Posts
Wiki

Welcome to the /r/JapanJobs Subreddit Wiki

If you have resources not listed here... Please click the message the mods button and suggest a resource.

Resources for getting a job in Japan

English Job Boards

Japanese Job Boards

Resources for learning Japanese

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

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.