Benefits of Working in Japan for Foreigners

This article introduces the benefits of working in Japan for foreigners. If you're interested in working abroad or living in Japan, this article is for you.

Benefits of Working in Japan for Foreigners

Stable Employment

For those who want to work at the same company for many years, working in Japan offers significant benefits. As a full-time employee, you typically have an indefinite contract, allowing you to work stably. This can help you aim for managerial positions, develop your expertise, and build your career.
Even as a contract employee, you can extend your contract based on your job performance and the company's needs.

Moreover, Japan has a law called the "Labor Standards Act" that protects your right to work safely and healthily. It's illegal to suddenly terminate your employment or lower your salary because you are a foreigner.

Health Insurance System

When living in Japan, you must join the health insurance system. Simply put, health insurance greatly reduces the cost of medical treatment for illnesses and injuries because you only pay 30% of the medical expenses.
In some areas, children's medical expenses are covered or subsidized. If you work in Japan, having access to affordable medical care is a significant benefit. Health insurance premiums are deducted from your salary by the company.

Learn more: Japanese Health Insurance

New Graduate Recruitment System

New graduate recruitment is when companies hire recent high school or university graduates as full-time employees. Even without experience, new graduates have the chance to join industries or famous companies they are interested in. Companies often hire and train multiple new employees at once, sometimes over 100.

If the company has branches outside Japan, you might have the opportunity to work in your home country's branch. If you are studying in Japan and plan to graduate, compare job opportunities in Japan and your home country.

Learn more: Job Hunting for International Students: How to Find a Job in Japan

How Can Foreigners Work in Japan?

To work in Japan, you need a valid residence status. Various types of residence statuses allow employment, such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (ESI), Specified Skilled Worker (SSW), Care Worker, and Highly Skilled Professional (HSP). Each residence status has specific job restrictions.

Additionally, residence statuses are valid for up to 5 years and need regular renewal. If you wish to work in Japan long-term, consider switching to Permanent Resident (PR) status.

Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan "List of Residence Statuses"

Demand for Bilingual Professionals

There is a high demand for individuals fluent in English in Japan. Not only for specialized roles such as interpreters and translators, but also in various fields like sales and customer service. There are also many job opportunities for people who speak Chinese or Korean. However, strong communication skills in Japanese are also necessary.

How to Find a Job in Japan as a Foreigner

• Use Hello Work
• Use job search websites
• Search on SNS like Facebook and LinkedIn
• Check company websites

In Japan, using Hello Work and job search websites is common. There are "Foreign Employment Service Centers" in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka, where you can get job consultations and introductions.

Some job search websites offer multilingual support for foreigners. You can search for jobs by occupation and location. There are many job listings that are not available on Hello Work.
Checking company websites can also be useful. Look for the "Recruitment Information" page for job openings.

Conclusion

We introduced three benefits of working in Japan:

• Stable employment
• Health insurance system
• New graduate recruitment system

Japan is facing a serious labor shortage due to a declining birthrate and aging population. Therefore, the hiring of foreigners is increasing across various industries and regions.
Japan offers a stable working environment and a secure health insurance system, making it an attractive place to work. The new graduate recruitment system also provides opportunities to build a career from scratch.

If you're interested in working abroad, consider job opportunities in Japan.