Did you know that the cost of living in Japan is roughly 45% less than in the United States? The costs of food and housing are much lower, and there’s a strong job market in Japan that makes it easy for diligent workers to earn a decent living. It’s why many expats find themselves drawn to Japan.
If you’re planning on relocating to Japan for any period of time, you’ll need to find a way to support yourself. Luckily, Japan is a friendly country for expats looking for work. Whether you want to teach English to native Japanese speakers or are interested in a trade, getting work in Japan is easy if you know where to look.
Here’s a look at some of the best job resources for English speakers in Japan—no matter what professional field calls to you.
1. Working with job recruiters in Japan
As an English speaker looking for a job in Japan, working directly with job recruiters or talent scouts is the best way to secure a position. Japan is unlike most other international job markets, as mid-career hiring is generally done through recruiters. It’s a practice called shinsotsu. Even as you browse job search websites in Japan, you’ll see that many postings are directly from recruiters, rather than the companies themselves.
There are many types of companies that work directly with recruiting agencies in Japan. Almost every type of large corporation has in-house recruiters—they have lots of employees and are always looking for new talent. These corporations can be Japanese firms or international companies. Small companies use recruiters, too, often relying on an outside firm to find great talent for their business.
It’s possible to also work directly with a recruiting agency and, indeed, there are several reputable agencies that work exclusively with skilled English speakers to help them find jobs in Japan. Some of these organizations include:
All this is to say that if you’re qualified to work in Japan—have a skill and mastery of the language—your first and best option is to get in touch with recruiters in your field. This is true even of what you might typically consider an “entry-level” position.
2. Using online job boards and hiring sites
While working with recruiters or talent scouts can help you secure a great job in Japan, the process is not without its drawbacks. Recruiting agencies can usually only introduce you to companies they already have a relationship or contracts with. If the recruiter’s reach doesn’t fit your skills or needs, it may be better to use online job boards to help you in your search.
Job boards can seem overwhelming and chaotic to the average expat job-seeker at first. But, the more time you spend browsing them, the more comfortable you’ll get with how they typically work. It’s best to jump in and start browsing!
There are several English-friendly job boards and hiring sites that post positions from a wide array of Japanese companies. Some of the most popular job boards for expats include:
Keep in mind that often, when you reply to a job posting, you may still end up interacting with a recruiter. If you want to avoid recruiters entirely, keep an eye out for postings that are clearly marked for direct hire. While these will be much fewer than recruiter posts, they give you an opportunity to market yourself directly to the company for a specific position you might be well-qualified for.
3. Employment Service Centers
Aside from job boards and recruiters, Japan has other resources to support foreign job seekers in the country. In particular, The Tokyo Employment Service Center for Foreigners—a program at the Nishi Shinjuku Center—provides a wide range of services that help expats secure great jobs in Japan.
From job counseling and placement services, non-Japanese students holding a student visa (i.e., foreign students living in Japan to study Japanese) and non-Japanese specialists holding a corresponding status visa can take advantage of the Center’s various helpful programs. The organization is committed to helping foreign transplants find work with reputable companies in the country’s capital.
On top of these employment service centers, the Immigration Services Agency of Japan also provides a regularly updated list of registered support organizations that assist foreigners in finding gainful employment.
4. Developing your professional network
No matter where you’re building your career, you need to network. Networking in Japan is much like it is in other countries, and there are tons of big cities and big businesses throughout the country, so there are plenty of professionals in all types of communities—all looking to expand their network.
There are plenty of great ways to network as an expat in Japan, so don’t hesitate to take advantage of any opportunity to meet Japanese nationals and expats alike. You can reach out to other expats on social media, attend job fairs or special events like industry-related seminars and forums. Many expats also enroll in JLPT N5 or N4 classes, which provide an intro to the Japanese language and a great way to meet other expats to learn together.
Networking doesn’t have to be formal in Japan, so don’t hesitate to take part in the country’s nomikai culture. Nomikai means “gathering to drink,” similar to happy hour. It’s a big part of Japanese business culture, providing an informal opportunity to meet other professionals in your field in a casual atmosphere. Gathering together and enjoying snacks and drinks is a simple, effective way to grow your network and build relationships.
Social media is NOT a recruiting platform in Japan
In many countries, social media is a premier place to find job seekers and to post jobs that might attract strong talent. Japan is NOT one of these countries. You will rarely (if ever) see recruiters post jobs on social media, and job-seekers will almost never put up posts seeking employment on their personal profiles.
This lack of career presence on social media is largely the product of Japan’s culture of privacy. Personal life and professional life are very separate in Japan, and preserving the duality of these two lives is something that’s deeply important to many Japanese people. What they do in their personal life is not a reflection of who they are professionally. Thus, part of keeping work and personal lives separate is to exclude any reference to work from their social profiles.
Another example of this division of personal and professional lives is in how candidates interview for positions in Japan. Unlike the U.S. and other countries where an interviewer might ask, “tell me about yourself outside of work” or “what are your hobbies and interests?”, Japanese employers will NOT ask these questions. It’s considered rude and invasive. Instead, the focus is on qualifying a person’s ability to do the job they’re applying for.
A closer look at Japan’s job market
English-speakers looking for a job in Japan will find a job market full of opportunities! This is because Japan’s economy is expanding, while its population is ageing. The result is that many new jobs are going unfilled by the younger generation—especially as older citizens age into retirement. Japan has begun to turn to expats and foreign residents to fill the gaps.
Economically speaking, Japan has seen a general stagnation in its workforce since the 1990s. The country’s real GDP has declined over the past several decades, though it has leveled out in the years since COVID-19. Nevertheless, contraction is an ever-present threat to the Japanese economy, which has spurred the Japanese government to take action that enables better pathways into the labor market—including for expats.
In simplest terms: Japan has a strong need for skilled laborers and not enough workers in its national population to fill the demand. By loosening immigration restrictions and making work visas more attainable, it’s inviting willing workers from all around the world to become part of its economy.
Common jobs for foreigners in Japan
Japan’s labor force continues to shrink as people age into retirement, which means there’s plenty of opportunity for expats to secure gainful employment in Japan. The country is friendly to multinational professionals who are ready to fill positions in wide-ranging industries. So long as you’re willing to learn the language and become certified with a particular vocational skillset, Japan welcomes foreigners willing to work.
If you’re an expat or a soon-to-be resident of Japan, there’s a good chance you’re seeking employment. There are a few easy-entry fields where you can start looking for employment. Some of the best jobs for English-speaking foreigners living in Japan include:
Teaching a native language. Teaching English to eager Japanese students is perhaps the most popular job for expats moving to the country. It’s relatively easy to become certified as an English teacher or tutor, and there’s plenty of opportunity across different cities and educational settings to explore. Many expats are able to get connected to other English teachers through the expat network in Japan, which serves as both a foothold into the career and a great start to building your professional network.
Translating and interpreting. Japan is a major participant in the global economy, which means it does plenty of business with Western nations. English is the prevailing language not only for Western business partners, but among businesses in the global marketplace. Many Japanese firms are glad to hire expats for their translating and interpreting ability, and pay them a comfortable living wage. Keep in mind, though: you’ll also need relative fluency in Japanese to succeed in this position, which means possessing your JLPT N1.
IT and tech services. IT is one of those fields where language barriers are quickly bridged by technical ability. If you know how to code or program, or are familiar with technology at a fundamental level, it won’t take you long to find employment with a Japanese tech firm. Tech jobs tend to have some of the lowest language proficiency barriers for careers in Japan, which can also give you an opportunity to learn the language as you work toward establishing gainful employment in IT.
Marketing and design. Japanese companies looking to break into foreign markets often rely on the experience of English-speaking marketing and design professionals to help them. From translating creative concepts for Western audiences to bridging cultural gaps in marketing campaigns, expats will find plenty of opportunity in creative services. However, keep in mind that any office job is going to require “business level Japanese,” which means having a strong grasp of the language before you start.
Global business development. An American living in Japan takes a business trip to Germany. No, it’s not the start of a joke—it’s a real-life possibility for expats who apply their business development skills at an international level. As mentioned, Japan is always seeking to expand trade relationships and business activity at the global level, and Japanese companies often deploy expats as part of foreign delegations. If your language proficiency is high and your negotiation abilities are strong, business development might be for you.
Keep in mind that these are all skilled positions that require some level of vocational training. Plan to either pass certification requirements, demonstrate your abilities in practice or attend some level of vocational schooling before you apply.
Japanese language requirements
Wondering if you can work in Japan without knowing the language? You can, but you’ll face a number of challenges if you aren’t fluent. Job seekers who already speak some Japanese—especially those who hold JLPT certification—have an easier time finding work in Japan.
Entry level skills and positions
If you have JLPT N5 or N4—considered “conversational Japanese”—you’re more likely to land yourself a position that requires very little formal communication outside of interactions with coworkers. For example, you might be able to get an entry-level job in IT with N4 certification. Keep in mind that these are the bare minimum for language proficiency, so you’ll want to be continuously studying and striving to achieve higher levels of mastery.
Business level positions
If you’re a professional in a white-collar field, JLPT N2 is typically considered the floor for business-level Japanese. If you plan to enter a role that requires lots of communication, you may need native-level N1 certification. It all depends on your field, plus the type of job you’re seeking. For the most part, if you’re planning to apply for a position that represents your employer to the public, JLPT N1 is essential.
Most job postings won’t list the level of language proficiency required, largely because they’re meant for residents of the country who speak Japanese as their first language. That said, many companies who work with recruiters of foreign workers will provide language requirement specifications when passing along job opportunities. If you’re unsure of the level of language required to succeed in a position, it doesn’t hurt to ask your recruiter.
Apply for your visa
After you find work browsing job resources for English speakers in Japan, you’ll need to make sure you have the appropriate visa. This means determining whether you need a Work or Long-Term Stay Visa.
Applying for the right visa is critical, since one of the stipulations of the visa you eventually get will revolve around maintaining employment in a relevant field. For example, if you apply for a Medical Services Work Visa, you need to maintain employment with a credible employer in the medical field while you hold that visa or if you plan to renew it. Once you’re approved for a work visa and working in the country, you can switch jobs, so long as you stay in the field relevant to your visa.
Note that in order to apply for a work visa, you need to have a tendered offer from a Japanese employer. Your employer effectively “petitions” on your behalf, vouching to the government that it’s willing to hire and gainfully employ you while you reside in the country.
Your career will flourish in Japan!
No matter what line of work you’re in, expats looking for work in Japan will be met with a warm welcome. While finding work in a foreign country can seem challenging at first, there are plenty of programs in Japan aimed at helping foreign workers secure great jobs.
No matter how you start your search—whether you work with a recruiter or agency, or search the job boards yourself—Japan is looking for workers to fill gaps in their labor force. Find the perfect job for you and grow your career in a country that values hard work!
