sven
Founding Father of the CIRHP 
Posts: 472
CIR Experience: Former CIR
Location: Niigata
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Post by sven on Mar 30, 2017 9:59:04 GMT 9
CO is contracting organizations; basically the ones who actually hire you in Japan, so the prefectural office, boe, what have you
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Post by hohoEMIsen on Mar 30, 2017 10:07:29 GMT 9
Hello no yark shark  Oh, Contracting Organization! That makes sense now! I understand why f.riend becomes hulemdo, but what's the meaning/joke behind spoopy hue. Your apartment situation sounds good *sparkly eyes (Am going to bring my current phone over, the last time I checked - which was only last december, I could use their SIM cards) CaptainSeery oooh, ahaha, I’ll definitely take me some time to digest the breakdown of the area and offices. And I actually have just learnt to ride a bicycle because it seems like a necessity in Japan. I’d like to get a motorised scooter or something though if it is allowed and they have it there. Thanks sven :DDD |
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Post by no yark shark on Mar 30, 2017 10:09:08 GMT 9
I dunno, it's just an internet joke with no real meaning I think. It's popular on tumblr.
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Mumblesnore
Dead Stargod 
’Tis the season (for Eggnog)
Posts: 16,154 
CIR Experience: Former CIR
Location: Tokyo
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Post by Mumblesnore on Mar 30, 2017 10:14:54 GMT 9
I think it came from combining "s.pooky" with "poop" just to make it silly
edit: dang, even s.pooky becomes spoopy. THIS IS A Glorious LeaderSHIP!
edit edit: goddamnit. |
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Shimanchu 2024
Well you can tell by the way I use my star I'm a woman's star, no time to star. Music loud and starring stars I been starred around, since I was star.
中年危機イン沖
Posts: 6,892
CIR Experience: ULTIMATE UNICORN (6th year)
Location: Okinawa
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Post by Shimanchu 2024 on Mar 30, 2017 10:15:56 GMT 9
CO means Contracting Organizations. If you're a 役場 JET, it's your 市町村. If you're 県庁, it's the 県. If you're at a 国際交流協会... it's.... I dunno actually hue. The 協会? The 県? But basically, it's your office and the people you'll be working with. They shouldn't send you somewhere you'll need a car, although you might still end up in a place that it would be helpful.... I feel like nikinee can't drive but has a placement that would be useful with a car. (I could be wrong.) spoopy is spoopy because the Eternal Overlords like their cheeky huleezus.
Pretty sure it's the 県? momo black
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Post by nikinee on Mar 30, 2017 10:16:52 GMT 9
CO means Contracting Organizations. If you're a 役場 JET, it's your 市町村. If you're 県庁, it's the 県. If you're at a 国際交流協会... it's.... I dunno actually hue. The 協会? The 県? But basically, it's your office and the people you'll be working with. They shouldn't send you somewhere you'll need a car, although you might still end up in a place that it would be helpful.... I feel like nikinee can't drive but has a placement that would be useful with a car. (I could be wrong.) spoopy is spoopy because the Eternal Overlords like their cheeky huleezus. Yes! I don't really need a car in my daily life because I live within in walking distance of work, and there's also a conbini and supermarket fairly close to my apartment, too. But a lot of the larger shopping centers are on the outskirts of the downtown area, which is just far enough out of the way that it's kind of annoying, especially because public transport isn't amazing either but I'm also lazy too so that doesn't helpAlso, I lot of the places I want to visit are almost impossible to get to without a car... and given it's part of my job to promote the prefecture, not being able to drive makes things... inconvenient. |
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Post by momo black on Mar 30, 2017 10:17:35 GMT 9
CO means Contracting Organizations. If you're a 役場 JET, it's your 市町村. If you're 県庁, it's the 県. If you're at a 国際交流協会... it's.... I dunno actually hue. The 協会? The 県? But basically, it's your office and the people you'll be working with. They shouldn't send you somewhere you'll need a car, although you might still end up in a place that it would be helpful.... I feel like nikinee can't drive but has a placement that would be useful with a car. (I could be wrong.) spoopy is spoopy because the Eternal Overlords like their cheeky huleezus.
Pretty sure it's the 県? momo black
(I'm actually at a 国際交流センター, but for me it is run by the 県) If you're at a 国際交流協会 I believe your CO would be whoever the 協会 is associated with -- so,if it's a city association, then the city, etc. |
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Post by CaptainSeery on Mar 30, 2017 10:20:26 GMT 9
You can definitely get a scooter Several people in my office commute by scooter. But beware of tsuyu, hue. Biking is a useful skill to have, so good you learned now - one of the ALTs here didn't learn until after she arrived and now she bikes everywhere. |
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Post by King Quailbee on Mar 30, 2017 10:47:37 GMT 9
If you get a scooter, keep in mind that if you don't get a specific motorcycle/scooter license, you have to drive at maximum 30kph (I think?). Which can be frighteningly slow if you are scootering on narrow mountain roads like my ALT neighbor...
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Post by hohoEMIsen on Mar 30, 2017 10:50:14 GMT 9
If you get a scooter, keep in mind that if you don't get a specific motorcycle/scooter license, you have to drive at maximum 30kph (I think?). Which can be frighteningly slow if you are scootering on narrow mountain roads like my ALT neighbor... I'm actually talking about the scooter that you stand on instead of the huge ones that you sit on.. so it should be below 30kph (?) Narrow mountain roads... we don't even have a single mountain in Singapore. I am ready to enjoy culture shock. |
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Post by Hokuto on Mar 30, 2017 11:05:46 GMT 9
(I'm actually at a 国際交流センター, but for me it is run by the 県) If you're at a 国際交流協会 I believe your CO would be whoever the 協会 is associated with -- so,if it's a city association, then the city, etc. yeah, i'm employed by a 市 but i run the 国際交流協会 but then again i also do city stuff so maybe not i also don't work in a 役場 im in a 市役所 this post did not contribute anything to this conversation |
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Post by CaptainSeery on Mar 30, 2017 11:17:35 GMT 9
(I'm actually at a 国際交流センター, but for me it is run by the 県) If you're at a 国際交流協会 I believe your CO would be whoever the 協会 is associated with -- so,if it's a city association, then the city, etc. yeah, i'm employed by a 市 but i run the 国際交流協会 but then again i also do city stuff so maybe not i also don't work in a 役場 im in a 市役所 this post did not contribute anything to this conversation I was using 役場 to cover 市役所 as well as the 役場s of 町s and 村s. I might be using it wrong. I am like you: I am employed by the 市 but my 課 contains the 事務局 for the 国際交流協会 so I do both. But my CO is the 市 cause they employ me.
Incidentally the 会長 of the 協会 thinks that we are unique for having the 事務局 within the 市役所. I don't know how to tell him how wrong he is.
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Post by King Quailbee on Mar 30, 2017 11:24:51 GMT 9
yeah, i'm employed by a 市 but i run the 国際交流協会 but then again i also do city stuff so maybe not i also don't work in a 役場 im in a 市役所 this post did not contribute anything to this conversation I was using 役場 to cover 市役所 as well as the 役場s of 町s and 村s. I might be using it wrong. I am like you: I am employed by the 市 but my 課 contains the 事務局 for the 国際交流協会 so I do both. But my CO is the 市 cause they employ me.
Incidentally the 会長 of the 協会 thinks that we are unique for having the 事務局 within the 市役所. I don't know how to tell him how wrong he is.
KAICHOs of the KYOUKAI are always so interesting...
I think I get the most confusing slightly racist/sexist statements from him, but moments of glowing comments about our sister city. Such a bundle of confusion. But I go with it...
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Post by Hokuto on Mar 30, 2017 11:26:26 GMT 9
yeah, i'm employed by a 市 but i run the 国際交流協会 but then again i also do city stuff so maybe not i also don't work in a 役場 im in a 市役所 this post did not contribute anything to this conversation I was using 役場 to cover 市役所 as well as the 役場s of 町s and 村s. I might be using it wrong. I am like you: I am employed by the 市 but my 課 contains the 事務局 for the 国際交流協会 so I do both. But my CO is the 市 cause they employ me.
Incidentally the 会長 of the 協会 thinks that we are unique for having the 事務局 within the 市役所. I don't know how to tell him how wrong he is.
hue oh he knows nothing about local government structure, it's adorable |
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Post by CaptainSeery on Mar 30, 2017 11:31:56 GMT 9
My 会長 is a typical old Japanese man in that he speaks no English and uses the word GAIJIN exclusively. Maybe before he got old he was more interested in 国際交流 but honestly I don't really get that vibe from him at all. But he's stepping down this year so as of our next 総会 we should have a new one....
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Gloriaria
Tried natto; not a fan
Posts: 67 
CIR Experience: 1st year
Location: Ibaraki
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Post by Gloriaria on Apr 1, 2017 1:10:15 GMT 9
If you get a scooter, keep in mind that if you don't get a specific motorcycle/scooter license, you have to drive at maximum 30kph (I think?). Which can be frighteningly slow if you are scootering on narrow mountain roads like my ALT neighbor... I heard it from hulemdos that there are electric bicycles we can rent/buy. Basically a normal bicycle that has a big battery on it, so it would help a lot with going uphill, but in general would not speed the bike too fast. What exaclty are those called? |
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Post by King Quailbee on Apr 1, 2017 21:36:41 GMT 9
If you get a scooter, keep in mind that if you don't get a specific motorcycle/scooter license, you have to drive at maximum 30kph (I think?). Which can be frighteningly slow if you are scootering on narrow mountain roads like my ALT neighbor... I heard it from hulemdos that there are electric bicycles we can rent/buy. Basically a normal bicycle that has a big battery on it, so it would help a lot with going uphill, but in general would not speed the bike too fast. What exaclty are those called? Electric bicycle (電気自転車) They do give a boost up hills, but if you are placed in a super hilly area, it really is just a boost. You will still work up a sweat on certain hills. They also don't hold a charge all day (depending on how you switch the gears) and once they lose charge, it's a way heavier bicycle than a normal bicycle. Also the price point is pretty expensive. Like 140,000 yen. As for scooter earlier, I was referring to scooters like Vespas (aka FLCL). Scooters are more common in areas like Nagasaki than regular bicycles because of how steep the hills are. |
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Post by hohoEMIsen on Apr 2, 2017 5:58:26 GMT 9
I heard it from hulemdos that there are electric bicycles we can rent/buy. Basically a normal bicycle that has a big battery on it, so it would help a lot with going uphill, but in general would not speed the bike too fast. What exaclty are those called? Electric bicycle (電気自転車) They do give a boost up hills, but if you are placed in a super hilly area, it really is just a boost. You will still work up a sweat on certain hills. They also don't hold a charge all day (depending on how you switch the gears) and once they lose charge, it's a way heavier bicycle than a normal bicycle. Also the price point is pretty expensive. Like 140,000 yen. As for scooter earlier, I was referring to scooters like Vespas (aka FLCL). Scooters are more common in areas like Nagasaki than regular bicycles because of how steep the hills are. Oooh! I'm still not confident with a normal bicycle, so I wouldn't want to be riding a scooter like Vespas. Yet. 笑 |
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Gloriaria
Tried natto; not a fan
Posts: 67
CIR Experience: 1st year
Location: Ibaraki
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Post by Gloriaria on Apr 2, 2017 23:58:15 GMT 9
I heard it from hulemdos that there are electric bicycles we can rent/buy. Basically a normal bicycle that has a big battery on it, so it would help a lot with going uphill, but in general would not speed the bike too fast. What exaclty are those called? Electric bicycle (電気自転車) They do give a boost up hills, but if you are placed in a super hilly area, it really is just a boost. You will still work up a sweat on certain hills. They also don't hold a charge all day (depending on how you switch the gears) and once they lose charge, it's a way heavier bicycle than a normal bicycle. Also the price point is pretty expensive. Like 140,000 yen. As for scooter earlier, I was referring to scooters like Vespas (aka FLCL). Scooters are more common in areas like Nagasaki than regular bicycles because of how steep the hills are. So for riding a scooter we need a license to fully function right? How difficult is to the get that license? |
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Post by CaptainSeery on Apr 3, 2017 8:55:30 GMT 9
hohoEMIsen I think driving a scooter is a very different skill set from driving a bike. But I've never driven a scooter, so I don't know... Gloriaria You would need a license, yes. I don't know if you can use an international license to drive them, though. I think it's fairly easy to get a scooter license compared to a car license. At the very least, you can usually do it in your city (or close by anyway) rather than at the 免許センター like you need to for a car license (and many prefectures have only one, so it can be a big trip to get to the center.) I do believe you can take classes at driving schools, and although I'm not sure what the price would be it would be a lot more affordable than a car license.
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Post by no yark shark on Apr 3, 2017 9:26:31 GMT 9
hohoEMIsen I think driving a scooter is a very different skill set from driving a bike. But I've never driven a scooter, so I don't know... Gloriaria You would need a license, yes. I don't know if you can use an international license to drive them, though. I think it's fairly easy to get a scooter license compared to a car license. At the very least, you can usually do it in your city (or close by anyway) rather than at the 免許センター like you need to for a car license (and many prefectures have only one, so it can be a big trip to get to the center.) I do believe you can take classes at driving schools, and although I'm not sure what the price would be it would be a lot more affordable than a car license. there are two ALTs here (an American and a Canadian) who ride scooters and I'm pretty sure they're able to do it with an international permit. they do have to go to the 免許センター in the prefecture's capital to get the license I'm pretty sure, although you don't have to do the test I think. then again Canadians don't have to do the test for cars anyways and the American guy actually really wants a car because if you're somewhere that you need a scooter or a car, the car is always better because it's not cold/wet when it's raining/you can carry things like groceries etc. etc. |
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Gloriaria
Tried natto; not a fan
Posts: 67
CIR Experience: 1st year
Location: Ibaraki
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Post by Gloriaria on Apr 3, 2017 9:59:02 GMT 9
hohoEMIsen I think driving a scooter is a very different skill set from driving a bike. But I've never driven a scooter, so I don't know... Gloriaria You would need a license, yes. I don't know if you can use an international license to drive them, though. I think it's fairly easy to get a scooter license compared to a car license. At the very least, you can usually do it in your city (or close by anyway) rather than at the 免許センター like you need to for a car license (and many prefectures have only one, so it can be a big trip to get to the center.) I do believe you can take classes at driving schools, and although I'm not sure what the price would be it would be a lot more affordable than a car license. Thank you for clarifying. I do have a Canadian car license, but it is not a full-license, rather a license for new drivers. Meaning that in Canada I'm not allowed any alcohol and I cannot drive between 2am to 5am, so I'll ask around and see what others did. no yark shark I agree that car is much more convenient for commuting and just everyday life in general! I just got my license last year in my hometown but had to return to university that is half a continent away, so I didn't get to drive a car for a year. And Japan being driving on the reverse side would be good challenge for a female-Asian driver like myself XDDDDDD I'll make decision accordingly to my situation there, perhaps I'll rent a scooter for a while and see how it goes. |
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Post by no yark shark on Apr 3, 2017 10:10:05 GMT 9
hohoEMIsen I think driving a scooter is a very different skill set from driving a bike. But I've never driven a scooter, so I don't know... Gloriaria You would need a license, yes. I don't know if you can use an international license to drive them, though. I think it's fairly easy to get a scooter license compared to a car license. At the very least, you can usually do it in your city (or close by anyway) rather than at the 免許センター like you need to for a car license (and many prefectures have only one, so it can be a big trip to get to the center.) I do believe you can take classes at driving schools, and although I'm not sure what the price would be it would be a lot more affordable than a car license. Thank you for clarifying. I do have a Canadian car license, but it is not a full-license, rather a license for new drivers. Meaning that in Canada I'm not allowed any alcohol and I cannot drive between 2am to 5am, so I'll ask around and see what others did. no yark shark I agree that car is much more convenient for commuting and just everyday life in general! I just got my license last year in my hometown but had to return to university that is half a continent away, so I didn't get to drive a car for a year. And Japan being driving on the reverse side would be good challenge for a female-Asian driver like myself XDDDDDD I'll make decision accordingly to my situation there, perhaps I'll rent a scooter for a while and see how it goes. It's actually not really that bad at all. The main thing I mess up is turning on the wipers instead of the turn signal, hue. As long as you've had your license for more than 3 months by the time you get here, it shouldn't be a problem. However if it's less than a year (I think), then when you get a Japanese license they might make you get a beginner's license. Basically what this means is that you have to put a special sticker on your car for a year that signifies you're a new driver, and if you get caught doing something you shouldn't (like running a red light or whatever) the penalties are stricter. One of the ALTs in my town got stuck with this license despite the fact that he's had an American license for YEARS because he got his license renewed a few months before coming to Japan, and he didn't have the old one or any paperwork that had proof of the date he got his original license. Anyways not to scare you, it's really not a big deal and you might not need to drive at all. |
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Post by CaptainSeery on Apr 3, 2017 10:10:35 GMT 9
Gloriaria Since you are able to drive a car, you should consider it. If you live at all in the inaka, a car is a really useful thing to have, in so many ways. My ALT hulemdos here don't have cars but regret not having them. If you are in a city with good public transit, it might not be worth the expense. I think your Canadian license should be transferable... The rule here is that you need to have had your license for 3 months in your home country (while you are in your home country). If you are going to be in Canada between now and when you leave, that's enough time. I don't know how it works for provisionary licenses like that, but I don't think it should be an issue... something to look into. I think normal car licenses here cover scooter licenses (although I'm not 100% sure so don't quote me.) Since your license is Canadian and it's a pretty easy process for Canadians to transfer their licenses, I would just get a full car license rather than a scooter one. That way you can rent cars if you're traveling or something, if you need to. It just gives you more freedom.
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Post by hohoEMIsen on Apr 3, 2017 11:24:30 GMT 9
Gloriaria I'm on the same side as Japan  I can't drive though D= CaptainSeery Should I get a license now? Like right now? ^^; I don't want to regret aaaaah. Edit: I think it's too late for me to get a license now.. I only have 4 months left for learning and taking tests..
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Gloriaria
Tried natto; not a fan
Posts: 67
CIR Experience: 1st year
Location: Ibaraki
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Post by Gloriaria on Apr 3, 2017 11:29:13 GMT 9
CaptainSeery So I just went to ask for advice from my hulemdos who's already there. They suggested that I go get myself an International Driver Permit, it costs 25 bucks and lasts for a year, and I can use is as a supplementary thing for getting my license transferred. So I'm going to look into that, I just found that the Canadian license has a totally different procedure than the US  , it's much easier so I heard. hohoEMIsen As far as I know for your license to be transferred in Japan you need to show that you have had your license for 3 months before coming to Japan, this could be different for Singapore though. So if you want to get it, GET IT NOW!!!! 
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Post by CaptainSeery on Apr 3, 2017 11:29:26 GMT 9
hohoEMIsen That's up to you. I don't know how much it costs or how long it takes in Singapore - but you do need to have your license for three months to be able to transfer it to a Japanese one, so if you decide to you should get on it, like, now. But you said on your application that you can't drive, right? I don't think that'd put you into a placement where you would need to, then. It is very convenient to be able to, but not necessary in many placements.
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Post by nikinee on Apr 3, 2017 11:29:45 GMT 9
hohoEMIsen take it from me, and get your license while you still can
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Post by CaptainSeery on Apr 3, 2017 11:33:11 GMT 9
GloriariaHaha, sorry - I should have mentioned the IDP. I assumed you knew about it, which was silly of me because I don't think I knew until I started talking to people actually in my placement about driving. Yeah, the IDP is a really useful tool to have at your disposal. And it allows you to drive yourself to the driving center to get your license, which is a little strange if you think about it but also very very convenient (in Bear Origin anyway the licensing center is in a stupid location with incredibly inconvenient public transport, because logic.) It's really easy to get - I went to AAA (I presume there's a Canadian equivalent), paid my money, and got it then and there.
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Gloriaria
Tried natto; not a fan
Posts: 67
CIR Experience: 1st year
Location: Ibaraki
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Post by Gloriaria on Apr 3, 2017 11:39:02 GMT 9
CaptainSeery I'm just looking at the place where I can get the IDP, it's call CAA here in Canada because everything sounds more local starting with a C. And the office that is closest to me.....hey, its stupid location is exactly the same as you described the Bear Origin licensing centre! 20 mins of subway and switch 2 buses, then walk about 10 mins.  I guess afterall there isn't so much international barriers since these licensing people already share common identities
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I guess afterall there isn't so much international barriers since these licensing people already share common identities