AIDS/drug counselor in Japan

Hi, I'm an American student. I'm probably going to be an AIDS counselor or a drug counselor, something along those lines anyway. I've always wanted to live in Japan for a few years but I was wondering if AIDS/drug counselors were needed in Japan? Could I even get a job in Japan Since there are only about 40,000 cases of AIDS in Japan(sorry if this is off, just did the calculations in my head), and drug use seems to be pretty low. I'd probably only be able to get a job in the major cities(not a bad thing). What do you think?

as always in cases of advice like this, you're going to need to know fluent japanese.

to be honest i think you would face a lot of resistance from your japanese clients - they are probably going to feel weird talking about aids to a foreigner. it would be like a woman having a male gynecologist - it happens but it's not always the most comfortable situation.

you may be able to find a niche market for catering to foreigners, but you will also need to pass all the licensure exams (in japanese) before you can set up shop.

Olivia, many expacts here in Japan suffer from AIDS and drugs, and in fact, many get arrested for narcotics. So it's not that there is no need of foreign counselors. Also, quite often local specialists take advise from foreign specialists.

But the expat popultation itself is very low compared to the local population, so you're looking at a very small market here. Perhaps you can consider it as a contributing side job.

Could I work as an English teacher with a bachelors in psychology, and counsel on the side? Or would I have to get a teaching degree?

You can work as an English teacher but to work as a counselor you need to be accredited in Japan which mean also that you need to be very fluent in Japanese. Ask immigrants in the USA. You will find that many of them are unable to practice the profession they had in their birth country because their foreign degrees aren't recognized and their language skills not good enough. Then there is a problem of $$$ as to be retrained in their new country they would have to be able to afford to study for several years, plus tuition etc. It is the same in most countries.

Olivia, have you researched the qualifications to become a AIDS/drug counselor in your home country? It probably requires a Master's degree. If you really want to become a counselor, you should stay at home and work on that.

If you do become qualified and experienced, you might be able to get a job at one of the US military bases in Japan. That won't require any Japanese.

I already speak Japanese pretty fluently and I'm still taking lessons. Speaking Japanese won't be an issue.

If you do become qualified and experienced, you might be able to get a job at one of the US military bases in Japan. That won't require any Japanese.
Yes but it does not qualify her for a working visa.

Tokyo English Life Line (TELL) is an English language telephone counselling service that is always looking for volunteers. Since it will take you quite a long time and a lot of dedication to become certified to practice professionally in Japan, that is something you could do while doing another job such as teaching English, if you are interested.

Google them to find out more.