[tlug] Embedded linux dev wanting to find work in Tokyo.. Seeking advice.

[Jon Povey <jon@example.com>]

Hi folks. This is my first post to the list so please excuse me if this 
is inappropriate.

I am a 28-year-old embedded linux developer in England looking to find 
work in Tokyo. I visited Japan for the first time a year ago, fell in 
love with the place, went back in the spring (sakura, of course) and now 
want to emigrate there.

I am finishing a big project at work and will be in a position to leave 
in 3 months or so.

I know a few people out there but nobody in the computing world, so if 
anyone has any advice on finding work or visas, links to useful 
information, or stories of their own emigration I'd be really grateful 
to hear them.

I'd be particularly interested to hear from anyone who had a company 
help them with a visa (or invitation, I'm not sure about the 
terminology), or anyone who got a job while only able to speak and write 
English; I very much want to learn the language, and have started doing 
so, but I don't think I'll be able to count myself as having even 
"conversational" ability in the next few months. (ima wakarimasen).

I'd also generally be interested to hear from anyone with English as 
their first language who has emigrated to work in UNIX coding or 
embedded systems.

I'll stay subscribed to the list, and with luck meet some of you at a 
TLUG meeting in a few months :)

Thanks for your time,

--
Jon Povey
jon@example.com