Freelancing in Tokyo: Make Your Mark

This has been a tough summer for me and most of my colleagues. Budgets have been slashed, jobs have been cut, things have definitely changed. And yet I still believe Tokyo is a great place to "reinvent" yourself. It may take more work and time because of language and cultural "adjustments." But it is possible to thrive here if you are willing to put the effort into carving out your own unique niche.

What is that "niche"? That's the first question to answer. I have seen friends and acquaintances go from teaching English to opening up their own production companies; from being "salarymen" to starting their own restaurants; from being "office ladies"  to creating their own magazines and having them published by a major publisher. 

I love seeing these transitions because it proves to me over and over that we are only limited by what we think we are. I came here thinking I was a musician and a songwriter. I didn't see myself as anything else; I then stumbled down a path which found me teaching English, writing for newspapers and magazines, doing voices for anime characters, writing screenplays and directing films. If you had told me when I first came here that I was going to wake up one day and find out that I was a screenwriter or a director, I would have laughed. 

But... Tokyo has allowed me to "discover" these facets of myself. And I encourage you to "allow" Tokyo to do the same for you. Embrace your experience here and take advantage of the opportunities presented to help you discover "your path." I am so grateful to say that I am now a screenwriter and a director and an author. Maybe I would have discovered these things elsewhere, but I feel it is a combination of the unique experiences I have had in Tokyo that have allowed me to "make my mark."

So, what is your "niche"? I bet you can discover that while you're here. Let me hear from you... I'd like to know if your "FIT" adventure has opened some surprising doors for you. I know it has for me.