Japanese translation

Hello, My name is Alex. I'm learning Japanese independantly at the minute and plan on doing a Japanese course in college then a four year course in University. Eventually i want to be a Japanese translator and gain permanant residence in Japan. I have great respect for the country and their culture. I absolutely admire Japan so much. Firstly, I know gaining permanant residence in Japan is a very long winded and tough process but i don't mind. Also, about the translation, I am just curious of how somebody would go about getting a long term Job of Japanese to English (Or vice versa) translation. Um, I think that was it, Thanks!

Alex,

Translation is a difficult area to break into straightaway as a foreigner in Japan, as you need a sponsor for a working visa, and translation companies are unlikely to sponsor an inexperienced fob as a full-time in-house translator. You will probably find that you first need to get a full-time job doing something like English teaching, which will enable you to work on the side doing freelance translation until you have the ability and experience to look for a full-time in-house translation position. Permanent residence will let you work as a freelancer, but that would be 5 to 10 years down the road after arriving in Japan.
Note that translators really need a specialist area of expertise. Just having studied Japanese at university is not really enough. Note also that translators should have above-average knowledge and ability in their native language in addition to knowledge of the target language, so polish up your English use too.

The "Getting Started as a Translator" page might help you find your answers.
http://www.gally.net/translation/gettingstarted.htm

Thankyou so much for your help guys, Ok, So i was wondering, Even though it will change quite a bit over the years (I think) would you say there was possible much of a demand for translators in the Computer industry in Japan?

would you say there was possible much of a demand for translators in the Computer industry in Japan?

I can't really give you an "yes or no" answer. There is a regular poster on another forum I often visit, and this poster says he is a native English speaker and IT translator having been successful in his own country, but he can't seem to get jobs in Japan.

There may be "demand," but in other words, this is usually because there aren't enough skilled people. By "skilled" I mean skilled both in translation technique and communication technique with your future co-workers. Especially, Japanese clients prefer to work with people who are easy to work with personality-wise.

Thankyou for all your help :)
I'm still trying to think of a plausible situation? Um, I'm not sure wether that;s how to describe it. Well, Basically, Like i said before, I aspire to eventually live in Japan and I was hoping for a job in translation, although that would be nice, Maybe it's not a very reachable goal. Although i haven't given up yet, I also need to think of more accesible paths i could take, For example a different job, But I would definately, somehow, want to get a job in Japan. I'll think on it and probably ask another question about the subject later. Although,

Do you know much about what job's foreigners can get easier in Japan than others?

I know that's a vague question but i can't really think of a more in depth question to ask at the minute.

Thanks in advance again. ;D