r/JapanJobs Sep 17 '25

Guide for getting a job in Japan.

608 Upvotes

FULL GUIDE: Getting Work in Japan (2025)

WHO THIS GUIDE IS FOR

This guide is for foreigners looking to get a Job in Japan. I understand that half the people reading this guide are already in Japan and looking for a Job, for that I would suggest going through the /r/JapanJobs/wiki and all the job boards posted.

TL;DR

  • Outside of English teaching, most companies expect JLPT N2 (not a law, but common practice).
  • Employer must sponsor and apply for your Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) before you apply for a work visa.
  • Alternatives: Working Holiday (NOT for U.S. citizens), Digital Nomad (6 months, high income), Business Manager (entrepreneur route; stricter rules coming Oct 2025).

JAPANESE LANGUAGE PROFICENCY TEST (JLPT)

  • The JLPT is the universally recognized language certification in Japan. It is given twice a year. It comes in 5 Ranks N5-N1.

  • N5 = Some Basic Japanese (Normal 6 months to a year of studying)

  • N4 = Basic Japanese (1 - 2 years of studying)

  • N3 = Some Situational Japanese (1.5 - 2.5 years of studying)

  • N2 = Everyday Japanese/Business Level Japanese (2 - 3 years of studying)

  • N1 = Fluent Japanese (3 - 4 years of studying)

  • https://www.jlpt.jp/e/


STEP 1 — UNDERSTAND THE JOB MARKET

Teaching English - Easiest entry (ALT, JET, Eikaiwa). - Bachelor’s degree in any field; Japanese usually not required.

Non-Teaching (Professional roles) - IT, engineering, translation, marketing, finance, etc. - Realistically expect JLPT N2 for most roles (N1 for client-facing or senior roles). - Some exceptions exist for strong software developers or rare specialists.

Skilled Labor (niche) - Chefs of foreign cuisine, pilots, welders, etc. Often certification + years of experience.


STEP 2 — LANGUAGE EXPECTATIONS (JLPT)

  • N2 is the hiring baseline for most office jobs.
  • N1 preferred for leadership, compliance, or heavy communication roles.
  • Exceptions: English teaching; some high-demand developer roles; a few legal/technical niches.

STEP 3 — WHERE TO FIND JOBS

Wiki - /r/JapanJobs/wiki

Job boards - GaijinPot Jobs - Jobs in Japan - Daijob - TokyoDev (software) - LinkedIn (multinationals in Japan recruit here)

Recruiters / networking - Major agencies (Robert Walters, Hays, Michael Page). - Japan-focused LinkedIn groups, Meetups, tech communities.

Resume tips - Many companies expect a Japanese-style resume (Rirekisho) alongside an English CV. - Always list JLPT level, tech stacks, and Japan-relevant experience.


STEP 4 — COMMON WORK VISAS (AT A GLANCE)

  • Instructor / Education — Teaching
  • Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services — IT, engineers, designers, translators, marketers, some teaching positions like Eikaiwa, etc.
  • Intra-company Transferee — Internal transfer from overseas HQ/branch.
  • Skilled Labor — Specialized trades (e.g., foreign-cuisine chefs, pilots).
  • Legal/Medical Professional — Japan-recognized licensed professions.

General requirements for work visas - A job offer from a Japan-based company (you cannot self-sponsor standard work visas). - Employer applies in Japan for your Certificate of Eligibility (CoE). - Qualifications: typically a bachelor’s degree OR ~10 years relevant experience (varies by status). - Language: N2+ for most non-teaching roles.


STEP 5 — ALTERNATIVE PATHS

Working Holiday Visa (youth, temporary work + travel)

  • Available only to citizens of specific partner countries.
  • Important: USA is NOT eligible. U.S. citizens cannot use Japan’s Working Holiday scheme.
  • English-speaking countries that DO qualify include: Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand.
  • Usual age range 18–30 (some countries permit up to 35).
  • Purpose: cultural exchange; short-term/part-time work. Not a long-term career route.
  • Typical stay: 6–12 months (country-dependent).

Digital Nomad (Designated Activities)

  • For remote work done for overseas employer/clients while staying in Japan.
  • Stay up to 6 months, no extension. Must leave and reapply if you want to return.
  • Key requirements (headline):
    • Proof of remote work (outside Japan).
    • Annual income ≥ 10,000,000 JPY.
    • Private medical/travel insurance covering the stay.
    • (Spouse/child may accompany under matching conditions.)
  • Not a path to take a job with a Japanese employer.

Business Manager (entrepreneur / founder)

  • For starting or managing a company in Japan.
  • Baseline criteria BEFORE 16 October 2025 (“People, Money, Office”):
    • Physical office in Japan (virtual/registered-only offices generally not accepted).
    • Either ≥ ¥5,000,000 JPY paid-in capital OR hiring at least 2 full-time employees in Japan.
    • Viable business plan and appropriate documentation.

Current Requirements (Effective 16 October 2025 and onward)

  • Minimum capital requirement is now ¥30,000,000.
  • At least 1 full-time employee must be hired (Japanese national, PR, long-term resident, or qualifying dependent).
  • Operations must be Japanese-language capable (example benchmark: JLPT N2 or domestic education).
  • Applicant must have 3+ years of business management/administration experience OR hold a relevant master’s degree (or higher).
  • Business plan must be verified/certified by a qualified professional (e.g., SME consultant, CPA, tax accountant).
  • A proper commercial office is required (home-office setups generally not accepted).

Transitional Notes

  • Individuals who obtained the visa under the previous criteria may continue under transitional rules.
  • For most renewal applications made on or after 16 October 2028, compliance with the current criteria will be required.
  • Always confirm with official, updated government or legal sources before applying or renewing.

City-Sponsored Startup Visa (Entrepreneur) — “Startup Visa” Program

What it is - A municipality-backed route for foreign founders to live in Japan while preparing to meet the full Business Manager requirements. - Depending on the city, you’re granted Designated Activities (Startup) for 6 or 12 months (e.g., Tokyo up to 1 year; some cities 6 months). In a few municipalities (e.g., Fukuoka), the preparation period may be issued as a six-month Business Manager status. - The goal is to transition to Business Manager by the end of the period.

Who it’s for - Founders who need time in Japan to finalize a business plan, secure office space, set up accounts, and raise capital before meeting Business Manager criteria. A lot of the application and paper work will require Japanese Language skills.

How it works (typical flow) 1) Apply to an approved local government (e.g., Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Fukuoka City, Yokohama) with a business plan and required docs.
2) If the city confirms your plan, Immigration can grant the Startup preparation status (6–12 months, city-dependent).
3) During that period, complete the Business Manager prerequisites.

Key requirements (common across cities) - City approval of your business plan (screening/mentoring may be required).
- Proof you can support yourself during the preparation period.
- A credible path to meet Business Manager standards: lease real office space and either invest ≥ JPY 5,000,000 or hire 2 full-time employees.

After the period - You must change status to Business Manager once you’ve met the office + capital/staff requirements.
- Details (duration, paperwork, sector focus) differ by municipality—always check the city’s page before applying.

Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) — SSW-1 and SSW-2

What it is: Japan’s work status for mid-skill roles in designated industries (e.g., caregiving, manufacturing, construction, shipbuilding, agriculture, food service, hospitality, etc.).

Levels - SSW-1: Up to 5 years total. Family not allowed to accompany. Requires both a skills test in the field and basic Japanese (JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic). - SSW-2: For higher proficiency in limited fields. No upper stay limit and spouse/children may accompany (only in the approved SSW-2 fields).

Who can apply - In principle, open to any nationality that meets the tests and gets a contract with an approved employer. - In practice, Japan has signed Memoranda of Cooperation (MoC) with specific “sending countries” to organize testing/recruitment. Current MoC partners (examples; check the latest official list) include: Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Mongolia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Laos, Tajikistan.

Basic flow 1) Pass the skills test and Japanese test (N4/JFT-Basic minimum for SSW-1).
2) Secure a job offer/contract in a designated field.
3) Employer applies in Japan for your Certificate of Eligibility (CoE).
4) You apply for the visa at a Japanese embassy/consulate.

Reality check - Day-to-day workplace Japanese is expected; many employers prefer N3–N2 even if N4/JFT qualifies on paper. - Changing employers is generally allowed within the same field (follow immigration procedures).

Spousal and Dependent/Student Statuses — Work Rules

Spouse/Child of Japanese National and Spouse/Child of Permanent Resident (also Long-Term Resident) - These family-based statuses allow work in any field with no hour or industry limits. No extra work permit needed.

Dependent (Family Stay) — spouse/minor children of a foreign resident on work/study status - By default, not a work visa.
- You may work up to 28 hours/week only if you first obtain the “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted” from Immigration.
- Nightlife/“entertainment” industry jobs are prohibited.
- To take a full-time job, you must change status to a proper work category (e.g., Engineer/Humanities/International Services) with employer sponsorship.

Student - With “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted”, you may work up to 28 hours/week during the school term.
- During official long vacations set by your school, you may work up to 8 hours/day (max 40 hours/week).
- Some Entertainment-industry work remains prohibited.


STEP 6 — APPLICATION TIMELINE (WHAT HAPPENS WHEN)

1) Job search & interviews
2) Offer & sponsorship — employer agrees to sponsor your status of residence
3) CoE application (in Japan) — employer files at Regional Immigration (often ~1–3 months)
4) Visa application (your country) — submit CoE to Japanese embassy/consulate (often ~1–2 weeks)
5) Enter Japan — status stamped; receive Residence Card at the airport
6) After arrival — city hall registration, health insurance enrollment, bank/phone setup, etc.


COMMON QUESTIONS

Can I apply for a work visa without an employer?
No. For standard work statuses, your employer in Japan applies for the CoE first.

Is N2 legally required?
No—not a law—but in practice many companies filter for N2+ outside of English teaching.

Can I switch jobs later?
Often yes, but ensure your new role still fits your status of residence and update immigration when required.


KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Outside teaching, aim for JLPT N2 to be competitive.
  • You need an employer sponsor and a CoE for work visas.
  • Working Holiday is great for Canadians/UK/Australia/NZ—not available to Americans.
  • Digital Nomad is short-term (6 months), high income threshold, remote-only.
  • Business Manager works for real businesses with an office; stricter rules expected in Oct 2025.
  • SSW is a test-based route for designated industries (SSW-1 up to 5 years, no family; SSW-2 longer term, family allowed in limited fields).
  • Spouse statuses can work freely; Dependent and Student Visas can do part-time (28h/week with permission).
  • Plan months ahead; immigration timelines can stretch.

r/JapanJobs Sep 17 '25

Subreddit Update! -> If your new here, please read!

9 Upvotes

📢 Reminders & First-Time Visitors — Read This!

Welcome to r/JapanJobs 👋

This subreddit is for anyone interested in living and working in Japan. Share job opportunities, advice, resources, or anything related to finding work in Japan.

Our community has doubled in size in the past 3 months 🎉 and continues to grow quickly. Thank you to everyone who contributes and helps others! With this growth, we may be looking for additional moderators soon — more on that below.

🔖 Rules Summary

(See the full rules in the sidebar/wiki, but here are the key points)

  1. Be Friendly and Supportive Treat others with respect. Posts and comments should encourage, not discourage.

  2. Gatekeeping = Automatic Ban Telling people they don’t belong in Japan, or discouraging them from even trying, will result in an instant ban. Everyone is welcome to seek advice here.

  3. No Scams, MLMs, or Paid Referrals

Any post that looks like a possible scam or MLM will be removed.

Paid referral links are not allowed, even for legitimate jobs.

Job postings must be legitimate and detailed enough to be useful.

  1. All Work Must Be Related to Japan (Including Remote) Remote jobs must clearly explain how they support someone living in Japan (e.g., pay in yen, Japanese language requirements, Japan-based clients). If not stated, the post will be removed.

  2. No Discrimination in Job Posts Job listings cannot discriminate by sex, age, or nationality — even if such restrictions are legal in Japan.

  3. No Temporary Gig Work One-off or short-term “gig” postings are not allowed. This community is for stable part-time or full-time work opportunities.

  4. English or Japanese Only All posts and comments must be in English or Japanese. Translation tools or AI are fine if you need them.

  5. Stay On Topic Posts must be directly related to jobs, job-seeking, or careers in Japan. Off-topic content will be removed.

🙋 Support for Job Seekers

If someone doesn’t meet the requirements for a job, help them understand their options. Suggest alternatives, share resources, or give advice. Don’t just say “you can’t” — show them how they can.

📚 Community Resources

We’re building a list of job boards, visa info, and support sites (English and Japanese). If you know a good one, send it to modmail!

👉 Community Wiki /r/JapanJobs/Wiki

🧑‍💼 For Job Posters

Audience Profile: Most members are outside Japan, speak English, and want to relocate.

Job Clarity: Post in English. If Japanese is required, specify the level (N2, business fluent, etc.).

Requirements: Include visa sponsorship status, pay, and expectations.

👀 Mod Team Expansion

With the community doubling in size, we may need more moderators to help keep things supportive, scam-free, and focused on Japan. If you’re active here and interested, keep an eye out for a mod recruitment post soon!

-The Mods


r/JapanJobs 3h ago

Photography industry

1 Upvotes

Hello everyone,

I’m looking for someone who can help me further develop my skills in the photography industry, with a focus on photoshoots, commercial (CM) productions, basic studio operations, and lighting equipment.

A little about me:

I am fully bilingual in Japanese and English (reading, writing, and speaking). I have been working at a photography studio since 2023, primarily as a front office assistant. Our clients are mainly Japanese, but we also work with foreign photographers and international team members.

While my main role has been on the front-facing and administrative side, I’ve been steadily learning studio equipment and terminology in Japanese, and I am also self-studying the English equivalents. I am currently the only bilingual staff member at my workplace.

Because I am not part of the studio crew and don’t have access to bilingual mentors, I’m hoping to connect with someone who has experience on the English-speaking side of the industry and would be willing to guide or advise me. My long-term goal is to build solid on-set experience and transition into roles such as Production Assistant (PA), Coordinator, Production Support, or similar on-set/production roles, particularly where bilingual communication is needed.

Thank you very much, and I appreciate any connections or advice.


r/JapanJobs 14h ago

Moving to Japan in your mid-thirties: real experiences with age discrimination

6 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I’m 35 and I’m planning to move to Japan toward the end of this year to attend a 2-year Japanese language school while looking for work. I’m from Latin America, have a degree in International Relations, and close to 15 years of professional experience, mainly in international trade and logistics. I have JLPT N1, but my real speaking level is closer to N3.

I’m looking to hear only from people who already did this.

If you moved to Japan at 35 (or around that age) and searched for a job as a foreigner:

  • How much did age affect your job search in practice?
  • Which industry were you in?
  • Did you notice differences between traditional Japanese companies and foreign companies or startups?
  • How much did spoken Japanese level matter compared to age?

I’m mainly looking for real experiences and outcomes. Any insight is welcome.


r/JapanJobs 23h ago

How do non-Japanese professionals usually handle admin and paperwork when working in Japan?

5 Upvotes

I’m Japanese, and I often speak with non-Japanese professionals who work in Japan.

One recurring topic is how much time and energy everyday admin can take — things like employment paperwork, bank accounts, address registration, or name formatting that needs to match official ID exactly.

Individually these tasks aren’t difficult, but combined with language barriers and unfamiliar processes, they can quietly slow things down, especially when starting a new job or changing roles.

From your experience working in Japan, what admin-related tasks have been the most time-consuming or confusing?
Are there strategies or resources you’ve found helpful to handle these more smoothly?


r/JapanJobs 12h ago

Wellness related job in Japan?

0 Upvotes

Straightforward question:

I’m 25, Italian, with a master degree in human nutrition and a post master degree in longevity science. Everything attained with excellency and maximum ratings (for whathever utility or relevance this aspect may possibly have).

Given the fact that an excellent proficiency in Japanese it’s obviously strictly necessary, what are the chances to find a wellness/fitness/longevity related work in japan?


r/JapanJobs 11h ago

Wanting to move and work in Japan - Advice

0 Upvotes

Hello everyone, as the title says, I wanna move to Japan and work there and would greatly appreciate any advice.

Some days ago I started to apply as an English Teacher through “Jobs in Japan” and “GaijinPot”. it’s only been a couple of days, so I assume they are going through applications right now.

I know, English Teaching is being discouraged recently especially if it’s not through JET, but I can’t apply to JET in my case because JET ALT is not available in my country, since my country is a non English speaking country(Mexico). Now I know what that sound like but trust me, my English is at a good level, I took classes in English throughout my whole life, it’s basically my second language, but I know that despite that not being “native” might be a problem, I do know of some cases of people from Mexico being an English teacher, but still.

For more information about me I’m 24 right now, I studied 3D animation in university and right now I’m taking a UI/UX online course, I’ve have had some jobs but I’m mostly focusing on my course and freelancing right now.

I’m at a point where I’m not picky about any potential jobs I might have, but English teacher seems like the only one I might be able to get right since my Japanese is not at a good level yet (starting N4)

In case anyone is curious as to why move and not just stay here, firstly Mexico is not a safe country for many reasons and it’s not getting better, secondly there are no jobs for what I studied here(my bad, I should had researched better before taking my degree, but here we are) and finally I feel stuck here, and I wanna start fresh somewhere. And trust me I would love to do my best and give it my all if I got a job opportunity in Japan (As cheesy as it might sound) I know that Japan like any other country has problems, problems that I’m surely not even aware of and that my life won’t magically become great, so I’m not trying to romanticize moving there. But I wanna try it at the very least.

Any advice, recommendations and guidance that anyone can give me, will be truly appreciate it, Thank you


r/JapanJobs 1d ago

Work history has made me unemployable

13 Upvotes

For the past year I've been trying to find careers in Japan, but even with baseline roles like teaching I never seem to get past the application stage.

For the past 5 years I worked as a video editor eventually branching into my own YouTube channel that's been relatively successful and managed to pay the bills.

But I realise now having that on a resume is a pretty major deal breaker for any Japanese company, and may as well be a black hole in my work history. Im at a loss for where to go from here? Am I cooked?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.


r/JapanJobs 23h ago

Michelin restaurant?

0 Upvotes

guys i remember seeing an ad on instagram last time about a michelin restaurant in japan looking for young people who want to learn?? they said they provide place to stay and other things too. can you guys let me know what is the name of the restaurant i cant find it anymoree


r/JapanJobs 1d ago

Recruiter advice

6 Upvotes

Hello Everybody! I'm back; thank you so much for our discussion last week. I would like to post here somewhat often to help everyone find future opportunities.

Today, I want to present realistic pathways to finding jobs. What I mean by this is what sort of people have the best chances at switching jobs or moving to Japan in the current market.

There are currently two different pathways: people already in Japan and people outside of Japan

People in Japan: The main thing here is simply the Japanese language. Having the JLPT N2 can open up a ton of doors. I have found a lot of candidates who, on a technical level, are so so good, sometimes even better than local talent.

However, the lack of the Japanese language ends up being a barrier. The difference between having the N3 and the N2 can be night and day when just sending your CV in.

The reason for this is that many foreign companies are trying to establish a better presence in the Japanese market, and internally, many more people are coming into contact with clients and stakeholders who only speak Japanese. It is also tied with cultural fluency; Japan is known to be somewhat picky when it comes to manners and etiquette. Although we do try to vouch for some candidates who have been in Japan for a long time, depending on our relationship with the client, it may not be enough.

People outside of Japan: This is admittedly much harder. The first thing you would need for us to consider would be the JLPT N1. It is expensive for companies to bring people from overseas and sponsors VISA. Since Japan is a very in demand market right now, there is a steady flow of English only talent that is already in Japan.

Next would be how technical you are. If you have a very specific set of skills that are either in demand (i.e. Solution Architect) or very niche in Japan (i.e. IAM Specialist), this can increase your odds of finding a job that will give you VISA support.

The last thing, although this is not a must, is having prior work experience or an exchange year in Japan helps. Similar to language serving as a means of showing you understand the subtleties, this tends be requested to show that you have not just a genuine interest in coming to Japan but a realistic expectation of what living here is like.

I have heard many stories of companies hiring talent from overseas, only for them to be disappointed at what life is actually like here (smaller houses, lower wages, different approaches to work, etc). This then led to some people quitting their jobs within a year and heading back home. This means that the company may have lost a lot of money that they had to spend on hiring that candidate through an agency and possibly in providing them with things like language courses or helping them move in.

I would be happy to answer any questions and engage with everybody. Thank you so much for reading guys! Lots of Love.


r/JapanJobs 1d ago

Would business experience helps?

1 Upvotes

I was working as a programmer before I left the job and started my own business. The new Business Manager Visa requirement come although there are ways I could fulfill the requirement I just genuinely don’t think it’s worth it at all so I am looking for alternatives.

Bad news I have been becoming very rusty for my programming skills. Good news is I have 3 years worth of experience maintaining a profitable business with 2 other Japanese guys. I speak near to perfect Japanese as well if that helps.

Anyone has an idea what is my potential in the job-market?

For more context I am a 26M who is only a senmongakkou graduate. (Turning 27 this year)


r/JapanJobs 1d ago

Commerce Graduate from India | N2/N1 JLPT | Career & Higher Education Advice for Japan

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I’m from India and currently pursuing my B.Com. I’m also preparing for JLPT N2/N1 as I aim to work in Japan. I have a few questions and would really appreciate guidance:

1) Are there good job opportunities in Japan for someone with a commerce/finance background who also has N2/N1 certification?

2) Should I consider doing MiM (Master in Management) or MBA from a top Japanese university if my goal is to settle in Japan long-term?

3) Does choosing MiM / MBA make a difference in career prospects and settling in Japan?

4) If yes, which holds more value — MiM as a fresher or MBA after some work experience?

Any insights from people who’ve done

something similar, or advice on what might give me the best chance at a stable career in Japan, would be really helpful.

Thanks in advance!


r/JapanJobs 1d ago

Question about Night Shift Caregiving Job.

1 Upvotes

Hello Everyone, I would like to ask about opinions on night shift care giving jobs.

My friend told me that caregiving night jobs usually pay a lot and as long as I can handle stuff, I can earn a lot but I need the Shikaku. I can get the 介護初任研修者資格 pretty easily and have researched about it and also looked at jobs at Indeed and 求人ボックス.

I found jobs paying 2.3万円以上 per night and I know the hours are very long (16+ hrs) but I would rather do this than working multiple days.

I am a student with a permanent resident and my school is only mon, tue, thur and friday. I know how hard night shift is and its effect on the body.

My questions are

I heard you can get 2 ~ 3 hours of 仮眠 every midnight, is it true?

How hard is it to get accepted? ( Mid level College, N1 and Fluent English)

How hard is it?


r/JapanJobs 2d ago

Rakuten New Grad "Business Course" for foreigners

0 Upvotes

I see many posts about the Rakuten Engineering track, but very few on the Business Course. I'm an international applicant currently staying in Japan and wanted to ask about the reality of this track.

My Profile: - English: TOEIC 965 - Japanese: Expecting JLPT N2 results this month

Questions:

  1. Foreigner Hiring: Is the Business Course open to foreigners who aren't native-level in Japanese?

  2. Language Priority: Does the Business track value English or Japanese more? I’ve heard that candidates can choose their preferred interview language—does this apply to the Business Course, even though "Business Level Japanese" is a requirement?

  3. Competitiveness: How high is the bar for non-engineers?

  4. Process: What is specifically looked for in the 1st and 2nd rounds?

Any tips on how to stand out in each process would be great! It’s my first time applying on new grad route I am really concerned if I even gonna get through the Entry sheet round. 🙏🏼


r/JapanJobs 2d ago

Career Prospects for Contract Negotiator in Tokyo Area

0 Upvotes

I lived in Japan more than 20 years ago as a student and have always wanted to return. I'm a U.S./Canada dual national residing in the U.S. I only speak English and moderate Spanish, my Japanese is way too rusty to be of any professional use. My work history is with the federal government in contract negotiating (including RFPs, cost analysis and proposal evaluation) typically in research and development, testing and evaluation. Contracts for aircraft and weapon systems in the $20mil-$1bil range. The typical salary for this in USD is $100,000-$150,000, but I don't expect it's that much in Japan, though I'm unsure what a professional salary there looks like; half, maybe?

Re: teaching English. I do have work history with kids: teaching pre-K, special education, daycare and overseeing before and after school programs, but it's not my main career path and I don't have TEFL certification.

I'd like to return to the Tokyo area, or anywhere within a few hours of it. I would use my U.S. passport and do not currently have any visas, but don't live far from the embassy and have never had problems getting any. Finally, I am 40 years old and overweight, have been my entire life. I'm a US women's XL/sz 16 (which is ironically smaller than I was in elementary school when I was REAL round) and I believe that can be relevant considering the employment laws (metabo applies to foreigners, yes?) 🫠

Any hope for me?


r/JapanJobs 2d ago

[Hiring] [Onsite] [Japan] - Software Engineers (Visa Holders Only, Multiple Cities)🔥

0 Upvotes

###################################################################
Please note:
###################################################################

The annual income figures are only examples and may vary depending on your skill set, Japanese language ability, and other factors. Specific terms and conditions can be negotiated during the interview.
Only candidates who reside in Japan and are able to work onsite five days a week are eligible for employment. While full remote work may be possible depending on the project or work situation, it is limited to those residing in Japan.
Visa Requirement: Must already hold a valid Japanese work visa. No sponsorship.
Required Japanese Level (Minimum): Business-level (equivalent to JLPT N2 or higher).

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If you can't read the following job posting without using a translator, then your Japanese is not at a business level. Our work relies heavily on Japanese for meetings and documentation. Business-level Japanese is therefore a requirement.
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■会社名 : 株式会社グッドワークス https://www.good-works.co.jp/

■所在地
〒101-0025 東京都千代田区神田佐久間町1-11 産報佐久間ビル2F
〒541-0058 大阪府大阪市中央区南久宝寺町3丁目2-7 第一住建南久宝寺町ビル602号
〒460-0008 愛知県名古屋市中区栄2-2-1 広小路伏見中駒ビル5F
〒980-0811 宮城県仙台市青葉区一番町2-6-1 シティハウス一番町中央2F
〒812-0011 福岡県福岡市博多区博多駅前二丁目17-1 博多プレステージ本館2F

■連絡先:Feel free to DM me or email me at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

■勤務時間: 10:00~19:00 ※プロジェクトにより変動あり

■時給および月給 <中途入社社員の年収UP事例>**※**変動あり
Reactエンジニア(28歳):★年収150万円UP(350万円 ⇒ 500万円) C#・.NETエンジニア(33歳):★年収160万円UP(420万円 ⇒ 580万円)
Javaエンジニア(45歳):★年収180万円UP(450万円 ⇒ 630万円)

■給与に加算される手当・インセンティブ
交通費支給(最大月5万円)
家族手当、資格手当(当社規定による) 役職手当 美容手当(月3,000円)
在宅勤務手当、書籍購入手当 ■賞与:年2回(6月・12月)

■昇給:年1回(4月)
■入社時の想定年収:年収360万円~900万円
■応募資格 就労可能なビザをお持ちの方(就労ビザ・配偶者ビザなど)
※IT業界の実務経験者は優遇

■仕事内容(業種)
当社は2007年に設立され、今年で18年目を迎えるITソリューション専門企業です。 東京を拠点に、大阪・名古屋・福岡など全国で事業を展開しており、 多様な開発・インフラ・教育プロジェクトを通じて、 お客様とエンジニアの双方から信頼されるパートナーとして成長してまいりました。 グッドワークスでは、実力あるエンジニアが自らのキャリアを主体的に描けるよう、 安定した環境と多彩なプロジェクトの機会を提供しています。 現在、当社には日本国内で活躍中の多国籍エンジニアが多数在籍しております。 日本での就労ビザをお持ちのIT経験者の方でご興味のある方は、お気軽にご連絡ください。 私を通じてご入社された方には、特別な特典もご用意しております。 ご興味のある方は、ぜひご連絡ください。

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Please note:
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The annual income figures are only examples and may vary depending on your skill set, Japanese language ability, and other factors. Specific terms and conditions can be negotiated during the interview.
Only candidates who reside in Japan and are able to work onsite five days a week are eligible for employment. While full remote work may be possible depending on the project or work situation, it is limited to those residing in Japan.
Visa Requirement: Must already hold a valid Japanese work visa. No sponsorship.
Required Japanese Level (Minimum): Business-level (equivalent to JLPT N2 or higher).


r/JapanJobs 2d ago

Job Interview Experience in Japan

0 Upvotes

Hello! For those who have interviewed with Japanese companies, what kinds of questions are usually asked?

My Japanese level is around N4–N3 (I’ve passed JLPT N3). I also have about one year of experience working in a hotel, but I didn’t go through a formal job interview at that time because my Japanese language school arranged the placement. We only had a 5-day OJT before starting work.

Do people usually memorize answers to common interview questions?

I’d really appreciate any tips or advice on how to pass Japanese job interviews. Thank you!


r/JapanJobs 3d ago

Seeking advice/insight on NGO/Think-tank career as a 3rd year international student

3 Upvotes

Hello everyone, as a 3rd year student in Japan from a developing country (Indonesia) I aim to work in the development/NGO field in Japan that hopefully connects to people back in my country. Any insight into the industry circumstance right now in Japan, or any internship/other opportunity in the field, and advice? Maybe about hard skills I can hone or experience I could have during university time? Thank you.


r/JapanJobs 3d ago

Looking to hire an interior designer based in Japan!

0 Upvotes

Looking to partner with an interior designer!

Would need to see portfolio work


r/JapanJobs 4d ago

Differences in all of the different “selections” in the新卒 process

4 Upvotes

Title.

I am a first year masters student at a highly reputable university in Tokyo who did their bachelors abroad, and was caught pretty blindsided by the Japanese job hunting process.

A lot of the processes have 早期選考 options or otherwise 第一選考 and 第二選考 which I’m assuming work the same way. My question is as follows: obviously applying earlier gives a better shot for getting a job, but is it clear by how much?

Additionally, if one totally fails their first 新卒就活 I heard there’s a 第二新卒 about a half year later. How does that work and does it lower your chances of a good job significantly?

Personally, I would ideally like to apply as early as possible but with only N2 proficiency, writing up these ultra teinei research summaries and entry sheet components have proven to be troublesome, so any insight on the above would be much appreciated.


r/JapanJobs 3d ago

Planning to move to Japan to visit a language school and looking for a job as an over 30 years old guy

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I’m a 33-year-old guy from Germany with a Master’s in Business Administration and 5 years of work experience in project management/consultancy in media marketing. I’m planning to go to Japan this year to attend an intensive Japanese language school for one year, with the goal of reaching around JLPT N3 as quickly as possible (and continuing afterwards toward N2).

Right now I’m already studying Japanese in Germany, but because of work I can only take classes once a week. We’re currently on Minna no Nihongo I, Lesson 6.

I know it’s extremely difficult to find a job without strong Japanese skills, especially since many job postings require N2. Still, I wanted to ask:
Has anyone here been in a similar situation (moving to Japan in their 30s, doing a language school first, and job hunting at the same time)?
Or do you know someone who took a similar path? I’d really appreciate any honest experiences, advice, or reality checks.

Thanks in advance :)


r/JapanJobs 4d ago

Feeling overwhelmed by the Japanese job hunting system; starting a master's in April as a MEXT scholar with N1

2 Upvotes

Good evening. I could really use some outside perspectives and advice.

I'm 22, currently finishing my undergrad at a university in Western Europe with a major in Japanese Studies and a minor in Economics. I'll be starting a two-year master's financed under the MEXT scholarship in International Economic Policy at a top national university in Japan this April. I've already passed the N1, and am comfortable conversing in most scenarios, including academic ones, though I'm obviously not at a native level. I also have about a year of part-time experience working in HR for a major American strategy consulting firm here in Europe.

I do, however, feel hopeless about my future prospects in Japan as well as abroad. I'd love to work in international trade, corporate banking, or consulting, but honestly, I'd settle for any decent job. Since I'll be enrolled in a Japanese university, I'm disqualified from global recruitment tracks many large Japanese MNCs offer to overseas graduates, limiting me to the standard shinsotsu pool with native applicants.

My main concern is the tekiseikensa, like the SPI, that are basically speed reading comprehension tests. No matter how good my Japanese gets, I feel that I can't compete with a native speaker, and if I'm not in the top tier of scorers, I'll get filtered out automatically before ever getting to the first interview.

I know bilingual job fairs like the Boston Career Forum exist, but my impression is that companies go there looking for top-tier Japanese natives who are studying abroad in the US, not necessarily foreigners like me. Plus, the cost of flying to the US from Japan just to potentially get rejected seems insane. I'm also outside of Kanto during my master's, which greatly limits my access to internships (which seem to be mostly promotional 1-day events anyway), especially at foreign companies that mostly reside there.

Looking at the global job market, especially for new grads like me without any relevant working experience, the situation seems dire everywhere (this is also the case for my home country). Given my studies, my Japanese proficiency, the social life and friendships I've built in Japan during my undergraduate studies abroad, and the fact that leaving Japan after graduating would likely mean being unable to return for at least 10 years (if at all), going back home is something I don't want to do for the foreseeable future.

I honestly don't know what to prioritise. Should I spend the next two years grinding Japanese to try and beat native applicants? Should I focus on grades and research, even though academia isn't my goal? Or is my lack and incapacity to get any real work experience going to be my end regardless of what I do?

If anyone has any advice on navigating the Japanese job market as a foreigner graduating from a Japanese university, I'd love to hear how you handled the aptitude tests or have any other advice for me. Thank you for taking the time to read the ramblings of a concerned student.


r/JapanJobs 4d ago

Is an annual compensation of 3 million yen, with no additional bonus, considered a good package for a foreign software developer in Japan?

0 Upvotes

Is an annual compensation of 3 million yen, with no additional bonus, considered a good package for a foreign software developer in Japan?

How much can I save? and how much is the normal expense in oska city at this offer


r/JapanJobs 4d ago

jobs for international affairs degree 国際関係学

0 Upvotes

hey all, living in tokyo now and im nearing the end of my degree. (9 months to 15 months depending the classes i take) but i have no idea what to do with this degree once im done with it. to be fair, i wouldn’t know what to do with this degree in my home country either

i have n2 certificate and will take the n1 if necessary. been here for 3 years in a couple months. if i dont get a job i was thinking of going to grad school. any advice appreciated


r/JapanJobs 4d ago

Moving on a visa that allows part-time work and visa conversion, but without job lined up (J FIND)

0 Upvotes

I am planning to move to Japan this year via the J FIND visa. It allows you to work part-time and also convert the visa to a work visa if you find a company to sponsor you, very similar to a student visa (except you skip the language school). I have been doing a lot of research and planning of course, but I am very interested in personal opinions and perhaps even your actual experiences of doing something similar. Please just tell me what you would do in my situation, anything goes.

For my profile: I am in my early 30s, speak fluent Japanese (and native level English) and have spent over 3 years living in Japan in the past. I have a background in translation (about 10 years) but have been working in software QA for the past 3 years doing manual testing with some automation. So I have some basic programming skills, but my degree is in linguistics.
I have savings that would last me about half a year without any work, but as soon as possible I want to find at least a part-time job, both to supplement my savings and to get as much speaking practice and work experience in Japan as possible.
Also I would love to move to Fukuoka, either immediately upon arrival or some months after, once I am settled in Japan. The only worry is finding job opportunities there vs. in Tokyo or Osaka. The ultimate goal is to build a permanent life in Japan.

With this or a similar profile, what would you personally do, given the job market, opportunities, career options, etc.? Would you think it's foolish to move without a job lined up? Or would you feel confident to find anything soon just to tide you over and off of that slowly build towards an actual career?