In recent years, Japan has attracted an increasing number of tourists and job seekers from all over the world. It boasts one of the biggest cities in the world, robot restaurants, traditional rural villages and temples. Rich with culture, Japan is a clean and safe destination for international workers.

When it comes to job opportunities for these international workers, there is a common belief that non-Japanese speakers face very limited professional opportunities in Japan.

Teaching and recruitment seem to be the only two industries accepting foreigners with no Japanese language knowledge. Although this has been the case in the past, recently the situation is improving. Along with a surge in globalization, an increasing number of Japanese companies are recruiting international students.

For people who find it challenging to find a working visa in Japan, teaching English (or other languages) may be one of the best ways to get started, however there are also other opportunities to consider once in Japan.

Since 2015, the Humanities/International Services/Engineering Visa has allowed foreigners to apply to a wider range of jobs, including engineers, business analysts, product developers and freelancers.

In Japan, companies within several industries including finance, insurance, IT, and those with globalisation initiatives prioritise language skills less than specific knowledge. For example, IT- related jobs often do not require any Japanese knowledge. This is becoming more common, especially for two reasons :

1) Currently, the Japanese government is promoting immigration initiatives allowing thousands of foreigners the right to employment.

2) With the 2020 Olympic Games approaching, there will likely be an increase in number of opportunities for talented professionals.

For more job information and opportunities :

When considering a potential job opportunity, directly visiting the place that is hiring might be a good strategy. Due to many job seekers are applying for one job opportunity, having an offline connection with hiring managers could make a difference.

After arriving in Japan, learning Japanese would be an asset, as a lack of understanding the language could result in slower career development and less advancement opportunities.