Japan (JP)

Japan is one of the world's most captivating destinations for expats — a country where ancient temple culture and ultra-modern technology coexist seamlessly.

Capital: Tokyo

Region: Asia

Language: Japanese

Currency: JPY (¥)

Cost of living: Expensive (index 72)

Emergency: 110 (police) / 119 (fire and ambulance)

Jobs & Work Permits

Everything you need to find work and get authorised to work in Japan.

Hello Work

ハローワーク (公共職業安定所)

Visit your nearest Hello Work office with your residence card and pension booklet. Register as a job seeker (求職登録). Staff will create a profile and match you with job listings. Some offices have English-speaking advisors or multilingual materials, especially in major cities.

Services offered:

✓Free job matching and introduction letters (紹介状) to prospective employers
✓Unemployment benefit (雇用保険 / Koyō Hoken) registration and payment processing
✓Career counselling and skills assessment
✓Subsidised training programs (職業訓練 / Vocational Training)
✓Job seeker workshops and resume/interview preparation
✓Multilingual support at designated offices in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, etc.

Expat eligibility: All legally resident foreigners can use Hello Work services. Unemployment benefits (Koyō Hoken) require at least 12 months of enrolled employment insurance contributions in the past 2 years. You must be actively seeking work and able to start immediately.

Visit Hello Work

💼 Work Permits

EU Citizens

EU citizens receive no special treatment in Japan — the same visa rules apply as for all other nationalities. The main work visa categories are Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (for university graduates), Highly Skilled Professional (points-based fast-track), and Specified Skilled Worker. Working Holiday visas are available to citizens of many European countries aged 18–30.

Non-EU Citizens

All foreign nationals require a valid work visa before starting employment in Japan. The employer typically files the Certificate of Eligibility (COE / 在留資格認定証明書) with the Immigration Services Agency on the employee's behalf — this process takes 1–3 months. Common categories: Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (requires relevant degree or 10 years work experience), Highly Skilled Professional (HSP), Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Types 1 and 2.

EU Blue Card

Japan's equivalent is the Highly Skilled Professional (HSP / 高度専門職) visa, using a points-based scoring system (70 points = standard HSP; 80 points = accelerated PR track). Points awarded for: education level (doctorate +30, master +20, bachelor +10), annual salary (¥4M+ = 10pts, ¥5M+ = 15pts, etc.), age (under 30 = 15pts), experience, and bonuses for working in bonus sectors, graduating from a Japanese/top global university, or having N1/N2 Japanese proficiency. HSP holders get fast-track PR (5 years standard vs 10 years) and additional privileges.

Freelancer Visa

Japan does not have a dedicated freelancer visa. Self-employed or freelance work requires the Business Manager visa (経営・管理) which requires establishing a registered company (KK or GK) with a business office. The company must generate sufficient income (roughly ¥5M+/year) to justify the visa. Alternatively, foreigners on a spouse visa or highly skilled professional visa can do freelance work. The Digital Nomad Visa (launched March 2024) allows remote work for overseas employers for up to 6 months but prohibits working for Japanese clients.

⏱️ Work Culture

Typical hours 9am–6pm official, but overtime (残業 / zangyō) is widespread. Many employees work until 8–10pm. "Karoshi" (過労死 — death from overwork) is a recognised social problem. The government's Work Style Reform (働き方改革) enacted in 2019 set a cap of 45 extra hours/month (up to 100/month in special circumstances). International companies tend to have better work-life balance. Startups and foreign-affiliated firms (外資系 / gaishikei) are generally more reasonable.

Annual leave 10 days statutory paid annual leave (有給休暇) after 6 months of employment, increasing to 20 days after 6.5 years. Many Japanese workers do not take all their entitled leave due to social pressure — Japan's actual vacation usage rate is one of the lowest in the OECD. Foreigners are encouraged to take their full leave and may face less pressure to forfeit it.

Sick leave No statutory sick leave — unused annual leave is typically used for illness. Many companies have internal sick leave policies. Social insurance provides Kenkō Hoken Kyūfukin (健康保険傷病手当金 / health insurance sickness allowance) from the 4th consecutive sick day: 2/3 of standard daily remuneration, up to 18 months.

Trial period Shikō Kikan (試行期間) or probation period is typically 3–6 months. During this period, the dismissal process is simplified but notice is still required (typically 30 days or payment in lieu).

Notice period Legally 14 days minimum (Civil Code Article 627). In practice, most employment contracts specify 1 month notice, and Japanese work culture expects 1–3 months notice to arrange handover. Japanese employees often submit a resignation letter (退職届 / taishoku todoke) well in advance.

Salary range National average: ¥4.6M/year (approx ¥383,000/month). Tokyo average: ¥5.5–6.5M. IT engineers: ¥5M–12M. Finance (investment banking): ¥8M–25M+. English teaching (ALT/eikaiwa): ¥2.4M–3.6M. International companies pay significantly more than Japanese companies for equivalent roles.

Pay frequency Monthly — paid on a fixed date each month (commonly 25th or end of month). Biannual bonus (ボーナス / bonasu) paid in June/July and December, typically 1–3 months salary. Some companies offer performance bonuses.

Contract types

·Seishain (正社員) — permanent full-time employee with full benefits
·Keiyaku-shain (契約社員) — fixed-term contract (1–3 years), renewable
·Haken (派遣) — agency/temp worker dispatched to a company
·Arubaito / Part-time (アルバイト・パート) — hourly paid, limited hours

🔍 Job Boards

Rikunabi NEXT (リクナビNEXT)

Doda (doda)

Major job site with recruitment agency integration. Offers both self-apply listings and agent-mediated placement. Japanese required for most roles.

LinkedIn Japan

Growing rapidly in Japan — now essential for international companies, tech, finance, and startup hiring. English-language profile is accepted in international firms.

Indeed Japan (Indeed.co.jp)

Aggregates listings from multiple job boards. Bilingual interface. Good for finding both Japanese and international company roles.

Bizreach (ビズリーチ)

Invitation-only premium platform for high-level executives and specialists. Japanese and bilingual roles. Used heavily by headhunters.

Wantedly (ウォンテッドリー)

Social jobs platform focused on company culture and mission. Very popular with startups. English profiles accepted. Good for tech, creative, and international companies.

🌍 Expat-Friendly Resources

🌍

GaijinPot Jobs

Japan's largest English-language job board. Covers English teaching, hospitality, IT, finance, and other expat-friendly roles. Many listings require no Japanese.

🌍

Daijob (ダイジョブ)

Bilingual job board specialising in international companies operating in Japan. Many roles require both English and Japanese.

🌍

Jobs in Japan (JiJ)

English-language job listings with a focus on non-English-teaching positions. Tech, engineering, and professional services.

🌍

CareerCross

Bilingual job platform targeting professionals at international companies. Good selection of finance, consulting, and tech roles.

🌍

Tokyo Cheapo Job Board

Community job listings for the English-speaking expat community in Tokyo. Mix of professional and entry-level roles.

📝 Application Tips

CV format: Traditional Japanese companies require a Rirekisho (履歴書 — handwritten or printed on official A3 format). Modern and international companies accept Western-style CVs in English or Japanese. Rirekisho must include a passport photo, birth date, education and work history in chronological order. Do NOT include gaps — they must be explained. English teachers also need to provide a photo-free resume for some companies to avoid discrimination issues.

Cover letter: Expected

Language: Japanese proficiency is essential for working at most Japanese companies. JLPT N2 is the typical minimum for professional roles requiring Japanese communication. N1 for highly technical or client-facing roles. The international/expat job market (GaijinPot, Daijob, CareerCross) has many roles requiring only English, particularly in IT, finance, English teaching, and multinational corporations.

Interviews: Japanese interviews are formal — conservative dress, deep bow on entry, business card exchange if applicable. Expect multiple rounds (written test, group interview, individual interview, final interview with senior management). Questions focus on motivation, fit with company values (社風 / shafū), and long-term commitment. Discussing salary in interviews is considered impolite — wait until an offer is made. International companies follow Western norms more closely.

🤝 Networking Tips

→Business card (meishi) exchange is ritualistic — receive with both hands, read carefully, and place respectfully on the table in front of you during meetings.
→Join industry associations (業界団体) relevant to your field — networking events are common.
→American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ), British Chamber of Commerce (BCCJ), and European Business Council Japan (EBC) host excellent networking events.
→LinkedIn has grown significantly in Japan — keep your profile updated and engage with Japanese professionals.
→Nomikai (飲み会 / after-work drinking parties) are a major networking tool in Japan — attend them, even if you drink non-alcoholic beverages.
→Tokyo DevLounge, GaijinPot meetups, and InterNations professional events are great starting points for expat professional networking.

Premium Section

Jobs & Work Permits

Unlock the complete Jobs & Work Permits guide for Japan — including every detail, document, tip and link you need.

Become a Supporter

Support the guide on Ko-fi · Unlocks every premium section, everywhere