r/JapanJobs 18d ago

Getting Work in Japan (Updated July–December 2026)

113 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  • For 2026, the biggest update is Business Manager: the old “¥5,000,000 or 2 employees” advice is outdated for most new applications.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 11h ago

Hiring a Data Centre Engineer in Tokyo (English only, No JPN required)

18 Upvotes

My company is looking for a Data Centre Engineer to join for a role here in Tokyo.

This is a hands on infrastructure role focused on server room operations, hardware installations, cabling, migrations, troubleshooting, and vendor coordination.

The working environment is international and Japanese language ability is not required.

Anyone qualified and interested?


r/JapanJobs 8h ago

Looking for work in Nagasaki

1 Upvotes

Hello. I have recently been accepted into Nagasaki University, so I have been looking for jobs to support me while there, but I haven't had much luck. I already work as an English teacher in my home country, so I figured an eikaiwa would be fine, but for some reason I have been trouble finding jobs. I'm fine with working other places, but does anyone have tips about looking for jobs in Nagasaki in particular?


r/JapanJobs 3h ago

Jobs in Japan

0 Upvotes

Hello, I'm a med grad from the Philippines, (haven't taken licensure exam yet) and now thinking of working in japan. I heard in order to take the licensure exam in japan, i have to retake my med education in japan, so I'm just looking into health-care related Jobs. I think my japanese is in between N3-N2. Do you guys have any suggestion for jobs?


r/JapanJobs 11h ago

Anyone have experience with Remote EOR in Japan?

1 Upvotes

I’m currently going through the onboarding process with Remote (Employer of Record) in Japan and was wondering if anyone here has had experience working through Remote or another EOR provider in Japan.

I already live in Japan and am currently waiting for my employment contract and the next steps for my visa process.

I’d appreciate hearing about your experience, especially:

  • How long did the onboarding process take?
  • Who handled your visa application (you, Remote, or an immigration lawyer)?
  • How was your overall experience working through an EOR in Japan?

Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!


r/JapanJobs 11h ago

Need advice choosing between two job offers in Japan

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some advice from people who have experience working in Japan.

I'm a software engineer from India with about a year of professional experience, and I've received two job offers.

Offer A

  • ¥290,000 gross/month (~¥240,000 take-home)
  • ¥25,000/month housing allowance
  • Flight ticket covered
  • Relocation support
  • Joining around December (COE takes about 4 months)
  • Engineer position through a large global IT staffing company

Offer B

  • ¥225,000 gross/month (~¥190,000 take-home)
  • No housing allowance
  • No flight ticket
  • No relocation support
  • COE expected in 2–3 months
  • Direct software engineer position

Financially, Offer A seems like the obvious choice. The difference in compensation and relocation support is quite significant.

However, the situation is more complicated.

My current employer has a close business relationship with the company that made Offer B. I joined my current company as an unpaid trainee for six months before becoming a full-time engineer. My boss invested a lot of time teaching me, helping me improve both technically and in Japanese. I genuinely wouldn't have reached this point without that experience.

Because of that relationship, I feel guilty about declining Offer B. I'm worried it might put my boss in an awkward position or damage the relationship we've built.

I'm trying to think long-term rather than emotionally.


r/JapanJobs 9h ago

Engineer seeking entry path advice

0 Upvotes

(27M) Hello everyone! I'm from America and have a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering with several years of professional experience. I currently work for a U.S. state government agency, and before that I worked at a civil/structural engineering firm. I've also been studying Japanese off and on for a few years. While I'm continuing to study, I'm still below N2, and from what I've researched my current Japanese level wouldn't qualify me for most traditional engineering positions in Japan.

I've realized my current position in America isn't the right long-term fit for me, and I've also wanted to experience living abroad while I'm at a stage in life where it's realistic to do so and I can afford it financially. I've visited Japan before which reinforced my interest in living and working there, and I'm aware visiting a country and living there are different experiences.

Because of that, earlier this year I started taking steps toward moving to Japan. I currently have an offer with an eikaiwa (AEON) in Nagoya, and my original plan was to use English teaching as a way to enter Japan while continuing to improve my Japanese before hopefully transitioning back into an engineering or other technical role there.

Lately I've started questioning if this is the right entry path for me. I've read many negative experiences from English teachers in Japan, and because I've already started my engineering career I'm concerned that stepping away from it now could make it more difficult to continue progressing toward a technical career in Japan.

I'm not limiting myself to traditional civil engineering. My goal is to build a technical career in Japan, whether that's in civil engineering or another role where my engineering background would still be valuable.

I'm trying to figure out whether given my degree and experience, if teaching English is the right way for me to enter Japan, or if I'd be better off pursuing a different path from the start that better leverages my background.

Since I'm still early enough in the process to change course, I wanted to get advice before committing to this path. I'd really appreciate any advice or different perspectives. Thank you!


r/JapanJobs 14h ago

Transitioning to ESG/Carbon Accounting from Phd in Engineering

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I am currently completing a PhD in Japan focused on carbon-based electrocatalysts and electrochemistry. I expect to graduate in April 2027. I'm planning to take N3 this December

Before starting my PhD, I worked in a sustainability-related role involving corporate GHG inventories, product carbon footprint calculations and industrial energy analysis, although my recent work has been mainly academic research.

I am now considering moving into ESG, carbon accounting, decarbonization consulting or corporate sustainability after graduation.

Has anyone made a similar transition from engineering or scientific research into ESG, sustainability or carbon accounting, especially in Japan? Would love to hear some advice on how to do that here. Any particular skills, related to ESG that I should equip myself with?

I have found a few startups in Tokyo working in carbon credits, ESG and decarbonization, but I would also appreciate recommendations for other startups or companies in Japan that may be suitable for someone with my background.


r/JapanJobs 7h ago

Unique Skillset - Job Ideas in Japan?

0 Upvotes

Hey all! I noticed most jobs in Japan for foreigners seem to be English teaching, IT related, or service industry. However, I have a more unique skill set I want to use in Japan.

In Summary:
- English / French (fluent), Spanish (semi fluent), Japanese (currently between N3 and N2)
- Worked for a MAANG company for 8 years in people management, training, project management, content creation
- Masters Degree in Instructional Design
- Dual citizen America - France for easy travel in global companies

Extra Notes:
- I’ve been in Japan studying Japanese for 15 months, and started with knowing basically nothing, so I know I can identify and correct language gaps quickly
- My goal (negotiable) is to work in a global sector / company in some sort of training or training content creation role.
- Flexible on location and salary, though I prefer hybrid work (negotiable).

Any thoughts on how to find work in my field? What are my odds of finding something like this in Japan?


r/JapanJobs 10h ago

I want to work in Japan

0 Upvotes

Hi, I’m 28 F. Been working in the BPO for 9 years. I tried to apply to some POEA agency but havent heard from them.

I have a NCII in dressmaking and i am willing to learn to any industry. I just want to work in Japan and experience working in other country. Do i have a chance?

🥺


r/JapanJobs 1d ago

Do I still have a chance?

3 Upvotes

Hello all. I am posting here hoping everyone can give me advice if it's still possible to explore a career in Japan since there are limited growth opportunities in my current job.

Age and location: 38, single, SE Asia Education: MEXT graduate for MS degree and some PhD units in 2018

Work Experience: 7 years scientific research with skills/tools on data analysis, technical writing, MS Excel and specialized softwares

Target career/industry: Data-related due to my research experience and online courses on analytics (SQL, Python, Tableau, basic ML/AI)

Japanese level: N3 and currently studying N2 level. Can read N2-level documents but a little slow, and speak fluently (without complex vocabulary)

The issues that I see are my age and location since I'm from overseas. Although I am still working on my business-level Japanese, I believe I am on my way there since I had passed a job interview Japanese company here in my country.

Thank you very much and I appreciate your advice.


r/JapanJobs 18h ago

How is life science career in japan after MSc/PhD?

0 Upvotes

I am a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology undergrad and thinking about doing my pastgrad in top 20 national university and then my starting job in there. Later might move to other countries depending on circumstances and opportunities.

So need a bit of idea on the career of life science students in japan... That'll help me deciding my abroad study course. Thanks in advance..,,


r/JapanJobs 1d ago

Hiring for AML Associate for a US Company (Financial Services)

2 Upvotes

Work in Tokyo but make a global impact. Our organization is looking for an Associate, AML Compliance (Burmese Bilingual) who can support our customers in the region. Feel free to message if you are interested.


r/JapanJobs 1d ago

Can employer prevents me from taking all remaining paid holidays before leaving?

1 Upvotes

Hi, here the context :

I wish to leave the company by end of September.

In my contract, my company asks me to tell them 3 months before I wish to quit. I told them in the middle of July, so end of September is a bit less than 3 months.

Also, I'm getting my new paid holidays on September 12th. I'm getting 12 days.

My company wanted me to work until September 30th and then take all my paid holidays to officially quit on October 19th, but from my research on the net, it seems that it is waaay better to quit at the end of the month than in the middle.

So I told them that I wish to end the contract on September 30th, and take all my remaining days, from 14th to 30th of September (that's 10 days, I lose 2 but whatever)

But, my manager told me that I cannot take my paid holidays as I want (or more precisely, she said "有給は自分勝手に取るものではないは理解していますか?"

I know that if my paid holidays disrupt the business they can ask me to move them, and it sure will disrupt it, but I get my paid holidays on the 12th, so there is no way I can take them at another timing.

Can they prevent me taking it?

Except bad relations with them, do I risk anything?

Would you recommend me to take a lawyer or contact any agency?

Any help would be great because it starts to stress me out, and I feel my company try to take advantage of me being a foreigner (and possibly not knowing the law)


r/JapanJobs 1d ago

How is life science career in japan after MSc/PhD?

0 Upvotes

r/JapanJobs 2d ago

Using paid leave

20 Upvotes

The boss told me am not supposed to take all my paid holidays at the same time. I’ve taken all my holidays at one go for the past 3 years at this company and this is the first time this boss is telling me about how and when am to take my holidays. The boss even had the audacity to ask me why am taking so many days off? Is it even legal to ask me why am taking my paid holidays or when am to take them?


r/JapanJobs 1d ago

[Hiring] Long term intern(s) (3-6 months) with an Engineering background

1 Upvotes

[Hiring] Long term intern(s) (3-6 months) with an Engineering background

Hello everyone!

I am part of the HR Department at a German Third-Party Certification company.

We are currently looking for interns for our laboratory in Yokohama and Osaka.
We are open to students from Electrical/Electronics/Mechanical Engineering background.

Please note that the internship opportunities are ONLY available for full-time students.

Most Japanese Universities in Japan only have semester breaks 2 months at a time, so this opportunity is for overseas students ONLY. (If you're a domestic student, we can talk about summer internships!)

Our internships provide adequate compensation and require no Japanese.
There's also a chance to become permanent after the internship.

The internships available currently:
Yokohama : Wireless/IoT Laboratory
Osaka : Safety Laboratory

If you're interested, please shoot your questions in the comments or DM me!


r/JapanJobs 1d ago

Working full-time (J1) in japan, just got a J2 second offer — worried the pension office will out me to both companies

0 Upvotes

i'm a foreigner in japan on a 5 year engineer visa. i'm currently working full-time at my company (~10m yen), and i just got another full-time offer as an ai consultant (~11m yen) starting in a few months.

both are the same type of work so the visa side is fine. the problem is japan's social insurance system. since both would be full-time, both companies have to enroll me in health insurance and pension, and the pension office sends a notice to both hr departments showing the split. so each company finds out the other one exists. my number links everything so there's no hiding it.

i can set it up so i pay the resident tax for J2 myself, which hides the income amount, but not the existence of the job.

my options seem to be:

a) turn J2 into a contractor gig instead of employee. no dual enrollment, no notices, but i lose employee benefits

b) just ask one of them for written side job permission and hope for the best

c) stay quiet and pray

has anyone actually done two full-time jobs in japan? how did the pension notice situation go for you? and if you went the contractor route, how did you bring it up with the company without sounding shady?

anyone in japan out there, would love to hear how you handled it. thanks


r/JapanJobs 3d ago

Weekly Job Alert (19th July)

20 Upvotes

r/JapanJobs 2d ago

Are there mechanical jobs in Japan?

0 Upvotes

I am planning to settle in Japan after completing my b tech in Mechanical recently, so II just wanted to know are there any jobs available for mechanical


r/JapanJobs 2d ago

Salary range for Paypay japan tokyo backend engineer 5 Yoe

0 Upvotes

Hi guys what is the maximum annual salary i can ask for a backend engineer position in PayPay japan tokyo. I have 5 years of experience and i am from India.

Also what will be realistic salary structure for an software engineer in PayPay the ctc offered will be base pay or will it include variable if yes normally what percentage of variable is actually paid

Does Paypay provide stock/ESOP at this level

Is there any other benifits they provide like transposition reimbursement or accommodation support etc


r/JapanJobs 2d ago

How can I successfully switch to an IT career in Japan and build a professional network and make friends in Japan

0 Upvotes

Hello everyone,

My name is Raza. I am originally from Pakistan, and I currently live in Japan.

I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology in Pakistan. I came to Japan in 2025 as a Japanese language student. Today, I work at a car trading company and hold a valid 3-year work visa.

Before moving to Japan, I believed it would be relatively easy to continue my career in the IT industry. However, after arriving here, I realized that the reality is quite different. Despite improving my skills and visiting many companies in person, I have not yet been able to find an opportunity in the IT sector.

The purpose of this post is to ask for advice and connect with people who have had a similar experience.

  • How can I successfully switch to an IT career in Japan?
  • What is the best way to find IT job opportunities?
  • How can I build a professional network and make friends in Japan?

I believe that skills are important, but having a strong network is equally valuable. Many opportunities come through the people you know, and I want to learn from others who have successfully built their careers here.

If you have any advice, suggestions, or know of any opportunities, I would truly appreciate your guidance. Feel free to leave a comment or send me a message.

Thank you for your support!


r/JapanJobs 3d ago

Currently an ML Engineer - Planning for MBA at ICS/Waseda for Product roles later

0 Upvotes

Hi,

I am currently an AI/ML engineer with 5 years of experience, currently working on speech AI solutions.

GRE - 326

IELTS - 8.5

I am planning to do an MBA in ICS/Waseda (English taught) (2027-2029 batch) and later target product management roles in Japan.

my reason for MBA - to get into Japan and study there for a professional degree. I will actively build up my network within Tokyo. Plus I need some break with my job, an MBA can give some time off from that going back to school.

I won't be working part-time since I will have savings to cover up my living expenses atleast for the 1st year.

I know language is a BIG barrier but if I start now and aim to get N5-N4 done before I join the program next year if I get an admit.

can I do N2 during my MBA? ICS mentions that the program itself is 1yr but the 2nd year is for internships/exchange programs etc.

is it even feasible?

Also, how valuable be my profile to the recruiters ~ startups mainly?

I have hands-on AI/ML experience working on speech AI and building production voice bots and data pipelines.

Will my tech experience be of any value to the recruiters? because whatever opening I see for prodman it says that atleast X years experience is required in product management.

I really need some help and perspective to make a sound decision.


r/JapanJobs 3d ago

Seeking career advice: Transitioning to IT in Japan with N2 and 2+ years of Japanese corporate experience

0 Upvotes

Hello everyone,

​I’m looking for some honest advice/opinions from those who have successfully moved to Japan for work in the IT sector, specifically in recent years.

​A bit about my background:

I’m currently based in my home country but am very keen to move to Japan. I previously lived in Japan for studies, but had to return home for personal reasons. Since returning, I’ve been working for the past 2+ years at a Japanese company, supporting a Japanese engineering team at their HQ with administrative/operational tasks.

​I’ve reached N2 level in Japanese, and I’m currently deep into my CCNA studies with my exam scheduled for next month.

​My main questions:

​Given that I have 0 "hands-on" IT experience (despite my administrative exposure to the engineering team), how much weight will the CCNA actually carry for a junior role?

​Are there specific roles or types of companies (e.g., SIers, dispatch/haken, or foreign firms) that are more open to hiring someone with my specific profile—strong language skills but limited technical experience?

​Should I focus on any additional certifications (like AWS or others) to make my profile more competitive, or should I prioritize getting practical experience in any way I can?

​I’m aware that "IT in Japan" is a broad field, so I’d love to hear about the reality of breaking in from abroad as a non-technical hire. Any advice on how to frame my resume to highlight my experience with Japanese corporate culture would also be greatly appreciated.

​Thank you in advance!