Work in Japan! Job and career guide for foreigners

1. Visa sponsored jobs in Japan for foreigners

Japan is seeing an increase in visa-sponsored jobs for foreigners, especially in fields such as IT, engineering, education, and healthcare. These companies support foreign workers by offering visas such as Specified Skills Visa, Technical/Humanities Specialist/International Business Visa, etc.

Common visa-sponsored job examples：

  • IT Engineer：This is a position specializing in systems development and software engineering. If you can speak English, it is easy to work for a Japanese company.
  • ALT (Assistant Language Teacher)：In particular, assisting teachers in English education.
  • Professional Career：Jobs that require multilingual and multicultural skills, such as international trade and market research.

2. Careers in Japan for Foreigners

The following fields are particularly popular for foreigners looking to build a career in Japan. Many of these jobs require technical skills and/or multilingual ability, and bilingual ability in English or native Japanese is often required.

Main career options：

  • International Trade：A role that connects Japanese companies with overseas markets. A job that involves Japanese import and export operations.
  • Tourism：In Japan, where inbound tourism is important, there is high demand for guides and travel-related work for foreigners.
  • Creative Industries：In fields such as film, design, and art, the perspectives of foreigners with different cultural backgrounds are in demand.

3. Teaching English in Japan

One of the most common jobs for foreigners in Japan is teaching English. They can work in Japanese schools or English conversation schools, and many foreigners work as ALTs (Assistant Language Teachers).

Requirements to become an English teacher：

  • ALT (Assistant Language Teacher)：A job that involves working in elementary and junior high schools and supporting English classes. The Japanese government’s “JET Programme” is a famous example.
  • nglish conversation teacher：They often work in private English conversation schools and are in high demand, especially in urban areas.
  • University Professor：There are positions available that provide specialized English instruction or research, but they require advanced degrees or specialized knowledge.

4. How to find a job in Japan

Finding a job in Japan requires proper preparation and research. When searching for jobs for foreigners, it is common to use online job sites and recruitment agencies.

Steps to finding a job：

  1. Use a Japanese job site (GaijinPot, Daijob, CareerCross, etc.).
  2. Improve your Japanese language skills. If you have Japanese language skills of N2 or above, you will be able to apply for more jobs.
  3. networking：It’s also effective to connect with employers directly through LinkedIn or by attending industry events.
  4. Visa Preparation：o work in Japan you need the right visa. If you are sponsored by a company you will usually be provided with a Technical/Humanities Specialist/International Services visa.

5. Part-time work in Japan

Part-time work in Japan is also popular among international students and short-term visitors, allowing them to subsidize their living expenses while experiencing Japanese culture and language.

Popular part-time jobs：

  • Convenience store staff：Convenience stores are open 24 hours a day and are open to foreign workers.
  • Restaurant staff：International restaurants, especially in city centres, require staff who can speak English.
  • English conversation school assistant：There are many jobs available during the day, making it popular with students.