Top 10 Jobs in Japan for Foreigners

Japanpedia - These 10 careers hold the most promise for foreign job seekers in Japan.

1. English Teacher

English teaching is the best known path to working in Japan. When you tell people you work in Japan, they inevitably ask "you're an English teacher?".
Conditions for English teachers in Japan remain difficult today. On the plus side, English teaching jobs are available in all of Japan's 47 prefectures. It's possible to live virtually anywhere in Japan and teach English (most other jobs for foreign workers are located in Tokyo).
English teachers seldom regret the decision to work in Japan. Even if they don't walk away with big money — it's a great experience.

2. Research and Professorships

Japan ranks 3rd in the world for research and development spending (144 billion dollars per year).
Japan is always willing to hire researchers who reach the top of their field. In certain areas, such as robot research, Japan is the top destination for researchers.
Professorships (especially short term contracts) are also possible in Japan.

3. Engineering

Many Japanese companies (including those in the electronics, automotive and heavy manufacturing industries) are open to hiring foreign engineers.
There are a great number of engineering jobs in Japan — it's not a function most Japanese companies are willing to offshore.

4. Information Technology

Japanese companies haven't been quick to offshore IT to India. Most IT shops have hired at least a few foreigners in the local market. This is only likely to increase.

5. Small Business

Japan is ranked 20th of all countries by the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business Index. Starting a small business is extremely tough — it's doubly tough in a foreign country.
Nevertheless, some foreign entrepreneurs have been successful in Japan.

6. Bars

The Japanese government discourages foreigners from working in bars. Certain visas specifically prohibit holders from working in a bar. Nevertheless, foreigners do end up working in bars in nightlife districts such as Roppongi.

7. Actors

If you can act and speak Japanese it's not that difficult to get small parts in Japanese television and films. There aren't many foreign actresses and actors who become stars in Japan. However, it does happen.

8. Models

Japanese print advertising requires a large number of foreign models. Your face doesn't stay fresh in Japan for long — models are recruited directly from abroad for short (well paid) contracts.

Japanese advertisers only work with top agencies — always check the reputation of an agency before heading to Japan. Agencies should never ask for money from models.

9. Recruiter

Foreign recruiting companies operate in Tokyo to supply foreign professionals to foreign and Japanese companies. Most of their business comes from foreign investment banks. They tend to follow the same boom and bust cycle as the banks — hiring one year and laying off the next.

Recruiters work on commission and can make big money in a good year.

10. Sales

The occasional business-to-business sales position pops up in Japan that requires a foreign sales person. These are usually Japanese companies that want to sell to foreign companies in Japan (e.g. investment banks).

Japanpedia Team