoursensei.com/tools.html Free 15-min call: https://cal.com/notyoursensei Instagram: @notyoursensei1 Music: Opening/Ending: "Lost" by Hunter Milo Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 (CC BY 3.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Download / stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/hunter-milo/lost Music promoted by Audio Library Background: "Marshmallow" by Lukrembo Source: https://freetouse.com/music/lukrembo/marshmallow

    From English Teacher to Network Engineer in Japan
  • 12 Episodes

About

Thinking about building a life in Japan, or wondering what comes after teaching English? Not Your Sensei is hosted by a long-term expat who came over as an English teacher with a general degree and no tech background. After more than 10 years working in tech in Japan, he shows you how to do the same, even if you have no background in the field. It wasn't a straight line. Teaching, a year in recruitment, a helpdesk job, and a lot of trial and error in between. Some of it went well, plenty of it didn't. Each episode talks through one part of that road: working holidays, teaching as a way in, moving into IT without a degree in it, how much Japanese you really need, what jobs pay, and dealing with visas. Whether you're already here or still thinking about the move, take what's useful and leave the rest. More at notyoursensei.com

Information

  • Creator
    Not Your Sensei
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Not Your Sensei 2025
  • Show Website
    The Not Your Sensei Podcast