Working in Japan

This section of the guide is brief, as JLIEC offers advice to students on studying and living in Japan - not working. However, we include some basic information here.

If you want to work in Japan, you will need a suitable visa (see the Visa Guide for details). You cannot work on a tourist visa. If you are on a student visa, you can apply for a document permitting you to work part time. The forms you need are available from the Immigration Office nearest you or you can download them below. Sometimes schools will handle the entire process for you, but other times you will have to go to the Immigration Office on your own. Depending on your visa type, you may be asked to complete other or extra forms. In all cases, remember that the Immigration Office is right - don't try to correct them. Just accept that procedures change or vary. [PDF FORM FOR WORK PERMISSION]

If you are looking to come to Japan for professional work, you will require a work visa which your company in Japan will arrange for you. There is little you need to do yourself. If you want to work and travel, just to see the country, you should get a Working Holiday visa. Unfortunately, these are only for UK, German, Australian, New Zealand, French and Korean citizens under 30 years of age. If you are not of one of these nationalities, you cannot apply for this visa.

Types of work available in Japan

English Teaching

The most common occupation for native English speakers in Japan is teacher of English as a Foreign Language. This is very well paid, requires no qualifications other than a university degree and being a native speaker. There is an excess of English Language schools in Japan, and employment is always possible to find somewhere. The biggest four are ECC, Geos, Nova and Aeon. Besides these groups which between them have thousands of schools, there are plenty of independent schools or small local groups that always have vacancies. The best place to look is one of the dedicated online services: the two listed below seem to be the best and most consistent (others come and go, but these have been around for years).

Ohayo Sensei: new edition comes out every two weeks. Free online service dedicated to English Teaching positions, but includes both language school and university positions and usually one or two other-language teaching positions. Free to view online, pay to get it emailed to you. Includes free "positions wanted" classified section where you can post your details.
Jobs in Japan: more general, including not just teaching jobs but also a range of other types of position. Also has a classified section where you can post your contact details.

Offline, you should keep an eye on the Japan Times newspaper - every Monday this has an extensive classified section containing dozens of jobs all around Japan for foreigners or those with foreign language skills.

Holiday season employment

If you can ski, white-water raft or do other outdoor sports, you might be able to find work during the holidays. The most common occupation is winter ski instructor, but this usually requires basic Japanese language ability, experience and some form of certification. Rafting is becoming popular, particularly on some of the rivers in central Japan, and you may be able to find employment there. However, this is likely to be limited and, as is often the case in Japan, by word of mouth and contacts. Also check the Jobs in Japan website for jobs, or the Japan Times Monday edition classified section.

Professional positions

If you are a professional in the field of computing and the internet, or international finance and banking, you should have little trouble finding a position with a local or foreign company (although probably in the Tokyo area for the latter). If you have excellent Japanese skills as well, then you will be able to find work with Import-Export companies around the country too. Again, check the Jobs in Japan website for jobs, or the Japan Times Monday classified section. Another site that seems very professionally organised is Career Cross although we have no personal experience of them.

NOTE: Education Japan does not in any way guarantee or endorse the sites linked from this page. They are independent companies that have no connection to Education Japan in any way, and we do not guarantee their services or the standard of such services in any way whatsoever.