How to Work as an Engineer in Japan? Introducing the Required Residence Statuses

The demand for engineers is increasing worldwide. Japanese companies are also becoming more proactive in hiring engineers from overseas.

Japan has many mechanical and electrical manufacturers. Therefore, there are many jobs not only in IT and software but also in design and development. Engineers from overseas are also expected to collaborate with overseas teams and subcontractors.

To work as an engineer in Japan, foreigners need a residence status and certain skills. This article introduces the required residence statuses to work as an engineer in Japan.

Note: Information about residence statuses is as of September 2024.

Residence Statuses Required to Work as an Engineer in Japan

Foreign engineers need a work-permitting residence status to work in Japan.

Those with residence statuses based on status or position, such as Permanent Resident (PR), Spouse or Child of Japanese National (SCJN), Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident (SCPR), and Long-Term Resident (LTR), have no occupational restrictions. Otherwise, the "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" or "Highly Skilled Professional" residence status is required.

Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (ESI)

The Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (ESI) status allows for jobs that require advanced technology and expertise or sensitivity. It is necessary for specialized jobs such as engineers, interpreters, designers, and marketers.

If you obtain the ESI residence status, you can work in specialized fields such as science, engineering, and other natural sciences.

[Conditions for Obtaining Residence Status]

• Graduation qualification from a university, graduate school, or junior college in Japan or overseas
• Graduation qualification from a vocational school in Japan

The school you graduated from must be in a specialized field where you can acquire knowledge and skills as an engineer. For example, mechanical engineering or information engineering in the faculty of science and engineering.

Additionally, for foreign universities or graduate schools, a certificate proving equivalence to a Japanese university graduation is required. Overseas vocational schools are not recognized as educational qualifications.

If you do not meet the educational background criteria, 3 to 10 years of work experience is required.

Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Residence Status 'Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services'" *Japanese

Highly Skilled Professional (i) (b)

The Highly Skilled Professional (i) (b) status is targeted at foreigners engaged in jobs that require knowledge and skills equivalent to a university graduate level in science or humanities. It is applicable to foreign professionals in fields such as technology and specialized professions.

To obtain the Highly Skilled Professional (i) (b) visa, a points-based system is used. Points are calculated based on education, work experience, annual income, Japanese language ability, etc., and you need to score 70 points or more to qualify.

The following conditions are advantageous for obtaining the Highly Skilled Professional (i) (b) status:

• Graduated from a specific university or graduate school
• Have a certain level of income
• Age up to 39 years old
• Graduated from a Japanese university
• Passed the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N1 or N2

Detailed conditions can be checked on the Immigration Services Agency of Japan's website.

Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Preferential Treatment System for Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals" *Japanese

Notes on Residence Status and Job Descriptions

The Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (ESI) and Highly Skilled Professional (i) (b) statuses are for working in highly specialized jobs. If you are granted the ESI status as an engineer, you cannot work in low-skilled jobs such as assembly line work in a factory.

However, if the job is within the restrictions of the residence status, other types of work may also be recognized. (Example) Technical translation related to IT as an ancillary job for an IT engineer

What is Needed to Work as an Engineer in Japan

To work as an engineer in Japan, in addition to the residence statuses introduced, you need specialized knowledge and skills, as well as communication skills and business manners in Japanese.

Study Japanese

It is desirable to have at least N2 level on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). Some companies may accept N3, but the higher your Japanese conversational skills, the better, as you need to communicate with Japanese colleagues.

Compared to mechanical or electrical/electronic engineers, IT engineers often require higher Japanese language skills.

Learn Business Manners and Workplace Culture

Japanese workplace culture is often different from other countries. Understanding these differences in advance will help you adapt to the workplace. Learn about unique aspects of Japanese workplace culture, such as how to conduct meetings and the importance of "reporting, contacting, and consulting" (HORENSO), through video sites or business etiquette books.

Additionally, in Japan, hierarchical relationships and manners are important, and teamwork is often valued over individual performance. Understanding the emphasis on communication and cooperation will make it easier to work.

How to Find Engineering Jobs

Find Jobs at Hello Work

Hello Work is an agency where you can consult about jobs and get job introductions. Some locations offer multilingual consultations. Check if the Hello Work in your area provides multilingual support. Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: "Prefectural Labour Bureau and Hello Work"

Consult with the Foreign Employment Service Center

The Foreign Employment Service Center offers consultations and job introductions for highly skilled foreign professionals. Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: "List of Foreign Employment Service Centers"

Register with Staffing Agencies

If you are having trouble finding a job or figuring out what kind of work you can do, registering with a staffing agency is one option. A staffing agency can introduce you to jobs that match your experience and skills.

Search on Job Sites

There are many types of job sites in Japan. You can search and apply for jobs by job category or location at any time, making it convenient.

Types of Engineering Jobs Available

JOB JOURNEY offers job listings in the engineering field, including the following:

[Mechanical and Electrical Fields]

• Design and Development, Prototyping, Experimentation
• Production Technology, Manufacturing Technology, Quality Control
• CAD Operator

[IT and Software Fields]

• Software Development
• Data Science, Machine Learning
• Network Engineer
• IT Consultant
• Cloud Engineer
• Security Engineer
• System Administration

🔎 View Engineering Job Listings

In Conclusion

More Japanese companies are becoming positive about hiring engineers from overseas.

To work as an engineer in a Japanese company, you need a work-permitting residence status. There are conditions such as educational background and specialized knowledge, so make sure to check them in advance.

JOB JOURNEY is currently recruiting about 1,000 engineering job listings! If you find a job that interests you, feel free to apply.

🔎 View Engineering Job Listings