One of the biggest factors when thinking about moving to Japan is getting a job in Japan. Finding a job can be daunting, and trying to figure out where to start and what jobs you might be interested in equally so. With the language barrier and the need for Japanese language ability in most jobs, it can seem difficult to figure out the opportunities you can go after. Don’t worry. We’ve compiled a list of the easiest jobs in Japan for foreigners. We hope this will help you on your journey to finding a job in Japan!

Easiest jobs in Japan for foreigners

1. Language teachers 

Japan is known to have a long tradition of employing English instructors. Many schools or private tutoring places want English speakers to teach. It’s not too difficult to find a job, due to the high demand. Other languages are needed in Japan, however, English is the most popular. 

Some basic requirements are a Bachelor’s degree and a clean criminal record. It is also usually preferred to have a teaching certificate. You’ll also need citizenship from a recognized English-speaking country.

Besides teaching, some basic tasks will include preparing lesson plans, organizing topics that will be covered in class, and preparing homework and tests. There are also private after school tutoring places called Juku, which are also a great place to teach and tutor. It isn’t as difficult as teaching in a classroom, and you can usually schedule your hours.

It is pretty simple to apply for schools or jukus. A simple google search will give you plenty of options. It’s best to have an idea of where in Japan you would like to work before starting your search. You could also ask teachers, friends or family about places they might know. 

The average salary is around $1,700 – $5,000 U.S. dollars per month. Some recommended spots in Tokyo are “Interac” and “Amity Corporation.” In Osaka, some good schools are “Hello Sensei” and “Gaba.” Some good areas in Kyoto and Hiroshima are “Amity Corporation” and “Hello Sensei.” 

2. Software engineer

It might come as a surprise but there is a huge market in Japan for Software engineers. So, if you like Japanese culture, and are looking for a job in Japan, try software engineering. Of course, you’ll need a Bachelor’s degree, but if you already have the degree, why not work in Japan?

The pay isn’t as high as in some other countries, but it is decent. The starting salary is around 300k yen per month. It is recommended to be good at Japanese. It is not always required, but it prevents miscommunication from happening. Plus, you will get paid more if you can speak Japanese and if you have more job experience.

Again, finding a job isn’t too difficult, because there is such a large market for it, so a simple search in the prefecture where you want to work will be sufficient. I would recommend researching companies that you find. See which ones seem to be the best fit for you, and which ones have the environment you’re looking for. 

3. Factory workers 

Again, a surprisingly large work market in Japan is factory workers. They are also very stable jobs, and it’s not too difficult to qualify for a job.

There are a ton of different types of factory work in Japan, so before searching for a job, make sure you know what type of factory you want to work at. Some options are electronics, machinery and automotive, steel-making, pharmaceuticals, exporting of Japanese products, food and beverages, and so much more. 

One reason why working as a factory worker in Japan is a good idea is that Japanese people are usually very friendly and disciplined. Plus, the salary is usually high. 

The salary usually depends on someone’s skills, and where they live. It will also vary depending on whether you are a full-time or part-time worker. 

It is recommended to learn the Japanese language. It is possible to work without learning it, but it’s harder to find a job and you will make more if you speak the language reasonably well. 

One thing to be aware of, however, is that you will need to be physically fit. Factory work can be extremely physical. There is also a medical test that most people have to take. 

Finding a factory job isn’t too difficult. Again, just do your research and google different companies in prefectures where you want to go. 

4. Nursing care

Caretakers are needed in Japan. Japan has a high senior population, so these types of workers are always needed. There aren’t enough workers, so the Japanese government has opened up this type of work for foreigners as well. The pay as a caretaker is between 3,264,861 yen a year and around 1,570 yen an hour.

There are 4 ways you can work as a care worker in Japan. 

The first is having an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). Japan has an EPA with Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam. This means that citizens of these countries are allowed to work in Japan as Care-workers. You do need to have an N3 or higher Japanese language understanding. 

The second is getting a care worker visa. International students who graduate from a care worker training school in Japan and get a nursing care certification can get a visa. Some schools even allow you to work part-time as you study. You will need to have an N2 language proficiency or higher. 

The third option is a technical intern training program. After entering Japan technical interns must take classes in Japanese and nursing care while working at a senior care facility. After a year into the program, interns will have to pass exams that test Bothe knowledge and practical skills. If they pass, they can stay another two years. There will be more exams, and the whole program lasts five years. 

The fourth and final option is to get a specified skilled worker (i) visa. This newer program allows those who have passed exams and can show a certain level of Japanese and nursing care knowledge to come into Japan. They must work at a senior care facility for five years and become a certified care worker. If they become certified they can switch over to a care worker visa and continue living in Japan. 

5. Hospitality- Restaurants, convenient stores 

There are so many different types of hospitality jobs in Japan. Plus, the language level and pay will change depending on what job you are looking for. Some hospitality jobs are hotels, restaurants, convenience stores, fast food delivery and more. It’s one of the easiest jobs to get in Japan as a foreigner so keep a lookout for job openings. 

So with all these options, it isn’t too hard to find a job. You just need to know what type of job you’re looking for. If it’s a restaurant job, are you looking at being a waiter, kitchen staff, delivery, bars, or even working at a special themed cafe? After you narrow down what type of job you want to a few options then you can search for jobs. 

The type of pay and the type of visa will change depending on the job you get. For instance, for a hotel job, you will need an N2 or an N1 level in Japanese. You’ll also have to work inconsistent hours, so some night shifts. You usually don’t need hotel experience, but it is a plus. You’ll have to be extremely hospitable and polite to guests. The average salary will vary depending on the size of the hotel but it is usually between 3 to 4 million yen per year. 

Most hospitality jobs can be full or part-time. If you’re a student in Japan, some student visas allow for part-time work. You could ask friends, family and teachers if they know of any good part-time work. Or you can always google hospitality jobs in the prefecture you are in. 

6. Recruiter 

Japan has one of the most unique recruitment markets in the world. It is perfect for people with a ton of experience and people with no experience. In some cases, you don’t always need to be fluent in Japanese and the hours can be extremely flexible. 

Your main duties will just be meeting people, making connections and helping people and companies. Some other skills that might come in handy are sales, marketing, business, writing, customer support and research. 

The salary depends on the job, but a lot of money can be made in the recruiting industry. Many people double and triple their salary after working for a year or two.

There are so many available openings, so apply for many different jobs and find the one you like. One thing to pay attention to is that larger companies have better training programs. 

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That’s our list of some of the easiest jobs in Japan for foreigners to get. We hope this helped you on your journey to landing the right job in Japan for you. Just remember that this job does not define the rest of your time in Japan. A lot of people use these jobs as stepping stones to get into Japan and you can always look when you’re here and change jobs if you want to.