I keep meaning to update more often but, as is the Japanese work style, I am quite literaly always busy. On Thursdays at present I work from 8am to 12 midnight.
Any spare time I have I am researching companies. It would appear from my mass of replies that No one will consider recruitment until the turn of the year.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
The election battle hots up
Great, the election is hotting up and so is the creative PR:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8204994.stm
A cartoon on the web page of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) shows a suave young man dining with a woman.
I'll make you happy if you pick me, the man says. I'll pay for childcare, education, your old age.
How will you afford all that, the woman asks. I'll figure that out once we're married, the man replies.
The man resembles a young Yukio Hatoyama, leader of the Democratic Party of Japan, and the cartoon is intended to ram home the message that the DPJ cannot be trusted to run the country.
It is one of a number of new tactics being employed ahead of the 30 August general election, which could see the LDP ousted for only the second time in half a century.
The ailing giant, hit by scandals and economic crisis, is facing its strongest opposition yet. This election is going to be post-war Japan's first competitive two-party fight.
As formal campaigning kicks off, it is clear that both parties are trying to adapt to a vastly changed electoral environment in a bid to bring voters on board.
Local ties
For many years, LDP domination meant that the outcome of elections was not really in doubt.
Now the voters have no choice but to pay attention to each party, to what they are offering, and to take them as deciding factors
Kazuhiro Soda
Director of Campaign
Local unions and networks, sweetened with favours, would marshal support behind candidates, with whole communities voting the same way. Support was organised to ensure the success of as many LDP candidates as possible in multi-seat constituencies.
"Of course other party members were elected, but they wouldn't be in the majority. So the competition was basically between LDP candidates," said Kazuhiro Soda, director of Campaign, a documentary about Japan's electoral process.
"The party did not really have to appeal to voters on specific policy areas. The candidates just had to show that they were connected to the voters and had support from the local groups."
Prime Minister and LDP leader Taro Aso in debate with DPJ leader Yukio Hatoyama - 12 August 2009
Profile: Taro Aso
Candidates shook hands outside stations and at local events. They drove election trucks, shouting their names and party affiliations over and over again through loudspeakers.
While the economy flourished, this formula worked. But trouble hit in the early 1990s, when Japan's bubble burst.
Voters deserted the LDP, allowing a coalition of minor parties to take power. They only held on to it for nine months - but the interlude signalled change.
Koizumi-style
As the LDP struggled to adapt to a new economic reality, smaller parties began coalescing into a more credible opposition and, in 1998, four parties joined together to form the DPJ.
People moved to the cities, eroding the LDP's local networks. Corruption scandals made the electorate cynical. Localised incentives - rural roads, bridges and dams, for example - began to seem less attractive than a strong welfare net.
At the same time, the system changed to single-seat constituencies, plus a proportional representation list. Elections in Japan were beginning to take on a different shape.
DPJ leader Yukio Hatoyama in debate with Prime Minister Taro Aso - 12 August 2009
Profile: Yukio Hatoyama
Ahead of polls in 2003, the DPJ produced a policy manifesto setting out what it stood for - the first time such a tool had been used in Japan - and secured 177 of the 480 seats in parliament.
But the poll was won by charismatic LDP leader Junichiro Koizumi, who tore up the rule book two years later when he called an early election.
He campaigned on a single issue - postal privatisation - and tapped into public concern over LDP rule by portraying the election as an intra-party fight between his forces of reform and traditionalists favouring a malfunctioning status quo.
"There was great emphasis on personalities," said Koichi Nakano, a political analyst from Tokyo's Sophia University. "Koizumi and the LDP hijacked the media with stories of highly personal rivalries."
It won him a landslide victory - but when he stepped down two years later, his three subsequent replacements floundered, failing to convince voters they could handle the twin challenges of economic crisis and demographic change.
New tricks
Ahead of this election, the DPJ has a strong lead in opinion polls, but more than a third of the electorate are undecided. And while loudspeakers and handshakes remain the order of the day, the parties have also been trying new ways of securing votes.
They are, says Prof Nakano, trying to identify key issues and define the election in terms of what it means for Japan.
"The DPJ is trying to define the election as an opportunity for change. The LDP is trying to imply that it is the only responsible party and that voters should continue to trust it," he said.
US-style political consultants are increasingly being used to help candidates target particular groups, such as women or mothers.
Policy is being discussed; both parties have produced manifestos addressing issues like healthcare spending, pension reform, government waste and child-care benefits.
A costumed individual meant to resemble the DPJ leader shakes hands with a voter
Both parties are trying new strategies to lure voters
"Now the voters have no choice but to pay attention to each party, to what they are offering, and to take them as deciding factors," Mr Soda said.
Negative campaigning - like the LDP cartoon, which was also put on YouTube - has made an appearance, with LDP lawmakers repeatedly stressing that the DPJ is too inexperienced to govern.
But some modern electioneering tools are restricted. During the 12-day official campaign period, use of the internet - blogs, e-mail, websites, Twitter - is banned, preventing lawmakers from adopting the kind of youth-oriented campaigning that swept Barack Obama to power.
Tough limits on the distribution of printed material also exist, meaning that candidates can struggle to get detailed messages out.
And while the two main parties are throwing everything into the campaign, a host of smaller ones are working just as hard to lure disenchanted undecided voters.
New Komeito, the LDP's coalition partner, is likely to retain support from members of the Buddhist Soka Gakkai organisation. The Communist Party, currently the fourth-largest in parliament, could well profit from the economic downturn.
Regional and fringe parties and a new group, The Happiness Realisation Party, which wants to double the population by 2030, are also competing for votes.
Mr Soda expects turn-out on 30 August to be high.
"This could be a turning point in Japan's democratic history," he said. "If this isn't the election that voters turn out for, then what is?"
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8204994.stm
A cartoon on the web page of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) shows a suave young man dining with a woman.
I'll make you happy if you pick me, the man says. I'll pay for childcare, education, your old age.
How will you afford all that, the woman asks. I'll figure that out once we're married, the man replies.
The man resembles a young Yukio Hatoyama, leader of the Democratic Party of Japan, and the cartoon is intended to ram home the message that the DPJ cannot be trusted to run the country.
It is one of a number of new tactics being employed ahead of the 30 August general election, which could see the LDP ousted for only the second time in half a century.
The ailing giant, hit by scandals and economic crisis, is facing its strongest opposition yet. This election is going to be post-war Japan's first competitive two-party fight.
As formal campaigning kicks off, it is clear that both parties are trying to adapt to a vastly changed electoral environment in a bid to bring voters on board.
Local ties
For many years, LDP domination meant that the outcome of elections was not really in doubt.
Now the voters have no choice but to pay attention to each party, to what they are offering, and to take them as deciding factors
Kazuhiro Soda
Director of Campaign
Local unions and networks, sweetened with favours, would marshal support behind candidates, with whole communities voting the same way. Support was organised to ensure the success of as many LDP candidates as possible in multi-seat constituencies.
"Of course other party members were elected, but they wouldn't be in the majority. So the competition was basically between LDP candidates," said Kazuhiro Soda, director of Campaign, a documentary about Japan's electoral process.
"The party did not really have to appeal to voters on specific policy areas. The candidates just had to show that they were connected to the voters and had support from the local groups."
Prime Minister and LDP leader Taro Aso in debate with DPJ leader Yukio Hatoyama - 12 August 2009
Profile: Taro Aso
Candidates shook hands outside stations and at local events. They drove election trucks, shouting their names and party affiliations over and over again through loudspeakers.
While the economy flourished, this formula worked. But trouble hit in the early 1990s, when Japan's bubble burst.
Voters deserted the LDP, allowing a coalition of minor parties to take power. They only held on to it for nine months - but the interlude signalled change.
Koizumi-style
As the LDP struggled to adapt to a new economic reality, smaller parties began coalescing into a more credible opposition and, in 1998, four parties joined together to form the DPJ.
People moved to the cities, eroding the LDP's local networks. Corruption scandals made the electorate cynical. Localised incentives - rural roads, bridges and dams, for example - began to seem less attractive than a strong welfare net.
At the same time, the system changed to single-seat constituencies, plus a proportional representation list. Elections in Japan were beginning to take on a different shape.
DPJ leader Yukio Hatoyama in debate with Prime Minister Taro Aso - 12 August 2009
Profile: Yukio Hatoyama
Ahead of polls in 2003, the DPJ produced a policy manifesto setting out what it stood for - the first time such a tool had been used in Japan - and secured 177 of the 480 seats in parliament.
But the poll was won by charismatic LDP leader Junichiro Koizumi, who tore up the rule book two years later when he called an early election.
He campaigned on a single issue - postal privatisation - and tapped into public concern over LDP rule by portraying the election as an intra-party fight between his forces of reform and traditionalists favouring a malfunctioning status quo.
"There was great emphasis on personalities," said Koichi Nakano, a political analyst from Tokyo's Sophia University. "Koizumi and the LDP hijacked the media with stories of highly personal rivalries."
It won him a landslide victory - but when he stepped down two years later, his three subsequent replacements floundered, failing to convince voters they could handle the twin challenges of economic crisis and demographic change.
New tricks
Ahead of this election, the DPJ has a strong lead in opinion polls, but more than a third of the electorate are undecided. And while loudspeakers and handshakes remain the order of the day, the parties have also been trying new ways of securing votes.
They are, says Prof Nakano, trying to identify key issues and define the election in terms of what it means for Japan.
"The DPJ is trying to define the election as an opportunity for change. The LDP is trying to imply that it is the only responsible party and that voters should continue to trust it," he said.
US-style political consultants are increasingly being used to help candidates target particular groups, such as women or mothers.
Policy is being discussed; both parties have produced manifestos addressing issues like healthcare spending, pension reform, government waste and child-care benefits.
A costumed individual meant to resemble the DPJ leader shakes hands with a voter
Both parties are trying new strategies to lure voters
"Now the voters have no choice but to pay attention to each party, to what they are offering, and to take them as deciding factors," Mr Soda said.
Negative campaigning - like the LDP cartoon, which was also put on YouTube - has made an appearance, with LDP lawmakers repeatedly stressing that the DPJ is too inexperienced to govern.
But some modern electioneering tools are restricted. During the 12-day official campaign period, use of the internet - blogs, e-mail, websites, Twitter - is banned, preventing lawmakers from adopting the kind of youth-oriented campaigning that swept Barack Obama to power.
Tough limits on the distribution of printed material also exist, meaning that candidates can struggle to get detailed messages out.
And while the two main parties are throwing everything into the campaign, a host of smaller ones are working just as hard to lure disenchanted undecided voters.
New Komeito, the LDP's coalition partner, is likely to retain support from members of the Buddhist Soka Gakkai organisation. The Communist Party, currently the fourth-largest in parliament, could well profit from the economic downturn.
Regional and fringe parties and a new group, The Happiness Realisation Party, which wants to double the population by 2030, are also competing for votes.
Mr Soda expects turn-out on 30 August to be high.
"This could be a turning point in Japan's democratic history," he said. "If this isn't the election that voters turn out for, then what is?"
Saturday, August 15, 2009
What is happening in Japan? Why are there no jobs?
As anyone with even a passing interest in Japan will know, on the 30th of this month we have an election.
This Election should see the end of an almost unbroken 50 year rule by current Prime Minister Aso Taro's party. Pretty unbelievable don't you think. Everybody and their cat are concentrating on this and no one knows how business will be affected by the new government. Whom, unless they spontaneously combust between now and the election, will win. The current governments’ handling of the recession has been pretty shocking; no one knows how the new government will do as they have very, very, very little experience of being in power. It’s a case of wait and see I suppose.
Politics in Japan is very interesting and incredibly conservative. When I have more time I will write more on it. But for now, I have been informed that I should stick with my research on companies and firms. No one is handing out internships or jobs just now. I was also advised to save up on contacting firms and companies until closer to the end of the year or even the start of the year. Just now people don't really know what their position will be, come the start of the new financial year. They should have a clearer picture at the end or the beginning of the year. That’s when they make the decisions I am interested in.
I was told timing and luck are pretty much as important as how good you are in landing a job in this business at present. My CV and information has to be fresh in the mind of the HR people.
Still, with Singapore and Hong Kong’s economies coming out of recession now I might concentrate more on companies and firms based there for the time being.
Decisions, decisions.
This Election should see the end of an almost unbroken 50 year rule by current Prime Minister Aso Taro's party. Pretty unbelievable don't you think. Everybody and their cat are concentrating on this and no one knows how business will be affected by the new government. Whom, unless they spontaneously combust between now and the election, will win. The current governments’ handling of the recession has been pretty shocking; no one knows how the new government will do as they have very, very, very little experience of being in power. It’s a case of wait and see I suppose.
Politics in Japan is very interesting and incredibly conservative. When I have more time I will write more on it. But for now, I have been informed that I should stick with my research on companies and firms. No one is handing out internships or jobs just now. I was also advised to save up on contacting firms and companies until closer to the end of the year or even the start of the year. Just now people don't really know what their position will be, come the start of the new financial year. They should have a clearer picture at the end or the beginning of the year. That’s when they make the decisions I am interested in.
I was told timing and luck are pretty much as important as how good you are in landing a job in this business at present. My CV and information has to be fresh in the mind of the HR people.
Still, with Singapore and Hong Kong’s economies coming out of recession now I might concentrate more on companies and firms based there for the time being.
Decisions, decisions.
Friday, August 14, 2009
1st mistake
Over the last 10 days I found myself, rather unexpectedly, travelling the length and breadth of Japan. It's a long and personal story, so I won't bore you with it. The problem is, just before leaving I received a response to an enquiry about helping me with my job hunt.
Upon returning from my travels I received the most negative and angry email from the said person for not emailing my thanks to them. I will never quote names on my blog, but it was from a pr professional who was highly recommended to me.
Just before my travels they had written a page long reply to my enquiry. Quite strongly worded, not in the style I have been receiving of late. As their response was so unusual, I thought I would apply their advice, most of which seemed to be helpful, and contact a few more firms/companies.
So, as anyone who has been in my situation knows, you rarely received a reply within a few days. I realise a request like mine is never a person’s priority and that’s no problem.
So my idea was to respond to the pr professional after I got a positive response. A little different from my usual swift 'thank you' letters. They seemed a little different and open so I thought I would try a different response. My bad. I never intended to wait almost 2 weeks but sometimes things just don’t pan out as we like.
So, I learned a very valuable lesson. Respond quickly (like I have done up until now) and then try new ideas.
Events conspired against me with me being away from a computer quite suddenly for about 10 days, but that’s just making excuses. No matter how many leads I try to follow I must not neglect even one. I have responded to the pr professionals’ letter in a very apologetic way, I accepted I was wrong and tried to explain that I was not ignoring them. I'll count that as a bridge burned though. I also realise we pay for our mistakes, so I could never ask for their help again.
We live and we learn. I have not, in the slightest, been put off by this experience, I'm learning every day.
More to follow.
Upon returning from my travels I received the most negative and angry email from the said person for not emailing my thanks to them. I will never quote names on my blog, but it was from a pr professional who was highly recommended to me.
Just before my travels they had written a page long reply to my enquiry. Quite strongly worded, not in the style I have been receiving of late. As their response was so unusual, I thought I would apply their advice, most of which seemed to be helpful, and contact a few more firms/companies.
So, as anyone who has been in my situation knows, you rarely received a reply within a few days. I realise a request like mine is never a person’s priority and that’s no problem.
So my idea was to respond to the pr professional after I got a positive response. A little different from my usual swift 'thank you' letters. They seemed a little different and open so I thought I would try a different response. My bad. I never intended to wait almost 2 weeks but sometimes things just don’t pan out as we like.
So, I learned a very valuable lesson. Respond quickly (like I have done up until now) and then try new ideas.
Events conspired against me with me being away from a computer quite suddenly for about 10 days, but that’s just making excuses. No matter how many leads I try to follow I must not neglect even one. I have responded to the pr professionals’ letter in a very apologetic way, I accepted I was wrong and tried to explain that I was not ignoring them. I'll count that as a bridge burned though. I also realise we pay for our mistakes, so I could never ask for their help again.
We live and we learn. I have not, in the slightest, been put off by this experience, I'm learning every day.
More to follow.
Friday, July 31, 2009
The search continues
Where does time go? I have been busy compiling a list of pr firms in Asia, along with specific contact people within the firms. I have realised that I should carefully consider what area of pr I would most like to be involved with, and which area I am best suited. But can I afford to be picky at this point?
Searching for a job like this on the other side of the world from my country and often in a second language is maybe the biggest challenge I have ever taken on. But I must say, rather than being disheartened, I am enjoying the challenge greatly.
I have been in contact with pr professionals, pr firms and learned a lot about the industry and entry into it. This is after only a few months of research and checking. My aim is to start within a year and a half to two years of my first blog entry.
I will note now, I will not put people’s names and companies names with whom I have had or am in contact with, although I would like to express my gratitude to them. I'll leave that till after I have a result.
So the blog postings and musings have been sparse, that is not for lack of interest, I am channelling most of my time on the internet into research. As I come across interesting articles or reach any milestones I shall update.
My first major achievement has been to be asked to apply for an internship in Singapore. My worry is that if I uproot from Japan now, mid-way through my studies, do a two month internship and don't get offered a job, I will create many major problems for myself.
But it's that chance, that glimmer of hope that is so appealing. Risks like this could pay off, but should I continue with my current plan, to move to Tokyo in March next year and try for internships or entry-level positions from there?
At least I have options and am moving forward, my great fear is to stay still and stagnate. Unfortunately my character doesn't allow this. Sometime, being very driven is a good thing.
I think.
Searching for a job like this on the other side of the world from my country and often in a second language is maybe the biggest challenge I have ever taken on. But I must say, rather than being disheartened, I am enjoying the challenge greatly.
I have been in contact with pr professionals, pr firms and learned a lot about the industry and entry into it. This is after only a few months of research and checking. My aim is to start within a year and a half to two years of my first blog entry.
I will note now, I will not put people’s names and companies names with whom I have had or am in contact with, although I would like to express my gratitude to them. I'll leave that till after I have a result.
So the blog postings and musings have been sparse, that is not for lack of interest, I am channelling most of my time on the internet into research. As I come across interesting articles or reach any milestones I shall update.
My first major achievement has been to be asked to apply for an internship in Singapore. My worry is that if I uproot from Japan now, mid-way through my studies, do a two month internship and don't get offered a job, I will create many major problems for myself.
But it's that chance, that glimmer of hope that is so appealing. Risks like this could pay off, but should I continue with my current plan, to move to Tokyo in March next year and try for internships or entry-level positions from there?
At least I have options and am moving forward, my great fear is to stay still and stagnate. Unfortunately my character doesn't allow this. Sometime, being very driven is a good thing.
I think.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
I was pointed in the direction of this interesting link to read.
Fedex, they would be a nice company to land a gig with. Do they hire people with no experience? Only one way to find out.
So, I read this interesting article in the New York Times. Interesting I think. If anyone can send me links, especially concerning Asian PR I`d be very happy.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/20/business/media/20adco.html?_r=3&partner=rss&emc=rss
Fedex, they would be a nice company to land a gig with. Do they hire people with no experience? Only one way to find out.
So, I read this interesting article in the New York Times. Interesting I think. If anyone can send me links, especially concerning Asian PR I`d be very happy.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/20/business/media/20adco.html?_r=3&partner=rss&emc=rss
Sunday, July 19, 2009
After about 2 months into my search, what have I done?
I suppose an explanation is required for the gap between postings.
I have just sat the Japanese Language Proficiency Test level 2. This is a 4 tier exam. Level being the highest. To work in Japan you generally need at least level 2. Level 2 is, I suppose basic business level and the equivalent to a degree in Japanese. I have been told by my teacher that level 4 is achievable after 1 year of study; level 3 is achievable after a further year of study. Level 2 however required 2 years of study on top of level 3 and level 1 a further 2 years study. I came to Japan with 0 Japanese and have just sat (and maybe passed) level 2 after 2 years of study, not the usual 4. So, I have been very, very busy, but when I do something, I make sure I do it well. My target is to sit the level 1 test next year in December and stand a realistic chance of passing.
So, while searching for my chance into the world of PR, teaching English full time and getting up to speed on all things PR in Asia, I am also studying. A good grasp of Japanese will be not only essential to working in Japan, but will also be a further skill with which to impress prospective employers.
Now, onto an update of where my quest has reached.
I have emailed what seems to be every PR and advertising firm in Asia. I tried to get real peoples contact details rather than using the standard recruitment contact email on most firms/companies sites. Through the many responses I received my initial letter/e-mail of introduction has changed slightly. I have broadened my search to all of Asia, not just Japan.
Why so? Japan has been hit very hard by the current world recession. Having an economy that leans rather heavily on exports has been Japans main problem.
So, amidst the current political turmoil (I would love to see how pr companies try to save Mr Taros image and his party) and the current economic uncertainty, Japanese firms are simply not recruiting if possible and internships seem to have virtually disappeared.
Well, Singapore’s economy has just recently picked up at an unprecedented rate, and there are many English speaking opportunities that way. I do think however that relocating to another country for a couple of month internship is a little too much just now. A job offer however, well that’s another thing. I really like Japan and it would be my first place to work, but being the realist that I am, I know I’ll have to really think about anything that comes my way.
I just ordered Trevor Morris’ Public relations for Asia, that should hopefully give me some ideas.
I am very happy with many of the responses so far from people offering advice, the general theme being, don’t give up, it takes hard work but it is worth it.
The search continues.
I have just sat the Japanese Language Proficiency Test level 2. This is a 4 tier exam. Level being the highest. To work in Japan you generally need at least level 2. Level 2 is, I suppose basic business level and the equivalent to a degree in Japanese. I have been told by my teacher that level 4 is achievable after 1 year of study; level 3 is achievable after a further year of study. Level 2 however required 2 years of study on top of level 3 and level 1 a further 2 years study. I came to Japan with 0 Japanese and have just sat (and maybe passed) level 2 after 2 years of study, not the usual 4. So, I have been very, very busy, but when I do something, I make sure I do it well. My target is to sit the level 1 test next year in December and stand a realistic chance of passing.
So, while searching for my chance into the world of PR, teaching English full time and getting up to speed on all things PR in Asia, I am also studying. A good grasp of Japanese will be not only essential to working in Japan, but will also be a further skill with which to impress prospective employers.
Now, onto an update of where my quest has reached.
I have emailed what seems to be every PR and advertising firm in Asia. I tried to get real peoples contact details rather than using the standard recruitment contact email on most firms/companies sites. Through the many responses I received my initial letter/e-mail of introduction has changed slightly. I have broadened my search to all of Asia, not just Japan.
Why so? Japan has been hit very hard by the current world recession. Having an economy that leans rather heavily on exports has been Japans main problem.
So, amidst the current political turmoil (I would love to see how pr companies try to save Mr Taros image and his party) and the current economic uncertainty, Japanese firms are simply not recruiting if possible and internships seem to have virtually disappeared.
Well, Singapore’s economy has just recently picked up at an unprecedented rate, and there are many English speaking opportunities that way. I do think however that relocating to another country for a couple of month internship is a little too much just now. A job offer however, well that’s another thing. I really like Japan and it would be my first place to work, but being the realist that I am, I know I’ll have to really think about anything that comes my way.
I just ordered Trevor Morris’ Public relations for Asia, that should hopefully give me some ideas.
I am very happy with many of the responses so far from people offering advice, the general theme being, don’t give up, it takes hard work but it is worth it.
The search continues.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
