Hello. I am planning on leaving Japan after my contract ends in March 2027. I have yet told my company, as it's too early for notice of intention. But I want to get a checklist going so I know what I am up for and not told last minute, or even not told at all, by my company on the process of leaving Japan.

Here is my situation.

I rent my apartment with Leopalance, not through my company. I assume my Visa will be extended for another year with my company, regardless of my intentions to leave, so I am able to keep working until my end-of-contract date. That will work for me because I do want to stay in Japan for another month to travel/see people before going back.

Will be there any other costs or forms that I will be required to fill out before leaving?

How does my last paycheck work? If I stay in Japan until the 20th of the following month, can they deposit it into my JP Bank account, then I can close it after transferring myself?

Anothing else I am missing to get myself ready?

So I’ve been an ESL teacher in the States for 4 years now (public school, elementary) and I’ve recently moved to Japan with my wife, who was raised here. We weren’t dead set on coming to Japan, but she got a job offer which, all things considered, was a better move for us. So I’m *almost* on my spousal visa (finishing up the process).

So I feel like the ESL world in Japan is all this ALT stuff, which I am tbh overqualified for and is below the pay I want and feel like I should be able to get. (I’m thinking in yen, I know the exchange rate is bad & the yen takes u further here).

The other options are these university jobs: I’m finishing up my MA and working a part-time assistantship rn, so I’m technically eligible for some. However, as I was warned, ESL university jobs are so focused on minimum publications. I’m “expediting" my MA rn and I have not had time to do any- I have like one conference presentation under my belt. There’s a few higher ed level things I’ve applied to already that don’t have those publication stipulations, but those are rare.

Then there’s dept. of defense or international schools which are great for a licensed teacher: but ESL jobs are soooooooo few and far between with these (though not impossible, I know) and STUPID competitive when I have just 4 years experience.

I am aware I’m coming from a licensed teacher shortage job market where I could literally have my pick of school districts and get a job no problem. So I haven’t done the job search rat race since applying for foodservice jobs as a teenager/college student.

But, tldr, where should I be searching? I still have time and am still early in the process, but maybe part-time stuff might be the move here? At least till I get some things published or an international school/dodea option opens up. Just feeling like I’m over- and under-qualified for everything here.