From: fester@island.COM (Mike Fester)
Subject: Re: Try it again - RE: Please give me your opinions...
Organization: /usr/local/rn/organization
Distribution: na
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1992 15:47:43 GMT

In article <1992Nov11.220036.14920@midway.uchicago.edu> ar12@midway.uchicago.edu writes:
>In article <SMITTIE.92Nov10140803@beach.csulb.edu> smittie@beach.csulb.edu (Smittie) writes:
>>
>>I receive no money from any Japanese concern at the moment though I will be
>>going to work for Japanese company in January. I can assure you Mr. Mathes that
>>I have studied Japan extensively. I do not limit my sources to Business Week. I
>>take the time to read the Japanese views on things as well. It should be

>I would just like to point out a certain irony here:
>Mr. Smittie claims to have chosen to work for a Japanese company because
>they offer him "a salary comparable to or better than any American company"
>as well as "hope of excellent job security" Mr. Smittie goes on to say
>that these are things "that few American companies offer."
>Let me point out that while this may be true in Mr. Smittie's case,
>it wasn't always so- let me suggest that you perhaps do a little more
>research, Mr. Smittie, into the reasons for this admittedly sad state
>of affairs- ie:consult whatever sources (outside of Business Week, as you
>say) which you have access to. 

In GENERAL, starting salaries in Japan are lower, and certainly more similar
across-the-board (ie, staring bankers make the same as starting engineers who
make the same as starting account reps, etc). There are several things that
work to the advantage of a salary in Japan:

1) Japanese companies offer various subsidies, or teates, for such things as
   housing, transporation, etc. The transportation is usually paid for 100%,
   the housing anywhere from 20 to 60%, and there are additional subsidies for
   a wife and children. None of these teate's are taxable.

2) Japanese taxes are much lower here. My income at my first job was taxed at
   10% (I was a full shain). My second job (keiyakusha), my income was withheld
   at 20%, but after my deductions, I paid at 10%. Saved several thousand $$
   that way. Note: my current job in the US pays more than my job as a shain,
   but less than my work as a keiyakusha. Also note that the sales tax in 
   Japan is 3% everywhere, and local taxes run about $1000 a year.

3) Japanese companies have very large expense accounts for certain personel.
   These expense accounts are likely to be more available to a greater number
   of employees than such things in the US.

4) The national health plans give you essentially unlimited medical coverage.
   Note: I do not believe that the overall quality of care is as high as it
   is in the US, but it IS competant, and unlimited access to preventive 
   medicine for the entire family is not bad at all (no co-paymenys).

5) Bonuses come twice a year, and each bonus can be anywhere from 2 to four 
   months' salary. Note: keiyakusha do not normally receive bonuses.

6) You can ALWAYS pick up money in your spare time as a translator/interpretor.


In short, while the initial compensation package will nearly always favor the 
US company, there are things that make a Japanese type packeage more attractive.

Mike
-- 
Disclaimer - I'm only doing what the little voices tell me to do.