8 Jobs for Foreigners in Japan (With Skills and Tips)

Travelling to Japan can be exciting if you enjoy exploring other cultures or finding new interests. If you’re currently living in Japan or looking to move there for employment, exploring job opportunities for foreigners can help you find one that aligns with your career goals. Understanding what jobs are available can eliminate uncertainty during your job search and help you make informed decisions. In this article, we list eight jobs for foreigners in Japan, outline their duties and salaries, provide tips for your job search, and highlight the in-demand skills in Japan.

Please note that none of the companies, institutions, or organizations mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.

8 jobs for foreigners in Japan

Review these eight jobs for foreigners in Japan to help you make a career choice that aligns with your interests, objectives, and values.

1. English teacher

English teachers educate students in writing, reading, studying literature, and speaking the English language. They develop lesson plans for teaching grammar, writing, literacy, and vocabulary. English is a second language in Japan and offers various opportunities to foreigners who are living there. Those fluent in English can teach in public or private institutions, depending on their qualifications.

Related: How to Write an English Teacher Resume (With Tips and Example)

2. Server

Servers take customers’ orders and deliver food to them in a dining establishment. They ensure that customers have an enjoyable dining experience. These food service employees may also welcome guests as they arrive at a dining establishment and process payments for their orders. Foreigners in Japan can find server jobs in hotels, resorts, cafes, and restaurants. Establishments near tourist attractions may hire foreigners to attend to a diverse customer base.

Related: Server vs. Waiter: What’s the Difference? (With Definition)

3. Recruitment coordinator

Recruitment coordinators assist companies in talent acquisition strategies and methods. They manage the recruitment process by posting open positions, coordinating job fairs, standardizing recruitment, and conducting background checks. They’re responsible for helping companies meet their workforce needs and goals and ensure a hiring process is successful. To work as a recruitment coordinator in Japan, you require strong communication skills, industry knowledge, and fluency in Japanese.

Related: What Is a Recruiting Coordinator? (Duties, Skills, and FAQs)

4. IT technician

IT technicians provide computer or network support to companies or their clients. They help users install software and hardware. These technicians setup workstations with desktop systems and every necessary peripheral device, like printers and scanners. They also troubleshoot and diagnose software and hardware issues. Japan produces many advanced technologies, so foreigners can often find open positions in their specializations.

Related: 45 IT Technician Interview Questions https://kopetnews.id/ (With Example Answers)

5. Customer service representative

Customer service representatives are front-line employees who work closely with customers to provide assistance, resolve complaints, process orders, and answer questions. They increase customer satisfaction, attract new customers, and generate revenue by providing service and product information. Customer service representatives also help process transactions and orders in establishments like retail stores. Foreigners with excellent communication and people skills can consider working as customer service representatives.

Related: What Is a Customer Service Representative? (With Skills)

6. Translator

Translators are multilingual experts who convert text from one language to another. This role is crucial for making scientific, business, and legal texts available in different languages and countries. Foreigners who are fluent in other languages can explore this career option. As employers don’t necessarily need only Japanese and English translation, there’s typically a demand for translators for other languages. Candidates may require specific certifications and a high proficiency in Japanese to work in this position.

Related: How to Write an Effective Translator Resume (With Example)

7. Music teacher

Music teachers educate students on the skills and knowledge necessary to become successful musicians. These teachers plan and prepare lessons according to their individual students’ needs and examination syllabuses. They also help their students prepare for auditions, live performances, and music examinations. Foreigners who understand music theory and possess musical instrument expertise can explore this career option.

8. Engineer

Engineers design, invent, analyze, build, test, and maintain various machines, data systems, and structures. They follow company timelines and budgets when building and testing machines. Engineers are typically responsible for ensuring their inventions, designs, or structures fulfill set objectives and requirements. Since Japan is a leader in innovation and technology, there’s usually a demand for engineers.

Tips for finding a job in Japan

Here are tips for finding a job as a foreigner:

Visit job search websites

Visiting reliable international job search websites is a convenient way to find a job in Japan. Japan has several foreigner-friendly job search websites where you can find employment opportunities. These online resources provide information about job requirements and responsibilities to help you make an informed decision. If you’re looking for a role in a specific field, such as the IT industry, you can filter the search results to find opportunities in that industry.

Perform adequate research

Before searching for employment opportunities, educate yourself on the benefits and drawbacks of working in Japan. In addition to job requirements and work restrictions for foreigners, research the work culture in Japan and how it differs from that of other countries. For example, Japan’s work culture often involves partaking in social activities outside work hours. These activities may include sharing a drink to develop a sense of camaraderie and strengthen the bonds between colleagues. Researching employment opportunities allows you to learn about specific requirements and familiarize yourself with expectations so you can enjoy a positive work experience.

Draft your resume

Preparing a well-written resume helps employers assess your suitability for a role. Attaching a passport-style headshot to your application documents is standard practice in Japan. Wear formal or business casual attire to achieve a professional look in the picture. On your resume, highlight why you’re interested in the position and the value you can offer the employer. Analyze the job description to determine what keywords you should include in your resume. This helps you align your skills, experience, and qualifications sections to the job’s requirements.

Prepare your visa

Foreigners require a valid visa to work in Japan. Japan has different work visa categories depending on the industry in which you intend to work. There are seven categories for work or long-term stay visas, including diplomatic, official, general, specified, working, start-up, and highly skilled professional. Each of these categories has sub-categories, and their individual conditions vary. The significant difference between these visas is the designated period of stay, which ranges from a few months to five years.

Pass the Japanese language proficiency test (JLPT)

Most jobs in Japan require you to be proficient in Japanese. Employers typically use the JLPT to assess your proficiency level and eligibility for a role. It’s generally a requirement to pass the N2 level for employers to consider you for a full-time position that requires you to speak Japanese. The N2 level is the second highest level in the standardized test. This certificate helps you prove to a potential employer that you can communicate in Japanese and assimilate effectively into the company.

In-demand skills for foreigners in Japan

Here are skills that can give you a competitive advantage during your job search in Japan:

• Communication: Any job that requires customer interaction or collaboration typically requires practical communication skills. Foreigners who possess these skills can work in many positions, as they can use their abilities to increase customer satisfaction and create a positive work environment.
• Critical thinking: The ability to apply critical thinking to find practical solutions to challenges is a requirement for many positions. With these skills, you can analyze a situation, compile solutions, and implement the option with the best possible outcome.
• Technical expertise: Employers typically prefer hiring candidates with an in-depth understanding of technology terminologies and competencies. These skills can help you get positions in industries, such as information technology and manufacturing.

• Problem solving: These skills are especially crucial to employees working in a service or engineering job, as they help them manage challenges on the job. Employees with these skills show initiative and work well under pressure.