How to Get a Job in Japan as an American

Is your ultimate goal to find a job in Japan, pack up your stuff, and move abroad? If so, we’re here to help you figure out your best option. Although most people focus on the traditional job search and visa route, there are several other ways to make your dream of living and working in Japan a reality, too.

Read on to learn how you can go from gazing longingly at clips of Tokyo on The Travel Channel walking those very same streets on your way to work every morning!

Like most countries, landing a job, packing up, and moving to Japan isn’t simple. You’ll need a work permit and getting one can be tricky if you don’t meet certain criteria. Here are some things to think about before starting your job search as an American in Japan.

• Language proficiency: Do you speak and read Japanese? Many sectors require proficiency in Japanese to at least the N4 level (estimated to be around an A2). If you don’t speak Japanese, are you committed to learning? That may be the make-or-break question for getting a job in most fields in Japan.
• Education: The majority of jobs in Japan require applicants to have at least a bachelor’s degree. Advanced degrees may be expected for positions within research and engineering.
• Career field: Certain fields, like IT, engineering, and teaching, are more in demand than others for foreign workers.
• Sponsorship: To get a work permit for Japan, you need an employer to sponsor you. Generally, countries prioritize their own citizens when hiring so sponsorship is often difficult to come by unless you’re a highly-skilled foreigner with specialized knowledge.
• Length of move: If you want to live in Japan short-term, the amount of time and effort required to find sponsorship and process paperwork may not be worth it. To test the waters and see if a permanent move would be compatible with your lifestyle, consider taking a gap year or participating in a volunteer program.

If you don’t have a clue how to find work in Japan, we’ve got you covered.

Since you’re based in the US, you’ll need to apply for jobs in Japan online. There are a variety of avenues to explore including:

• GO jobs board: If you’re in the market for teaching jobs, take a look at the GO teaching jobs board for the latest opportunities.
• Job search sites: Search for jobs in English on Linkedin, Daijob, or GaijinPot. Some popular job sites that require Japanese proficiency include Indeed, Doda, and Rikunabi.
• American companies in Japan: US companies with offices in Japan could be an option to consider. While many of these often hire people locally who are either citizens or have working rights, a long-term plan could be to get your foot in the door at a US office and pursue an overseas transfer.
• Recruiters: Recruitment agencies look for qualified workers outside of Japan to fill jobs in the country. If you’re interested in English teaching jobs, there are recruiters for those, too!
• USAJOBS: You don’t have to be a soldier to work for the military. USAJOBS posts civilian jobs in various fields located on US military bases in Japan. These jobs are often competitive and prioritize family members of active-duty service members but they’re worth a shot, especially if you have specialized skills.
• Social media: Facebook and Reddit can be good places to put out feelers, ask questions, and scope out local expat communities.

You’ve landed a job interview – congrats! First things first, it’s a good idea to research the company and come up with a few questions to demonstrate your interest. Also, be sure to jot down any career goals and what you hope to accomplish in your prospective role.

While the interviews themselves will likely be unique to every company, there are some basic etiquette tips to remember.

• Timing: Be early but not too early. A good rule of thumb is to arrive 10-15 minutes before your scheduled interview. If your interview is virtual, make sure you’re ready to go while in the waiting room.
• Appearance: Keep it neutral. Cover visible tattoos and remove piercings. A black or navy suit is generally the norm for men and a white blouse and suit skirt for women. Make sure you sit up straight and maintain good posture.
• Formality: If your interview is in Japanese, be sure to use keigo to show respect for the interviewer(s).
• Humility: While it’s common and expected to hype yourself and your accomplishments up in Western interview settings, this comes off negatively in collectivist societies like Japan. Try to frame successes as a collaborative, team effort.

To learn some key phrases to use during your interview, check out this article on tips to ace your interview in Japan!

Congrats on landing a job in Japan! Now it’s time to apply for your visa. Your employer will issue you a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) which will outline your job duties and other important details that the immigration services will need to process your visa application. Obtaining a COE can take up to 3 months.

Japan has different types of work visas so the one you’ll need to complete will depend on your field. Your employer will likely be able to help you select the correct application.

Submit your application with COE to your nearest Japanese consulate in the US. Processing generally takes 5 days.

Getting a work visa with sponsorship can be tough but if you’re really committed to moving to Japan, there are other viable ways to get there. Sometimes this entails “playing the long game” and doing several other steps before getting where you want to be career-wise. However, it will all be worth it in the end if Japan is your dream destination.

If you’re already in the education field or are considering a career change, teaching English is hands-down one of the easiest ways to get a job in Japan as an American or other English-speaking expat. Native English teachers are in demand and there are opportunities across the country, in both urban and rural settings.

Aside from being a country with a great standard of living, the perks (good salary, free housing, insurance, flight reimbursement, and more) make Japan an especially attractive and popular destination for both new and seasoned educators.

Even if you aren’t keen on staying in the classroom long-term, this could open the door to other opportunities should you eventually want to transition. With your teaching experience and language skills, you could potentially pursue jobs in curriculum development, administration, content writing, and marketing.

Read more: The 5 Best Programs to Teach English in Japan

International students are allowed to both work and intern while studying in Japan. Should your goal be to stay in the country long-term, getting an internship or part-time job as a student should be a top priority to begin networking, gaining local experience, and strengthening language skills.

After you graduate, you can apply for a visa that allows you to stay for six months to find work in Japan. This can be renewed once, potentially giving you one year to search and apply for jobs.

If you don’t speak Japanese yet, you can study abroad in Japan in English. Tokyo University, for example, has a selection of graduate programs across the arts, humanities, and STEM that are taught in English. Most universities also offer Japanese as a Foreign Language classes to international students, some free of charge.

Read more: How to Study Abroad in Japan in English

Most jobs outside of teaching English require some level of Japanese proficiency. By studying at a language school in Japan, you’re killing two birds with one stone: you can start your life abroad and begin improving your Japanese skills. Not only will you make yourself more marketable by speaking the language but you can network while you’re a student. This could lead to finding job sponsorship while you’re in the country.

Read more: The Ultimate Guide to Learning Japanese in Japan

Recent graduates and career changers alike can benefit from doing an internship in Japan. Interning abroad in Japan could help you in a number of ways. Not only will it give you the opportunity to improve your language skills and learn about Japanese business culture but it can help you to establish yourself at a company that may consider sponsoring you in a permanent position.

While in Japan as an intern, make networking your key priority! Even if you don’t end up with a job offer from your internship site, you may find other in-roads by expanding your overseas network in Japan.

Read more: 10 Skills You’ll Gain From Interning Abroad

If you already have a remote job that you can do anywhere, Japan launched a digital nomad visa in 2024. Although the visa is only for 6 months (with no current ability to extend), you can use this time to get to know Japan, make some local connections, and decide if moving abroad permanently is as appealing as it sounds.

Read more: Expat vs. Digital Nomad: Which is Right for you?

World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, or WWOOF for short, is a type of work exchange that provides travelers with free room and board for working on locally-owned farms, orchards, and vineyards around the world. In Japan, there are tons of families and small businesses seeking WWOOFers to contribute to their operations. If you want to get a feel for Japan before making a permanent move, WWOOFing can be a fun and interesting way to meet new people, gain some skills, and see the country, all while receiving accommodation and meals.

Read more: What to Know About WWOOFing Around the World

Even if the process seems challenging, don’t give up on your dreams to live and work in Japan. Start your research, brush up on your Japanese, and apply! Whether you get there by teaching, studying, interning, or working, the most important step is getting your foot in the door. You never know where the right opportunity will come your way!