It’s one thing to travel to Japan for a few weeks to eat sushi and check out the temples, but to actually live in Japan as a full-fledged shakaijin (adult member of society)? Now, that’s a completely different ballgame! Today, we’re going to show you what kinds of jobs are available to foreign people in Japan, where to look for them, and how to be a frontrunner in getting that interview!
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What Kind of Jobs Are Available in Japan?
Japan, being the third-largest economy in the world, has almost any type of job you could ever want. That said, just because a variety of jobs exist, doesn’t mean companies hand out job offers like leaflets on a street corner. In order to secure a top-notch job, you, as a non-Japanese person, have to have some kind special skill that would make you a more attractive candidate than a Japanese person. Therefore, the most common types of jobs for non-native Japanese people are the following.
- Teacher
- Information Technology (IT)
- Caregiver
- Nursery School Teacher
- Unskilled labor
1. Teacher
It’s no secret that English teachers from native English-speaking countries are the most in-demand job for non-Japanese people. Why is this? Because English is a highly praised skill in Japan not only for leisurely pursuits such as traveling and socializing with the international community, but also for doing overseas business. English teachers in Japan work in a variety of different environments from eikaiwa (English conversation schools) to public and private schools to full-fledged university professors. And the best part about these positions is that you don’t need Japanese language skill (though having it is usually a plus)!
2. Information Technology
Programmers and software engineers are in high demand due to the world’s increasing reliance on technology, the internet, and the design and coding required to maintain it all. Computer code is a universal language and most essential operations are carried out in English anyway, so Japan is no stranger to hiring non-Japanese to fill job openings. Most people who work in this field prefer working for foreign companies operating in Japan—though it’s said that Japanese companies offer a higher salary.
3. Nursery School Teacher
Only recently has the average Japanese woman decided that she would rather enter the workforce than be a stay-at-home mom for the rest of her life. Because of the sudden rise in career-minded women (kyaria uuman), Japan has found itself with a lot of infants and not a whole lot of daycare teachers. This is why Japan has begun to look to different nations for help in filling these positions.
4. Caregiver
Oh my goodness! The Baby Boomers are all retiring at the same time. What should we do? According to Japanese government data, 1 in 3 people is expected to be 65 and over by the year 2025. Because of the sudden surge of elderly people, caregivers are currently in demand in Japan to cater to the daily needs of an aging population.
5. Unskilled Labor
Because there are so many Baby Boomers retiring at the same time, there is a shortage of labor in general in Japan. From construction to factory work, unskilled labor is in such high demand that successful non-Japanese candidates can easily nab that previously unheard of 5-year working visa. Talk about job security!
Where to Find Jobs in Japan
This is the 21st century. As with most developed nations, the best way to find the latest job openings is through online job databases. The most popular ones for jobs in Japan are as follows.
All you have to do is register for an account, and you can begin applying to whatever posting piques your interest.
Advice for Finding a Job in Japan
As the old saying goes, “The early bird gets the worm.” New jobs are popping up every day in Japan, and applying for the newest job postings will lead to the most interviews. If you are serious about finding a job in Japan, the best advice I can give you is to sign up for the mailing list for all of the above job databases. Next, find out what time the e-mail for new job postings gets sent out every day and reserve that time period to apply for jobs. Ideally, you want to be the first candidate to send in their resume. These companies get hundreds of job applicants per day, and you want to be as close to the first e-mail in the hiring manager’s inbox as possible. I have tried this out personally to great success. Here are my two pieces of advice in a nutshell:
- Apply to new job postings only
- Apply RIGHT NOW!
Of course you want to have a great resume that lists all of your relevant experience and achievements in a straightforward and easy-to-understand manner first. However, assuming you already have this taken care of, by being the first to apply for a position, your chances of getting an interview skyrocket. Seriously, DO THIS!
In Summary
There are many jobs available to non-Japanese people in Japan. You just have to know what kind of job you want, where to find it, and be as close to the first person to apply for the job as possible. These are the essential ingredients to your successful career in Japan.
Living and working in a country where you can eat sushi everyday? Where do I sign up?