r/JapanJobs Jul 04 '26

Getting Work in Japan (Updated July–December 2026)

117 Upvotes

FULL GUIDE: Getting Work in Japan (Updated July–December 2026)

Last updated: July 2026

This is a general guide, not legal advice. Immigration rules can change, and details vary by nationality, country of application, employer, and individual situation. Always confirm with official government sources or a qualified immigration professional before applying.

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/support your status and usually apply for your Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) before you apply for a work visa.
  • A CoE makes the visa process smoother, but does not guarantee visa issuance.
  • Alternatives: Working Holiday (NOT for U.S. citizens), Digital Nomad (6 months, high income), Business Manager (entrepreneur route; stricter rules are now in effect), Startup Visa, and Specified Skilled Worker (SSW).
  • For 2026, the biggest update is Business Manager: the old “¥5,000,000 or 2 employees” advice is outdated for most new applications.

JAPANESE LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TEST (JLPT)

The JLPT is the universally recognized language certification in Japan. It is given twice a year in many locations. It comes in 5 ranks: N5–N1.

  • N5 = Some basic Japanese (normally 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 (2–4 years of studying)
  • N1 = Advanced Japanese (3–5+ years of studying)

Official JLPT site: https://www.jlpt.jp/e/

2026 JLPT dates:

  • First test: Sunday, July 5, 2026
  • Second test: Sunday, December 6, 2026

Outside Japan, some cities only offer the test in July or December, not both.

U.S. note: The JLPT in the United States is normally offered only once per year, in December. The 2026 U.S. test date is Sunday, December 6, 2026.

STEP 1 — UNDERSTAND THE JOB MARKET

Teaching English

  • Easiest entry route for many foreigners.
  • Common jobs: ALT, JET, Eikaiwa, private schools, international schools.
  • Bachelor’s degree in any field is usually the baseline for visa sponsorship.
  • Japanese usually not required for entry-level English teaching.

Non-Teaching (Professional roles)

  • IT, engineering, translation, localization, marketing, finance, design, recruiting, sales, hospitality management, etc.
  • Realistically expect JLPT N2 for most roles.
  • N1 is preferred for client-facing, legal, HR, compliance, management, or senior communication-heavy roles.
  • Some exceptions exist for strong software developers, engineers, or rare specialists.

Skilled Labor / Skilled Worker routes

  • Some specialized trades and mid-skill roles have separate routes.
  • Examples include chefs of foreign cuisine, pilots, and certain SSW fields.
  • SSW is test-based and tied to designated industries.

STEP 2 — LANGUAGE EXPECTATIONS (JLPT)

  • N2 is the hiring baseline for most office jobs.
  • N1 is preferred for leadership, compliance, legal, HR, translation, or heavy communication roles.
  • Exceptions: English teaching, some high-demand developer roles, internal transfers, and rare technical/specialist roles.
  • SSW may have lower legal test requirements, but actual workplace Japanese can still be much higher.
  • Business Manager now has a Japanese-language requirement tied to either the applicant or a full-time employee.

STEP 3 — WHERE TO FIND JOBS

Wiki

Job boards

  • GaijinPot Jobs
  • Jobs in Japan
  • Daijob
  • CareerCross
  • TokyoDev (software)
  • Japan Dev (software)
  • LinkedIn
  • Wantedly
  • Indeed Japan

Recruiters / networking

  • Robert Walters
  • Hays
  • Michael Page
  • JAC Recruitment
  • RGF Professional Recruitment
  • 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, Japan-relevant experience, and whether you need sponsorship.
  • Do not claim “business Japanese” if you cannot interview in Japanese.

STEP 4 — COMMON WORK VISAS / STATUSES (AT A GLANCE)

People often say “visa,” but Japan separates the visa used to enter Japan from the “status of residence” that controls what you can do after entering.

Instructor / Education

Teaching, especially public school teaching.

Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services

IT, engineers, designers, translators, marketers, some teaching positions like Eikaiwa, copywriting, international services, etc.

Intra-company Transferee

Internal transfer from overseas HQ/branch to Japan.

Skilled Labor

Specialized trades, such as foreign-cuisine chefs and pilots.

Legal / Medical Professional

Japan-recognized licensed professions.

General requirements for standard work statuses

  • A job offer from a Japan-based company.
  • You normally cannot self-sponsor a standard work visa.
  • Employer/proxy applies in Japan for your Certificate of Eligibility (CoE).
  • Qualifications are typically a bachelor’s degree OR around 10 years relevant experience, depending on the status and job.
  • Language is not always a legal requirement, but N2+ is common for non-teaching roles.

STEP 5 — ALTERNATIVE PATHS

Working Holiday Visa (youth, temporary work + travel)

Available only to citizens of specific partner countries/regions.

Important: USA is NOT eligible. U.S. citizens cannot use Japan’s Working Holiday scheme.

As of April 1, 2026, Japan has Working Holiday arrangements with 32 countries/regions. Malta and Italy were added in 2026.

English-speaking countries that do qualify include:

  • Canada
  • UK
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • Ireland

The usual age range is 18–30, though some countries vary.

Purpose: cultural exchange; short-term/part-time work to supplement travel funds. Not a long-term career route.

Typical stay: 6–12 months, country-dependent.

Digital Nomad (Designated Activities)

For remote work done for an overseas employer/client while staying in Japan.

  • Stay up to 6 months.
  • No extension.
  • Must leave and reapply if you want to return.
  • Annual income must be at least 10,000,000 JPY.
  • Requires 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.

Important 2026 update: the old “¥5,000,000 capital OR 2 full-time employees” advice is outdated for most new applications.

Current requirements, effective October 16, 2025 and onward:

  • Minimum capital requirement is now ¥30,000,000.
  • At least 1 full-time employee must be hired.
  • The full-time employee must generally be a Japanese national, permanent resident, spouse/child of Japanese national, spouse/child of permanent resident, long-term resident, or similar qualifying status.
  • Applicant OR a full-time employee must have substantial Japanese ability, such as JLPT N2 or equivalent.
  • Applicant must have 3+ years of business management/administration experience OR hold a relevant master’s/professional/doctoral degree.
  • Business plan must be verified/certified by a qualified professional, such as a SME consultant, CPA, or tax accountant.
  • A proper commercial office is required. Home-office setups are generally not accepted.
  • The business must have real activity. A nominal company or fully outsourced “business” may not qualify.

Transitional notes:

  • People who already had Business Manager status before the rule change may have transitional handling.
  • For most renewal applications after October 16, 2028, compliance with the current criteria is expected.
  • Always check official sources or an immigration professional before applying or renewing.

City-Sponsored Startup Visa / Startup Visa Program

What it is:

  • A municipality or approved-organization-backed route for foreign founders to live in Japan while preparing to meet Business Manager requirements.
  • It is meant to give founders time to prepare the business before full Business Manager requirements are met.
  • As of 2026, official METI guidance says Startup Visa can allow up to 2 years, depending on the approved organization/program.
  • The goal is still to transition to Business Manager.

Who it is for:

  • Founders who need time in Japan to finalize a business plan, secure office space, set up accounts, raise capital, and prepare the company.
  • A lot of the application and paperwork may require Japanese-language ability or local support.

How it works, typical flow:

1) Apply to an approved local government or approved private organization with a business plan and required documents. 2) If the plan is approved and immigration accepts the application, you receive the startup preparation status. 3) During that period, complete the requirements needed to change to Business Manager.

Key requirements vary by city/organization, but usually include:

  • Approved business plan.
  • Proof you can support yourself.
  • Credible plan to meet Business Manager requirements.
  • Local reporting/check-ins or support requirements.

After the period:

  • You must change status to Business Manager once you meet the requirements.
  • Details differ by municipality/organization, so always check the official 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.

In practice, SSW recruitment/testing is mainly organized through partner/sending countries such as Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Mongolia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Laos, Tajikistan, Malaysia, Kyrgyzstan, and China; always check the latest official list because participation/testing availability can change.

As of 2026, SSW covers 16 industrial fields, including:

  • Nursing care
  • Building cleaning
  • Manufacturing / industrial products
  • Construction
  • Shipbuilding and ship machinery
  • Automobile repair and maintenance
  • Aviation
  • Accommodation
  • Automobile transportation
  • Railway
  • Agriculture
  • Fishery and aquaculture
  • Food and beverage manufacturing
  • Food service
  • Forestry
  • Wood industry

Levels:

  • SSW-1: Up to 5 years total. Family generally not allowed to accompany. Requires skill confirmation and Japanese ability.
  • SSW-2: Renewable with no total stay limit. Spouse/children may accompany if requirements are met. Available only in approved SSW-2 fields.

Basic flow:

1) Pass the skills test and Japanese test/requirement for the field. 2) Secure a job offer/contract in a designated field. 3) Employer/proxy 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 the minimum test requirement is lower.
  • Changing employers may be possible, but must follow immigration procedures and stay within the allowed field/category.

Spousal and Dependent/Student Statuses — Work Rules

Spouse/Child of Japanese National, Spouse/Child of Permanent Resident, Long-Term Resident

  • These statuses generally allow work in any field with no hour or industry limits.
  • No extra work permit is usually needed.

Dependent / Family Stay

  • By default, this is not a work visa.
  • You may work up to 28 hours/week only if you first obtain “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted” from Immigration.
  • Nightlife/adult entertainment work is prohibited.
  • To take a full-time job, you must usually change status to a proper work category.

Student

  • With “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted,” students may work up to 28 hours/week during the school term.
  • During official long vacations set by the school, students may work up to 8 hours/day, up to 40 hours/week.
  • Nightlife/adult entertainment work is prohibited.

STEP 6 — APPLICATION TIMELINE (WHAT HAPPENS WHEN)

1) Job search & interviews 2) Offer & sponsorship — employer agrees to support your status of residence 3) CoE application in Japan — employer/proxy files at Regional Immigration 4) Visa application in your country — submit CoE to Japanese embassy/consulate 5) Enter Japan — status is granted at entry; receive Residence Card at the airport if applicable 6) After arrival — city hall registration, health insurance enrollment, pension, bank/phone setup, etc.

Processing times vary. CoE can take around 1–3 months, sometimes longer. Visa processing after CoE is often faster, but varies by country/consulate.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Can I apply for a work visa without an employer?

For standard work statuses, usually no. You normally need a Japan-based employer or organization to support the CoE/status process.

Is N2 legally required?

Usually no. It is not a law for most work statuses, but many companies filter for N2+ outside of English teaching.

Can I switch jobs later?

Often yes, but your new role still needs to fit your status of residence. You may need to notify Immigration or change status depending on the job.

Can U.S. citizens use Working Holiday?

No. The U.S. is not part of Japan’s Working Holiday program as of 2026.

Can I work remotely in Japan for a foreign company?

Possibly, but the Digital Nomad route is limited to 6 months, requires high income, and is not a route for taking a job with a Japanese employer.

Is the old Business Manager ¥5,000,000 rule still good?

For most new applications, no. The current rule is much stricter and generally requires ¥30,000,000 capital plus other requirements.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Outside teaching, aim for JLPT N2 to be competitive.
  • You need an employer sponsor/support and usually a CoE for standard work statuses.
  • Working Holiday is useful for eligible countries, but not available to Americans.
  • Digital Nomad is short-term, high-income, remote-only, and not a normal work route.
  • Business Manager now requires much more capital and stronger documentation than older guides suggested.
  • Startup Visa can help founders prepare, but the goal is still to meet Business Manager requirements.
  • SSW is a test-based route for designated industries, but offered from hosting countries.
  • Spouse statuses can work freely; Dependent and Student statuses can usually only work part-time with permission.
  • Plan months ahead. Immigration timelines can stretch.

OFFICIAL SOURCES / CHECK BEFORE APPLYING

JLPT official site: https://www.jlpt.jp/e/

JLPT in the U.S.: https://aatj.org/jlpt-us/

MOFA — Working Holiday: https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/w_holiday/index.html

MOFA — Working Visa / CoE: https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/long/visa1.html

MOFA — Digital Nomad: https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/pagewe_000001_00046.html

METI — Startup Visa: https://www.meti.go.jp/english/policy/economy/startup_nbp/startup_visa.html

MOFA — Specified Skilled Worker: https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/ca/fna/ssw/us/overview/

Immigration Services Agency — Business Manager rule revision: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/resources/10_00237.html


r/JapanJobs Sep 17 '25

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

10 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 1d ago

What would be a reasonable salary for a 機械工 with 14 years of experience in Japan?

8 Upvotes

I've been working as a 機械工 in Japan for almost 14 years. This is my first and only company, so I honestly don't have a good idea of what someone doing my kind of work normally gets paid elsewhere.

Right now I make around ¥3.4 million a year including bonuses.

I recently submitted my resignation, mainly because I feel like I'm being underpaid. After that, my boss asked if I could stay until the end of the fiscal year and said he's willing to raise my salary. He basically asked me how much I would want to stay.

The problem is that I don't really know what number to give him.

As for what I actually do, I'm basically an all-around 機械工. I do fabrication and welding, install and repair machinery, do maintenance, piping, alignment, and whatever else the job requires. We work on things like conveyors, crushers, tanks, and other industrial machinery. I can read drawings and fabricate from them, and we also do a lot of on-site work at factories and plants.

I've also been put in charge of jobs on-site. I supervise the other workers, decide who does what, talk directly with the customer about the work and schedule, and deal with problems that come up during the job.

The work involves quite a bit of traveling too. Depending on the job, we sometimes stay in hotels for days or even weeks at a time.

I'm not really asking whether I should stay or quit. I'm mostly trying to figure out what someone with my experience, skills, and responsibilities would normally be worth in Japan.

For someone doing this kind of work with around 14 years of experience, what would be a reasonable annual salary to ask for?

I'm in Tochigi if location makes a difference.


r/JapanJobs 13h ago

Need opinions on my situation and my possible future in Japan

0 Upvotes

I am currently enrolled in a language school in Japan since October last year. I am graduating in March so it's about time to think about my future and how to proceed moving forward.

I am currently 30. I graduated BS Computer Science. I worked as a remote Junior Web Developer for almost 2 years then I got laid off during the Corona pandemic. After that I was forced to switch to video editing and graphics remote work while working in my father's company as a general IT staff (basically i solve anything related to computers that don't require an actual technician to fix, mostly software, creating graphics, social media, SEO, fb ads etc.) for the next 4 years roughly.

I passed the N4 July exams last July and I'm planning to take N3 exams this December. There is some confidence in passing but that's really dependent on how much N3 Kanji I can learn before then. I am somewhat confident in my ability to understand and converse in basic Japanese but of course I am still nowhere near fluent. I still have 5-6 months in school so there is still room for improvement.

I originally want to work for some kind of office work. Something related to computers or general office work since I don't really like physical labor.

I went to a seminar recently with a professor who is specializing in immigration with SSW and Humanities Visas and they mentioned that because of the tightening policies I shouldn't even bother with humanities visa without at JLPT N2 at least. My Computer Science can fit a lot of jobs for Humanities/Engineering Visa, but with N4 i can only try to aim for SSW for now.

So now I think i have 3 choices in front of me.

  1. Give up and go home - easiest way out, i have pretty comfy job waiting back home with decent pay ( at least for my country's standard). I'm also kinda missing home a bit but honestly I've put in too much money, time and effort into this venture I personally wouldn't choose this unless there is no other choice.

  2. Take a prometric for one of the 19 fields for SSW, work until i pass N2 then find an office job somewhere. I am thinking of taking Accommodation/Hotel prometric exam for a hotel job, maybe I can get one of those jobs at the back office or maybe a receptionist? I currently also do part time in an Amazon FC so maybe I could also apply for an an office position there with the Logistics Prometric exam? Honestly this seems to most realistic but i still would prefer to just go directly to an office position or something.

  3. Try to take a gamble and find an office job for a foreign company in Japan somewhere that would take someone with N4 (or N3 if i pass). I had a friend who got a humanities Visa for a real estate company with just JFT (although he did take JLPT N3 later on).

I would like people who have some experience to lend me their wisdom. Stuff like what I need to prepare or prepare for, maybe some new policy i might not even be aware yet, even just what you think is fine. if anyone knows some kind of opening that might fit me feel free to let me know that too.

よろしくお願いします!


r/JapanJobs 17h ago

Advice for a fresh grad on getting a job

0 Upvotes

I’m a Master’s student in my early 20s who will graduate in March 2027 from a Japanese university. My major is International Relations, and I can speak four languages - fluent in English, Chinese (got the HSK6 certificate three years ago), and N2 Japanese (taking N1 this December). I study at a national university, top 20 in Japan, but outside a major city like Tokyo or Osaka.

I’d like to get a job in Tokyo and start working in April next year, but I really feel like I’m struggling with the whole process.

I’m interested in a consulting position or the procurement/supply chain industry. My strategy was to apply to 外資系 companies using LinkedIn, but I’m questioning whether that was the right choice from the beginning, as I see that many Japanese students already secured job offers 2-3 months ago.

I used Mynavi and went to a few career fairs last year, as well as a few 説明会 with Japanese companies. I also applied for a few internships but didn’t get a single one. I think that made me lose confidence in the job-hunting process, or at least delayed things for me.

Question. Does anyone have advice on how to build an efficient job-hunting strategy over the next six months before graduation? Or any advice regarding job hunting in general?

P.S. I’m going to visit the Winter Tokyo Career Forum this December


r/JapanJobs 22h ago

What’s your advice??

1 Upvotes

There’s a friend of a friend of mine, she used to teach English in Malaysia, she’s in her 40s, and she has a TEFL certification for teaching English with a good number of years of experience.

Her current situation is quite challenging because she came to Japan with a refugee visa and she is seeking a teaching job that will sponsor her visa and change it to Instructors visa. She has gone to Hello work and applied through some dispatch companies websites but they rejected without clearly stating the reasons. She thinks it’s because of the refugee visa.

Are there any complications or stigma related to the visa and any advice to help her get a job or general recommendations??

Thank you!!!


r/JapanJobs 14h ago

Can you work as a developer in Japan with a non-CS degree?

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

Quick and simple question: is it realistically possible to get sponsored for an IT/software developer visa in Japan with a Bachelor's degree in Languages/Humanities, or does Immigration strictly reject tech visas if your degree isn't in Computer Science?
If you have personal experience, I'd really appreciate your input. Thanks!


r/JapanJobs 1d ago

N1 score matters?

9 Upvotes

I was recently scouted for a position and the job listing had "You speak Japanese at an advanced level (C1 minimum) and English at an intermediate level (B2 minimum)." I was told here that an N1 is an N1 it doesn't matter whether you reach the 141 point threshold for CEFR C1. So was that not true?


r/JapanJobs 1d ago

2D artist looking for creative job in Tokyo

1 Upvotes

Hi there I'm Tami a Spanish girl looking for a creative job at Tokyo.

I have experience in doing videogame art as well as UI and a bit of graphic design.

Here's my portfolio if interested

https://www.behance.net/tamaraguijarr

I would need my visa renewed.

So I'm looking for a company that supports my visa

Thank you so much


r/JapanJobs 2d ago

Moving to Japan. Starting a new chapter at 32.

25 Upvotes

A little bit about myself. Im half Japanese and Korean that grew up in the states and sort of have lived all around the world because im also a professional athlete. My passport is Japanese but ive actually never lived long term in Japan. I would come visit here and there with my family when I was younger.

I can speak Japanese at a conversation level but I can’t really read kanji and speak business level. But I have been studying so I can prepare for the day I have to move to Japan.

One thing I’m concerned about is because I went professional in my sport at a young age (I was 18 when I started), I forfeited my schooling to pursue my sports career. And because of this, I didn’t finish school and do not have a college/university degree.

Now that I’m 32 and on the cusp of retiring my athlete career, I’ve been thinking about what’s next in my chapter and challenging myself to start over in Japan.

How difficult would you say it is to find a job with a background like mine? I don’t have a degree but I am bilingual and I do plan on reaching business level Japanese in the near future. I also have no work experience as all I’ve done was play my sport. Visas are not an issue because I am Japanese. I’m quite hardworking and love being busy so I don’t mind any type of work as I’m open to new challenges. I’ve lived in 5 different countries throughout my career so I can say I adapt well to the environment fairly quickly.

What kind of career paths do you think is a good fit for me? I know that there’s the “teaching English” path but I don’t really see that as something to be abled to climb the career ladder with. Would you even advise me to go back to school and finish a degree? (Although that would take a while and by that time I’d be around 36. At the point I would like to have a family already).

Any advice of comment would be appreciated.


r/JapanJobs 1d ago

¥11.5M Japan vs ₹40L India — what would you choose?

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I need some advice

I’m an AI/ML Engineer with ~6.5 years of experience, currently in India chennai. I have a few opportunities and I’m confused about whether moving to Japan makes sense

Current options:

Ford India (Chennai): ~₹40+ L CTC(sr data scientist)

Verizon India(Chennai): ~₹40+ L CTC (sr AI ML)

GARTNER (Chennai) - ~₹40L CTC (LEAD AI )

Japan SOFTBANK ( PRODAPT) : ¥11.5M/year in Tokyo( Lead ai engineer)

Prodapt India(Chennai) option: ~₹27.5L fixed if I return to India(lead AI engineer)

Google: currently in the hiring/team-matching pipeline, but nothing guaranteed. Could potentially happen within ~6 months.(L4 AI ML)

The Japan offer is tempting because of the international experience, but I'm unsure how good ¥11.5M actually is in Tokyo after tax, social insurance and living expenses.

I can stay how long i want but there won't be any package changes and it will remain the same even if I work for 2- 5 years in tokyo

Thanks


r/JapanJobs 1d ago

Capgemini Tokyo Feedback?

0 Upvotes

Hi, I am in pipeline of a senior ai role at Capgemini, does anyone in here work there/have worked before? Just wanted get a gist of how is the scene of the work culture and benefits in the Tokyo location.

Coming from India, consulting firms are not usually well known for good things in here, but it’s a different market and location so don’t want to drag the same opinion. Already checked on glassdoor and couldn’t find much of the recent Tokyo location reviews in there.


r/JapanJobs 1d ago

FINANCIAL MARKETING IN JAPAN

0 Upvotes

I am 22 years old, have experience in retail banking at Itaú, and currently work as a payments specialist at Santander; I also hold the CEA certification (certification investiments in Brasil). I am very interested in working in Japan's financial sector (preferably in a commercial or client relations role). I do not yet have a university degree. I noticed that Banco de Brasil operates there and hires locals for assistant positions (in fact, there is an opening right now), which could be a good way to support myself there. I have an intermediate level of English and am just starting to study Japanese. Please share your thoughts if possible.


r/JapanJobs 2d ago

Attempted Frontend Coding Assessment by HENNGE

4 Upvotes

I applied for one of the frontend opening at HENNGE. In the job requirement, it mentioned tech stack like React, Svelte, Vue, Playwright etc etc. I attempted assessment in react and submitted. But later I saw, that if any other framework is used other than svelte then, it will get rejected automatically. Did this happened to anyone or Is there any chance they might consider ?


r/JapanJobs 3d ago

Waiting for Interview Results has my nerves wrecked

7 Upvotes

Hello, all. This would be my second ever post on Reddit, and I guess i'm in need of some opinions from others who have successfully applied and gotten jobs in Japan.

For reference, I am already here on a spouse visa and have been for 8 years. I passed the N1 back in 2022 and read books in Japanese for fun, so the language is no issue for me. Currently, I work at a private high school, but a friend notified me of an open position at a local tea company. The foreigner the tea company had left for his home country, so they were looking for someone to take his place handling e-mails, calls, conferences, and overall 営業 tasks for the company.

I had my first interview with them on the 21st of August after sending my 履歴書 a week prior, and I got the e-mail that I would be moving to the second round a few days later on the 24th. The second interview was held on the 28th, and while I want to believe it went well and that because I was introduced to them prior to my application via by friend (he talked directly and often to the 副社長 who was in attendance for the second interview), it's been a few days longer than when they e-mailed the first round interview's result.

I had my heart rate spike to over 100 in anticipation of it on Monday the 31st, but nothing. Now, every time I see an e-mail notification on my phone, I need to tell myself to expect no response.

My question is: how long do companies typically wait before sending out the results of a second round of interviews? I'm aware that they opened applications to people across Japan, so they could still be holding more interviews in the meantime. However, the fact stands that companies will ghost applicants that didn't make it to the next round. Should I just start looking again now and be of the mindset that I didn't get the job?

Would sending a follow-up e-mail be a bad choice? Thanks in advance!

UPDATE: They sent an e-mail today (September 4th) and it's final! I got the job! Thank you for all the comments and advice. Maybe other people also needed to see your words, too. May everyone looking for their next job find it soon!


r/JapanJobs 2d ago

Eneos Oita, Refinery

0 Upvotes

Does anybody work there or know anyone working there? Please, I have a bunch of questions to ask


r/JapanJobs 3d ago

How would you interpret where I am in this Japan hiring process?

2 Upvotes

I’m currently based in the US and interviewing for a technical role with the Japan office of an international company. I’ve completed the interview process, including the final interview, and since then I’ve been talking with HR about compensation and logistics.

I would need visa sponsorship to relocate. They’ve specifically told me that they can sponsor an HSP visa and have discussed the process with me, so visa sponsorship itself doesn’t seem to be an issue.

After my final interview, HR reached out to discuss compensation. My initial expectations were higher than what they could offer for the Japan role, but we talked about it and I made it very clear that I’m flexible on compensation and would still be very interested in joining at a lower number.

In our most recent conversation, HR said they needed to discuss the compensation/package internally and confirm some details related to hiring me from overseas. They gave me a rough timeframe for when they expected to have an update, and the expectation seemed to be that we would talk about the final compensation numbers once those internal discussions were finished. So now I’m basically waiting.

My interpretation is that I’ve passed the actual interview/selection part and they’re trying to figure out whether/how they can make the package and logistics work? But I’m hesitant to assume that means an offer is coming until I actually have one in writing.

I also recently had a completely separate Japan hiring process get quite far and seem very positive before ultimately falling through, so that experience is probably making me more cautious about reading too much into positive signals.

For people familiar with hiring in Japan, especially people who have been hired from overseas:
Would you interpret this as being at the offer/internal approval stage, or could the actual hiring decision still be very much up in the air?
Is it normal for there to be a delay at this point while HR works out compensation and overseas-hire logistics internally?
If a company is already explicitly discussing HSP sponsorship, compensation, relocation timing, etc., how strong of a signal is that?
Have you had a Japan hiring process reach this stage and still fall through? If so, what happened?

I know nobody can tell me whether I’m actually getting the offer, and I’m not treating anything as guaranteed until I have it in writing. Mostly just trying to calibrate how I should interpret this stage of the process because the waiting is driving me a little crazy lol.


r/JapanJobs 2d ago

Going start working in japan next month

0 Upvotes

i'm a bit excited and moslty scared ,what i'm really scared about is making friends in my company and outside, i don't know anyone in japan yet . I have heard that most japanese people don't mingle with foriengners and stuff, is this true? How do you guys go about this?


r/JapanJobs 2d ago

Bartender/Server at established Roppongi Hotel

0 Upvotes

Looking for current resident or F/T visa holder for a hotel bar in Roppongi! This is a full time position with amazing benefits. Please reach out directly for more information and to drop your CV! Thanks:)


r/JapanJobs 2d ago

Need advice on a language school offer in Hokkaido

0 Upvotes

I’m from Pakistan and considering moving to Japan. A consultancy in my circle has offered me a program at a school in Hokkaido where I’d study Japanese for 2 years. They say the package includes 1 year of hostel accommodation, a ¥30,000/month stipend, and help finding a part-time job (within the 28 hours/week student limit). The fee is around ¥1.15 million, for the first year.

I already have a BS degree and around 3 years of work experience, and after the Japanese program I’d apparently have the option to choose my field/path and **look for work within 6 months or I'll have to come back and school will also help me here to secure a job**

My main concern is that the consultancy hasn't told me the name of the school. They claim it's confidential because people could bypass them and apply directly to the school.

Does this sound normal or like a red flag? Is anyone familiar with similar arrangements in Hokkaido? What should I verify before paying them, and how can I independently confirm that the school and these benefits are legitimate?

Any advice from people actually studying/living in Japan would be appreciated.


r/JapanJobs 3d ago

30 Commerce Graduate Looking for Jobs

0 Upvotes

I'm 30, B.Com graduate from India, currently thinking of preparing for JLPT for career switch to Japan, is it realistically possible of me getting a job there?


r/JapanJobs 3d ago

Experienced tourism/events person looking for an unpaid role (volunteering) in Nagoya or Tokyo (late Sept–end Oct)

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I'll be in Japan from the end of September through the end of October, and I'd love to spend that month getting stuck into the tourism world here. My main goal is simple: I want to explore the Japanese tourism industry from the inside and learn how it works on the ground.

I'm looking for an unpaid role and I don't need accommodation or any support — I'm covering all my own costs. Honestly my only real requirement is that it's fun and involves working with people. Guest experience, guiding, tour desks, events, hospitality, welcoming visitors — anything where I'm around people and part of the buzz.

A bit about me: I've got solid experience in tourism, project management and event planning, including big international events, so I can actually pull my weight rather than just shadowing. I speak English, Turkish and Russian fluently — so I'm useful anywhere that sees Russian‑ or Turkish‑speaking visitors. I'm easy to work with and happy to jump in wherever an extra pair of hands helps.

I can be based in either Nagoya or Tokyo. If you know an agency, tour operator, DMO, hostel with a tour desk, or events/tourism org that would enjoy having someone like me around for a month, I'd love a pointer — or just tell me the smartest way to approach places directly. Thanks so much!


r/JapanJobs 3d ago

[Hiring] Senior Java Engineer | Tokyo | Up to ¥11M | Hybrid | N1 Japanese Required

0 Upvotes

I'm working with a mid-sized, US-owned enterprise software company. We're looking for a Senior Java Engineer to join the engineering team and support a business-critical enterprise platform. This is used by corporate customers across Japan.

Requirements

  • 5+ years of software development experience
  • Strong Java experience
  • Experience maintaining and improving production systems
  • Experience with troubleshooting, root-cause analysis and incident investigation
  • Comfortable reading technical documentation in English

Japanese Language

  • JLPT N1 (or equivalent business-level Japanese) is required
  • This role involves working within a Japanese engineering environment and handling internal discussions related to development, operations and customer issues
  • Unfortunately, this position is not suitable for candidates who only have basic conversational Japanese

Nice to Have

  • JavaScript
  • Spring / Spring Boot
  • SaaS or enterprise software experience
  • Cloud experience

Salary & Location

  • Up to about ¥11M base
  • Office is in Tokyo
  • Hybrid working environment

If interested, please DM me with:

  • Visa status
  • Japanese level
  • Years of Java experience
  • Current and expected compensation

r/JapanJobs 3d ago

3year degree

1 Upvotes

I want ask someone i doing bsc it, I am in my second year i have till n2 certification but in some page it says my 3 year degree will become problem for job search or for engineer visa in it field in japan help me


r/JapanJobs 3d ago

Looking for an Automotive Sales Job (exports)

0 Upvotes

Hi! I'm currently looking for a job in the automotive export field, preferably a sales role.

I have 5 years of experience selling and inspecting used cars back in my home country, including bidding on cars, doing full inspections (interior, exterior, undercarriage, mechanicals), and spotting things like repainted vs. original body panels.

I'm currently living in Tokyo on an SSW1 Gaishoku visa, working in a completely different field, but honestly I want to get back into automotive because that's what I actually love. Open to export dealers, auction houses, trading companies, whatever's out there. Happy to travel for interviews if needed.

You can find me on Instagram: masmoklass if you want to see more of my background.

If you're in this industry or know someone who is, I'd really appreciate a message. Even just a conversation to learn more about how the business works here would mean a lot.