The Orientation & Relocation team at Oak Associates has a passion for living and working in Japan and our team helps your employees and their families' transition smoothly to their new home. Since 1981, Oak Associates has helped multinational companies relocate employees, making us the most established orientation provider in Japan. We have worked with over 2000 relocating families over a period of in 25 years in the Kanto and Kansai regions.

Our Most Popular Programs are:

COMING TO JAPAN
Essential Needs
(Preview Trip)		    Half day A condensed half-day program for those coming to Japan on an introductory visit with limited time details

The Essential Needs program is designed for those who are coming to Japan for their initial visit with a limited amount of time in their schedule. It is a half-day program (5 hours) to meet essential needs and relieve the initial concerns of moving to a foreign country by providing practical information to assist in decision-making.

The package includes:

  • A customized half-day itinerary, based on a pre-departure needs analysis, which includes accompanied visits to places of interest
  • A question and answer session on living and working in Japan
  • Reference books
  • Information on medical/dental, clubs, places of worship, organizations, etc.
  • Guidance on schools, sports, volunteer activities, etc.
  • Informative discussions on the expatriate housing market in Japan
Choosing a Lifestyle (Home Finding & School Search)    10 hours Designed for those who are coming to Japan including accompanied visits details

The Choosing a Lifestyle program (10 hours) is designed for those coming to Japan for the first time to investigate housing, schools, and the details of daily life in Japan. By the end of the program, the expatriate/family will be able to make informed decisions and have first-hand experience of several neighborhoods in the city.

The package includes:

  • A customized full-day itinerary based on a pre-departure needs analysis
  • A question and answer session on living and working in Japan
  • Reference books
  • Information on schools, medical/dental, clubs, places of worship, sports, volunteer activities, organizations, etc.
  • Housing: An information session about the housing market in Japan, introduction to reputable realtors, assistance in pre-screening of properties and in evaluating housing choices
  • Arrangement and coordination of appointments with realtors, furniture leasing companies, schools and clubs

LIVING IN JAPAN
Settling In    10 hours Customized for those settling into a neighborhood details

The Settling-In program is designed to help those in the "settling-in" phase of their transfer to Japan. They will become more familiar with their new surroundings through practical experience and will obtain required documents. (10 hours)

The package includes:

  • Accompanied visits to the new neighborhood and to parts of the city by local transportation
  • Accompanied visits to the local Ward Office and to the Immigration Office.
  • Banking assistance
  • Complete information on how to obtain a Japanese driver's license
  • Presentation of comprehensive practical manual, "Living in Japan"
  • Assistance and referrals for utilities, internet, cable and satellite TV and mobile phones
Cultural Orientation    1 day Formal briefings for expatriate/family to enhance understanding of Japan details

This is a daylong program (7 hours), which we offer to both the working expatriate and spouse. It is an excellent overview and guide to eating, traveling, the general cultural environment and behavior in Japan. It is amazing how much easier it is to do things and go places after exposure to this program. A typical Japanese style obento lunch is included.

Topics included:

  • Culture, etiquette and relationship building
  • Japanese and Western management styles
  • Communicating with Japanese people
  • A quick trip into Japan's past
  • Introduction to life in Japan and practical survival information
Business Practices    One-day For the business executive, standard or customized seminars to meet the needs of an individual or group doing business or working in Japan. Over 1200 executives have benefitted from variations of this program over the last 20 years details

A standard One-day program or customized seminar are optionally available to meet the needs of individuals or groups doing business in Japan. Seminars are designed to increase the participant's knowledge of their new work environment, enhancing job performance and confidence in business situations.

Briefing is done by both Japanese & foreigners experienced in business in Japan.

Examples of potential content:

  • Business practices and protocol in Japan
  • Intercultural team building
  • Managing and working with Japanese colleagues
  • Human resource practices
  • Communication to support effective management
  • Exploration of Japanese history to better understand modern Japan

Executive Coaching    Customized Support for executives during the first six months as they begin work in the Japanese business environment details

Career Support
(Accompanying Spouses)		    Customized Consulting for accompanying spouses who wish to prepare to enter the Japanese job market details

We assist accompanying spouses to make the transition to Japan as seamless as possible by addressing career-related issues. Each program is customized to meet the needs of the client and may include:

  • Face-to-face meeting with Oak Associates' Career Consultant
  • Discuss the relocation to determine pressing job-related issues facing the spouse
  • Define which services may best satisfy the client's specific needs
  • Assist with CV/resume & cover letter development and preparation
  • Identify resources and develop skills for the job hunt
  • Advise on potential paid employment options (pending resolution of any immigration/work-permit issues)
  • Identify satisfying, volunteer or career-related/enhancing opportunities
  • Support in adjusting client's professional background to the Japan market
  • Assist with interviewing skills and Japanese business practices
  • Provide information on contacts with fellow professionals in similar career field, either one-on-one or through professional organizations.

LEAVING JAPAN
Pre-Departure   Customized Assists the expatriate when their assignment is ending in Japan and they need help with pre-departure arrangements details

The Pre-Departure program assists the expatriate when their assignment is ending in Japan and they need help with pre-departure arrangements. The concerns of repatriation will be eased as we support the expatriate and their family check off items on their "to-do" list. (5 hour program)

  • Accompany the expatriate and family on the final check of residence with the real estate company
  • Assistance with final negotiations of "restoring residence to its original state"
  • Cancellation arrangements for utilities, leased furniture, subscriptions, etc.
  • Assistance with settling accounts
  • Support for family concerns with repatriation

CUSTOMIZED SERVICES
Customized services are available for special needs that are not part of our current packages. Such special client requirements might include such things as language assistance or renting unusual items for the home. Our consultants have a wide range of experience and are able to help with most requests. Please contact us for additional information.

Our affiliation with TIRA (The International Relocation Associates), a network representing 500 global destinations, helps us in our endeavor to support moves encompassing Japan and locations around the world. Oak Associates is proud to contribute to TIRA's mission to provide and maintain a comprehensive scope of worldwide mobility services, and to adhere to the highest standards of performance and quality.

Tira, The International Relocation Associates