Foreign job for Asians
Japan
Living, working or studying in Japan?
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Japanese immigration requirementsWhat you need to come to Japan
When coming to Japan to live, work, or study you may need a visa. Depending on the length of your stay, you will also need to register at a municipal office after your arrival.
A visa is a document from a country certifying that you have permission to enter and remain there for a given length of time. Visas also permit or exclude certain activities, for example: working or studying.
Whether or not you need a visa to travel to Japan will depend on where you are from, how long you are staying, and what you will be doing. Thanks to Japan´s Visa Exemption Agreements (which include roughly 60 nations) most tourists need not apply for visas as long as they have a valid passport.
A complete list of current visa-exempt countries and their permitted lengths of stay can be found through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan .
Regardless of whether you are visa exempt, you will be fingerprinted and photographed upon your arrival in Japan.
It is important to know exactly how long you will be staying in Japan before arriving. If you arrive as a tourist without a visa and outstay the exemption period you will have to leave Japan and apply for a visa at a foreign embassy. Otherwise you will be considered an illegal resident.
The Japanese immigration processJapanese immigration officials keep careful track of foreigners and their legal status. You should take care to acquire all necessary permissions and permits. A basic guide to the process is listed below:
1. Visa – You should apply for the appropriate visa prior to your arrival. This can be done at a Japanese consulate or embassy in your home country. Remember to consider your length of stay and whether or not you will be working before you apply for a visa. It is much more difficult to adjust your immigration status once you have arrived in Japan.
2. Alien Registration – If you are staying in Japan longer than 90 days you must go through Alien Registration (gaikokujin toroku). You can do this at a municipal office. Make sure to bring your passport and a recent photograph with you, they will be used for records and your ID card. Afterwards you will receive your Alien Registration Card, which you must carry with you at all times.
After this, you must notify the immigration office whenever you do any of the following:
Visas for Japan
Visa types and application materials
Japan offers many different visas. The best way to avoid spending frustrating hours in government immigration offices is to make sure to apply for the visa that fits your situation best.
For an up-to-date breakdown of who is covered by which visa, check with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan . No matter what visa you require, you will want to prepare certain documents prior to your visa application. These include:
Temporary visitor´s visaIf you are a tourist coming from a visa-exempt nation, you will generally be able to stay in Japan between three and six months without a visa. If your home country does not have a visa exemption agreement with Japan, however, you will need to apply for a temporary visitor´s visa (tani-taizai). By far the easiest visa to apply for and to obtain, tourist visa applications require a valid passport, a visa application form and proof of a return ticket from Japan.
Japanese work visasTo live and work in Japan you will need to apply for a work visa. Work visas are issued for specific fields. If you work as a journalist, for example, you will be issued a journalist visa.
In all, there are 14 types of work visas. To apply, you will want a Certificate of Eligibility from the company or organization that is sponsoring your move to Japan. While it is technically possible to obtain a work visa with alternative documentation (documents supporting your stated reason for living in Japan, proof of financial means of support), for the sake of convenience and your sanity you should make every effort to obtain the Certificate of Eligibility.
Your employer must submit additional forms to the Immigration Bureau, including a registration form (tokibo tohan), profit-loss report (son-ekai keisansho) and general company information. You will have to provide your CV, degree, and employment contract as part of the application process. Work visas may be issued for lengths from two months to several years.
If you wish to stay in Japan longer than your visa permits you must apply for an extension before it expires. If you fail to do so you will have to leave the country and apply for a new visa at a foreign embassy.
Working Holiday visasThe working holiday visa was created to promote cultural exchange among young people. This visa allows a person between 18 and 30 to spend a year living and working part-time in Japan. Likewise, young Japanese are permitted to apply for working holiday visas abroad. You are eligible to apply for a working holiday visa if you are from any of the following countries:
Student visas for JapanIf you are studying in Japan for longer than 90 days, your study abroad program or Japanese university should be able to help you obtain a student visa. However, you must apply for your visa at a Japanese consulate or embassy prior to your departure. Requirements are similar to those of the work visa, with the university taking the place of the employer. Students are not allowed to work in Japan (even part-time) unless they get special permission from local immigration officials.
Cultural activities visasJapan offers cultural activities visas to serve foreigners involved in cultural or academic studies not covered by the student visa. Foreigners studying martial arts in Japan, for instance, are eligible for cultural visas. This visa allows you to remain in Japan longer than a tourist visa (up to a year). In order to obtain a cultural visa you will need to submit proof of your cultural activities in addition to the commonly required items.
Volunteer visasSince 2003 and the introduction of the Volunteer Visa Scheme (a bilateral agreement between the United Kingdom and Japan) it is possible for British citizens to volunteer in Japan for up to one year. Recipients of this visa must work for a registered charitable organization providing public services (The Red Cross, for example) and may not receive any payment for their work. Applications can be submitted at the Japanese consulate in London or Edinburgh. Those travelling on volunteer visas may not bring children or spouses with them.
Gaikokujin toroku
Alien Registration
If you are staying in Japan for longer than 90 days, within the first 90 days of your stay you must register as an alien (foreigner). You can do this at your local municipal office´s Foreign Resident Registration Desk.
The alien registration process is relatively simple. You will need to bring your passport and a passport-size photograph with you and fill out forms declaring your status of residence, your address in Japan and other information such as age and name. If you are spending more than a year in Japan your fingerprints will also be taken. While you should apply in person, a family member is permitted to submit your application in the event that you are unable to do so yourself (due to illness, for example). Applicants under 16 years of age are immediately issued their alien registration cards (gaijin cards), while older applicants are given a date on which they can return to pick up their cards.
Your alien registration card shows all your basic information and serves as your personal identification while in Japan. If you are 16 or older you must carry your alien registration card with you at all times. Until you receive your card, carry your passport as identification.
Alien registration renewalAdult alien registration is valid for a period of five years. After that you will be required to renew your registration. Foreigners under 16 are required to renew within 30 days of their sixteenth birthdays. Anyone who originally registered through a family member will have to renew within four years (the date will be specified when their initial registration is processed), and they will be fingerprinted at the time of renewal. Finally, those whose status of residence is unconfirmed or who are extending their residence after less than a year must renew their registrations after one year. Renewal works the same as application.
Lost, stolen, or damaged registration cardsIf you lose your alien registration card you should notify your local police immediately. You then have two weeks to apply for a new card.
Family
How to bring your family to Japan
If you are moving your family to Japan you need to apply for spouse and dependent visas at a Japanese embassy or consulate.
When bringing your family to Japan, you will serve as your family members´ sponsor (the same as a company or university may have sponsored you). Apply for their Certificates of Eligibility at a Japanese embassy. If you are moving to Japan to work, your employer may do this for you. Either way, you will need:
Until very recently same-sex partners were not considered dependents under Japanese law. However, the Japanese government has now made it possible to sponsor a same-sex partner´s entry into Japan. The couple must be married and the marriage must be recognized in the country of origin. If the couple does not qualify for sponsorship under these regulations it may still be possible to apply for a special visa for a same-sex partner. For more information check with the Japanese Immigration Bureau .
Once issued, dependent and spouse visas will be valid for the same length of time as their sponsor.
Spouses and dependents, like all foreigners, must apply for their alien registration cards within 90 days of their arrival in Japan.
VisitorsFamily or friends who want to visit while you are living in Japan should not require a visa unless they are staying for longer than the duration of their visa exemption period. Depending on the length of their visa exemption period, or if they are from a country not covered by a visa exemption agreement, they may have to apply for a temporary or short-stay visa. If this is the case, you should provide your visitors with a legalized letter of invitation confirming their visit and guaranteeing their expenses.
The Japanese job market
The Japanese market was once dominated by enormous companies that offered jobs for life.With the arrival of recent recessions, this is now changing.
From the end of the Second World War until very recently there was great stigma attached to changing jobs in Japan. For Japanese, finding employment was as simple as finishing school and going to work for a major company - the job search was a once-in-a-lifetime event. Now, part-time work (arubaito) is becoming more common, especially among young Japanese, and companies are beginning to offer increased mobility and frequent retraining for long-time employees.
Jobs for foreigners in JapanForeign workers generally fall into two categories: unskilled workers who do jobs that the Japanese would rather not do themselves (industrial manufacture, menial labor), and workers with special skills (language teachers, international businesspeople, technology specialists). The Japanese government does its best to protect native job-seekers from unemployment by regulating the arrival of foreign workers. However, English-speakers are in demand – especially as language teachers – and are almost always able to find some kind of work.
Foreigners who do not speak English or Japanese will find it nearly impossible to get a job, and in the business world Japanese skills are a must-have for every applicant.
The best way for foreigners to maximize their employability is to make themselves as flexible as possible. Knowing English, learning Japanese and improving professional skills are good places to start.
Looking for workHow to find a job in Japan
While there are numerous professional publications and internet portals that provide Japanese job listings, the most effective means of securing employment are personal connections (kone).
If at all possible, you should start your job search long before you leave for Japan. This way you can apply for a work visa before leaving your home country, and you will not have to change visas in Japan. Switching to a work visa from another form of visa (temporary, for example) while in Japan is difficult. Most employers will not bother to hire someone who does not have definite permission to work, and they will be hesitant toward sponsoring a work visa on such short notice.
Job portals for JapanThe websites Daijob and Gaijinpot offer numerous job listings. Daijob also offers a number of advice-style articles on a range of work-related topics under its Career Support Heading.
Depending on your previous work experience, you may have success with an executive recruitment agency such as Alex Tsukada International or East West Consulting. These agencies specialize in matching qualified management applicants with appropriate positions at Japanese companies. You send these agencies a CV and cover letter for consideration, at which point they will decide whether you are representable. The executive recruiting option will be most useful to those with significant prior management experience. As they work with senior employees, executive recruiting agencies are highly effective and confidential.
Professional associationsNumerous Japanese professional associations serve various industries. The Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA) and the Japan Auto Manufacturers´ Association are both examples of major trade associations.
These groups offer industry news and publications, many of which contain job listings. Another benefit to joining (or at least contacting) a professional association is that it may provide you with an opportunity to make personal contacts with colleagues and employers. In the Japanese business world, connections (kone) are a valuable resource, especially for a foreigner. Those Japanese employers or colleagues with whom you can develop personal relationships are far more likely to hire you, and even more importantly, to sponsor your work visa.
EU Executive Training Programme (ETP)If you are from a European Union member nation, the EU ETP offers you the opportunity to apply for 18 months of training and work in Japan. The program is selective and geared toward corporate executives, but it is notable for providing language help and a significant stipend to its participants.
NewspapersFinally, international job listings appear in major newspapers such as The Financial Times and The International Herald Tribune. While these publications offer a broader range of listings for numerous countries, it can´t hurt to take a look to see what sort of positions are in demand on the international market.
For more focused newspaper listings, see the Japan Times , the major English-language newspaper published in Japan.
If you can read Japanese, you will surely want to look at some of the Japanese-language papers for additional listings.
Teaching English in JapanNo matter what your ultimate goal for employment in Japan, you might want to consider teaching English, at least when you first arrive. This will allow you to obtain a work visa, and while you are teaching you will have time to improve your Japanese, which will make you a much more attractive candidate for future employment.
Websites with job listings and other resources for prospective English teachers include TEFL and Aeon – Teaching English in Japan . TEFL has listings for English teaching positions around the world (including Japan), while Aeon is a major English school inside Japan. Many teaching positions do not require prior teaching experience, though most will require some form of degree.
Job applications
Cover letters and CVs in Japan
Start applying for a job in Japan by preparing your CV/resume, or better yet, the Japaneserirekisho.
When applying to a company in Japan, first consider the nature of the business. Is it run by Americans, Europeans, or Japanese? Application documents should formatted to match the style of the business.
Japanese Curriculums (CVs)Applications to Japanese companies should include a Japanese resume (rirekisho) if at all possible. It is structured in two pages:
Page 1
While some foreigners, especially Americans, may be used to ¨padding¨ resumes with as many qualifications as possible (even if some are bit exaggerated), a Japanese resume should stick to the facts. If you are in doubt as to whether you have embellished a qualification, air on the side of caution. Exaggeration could cost you an interview.
Japanese cover lettersYou will also want to submit a Japanese-style cover letter, no longer than a page, that outlines your past employment and your goals for the future. The cover letter should demonstrate that you have skills and ideas that will be valuable to the company in the future. As Japanese business culture values corporate loyalty, you may want to state your desire for a long-term future with the company.
Both the rirekisho and cover letter should be translated into Japanese.
Rirekisho templates can be purchased at many convenience store stores and almost all book stores. Also, it is now commonplace for companies to accept resumes/CVs/rirekisho over the internet.
Job interviews in JapanOnce a Japanese company is interested in an applicant, it will request an interview. Interviews vary in character and setting: you may have a single interviewer in an office or a video conference with an entire board of interviewers. Be prepared to adapt to unusual circumstances, and above all, keep your composure.
Applicants should arrive at the exact scheduled time of their interview, not early and under no circumstances late. Interview dress is always business formal: dark suits for men and dresses or pant-suits for women. Men should be shaven, with their hair cut, and should not wear piercings. Facial piercings are unacceptable for both men and women, and tattoos should not be visible.
Listen to the interview questions carefully and keep your responses brief but appropriate in length. Japanese people do not usually talk with their hands, so interviewees should do their best to keep their hands down, especially if they are from a country where it is normal to gesture while speaking. The Japanese also often avoid direct eye contact when speaking – staring is considered impolite.
Expect questions ranging from the relevant to the bizarre, as Japanese interviewers sometimes use odd or impolite questions to see how applicants react under pressure, and they often want to know information about applicants´ families. If you are asked anything you feel is offensive, you should politely decline to answer the question.
Be prepared to discuss your language proficiency and your knowledge of Japanese culture. Employers use these as factors in determining whether you will be able to blend with your Japanese co-workers.
Expect to interview more than once for most positions, and do not be surprised if it takes several interviews before you receive an offer or a rejection.
A note on the job offerThose fortunate enough to receive job offers in Japan may find their salary is listed as a range and not a specified amount. Use the range as a reference when making your decision, it is considered an insult to push for a specific amount at the offer stage. If you accept the position your exact salary and benefits will be listed in your contract.
Working in Japan
Hours, culture and work conditions
Japanese employees work long hours. In spite of the Labour Law, it is not unusual for employees to work 60 hours a week. This has led to a phenomenon called karo-shi (death from overwork), where corporate employees have been known to spontaneously drop dead of exhaustion.
Fortunately, instances of karo-shi are rare, and as foreign workers are usually not pressured to log the same amount of hours as their Japanese counterparts, they should have nothing to fear.
One reason for the extraordinary number of hours that Japanese work is a promotion culture that is still rooted in a seniority system. The amount of time employees work determines their opportunities for advancement, and the quantity of their work is sometimes more important than its quality.
Japanese work spacesJapanese desks are organized in an open plan (obeya seido), in which desks are grouped together in teams of coworkers. Each team has a leader, and the leader is responsible for outlining the day´s work in a morning meeting (chorei). There are two chorei per day in a Japanese office: one general meeting led by senior staff members, and then a smaller, more specialized meeting for each group led by its leader.
Foreign employees may find Japanese offices loud. The noise is a result of the open structure of the office and Japanese management´s emphasis on cooperation.
A critical area in which many foreigners must adapt to the Japanese office is smoking. Smoking is not illegal in the workplace in Japan (there are exceptions, such as medical facilities). If you have a medical condition that is aggravated by cigarette smoke, ask about your company´s smoking policy before you accept the job offer. Coming to an office full of smokers with a breathing issue could force you into an isolated and ultimately uncomfortable corner of the office.
Japanese management styleJapanese management is based around the principle of group harmony (wa). Japanese managers place less emphasis on giving orders and focus instead on providing their employees with the information and supplies necessary to excel. Thus, the cornerstone of Japanese business practice is consensus building (nemawashi), through which workers gather group approval for ideas before presenting them to senior managers and other companies. Group approval means that individuals are spared public embarrassment for their mistakes. This is a critical safety-net for Japanese people, who consider even minor public embarrassment disastrous.
When coming to Japan to live, work, or study you may need a visa. Depending on the length of your stay, you will also need to register at a municipal office after your arrival.
A visa is a document from a country certifying that you have permission to enter and remain there for a given length of time. Visas also permit or exclude certain activities, for example: working or studying.
Whether or not you need a visa to travel to Japan will depend on where you are from, how long you are staying, and what you will be doing. Thanks to Japan´s Visa Exemption Agreements (which include roughly 60 nations) most tourists need not apply for visas as long as they have a valid passport.
A complete list of current visa-exempt countries and their permitted lengths of stay can be found through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan .
Regardless of whether you are visa exempt, you will be fingerprinted and photographed upon your arrival in Japan.
It is important to know exactly how long you will be staying in Japan before arriving. If you arrive as a tourist without a visa and outstay the exemption period you will have to leave Japan and apply for a visa at a foreign embassy. Otherwise you will be considered an illegal resident.
The Japanese immigration processJapanese immigration officials keep careful track of foreigners and their legal status. You should take care to acquire all necessary permissions and permits. A basic guide to the process is listed below:
1. Visa – You should apply for the appropriate visa prior to your arrival. This can be done at a Japanese consulate or embassy in your home country. Remember to consider your length of stay and whether or not you will be working before you apply for a visa. It is much more difficult to adjust your immigration status once you have arrived in Japan.
2. Alien Registration – If you are staying in Japan longer than 90 days you must go through Alien Registration (gaikokujin toroku). You can do this at a municipal office. Make sure to bring your passport and a recent photograph with you, they will be used for records and your ID card. Afterwards you will receive your Alien Registration Card, which you must carry with you at all times.
After this, you must notify the immigration office whenever you do any of the following:
- Temporarily leave Japan – Apply for a Re-entry Permit (sainyukoku kyoka), for your return. Do this before you leave Japan. If you plan on travelling frequently, you might want to apply for a Multiple Re-entry Permit.
- Extend your stay – Notify the office prior to the expiration of your current period of residence (zairyu kikan no koshin).
- Change your state of residence – Any change in state of residence (zairyu shikaku no henko) must be reported (e.g. if you want to start working and you only have a temporary visa)
Visas for Japan
Visa types and application materials
Japan offers many different visas. The best way to avoid spending frustrating hours in government immigration offices is to make sure to apply for the visa that fits your situation best.
For an up-to-date breakdown of who is covered by which visa, check with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan . No matter what visa you require, you will want to prepare certain documents prior to your visa application. These include:
- Valid passport
- Two passport-size photos
- Application forms (available through your Japanese consulate or embassy)
- Proof that you possess financial means to support yourself while living in Japan
- Proof of medical insurance
- Proof of a return ticket or funds to purchase a return ticket to your country of origin
Temporary visitor´s visaIf you are a tourist coming from a visa-exempt nation, you will generally be able to stay in Japan between three and six months without a visa. If your home country does not have a visa exemption agreement with Japan, however, you will need to apply for a temporary visitor´s visa (tani-taizai). By far the easiest visa to apply for and to obtain, tourist visa applications require a valid passport, a visa application form and proof of a return ticket from Japan.
Japanese work visasTo live and work in Japan you will need to apply for a work visa. Work visas are issued for specific fields. If you work as a journalist, for example, you will be issued a journalist visa.
In all, there are 14 types of work visas. To apply, you will want a Certificate of Eligibility from the company or organization that is sponsoring your move to Japan. While it is technically possible to obtain a work visa with alternative documentation (documents supporting your stated reason for living in Japan, proof of financial means of support), for the sake of convenience and your sanity you should make every effort to obtain the Certificate of Eligibility.
Your employer must submit additional forms to the Immigration Bureau, including a registration form (tokibo tohan), profit-loss report (son-ekai keisansho) and general company information. You will have to provide your CV, degree, and employment contract as part of the application process. Work visas may be issued for lengths from two months to several years.
If you wish to stay in Japan longer than your visa permits you must apply for an extension before it expires. If you fail to do so you will have to leave the country and apply for a new visa at a foreign embassy.
Working Holiday visasThe working holiday visa was created to promote cultural exchange among young people. This visa allows a person between 18 and 30 to spend a year living and working part-time in Japan. Likewise, young Japanese are permitted to apply for working holiday visas abroad. You are eligible to apply for a working holiday visa if you are from any of the following countries:
- Australia
- U.K.
- Canada
- France
- Ireland
- Germany
- New Zealand
Student visas for JapanIf you are studying in Japan for longer than 90 days, your study abroad program or Japanese university should be able to help you obtain a student visa. However, you must apply for your visa at a Japanese consulate or embassy prior to your departure. Requirements are similar to those of the work visa, with the university taking the place of the employer. Students are not allowed to work in Japan (even part-time) unless they get special permission from local immigration officials.
Cultural activities visasJapan offers cultural activities visas to serve foreigners involved in cultural or academic studies not covered by the student visa. Foreigners studying martial arts in Japan, for instance, are eligible for cultural visas. This visa allows you to remain in Japan longer than a tourist visa (up to a year). In order to obtain a cultural visa you will need to submit proof of your cultural activities in addition to the commonly required items.
Volunteer visasSince 2003 and the introduction of the Volunteer Visa Scheme (a bilateral agreement between the United Kingdom and Japan) it is possible for British citizens to volunteer in Japan for up to one year. Recipients of this visa must work for a registered charitable organization providing public services (The Red Cross, for example) and may not receive any payment for their work. Applications can be submitted at the Japanese consulate in London or Edinburgh. Those travelling on volunteer visas may not bring children or spouses with them.
Gaikokujin toroku
Alien Registration
If you are staying in Japan for longer than 90 days, within the first 90 days of your stay you must register as an alien (foreigner). You can do this at your local municipal office´s Foreign Resident Registration Desk.
The alien registration process is relatively simple. You will need to bring your passport and a passport-size photograph with you and fill out forms declaring your status of residence, your address in Japan and other information such as age and name. If you are spending more than a year in Japan your fingerprints will also be taken. While you should apply in person, a family member is permitted to submit your application in the event that you are unable to do so yourself (due to illness, for example). Applicants under 16 years of age are immediately issued their alien registration cards (gaijin cards), while older applicants are given a date on which they can return to pick up their cards.
Your alien registration card shows all your basic information and serves as your personal identification while in Japan. If you are 16 or older you must carry your alien registration card with you at all times. Until you receive your card, carry your passport as identification.
Alien registration renewalAdult alien registration is valid for a period of five years. After that you will be required to renew your registration. Foreigners under 16 are required to renew within 30 days of their sixteenth birthdays. Anyone who originally registered through a family member will have to renew within four years (the date will be specified when their initial registration is processed), and they will be fingerprinted at the time of renewal. Finally, those whose status of residence is unconfirmed or who are extending their residence after less than a year must renew their registrations after one year. Renewal works the same as application.
Lost, stolen, or damaged registration cardsIf you lose your alien registration card you should notify your local police immediately. You then have two weeks to apply for a new card.
Family
How to bring your family to Japan
If you are moving your family to Japan you need to apply for spouse and dependent visas at a Japanese embassy or consulate.
When bringing your family to Japan, you will serve as your family members´ sponsor (the same as a company or university may have sponsored you). Apply for their Certificates of Eligibility at a Japanese embassy. If you are moving to Japan to work, your employer may do this for you. Either way, you will need:
- Application forms (see www.immi-moj.go.jp )
- Passports
- Passport-size photos of your spouse and each child
- Marriage certificate
- Birth certificate(s)
- Letter verifying your employment
- Proof of dependancy (only visas for older dependents)
Until very recently same-sex partners were not considered dependents under Japanese law. However, the Japanese government has now made it possible to sponsor a same-sex partner´s entry into Japan. The couple must be married and the marriage must be recognized in the country of origin. If the couple does not qualify for sponsorship under these regulations it may still be possible to apply for a special visa for a same-sex partner. For more information check with the Japanese Immigration Bureau .
Once issued, dependent and spouse visas will be valid for the same length of time as their sponsor.
Spouses and dependents, like all foreigners, must apply for their alien registration cards within 90 days of their arrival in Japan.
VisitorsFamily or friends who want to visit while you are living in Japan should not require a visa unless they are staying for longer than the duration of their visa exemption period. Depending on the length of their visa exemption period, or if they are from a country not covered by a visa exemption agreement, they may have to apply for a temporary or short-stay visa. If this is the case, you should provide your visitors with a legalized letter of invitation confirming their visit and guaranteeing their expenses.
The Japanese job market
The Japanese market was once dominated by enormous companies that offered jobs for life.With the arrival of recent recessions, this is now changing.
From the end of the Second World War until very recently there was great stigma attached to changing jobs in Japan. For Japanese, finding employment was as simple as finishing school and going to work for a major company - the job search was a once-in-a-lifetime event. Now, part-time work (arubaito) is becoming more common, especially among young Japanese, and companies are beginning to offer increased mobility and frequent retraining for long-time employees.
Jobs for foreigners in JapanForeign workers generally fall into two categories: unskilled workers who do jobs that the Japanese would rather not do themselves (industrial manufacture, menial labor), and workers with special skills (language teachers, international businesspeople, technology specialists). The Japanese government does its best to protect native job-seekers from unemployment by regulating the arrival of foreign workers. However, English-speakers are in demand – especially as language teachers – and are almost always able to find some kind of work.
Foreigners who do not speak English or Japanese will find it nearly impossible to get a job, and in the business world Japanese skills are a must-have for every applicant.
The best way for foreigners to maximize their employability is to make themselves as flexible as possible. Knowing English, learning Japanese and improving professional skills are good places to start.
Looking for workHow to find a job in Japan
While there are numerous professional publications and internet portals that provide Japanese job listings, the most effective means of securing employment are personal connections (kone).
If at all possible, you should start your job search long before you leave for Japan. This way you can apply for a work visa before leaving your home country, and you will not have to change visas in Japan. Switching to a work visa from another form of visa (temporary, for example) while in Japan is difficult. Most employers will not bother to hire someone who does not have definite permission to work, and they will be hesitant toward sponsoring a work visa on such short notice.
Job portals for JapanThe websites Daijob and Gaijinpot offer numerous job listings. Daijob also offers a number of advice-style articles on a range of work-related topics under its Career Support Heading.
Depending on your previous work experience, you may have success with an executive recruitment agency such as Alex Tsukada International or East West Consulting. These agencies specialize in matching qualified management applicants with appropriate positions at Japanese companies. You send these agencies a CV and cover letter for consideration, at which point they will decide whether you are representable. The executive recruiting option will be most useful to those with significant prior management experience. As they work with senior employees, executive recruiting agencies are highly effective and confidential.
Professional associationsNumerous Japanese professional associations serve various industries. The Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA) and the Japan Auto Manufacturers´ Association are both examples of major trade associations.
These groups offer industry news and publications, many of which contain job listings. Another benefit to joining (or at least contacting) a professional association is that it may provide you with an opportunity to make personal contacts with colleagues and employers. In the Japanese business world, connections (kone) are a valuable resource, especially for a foreigner. Those Japanese employers or colleagues with whom you can develop personal relationships are far more likely to hire you, and even more importantly, to sponsor your work visa.
EU Executive Training Programme (ETP)If you are from a European Union member nation, the EU ETP offers you the opportunity to apply for 18 months of training and work in Japan. The program is selective and geared toward corporate executives, but it is notable for providing language help and a significant stipend to its participants.
NewspapersFinally, international job listings appear in major newspapers such as The Financial Times and The International Herald Tribune. While these publications offer a broader range of listings for numerous countries, it can´t hurt to take a look to see what sort of positions are in demand on the international market.
For more focused newspaper listings, see the Japan Times , the major English-language newspaper published in Japan.
If you can read Japanese, you will surely want to look at some of the Japanese-language papers for additional listings.
Teaching English in JapanNo matter what your ultimate goal for employment in Japan, you might want to consider teaching English, at least when you first arrive. This will allow you to obtain a work visa, and while you are teaching you will have time to improve your Japanese, which will make you a much more attractive candidate for future employment.
Websites with job listings and other resources for prospective English teachers include TEFL and Aeon – Teaching English in Japan . TEFL has listings for English teaching positions around the world (including Japan), while Aeon is a major English school inside Japan. Many teaching positions do not require prior teaching experience, though most will require some form of degree.
Job applications
Cover letters and CVs in Japan
Start applying for a job in Japan by preparing your CV/resume, or better yet, the Japaneserirekisho.
When applying to a company in Japan, first consider the nature of the business. Is it run by Americans, Europeans, or Japanese? Application documents should formatted to match the style of the business.
Japanese Curriculums (CVs)Applications to Japanese companies should include a Japanese resume (rirekisho) if at all possible. It is structured in two pages:
Page 1
- Name and contact information, including email
- Your age, sex, and nationality
- Summary of your qualifications (less than three lines)
- Academic background in reverse chronological order, including years of study, names of institutions and degrees earned
- Work history in reverse chronological order, including job skills, position titles, company names and employment dates
- Other interests or activities relevant to the job
- References, if you like. You may also simply state: ¨References available upon request.¨ If you do choose to list references, make sure that they are relevant to the position for which you are applying, that they have known you for more than two years, and that their contact information is up-to-date
While some foreigners, especially Americans, may be used to ¨padding¨ resumes with as many qualifications as possible (even if some are bit exaggerated), a Japanese resume should stick to the facts. If you are in doubt as to whether you have embellished a qualification, air on the side of caution. Exaggeration could cost you an interview.
Japanese cover lettersYou will also want to submit a Japanese-style cover letter, no longer than a page, that outlines your past employment and your goals for the future. The cover letter should demonstrate that you have skills and ideas that will be valuable to the company in the future. As Japanese business culture values corporate loyalty, you may want to state your desire for a long-term future with the company.
Both the rirekisho and cover letter should be translated into Japanese.
Rirekisho templates can be purchased at many convenience store stores and almost all book stores. Also, it is now commonplace for companies to accept resumes/CVs/rirekisho over the internet.
Job interviews in JapanOnce a Japanese company is interested in an applicant, it will request an interview. Interviews vary in character and setting: you may have a single interviewer in an office or a video conference with an entire board of interviewers. Be prepared to adapt to unusual circumstances, and above all, keep your composure.
Applicants should arrive at the exact scheduled time of their interview, not early and under no circumstances late. Interview dress is always business formal: dark suits for men and dresses or pant-suits for women. Men should be shaven, with their hair cut, and should not wear piercings. Facial piercings are unacceptable for both men and women, and tattoos should not be visible.
Listen to the interview questions carefully and keep your responses brief but appropriate in length. Japanese people do not usually talk with their hands, so interviewees should do their best to keep their hands down, especially if they are from a country where it is normal to gesture while speaking. The Japanese also often avoid direct eye contact when speaking – staring is considered impolite.
Expect questions ranging from the relevant to the bizarre, as Japanese interviewers sometimes use odd or impolite questions to see how applicants react under pressure, and they often want to know information about applicants´ families. If you are asked anything you feel is offensive, you should politely decline to answer the question.
Be prepared to discuss your language proficiency and your knowledge of Japanese culture. Employers use these as factors in determining whether you will be able to blend with your Japanese co-workers.
Expect to interview more than once for most positions, and do not be surprised if it takes several interviews before you receive an offer or a rejection.
A note on the job offerThose fortunate enough to receive job offers in Japan may find their salary is listed as a range and not a specified amount. Use the range as a reference when making your decision, it is considered an insult to push for a specific amount at the offer stage. If you accept the position your exact salary and benefits will be listed in your contract.
Working in Japan
Hours, culture and work conditions
Japanese employees work long hours. In spite of the Labour Law, it is not unusual for employees to work 60 hours a week. This has led to a phenomenon called karo-shi (death from overwork), where corporate employees have been known to spontaneously drop dead of exhaustion.
Fortunately, instances of karo-shi are rare, and as foreign workers are usually not pressured to log the same amount of hours as their Japanese counterparts, they should have nothing to fear.
One reason for the extraordinary number of hours that Japanese work is a promotion culture that is still rooted in a seniority system. The amount of time employees work determines their opportunities for advancement, and the quantity of their work is sometimes more important than its quality.
Japanese work spacesJapanese desks are organized in an open plan (obeya seido), in which desks are grouped together in teams of coworkers. Each team has a leader, and the leader is responsible for outlining the day´s work in a morning meeting (chorei). There are two chorei per day in a Japanese office: one general meeting led by senior staff members, and then a smaller, more specialized meeting for each group led by its leader.
Foreign employees may find Japanese offices loud. The noise is a result of the open structure of the office and Japanese management´s emphasis on cooperation.
A critical area in which many foreigners must adapt to the Japanese office is smoking. Smoking is not illegal in the workplace in Japan (there are exceptions, such as medical facilities). If you have a medical condition that is aggravated by cigarette smoke, ask about your company´s smoking policy before you accept the job offer. Coming to an office full of smokers with a breathing issue could force you into an isolated and ultimately uncomfortable corner of the office.
Japanese management styleJapanese management is based around the principle of group harmony (wa). Japanese managers place less emphasis on giving orders and focus instead on providing their employees with the information and supplies necessary to excel. Thus, the cornerstone of Japanese business practice is consensus building (nemawashi), through which workers gather group approval for ideas before presenting them to senior managers and other companies. Group approval means that individuals are spared public embarrassment for their mistakes. This is a critical safety-net for Japanese people, who consider even minor public embarrassment disastrous.
