Jobs in Japan as a Foreigner
Find Work Using Top Website Resources
By Rachel Turner
Japan has it all. The country claims
one of the largest cities in the world, automated restaurants
alongside small rustic villages, and jaw-dropping vistas.
It’s clean. It’s safe. It is very rich in culture
and art. These are some of the reasons why so many wish
to move to Japan. The cost of living in Japan is high, though,
so unless you come with trust fund in hand, you’re
going to need a source of income. Even if you don’t
speak Japanese, job searching in Japan isn’t as daunting
a task as you might think…if you know where to look.
These websites will help you in your journey to find jobs in the "Land of the Rising Sun."
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Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program
Let's face it, the most common jobs in Japan available to foreigners come in the form of teaching English in a country hungry to learn the language for commercial and educational reasons.
If you have decided to become an English teacher in Japan.
What’s next? Where do you live? How do you get
there? What documents do you need to enter the country?
If organizing your own work visa, travel expenses,
and placement seems a bit overwhelming, leave it to
the pros. The Japan Exchange and Teaching
(JET) Program has been sending doe-eyed foreigners
to Japanese public schools for over 30 years now.
The interview process is extensive, and competition
is stiff, but this program is the best way to go about
teaching English in Japan. Applications are available
online in late September.
Geos, ECC,
AEON, Westgate and other large organizations also offer English teaching jobs in Japan.
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Gaijin
Pot
Most gaijin (or foreigners) living in Japan
have logged onto Gaijin Pot at one time
or another. This website is a cornucopia of useful information
ranging from banking and taxes to raising a family. Check
out the Featured Jobs
in Japan option to look through employment listings.
Most companies listed require that you live in Japan
before applying, but if you are searching for a job in
Japan from overseas, this is the place to go.
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Yolo Japan
A new and unique Japanese job search website that is geared towards foreigners living or traveling long-term in Japan, usually with some knowledge of Japanese. An unusual variety of jobs are advertised, ranging from participating in surveys, checking website usability, being paid to wear a kimono, visiting restaurants as a customer, testing smart phones, and many other types of part-time work. The emphasis is on short-term work, often service-related, though full-time jobs are available. The jobs offered can be a great way to extend your time in Japan while interacting with locals in their own language. Yolo even offers seminars for employment in Japan and is very student-friendly.
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Jobs in Japan
The self-proclaimed “mother lode
of Japan job info.” While some of the previously
mentioned sites have far more extensive listings, this
one should not be overlooked. In addition to the usual
suspects of English teaching and IT jobs, this site also provides
some other options. Check the “Tourism, Travel, and Hospitality,” the "Modeling," or the "Arts and Entertainment" sections if you’ve always
dreamed of getting your foreign face out in the media or working in tourism.
There are also a number of listings calling for hostesses.
Hang out at a bar till the wee hours of the morning serving
drunk businessmen overpriced cocktails, lighting cigarettes,
and just being a flirty coquette.
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Daijob.com
Sure, a huge number of jobs in Japan are teaching jobs.
There’s got to be more out there, though, right?
Right! Daijob.com lists thousands
of jobs ranging from accounting to investment banking.
The site is heavy on information technology and finance
jobs in particular. You can search by job, by employer,
and even by recruiter. Please note that most of the
jobs on this site require a high level of Japanese
language ability. There is a search function, however,
that allows you to narrow your search according to
language ability required.
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Metropolis; Kansai Scene (Job Finder)
These websites are the online
presence of two major English-language magazines
in Japan: Metropolis is based in
Tokyo; the Kansai Scene covers the
Osaka/Kobe/Kyoto area. The website for each magazine offers
an employment section where you can scan for jobs
in that part of the country. These are great resources
when job-hunting.
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Tokyo Employment Service Center for Foreigners
The website for contains a wealth of job-related
information. There you will find info on who is allowed
to work in Japan, labor laws, insurance, and where to
take free Japanese classes. The center has locations
in Tokyo and Osaka. If you are living in Japan while
job hunting, consider popping in for a consultation or
to browse through their help-wanted ads.
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CareerCross
In Japan, IT and telecommunications jobs are filled by foreigners. On this site, which has many bi-lingual positions available, it is possible to find positions that match your talents. You can negotiate with the company a work sponsorship since there is such great demand for technical skills.
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American
Embassy in Tokyo
Before you accept the job you found online and hop on
a plane, you might want to make sure your government
will allow it. To find your embassy’s website in
the "Land of the Rising Sun," try this Google
search: <Your Country> Embassy Japan. On your
embassy’s site you will find visa and employment
information, as well as some useful cultural tips. You
might even find a job opening at the embassy itself.
Whether you aspire to be an English
teacher, an investment banker, or are just seeking a short-term
gig, Japan is sure to offer jobs that suit you. The resources
listed above will get you off and running in the right direction.
So, bone up on your Japanese, and, as with any job, be sure
to research the position and company thoroughly before moving
halfway around the world. Good luck and gambatte!
Rachel Turner’s
articles have appeared in Japanzine, Metropolis,
The Kansai Scene, and The Kyoto
Journal.
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