<p>Opportunities for Americans to take real, full-time careers in East Asia are very limited. The only Americans I know who have managed any sort of careers in Japan, for example, are educators of some sort. I’ve heard rumors of people getting into big corporations, but I suspect that the glass ceiling is awfully low.</p>
<p>Korea, from what I’ve observed, is the same.</p>
<p>Oddly enough, it appears to me that China, including Hong Kong and Macau, are the best places for an American to expect a real career. The large influx of greenfield investment (FDI) means that there is always a need for talented foreigners to help out. Of course, working in China means dealing with a system far less efficient than hours.</p>
<p>And that’s terrifying.</p>
<p>The moral? Unless you’re a native to a specific country in East Asia, you’re probably better off going North America or Europe. Check out Canada-- it’s like America, but more socialist.</p>