Work In Japan

To work in Japan, a foreigner who is not a permanent resident must first obtain a job offer from a guarantor in Japan and then apply for a work visa at the immigration office, if already in Japan, or at an embassy or consulate, if abroad.

Working visas are valid for one to five years and may be used to find work at any employer within the range of activities specified on the visa, including employers other than the guarantor.
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This blog post is for people who want to work in Japan. In case you need more information, click on the links provided throughout the article. For more detailed information, you need to contact the related authorities.

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Working In Japan

There are about 30 types of work and long-term visas in Japan. Working visas are only granted for jobs that require a high level of professional knowledge or skills.

Foreigners cannot therefore engage in manual or simple labor under a working visa unless they have a visa granted based on family status, such as spouse or child of a Japanese national, long-term resident, etc. There are no work visas available for, for example, construction workers, waiters or waitresses, hairdressers, and so on.

Highly-Skilled Foreign Professionals

The Government of Japan is keen on bringing in 'Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals' in order to stimulate breakthrough innovation in technology and economy. For talented foreign employees with advanced and specialized skills, this is a special visa with additional benefits than the normal work visa.

It should be noted that this is a special visa, still a type of work visa, therefore you cannot apply for it without having a specific job in mind or an offer of employment from a Japanese sponsoring company.

According to a Predetermined Point System created by the Immigration Authorities, points are awarded based on the applicant's academic and professional accomplishments, income, and work history. If an applicant can demonstrate that he or she scores 70 points or more, a special visa status is granted. This visa is valid for five years. Highly Skilled Visa holders can obtain Permanent Resident Visas faster.

In order to increase the understanding of foreign highly skilled professionals on this subject, the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) launched the information portal website 'Open for Professionals'.

Working Holiday Programmes In Japan

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website, the Working Holiday Programmes are, based on bilateral arrangements, intended to make it possible for the youth of Japan and its partner countries/regions to enter each country/region primarily for the purpose of spending holidays while allowing them to engage in employment as an incidental activity of their holidays for the purpose of supplementing their travel funds.

The programmes are designed to provide the youth with wider opportunities for them to appreciate the culture and general way of life in the partner countries/regions for the purpose of promoting mutual understanding between Japan and its partner countries/regions.

Japan started the working holiday programmes first with Australia in 1980. As of 1st April 2020, Japan has introduced the programmes with 26 countries/regions. To participate in the working holiday programmes, an applicant must satisfy several requirements. You can read more details on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Website.

Further information on visa application procedures can be obtained from Embassies or Consulates-General of Japan in your country/region.

Japan Association For Working Holiday Makers, provides help and advice to people visiting Japan on Working Holiday Visas and to Japanese youths planning to travel abroad. They also provide working holiday makers with a job referral service. Another important aspect of their work is to promote awareness of the Working Holiday Scheme in Japan.

Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme

Young university graduates with a bachelor's degree or higher have the opportunity to teach in Japan under the JET Programm. No Japanese skills or formal teaching qualifications are required. 

The program is sponsored by the Japanese government, but the local Board of Education normally employs and assigns you to one or more public schools, often deep in the countryside. A small number of positions for international relations or sports coordinators are also available under the JET program, however these call for some Japanese language proficiency.

Foreigners with postgraduate degrees might be able to find jobs teaching English "or even other courses" at Japanese universities, which offer better income and working conditions than the English Conversation Industry. For the 2022–2023 academic year, the JET Program will accept students from 50 different countries.

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Related Reading:

• Study In Japan
• Japan Travel Info
• Plan Your Next Trip