The EASIEST way to live in Okinawa Japan for Americans 

When I was stationed in Okinawa, I was so jealous of the civilian workers. They get all the perks of working overseas without getting treated like shit all the time.

Great video! I learned a lot. I've looked at available jobs in Okinawa and you needed a BA for almost all of them. It's good to know about working at the stores or fast food places that don't require a degree and also that the pay is pretty good for those jobs given the exchange rate. Good idea for you and Kit & friends to start a travel agency! Good luck! You may have really found a niche with that idea!

My brother in law is in the military. I am not, I just graduated from college and have been traveling abroad for about a year now. I am currently in Oki since March, waiting to hear back from a job, so hopefully I get that going. I really want to learn Japanese, (perhaps move to mainland later in the years), and have an experience living abroad on my own. Thank you for your video. I am extremely grateful and excited to live here in the next few years.

Great Info @Matt. Awesome scenery as well. Good to see you live. Say hello to Kit for me 🤗🤟

Yes that was very informative. Thank you for that !!!

I was stationed at Kadena 86-89, and I’d LOVE to go back! In my early 60’s nows and I REALLY want to go snorkeling there again especially up at Okuma. So beautiful, like swimming in a tropical fish tank! And I loved the typhoons! Weird I know but the buildings are built for it! 😁 Thanks for this vid and now subscribed!

I worked as a contractor at a military industrial complex in the states. They did background checks but only back 12 years so if you've had no felonies for 12 years your good. Use the "Don't ask, don't tell" formula.

One major reason I'm living in Okinawa and not working a SOFA job is because SOFA is not a visa, you are not considered to be contributing towards Japanese society and therefore time spend on SOFA doesn't count towards getting Permanent Residency. It is tempting though because the money is so much better especially with the exchange rate recently.

You mentioned Tokyo, what would be the best way to do what you’re talking about in Tokyo?

I was stationed in Okinawa between 77 and 79. I lived outside gate 2 street a couple of blocks out behind what was then the Manhatton club. It was sad to see what it looked like in what I think was a video done by your wife. I am definitly trying to get back to the island and hopefully live there. Thanks for the info from this video

Awesome info. I was in Okinawa in May. I have been thinking about trying to find a job in Japan.

Burger is readily available on Honshu. Electronics are pretty cheap in Akihabara, especially with the exchange rate. I use to go to Honshu all the time when i was in japan.

Awesome video 👍🏽

I lived in Japan as an airman, and i loved Japan. Also, i got paid very well!!!

If I wish to live in Okinawa as a senior citizen from US w/o needing to work as i'm retired what Visa would I need or be able to get. Also as a veteran could I use base medical facilities? Thank you for your help

Excellent video and content my wife and I want to move to Okinawa soon from Hawai’i and would love to take some tours with you and your wife and friends 🤙🏽✌🏽🏝🌊you guys are so awesome 😎 let’s link up !

I grew up in Okinawa before heading off to college in the US. Interesting video. I never thought that Americans would ever want to live in Okinawa. Having lots of Marines as friends in High School in Japan, I remember Marines treating Okinawa as a hardship duty and calling it the rock. LOL

Im married to an Okinawan citizen. What is the fastest way to get a temporary or non immigrant status equivalent to green card? I just retired from Marine Corps and am looking forward to applying for specialized job in IT. However, the job application process is very tough, my plan was to wander around the bases where they have Telecom/ IT service related activities and get to know people and ask advice on what to put in the resumes that would give me a good chance at getting job. My wife left USA ahead of me and she already has an apartment in Naha for us and the kids. So now I am getting ready to fly to Okinawa this month from Florida. Crazy thing is a one way ticket costs more than a round trip LoL. BTW, the apartment we have is 2 bedrooms, 3 if you count the tatami room and 1 bathroom, its small but cheap $900 per month. Most all Japanese housing/apartments have only 1 bathroom, the exeption is all the homes SOFA personnel (mainly military families) have 2 bathrooms.

I'm fluent in Japanese/have dual citizenship in the US and JP. I sometimes consider moving since I miss the tropics but dislike both Japan and mainland U.S. culture lol. Im from Guam and its severely getting hit of the consequences being a colony. Fortunate enough to have relatively easy access to Okinawa, loved it whenever I visited. They do have a different dialect tho

Thanks for interesting video. Would your strategy work in getting a job in military base in Korea to live in Korea as well?

What if I just want a long term visa? Is SOFA the way? I’m not interested in permanent residency.

Hi Matt, can you tell me the best way to get in touch with someone living in Naha? That is confirm their address and contact info.

Hey Matt. This is an awesome video! I am thinking of moving abroad and possibly to Okinawa late next year and I hadn't thought about this option for employment/sponsorship. I looked at some of the employers you have listed above, How can I tell if the job would fall under the GS vs. NFA vs Contractor? Specifically I looked at Jobs with Navy Federal, and with the DODEA. Also have you heard of anyone moving over with a pet? I have a dog that is medium sized (around 30 pounds). Thank you in advance! All the best, Theo

I know that they need teachers as well, people to work as a cyber security etc there is a lot more then restaurants jobs 😊

I really would like to learn Okinawan language, are there any text books on the language?

The biggest drawback of being SOFA status were the lockdowns due to Americans sexually assaulting locals. During my time there, it got so bad that we were only allowed to go to our homes or on base. Even going to the vending machine outside my house was a risky move. The biggest benefit to me besides the housing allowance was the SOFA driver's license. Our license was free and it was very easy get a motorcycle endorsement later through the military. It was also good even after our stateside license expired as long as we were still on military "orders".

Visiting Okinawa really soon trying to find out if you are still offering tours. Not sure how to contact you directly.

Hey one quick question. As a civilian can you own a car and a motorcycle? I had both in the Airforce.

Do they have need for nursing

This is brilliant! Are there any travel restrictions? What happens if you lose you job? Can you apply for Japanese visas while there on this program?

What if you work remote already 😁?

I got married also brotha 😂😂😭

👍

Great video. Can i move to Okinawa and apply as a nurse in the military base?

How long is the visa or how long can we stay there?

What about English speaking people from other countries?

Do they sponsor Europeans?

Please stay away!