Working in Japan: How to Get a Job in 2024

Want to work abroad in Japan? You’ll need to get organized and meet requirements.

A little preparation can save you a lot of trouble during the process of getting a job in Japan. By reading our guide, you’ll be a little closer to your dream career in Tokyo or beyond.

And, if you want to teach English here, Interac can help you start your journey as an ALT.

What do I need to work in Japan as a foreigner?

To get hired for a job in Japan, you need to make sure you have a clear idea of:

• the kind of job you are looking for – for example, do you want to continue a career as a software developer or business expert, or retrain as an English teacher?
• the income you expect to make – it’s worth noting the cost of living in Japan can be much less than in the US or UK, so bear this in mind when comparing salaries.
• the area you’d like to live in – Japan is so much more than Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka! Don’t miss out on the scenery and unique charm of rural areas.
• the time you’d like to start working – applying to live and work in Japan can be complex, so give yourself plenty of time between your application and preferred start date.

Having these in mind can help make your job hunt easier. Make sure that you prepare a detailed resume and targeted cover letter, and have all your necessary legal documents on hand.

One of the easiest ways to work in Japan is to teach English to Japanese students.

Legal requirements to work in Japan

To work in Japan, you need to have both a visa and the correct status of residence. A visa allows you to enter Japan, while a status of residence allows you to stay and work.

If you don’t live in Japan

You need to meet the requirements to be granted a status that allows you to work in Japan.

• Most work-related status of residences need at least a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• For certain careers, 10 years of experience may be accepted instead (for example, if you’re a chef or a masseuse, or your industry doesn’t require a certification).
• If your spouse is Japanese, you may be able to get a special status – however, our ALT jobs often require a degree on top of proper visa requirements and status.

Leave yourself plenty of time to prepare for moving to Japan to work – it can be a complex process, involving lots of documentation. If you apply to teach as an ALT, we can help you.

If you already live in Japan

For foreigners already living in Japan, you need time left on your status of residence before starting your job search. We recommend starting the process with at least six (6) months left on your status of residence.

When changing jobs in Japan, a change of the type of status of residence may be necessary before starting work. Work with your new employer to apply for your new category so that you don’t run into any trouble with being able to work.

If you’re on a working holiday in Japan or studying here, this can help your job search.

Financial requirements to work in Japan

It can take time before you get paid for a job in Japan, so make sure you have enough money to cover essentials between your previous job and your new placement.

Traveling to interviews can be expensive, so it’s wise to budget and plan for this.

If you already live and work in Japan and want to apply for a new job, we recommend having enough money saved to cover at least several months of living expenses. This will help you cover the period between jobs and is a safety net if anything unexpected happens.

Planning to relocate from abroad to work in Japan? Your job should advise you about the recommended amount you will need. Or, you can find out about our ALT hiring process and how much you will need to bring with you before you start work as a teacher in Japan.

How easy is it to get a job in Japan?

Demand by employers

Here’s a list of the top 11 highest-paid jobs in Japan for foreigners for context.

There are many employers in the service, retail, and transportation sectors who are looking to hire professionals ready to take the next step in their careers by working in Japan.

However, the job market can be competitive in Japan, and it’s not always easy to get hired.

• Japan has a low unemployment rate and there’s a high demand for qualifications.
• Many full-time jobs require you to speak Japanese (unless you’re teaching English).
• Japan has an aging population, and being multilingual can be an advantage.
• Word-of-mouth referrals and personal connections are important for Japanese jobs.
• Some more traditional recruiters or companies may frown on job hopping.
• Not all jobs are able to sponsor visas or fit into a visa category, such as manual labor.

When looking for work in Japan, look for companies who are looking beyond the short term and are willing to open their organizations up to foreigners working as career professionals.

Some employers are looking at the global labor pool to help fill the gaps in their staffing.

Why can it be hard to get a job in Japan?

“Many companies would like to employ foreign professionals, but they are hesitant to do so unless the person is able to lead groups and conduct sales presentations in Japanese at the same level as Japanese university new graduate hires.

Foreign professionals who have a rare skill set (IT, legal, modeling, etc.) may have better success without a high level of Japanese proficiency.” – Brian McDonough, Consultant at Interac

When dealing with global professionals, Japanese employers are often worried about:

• Communicating with Applicants
• Visa Application
• Degree Equivalency
• Reference Checks
• Skill Assessment

If you’re interested in becoming an ALT (Assistant Language Teacher), Interac can help. You might find your true calling as a teacher, or develop your Japanese skills to a higher level.

As a trusted employer, Interac can place qualified candidates in schools all over Japan.

What types of people can work in Japan?

Many people want to work in Japan, so employers are looking for the right match. As well as having the qualifications (and legal requirements to work here), you need to be a good fit. 

“In the Japanese context (outside of IT and scientific fields) technical skills are not as important as soft skills, portable skills, stance and potential. 

Likewise having strong technical skills and lacking in other areas can also close doors for you, so be careful to be as well-rounded as possible.” – Brian McDonough, Consultant at Interac 

Here are some qualities Japanese employers look for in foreigners applying for jobs:

• Potential – Qualities employees need to succeed, such as logical thinking, time management, ability to work under pressure, etc.
• Stance – Attitudes towards work, such as dedication, confidence, resilience, and motivation.
• Portable Skills – Skills required for jobs regardless of industry or region, such as task management, organization, persuasion, public speaking, and dealing with the public.
• Literacy – Proficiency at a general level, such as languages, IT skills, numeracy, clear writing, presentation skills, etc.
• Technical Skills – Expertise related to a specific industry, occupation, or region that recognizes the job seeker as an “expert” in the subject.

Having these types of qualities is going to give you an advantage in general in the Japanese job market and increase the range of positions that might be suitable. Working on these areas can help future-proof your career and make getting a job in Japan easier.

Japan is famous for its strong work ethic, so expect long days and a big commitment. Long hours are to be expected in a Japanese workplace, so ensure you’re prepared for this.

You may be expected to socialise with colleagues (after-work karaoke is a must!).

Being able to speak Japanese is also an obvious advantage. Find out more about the Japanese Language Proficiency Test – some jobs may require the hardest level (N1). Even then, business jobs in Japan want native-level fluency, for giving presentations and talks.

Have a look at our ALT jobs, for the skills we look for when recruiting English teachers.

Job Searching: How to get a job in Japan

There are several ways to go about actually conducting your job search.

Traditional search by yourself

In the traditional method of job searching, you may spend hours surveying job sites (some translated from Japanese) and various forums, publications, and mailing lists.

“The information on these job sites is often incomplete or out-of-date. Sometimes, you may find you’ve spent a lot of time applying to a closed position, or that the specifications the employer is really looking for are different or changed. This can be infuriating.

You may also write up a bunch of resumes and cover letters, and fire them off blindly at every job in Japan that looks remotely appealing, in the hope of getting a response. To be honest, we’ve heard of jobseekers who sent out 40, 50, or up to 100 or more just to get a couple of responses. Of course, with luck this method can be effective, but at what cost?” – George Bennington, International Recruiter

Most likely, you’ll be frustrated with your job search and feel a bit desperate.

Using an agency

When you register with an agency, you’re outsourcing part of your job search to that agency. Largely, the sourcing of leads to potential jobs in Japan that could be suitable for you.

A recruiter will look over your application and talk about your desires and the direction you’d like to go in your job search. From there, you’ll be matched with suitable companies, and depending on mutual interest, go on interviews and meet potential employers.

In the final steps, your recruiter will help you with all the steps up to company entry and the start of living and working in Japan. These could involve going through things like:

• Advising on the visa/moving process
• Preparing you for the interview process
• Advice on what to wear, how to bow etc.

Preparing to work in Japan

Resume

You need to prepare a resume in both English and Japanese to have the maximum chance of getting a job in Japan. Making a resume in Japanese is a distinct skill, and there is a specialized kind of writing used. Read our tips for making a great cover letter here.

If you’ve worked for a big brand, this can go a long way in Japan – shout about it!

Some agencies can prepare a resume for you that will be forwarded to potential employers, can work with you in making sure it is accurate and promotes you in the best light.

How to dress

New grad hires just out of university in Japan wear a dark suit, known as a “fresher’s suit.”

As a mid-term applicant, you are not going to need to buy one of these to go to an interview! As long as you have a dark-colored business suit for your interview and other meetings with potential employers, you’ll be fine. Here’s some information about business attire in Japan.

For men, make sure that your belt and shoes match, and for women, it is important to be conservative and demure, as ladies’ business fashion is quite different from the US.

Interview Prep

When preparing for an interview for a job in Japan, consider first the interview style.

In Japan, a “panel” interview, where the applicant is faced by 3 or more interviewers, is not uncommon. It may seem trivial, but Japanese interviewers are often looking at things like:

• How a person enters/leaves the room, or their posture.
• The tone and volume of their voice while speaking.
• Knowledge other than the answers to questions being asked.

Preparing for your interview in Japan is one area where recruiters can help. First, by providing information about the client and interview type, and by giving you coaching in advance so you’ll feel confident when you go for the interview with the company.

In Japan, a lot of value is placed on the hours and commitment you put into your job. Your colleagues can become like your family, so expect to be asked about your hobbies.

If you’re applying for a job with Interac, here are 10 tips to ace your ALT interview!

More advice for getting a job in Japan

When to start

The “traditional” Japanese hiring season goes from November to February, for an April 1st start. However, not all positions are filled during that season, and there will be positions open year-round with many employers. Our schedule for applying to be an ALT is different.

If relocating to work abroad in Japan, you are not going to be held to the same hiring season as the majority of Japanese job hunters, so you do have some flexibility with timing.

“Timing your job hunt is an important thing. If you start too early, you may lose interest from employers who want to hire someone “right now”, when you want to start months later. If you wait too late, you can easily find yourself in a rush to get a job in order to make ends meet.

If you live in Japan, we recommend starting three months before when you’d like to begin working in Japan. However, if you live overseas, you’ll need to factor in more time.” – George Bennington, International Recruiter

How long does it take 

If you’re relocating to work abroad in Japan, the process can be cyclical and take some time in advance. We recommend that you check the detailed job posting for each position and ask the recruiter about the timeline for each job, to ensure you can sort your visa in time.

“In Japan, the average time between starting a job search and starting a new job is seventeen (17) weeks. That’s more than four months!  

So you should be thinking about and starting to take action now if you want to be in the right place to be interviewing for jobs and starting a new position in late February or early March 2025.” – George Bennington, International Recruiter  

Good luck with your job search! If you’re interested in a job with Interac, teaching in a Japanese school as an English-speaker is a great way to start a career in Japan.

Find out more about what you need to teach in Japan, or contact our team.