r/JapanJobs

I've seen this trend getting stronger over the last few months of my job hunt... When you apply to a company using their online form there is often the knockout question "Will you now or in the future require support with your visa?" which already shows the tendency that they prefer people who don't need support. (I find it really weird too that they flock people who don't have a working visa yet and others who do already have a running working visa but will need a little support for the renewal together, as the second case is much easier and less risky for the company)

Recently the knockout questions get even more direct and just ask "Do you have permanent residency in Japan?" which signals that if they have a enough applicants who are permanent residents they will probably not even bother looking at anyone who choose "no" here.

I know some people don't believe that knockout questions are radically deciding the fate of an application but I worked in the past for a company who actually designs these online application web forms and asked my boss about it. He proudly said that they have many clients who totally use these questions to filter out applications, in some cases the reply to the knockout question auto-rejects an application before a human even sees it. For example with new grads the web forms that make you choose your university from a drop down list, you can expect that certain universities (like F rank) are instantly auto-rejected no matter how good you did in the SPI tests etc.

So recently having several companies having a knockout question for PR might be a new gatekeeping trend that makes it impossible for some professionals to get certain jobs. Some companies are so afraid of the "visa sponsorship" (even though it is really not that difficult at all), that they would probably prefer an applicant with PR (or Japanese passport) and only 3 years of relevant experience over someone with "only" a working visa but 6 years of experience. With the rules on PR getting stronger this will create a huge gap between the lucky ones who got PR before the rules changed and the unlucky ones who will not even be considered even though they already worked for years in Japan with a working visa.

Hello everyone. I grew up in China. I have more than 10 years of experience as a Linux system engineer and DevOps engineer in China.
I moved to Tokyo in 2022. Since I came to Japan, I have been working as a contract engineer. I have worked on several projects in Japan.
Recently, because of the difficult job market, my salary was cut, and now my take-home pay is about ¥290,000 per month.
My biggest problem is language. My English is still limited, and my Japanese is not at N1 level yet.
I’m not sure what the best next step is for my career. Should I focus on improving my Japanese and getting N1, work more seriously on my English, improve my technical skills, or try to move out of the Chinese IT staffing market?
I’d really appreciate any advice, especially from people who work in IT in Japan or have been in a similar situation.

Hey everyone,

Looking for a grounded reality check from people currently working in tech or hiring in Japan.

To be blunt, the entry-level tech job market in my home country (Indonesia) is completely cooked right now. For virtually every junior developer or IT opening, there are literally 1,000+ applicants. You can have a solid portfolio, pass every single technical round and behavioral interview, and still get rejected at the finish line simply because there's always someone with 2+ internships willing to take base pay. It feels like pure RNG at this point.

Because of this, I'm exploring the option of breaking into Japan's IT market as a fresh grad.

My background:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science (eligible for the Engineer visa on paper).
• Japanese proficiency: JLPT N2 certified, with actual spoken business Japanese (comfortable doing technical and HR interviews in Japanese, not just a paper test-passer).
• Technical skills: Solid CS fundamentals, hands-on projects in software development and applied machine learning / deep learning.
• Location: Applying directly from Indonesia, so I would require visa sponsorship.

A few specific questions for folks in the industry:

1. How viable is landing an entry-level role directly from abroad? Is the foreign new-grad (shinsotsu) pipeline still actively hiring from overseas, or has the global tech cooling tightened things up significantly?
2. Does N2 + business Japanese actually give an edge? I know English-first tech giants (Mercari, Rakuten, Line/Yahoo) are hyper-competitive. Does being able to work in Japanese open doors at mid-tier domestic tech companies, in-house development teams, or traditional SIers?
3. Which hiring channels actually work for overseas candidates? Should I stick to programs tailored for Asian grads (e.g., FAST OFFER / Asia to Japan, Connect Job), or apply directly through platforms like Wantedly, Daijob, Green, or LinkedIn?
4. Is the competition more reasonable than Southeast Asia? I know entry-level Japanese salaries aren't massive, but given the domestic IT labor shortage, is the interview-to-offer ratio more merit-based compared to the hyper-saturated junior market back home?

Would really appreciate any brutally honest advice, warnings about "black companies" or dispatch traps to steer clear of, or tips on how to position my profile. Thanks in advance!

Hey all. For context, I'm a traveling seasonal worker here in the states and have been for the last 5 years. I typically work for resorts for 6 - 8 months at a time and then move on to the next location. In this line of work we have a lot of international workers who come over here on a J1 visa to work temporarily in the hospitality sector. Is there anything like that for an American looking for similar work in Japan? My Japanese is decent and I can hold my own in a conversation well enough. If anyone has any information or resources it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all and be well.

Unless you’re a unicorn SE or hot shot exec or whatever.

No, the birth rate doesn’t mean more jobs for foreigners (outside Japan).

Have seen lots of people try. People who can’t push past N3 even with experience simply can’t find jobs.

Yes, it’s not impossible. People do get lucky, but the best way is really just to keep trying to improve THEN start applying.

(This is probably not gonna stop the daily can’t speak Japanese want job posts though lol)

I'm an international student in a Japanese university for masters program, and I'll grad in sep 2027. I plan to take a job in Japan, and for that I've been working hard on research mostly.

I published 2 papers as the first author in international conferences this year, and I plan to publish 2 more in the next year.

For Japanese, I hold a N4 certificate. I understand that's not really good, thus I'll be focusing more on this issue now. I plan to reach N3 by December this year, and keep studying for July 2027 N2.

The questions I'd like to be answered would be:

:1. Can I participate in new graduate recruitment with good chances of win as a N3 speaker, who's transitioning to N2? I can make a rush for N2 since now until March 2027, but the test for N2 will be in July 2027. So, even though I can upskill my language, I won't have the certificate.

I already have 2 papers, and I don't really know whether getting more will come up with greater returns.

:2. Does having more publications as a new grad masters student sound helpful? In my lab, even undergrad b3-b4 students try to publish a paper, even at a local Japanese conference, since my professor often says that it's gonna benefit you and it's not common to have publications this easily.

:3. Will I be able to job hunt after getting N2 in July 2027? I understand that the recruiting timeline might be an issue, but I want to know if N2 can possibly redeem me.

Thanks for the attention and have a nice week.

I'm originally from Honolulu and came to Japan roughly 4 years ago, and I've recently been let go from my job. I'm fluent in both, English and Japanese, and I've been searching for nearby jobs and online works frantically and sent roughly 50 applications out over the past 3 weeks or so to no avail. I've also asked in other subreddits, and while some did suggest JET or a position at any of the military bases, I'm a dual citizen (US & Japan), which makes me inelligible for these.

I'm at a real loss because I don't have a family whom I can turn to, and I live with my maternal grandfather (my mother's father), who will be 90 next year. I'm met with a really tough choice of either staying here and continue searching for a job, or abandon everything and go back to the states. The former is proving really challenging, and the latter means that I'll have to leave my grandfather, which I don't want to have to do, but I will have to if I don't want to starve to death. Even if I did decide to turn heartless, I wouldn't have anyone to turn to in Hawaii since I have no family there anymore (my mother passed away 3 years ago, and we were the only ones living outside of Asia).

I even applied for a cashier position at my local drugstore, and even that didn't give me the response I had hoped for. Seeing that the spot is still vacant, I have no idea why they turned me down. It's like nobody wants me here, and I'm feeling pretty useless.

I'd appreciate any advice.

Hey! I’m looking for someone in Osaka who wants a small, low-pressure side job teaching English to kids and some adults.

📍 Location: ~20–25 mins from Namba - Higashi-Osaka
💴 Pay: Minimum wage (transport covered)
⏰ Hours: Part-time Tuesday Afternoons

What it’s like:

• Relaxed classes (nothing intense or corporate)
• Small groups, friendly students
• Mostly simple conversation + basic English
• You don’t need to be a “professional teacher”

Good fit if you:

• Are already in Japan (Osaka area)
• Want a bit of extra income without stress
• Don’t mind something simple and easy

Nice bonus:

• Super easy work compared to most eikaiwa jobs
• Good environment (not strict or draining)
• Can fit around your schedule

If you’re interested, just DM me a bit about yourself, where you are, how long you're here, what visa you're on, etc 👍

hi, No matter how I tweak my resume, the rejection always comes the next day. So... what exactly gets "reviewed" in 24 hours?

Every application I send out, doesn't matter how much I customize the resume, tailor keywords, rewrite the summary the rejection email lands within a day.

what is the ATS actually doing in that window? Rakuten get hundreds of applications per posting.

If you've actually gotten hired what did your process look like? Did you get instant rejections from Rakuten, Did tailoring the resume actually change anything, or was it more about referrals/networking getting you past the bot?

Trying to figure out if I'm wasting hours optimizing something an algorithm skims in half a second.

2 years in Japan, AI/ML engineer but haken, placed at a client site. No promotion track, no path to direct hire. N3.

There's no team. I'm the only ML person on site, no senior, no code review. My growth has flattened.

Job hunting for months, same wall every time: I want deep ML work, the roles I can get don't build that experience, and every deep ML posting wants the experience I can't get.

I have an ML Master's admission in the EU as a fallback, so there's a clock on this.

Asking:

1. Fastest route into a direct-hire ML role here, agents, direct applications, or referrals? Which actually worked for you?

2. Which recruiters are worth my time for ML/data roles?

3. Anyone who got out of haken-with-no-team: what worked?

4. If your team is hiring, I'd love a pointer.

Any advice appreciated.

Hey! I’m looking for someone in Osaka who wants a small, relaxed side job teaching English to kids and some adults.

📍 Location: ~20–25 mins from Namba, Higashi-Osaka
💴 Pay: ¥1,000 per 40-minute lesson (equivalent to ¥1,500/hour)
⏰ Day: Tuesdays for now, later Wed/Fri may be available
💰 Current total: Usually around ¥5,000–6,000 per Tuesday Evening, with potential for more in the future
🚃 Transport: Fully covered

There are no specific requirements. As long as you can speak English and are comfortable interacting with kids/adults, you're welcome to apply. No teaching qualification or professional experience is needed.

What it’s like:

• Relaxed, low-pressure classes
• Small groups and friendly students
• Mostly simple conversation + basic English
• Mix of kids and adults
• Usually around 5 minutes between lessons
• There’s usually a break during the day
• Very straightforward work once you get used to it
• No strict corporate eikaiwa atmosphere

Good fit if you:

• Are already in Japan / Osaka
• Want some extra income without committing to loads of hours
• Have Tuesdays available
• Don't mind teaching English in a casual environment
• Want something simple that can fit around other work or study

The number of lessons and total pay could increase in the future.

If you're interested, just DM me a little about yourself, where you're based, how long you've been in Japan, what visa you're on, and any teaching experience you have (if any)! 👍

(1500-1800/hr) in Hirai,Tokyo from September end

I am looking for a replacement for me as I am leaving Japan. It's a Japanese daycare with friendly staff and owner. The kids are playful and lovely!

1500 for day care hours

1800 for English lesson (Tue and Friday 2 hours each day)

Later 100 yen per student added

Please comment for further details!

anyone here had experience working in Japan on a Humanities/International Services (技術・人文知識・国際業務) work visa while also doing design freelance work for clients in Japan or overseas, or selling handmade products/artworks through platforms like Instagram or Creema?

I’d like to ask whether this type of side work requires applying for an Individual Permission for Activities Outside the Scope of Status of Residence (資格外活動許可).

Also, if the freelance work is done remotely and the payment is transferred directly to an overseas bank account, how should this situation be handled?

With the immigration rules becoming increasingly strict, I’m particularly concerned about whether doing this without the proper permission could affect a future Permanent Residency (永住) application.

If anyone has actually applied for permission for this kind of side work, I’d really appreciate hearing about your experience. Was the application difficult? Did immigration ask you to provide things like contracts, a business plan, proof of working hours, or other documents? 🙏🏻

Thank you so much!

Hi Everyone,

I am currently looking for opportunities in Japan , i have a PhD in Mechanical engineering and also 4 years industrial experience, I am looking for opportunities in Japan, i wanted to know what skills does recruiters see in japan, are there any jobs for mechanical engineering so that I can easily get it from applying from my country.

I have written exam for N4 and waiting for the same and currently preparing for my N3.

Thanks and Regards

Hi everyone!

I’m a licensed and practicing mental health therapist/ psychologist in the Philippines, and I’m looking for opportunities to move to Japan and potentially work for an English-speaking clinic. My background includes providing counseling for adults and families, with my main approach being Solutions-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

I would appreciate any leads or referrals if there any, or if you’ve had a similar experience as well. I'm also curious if you've had an experience reaching out to Engish-speaking therapists/clinics in Japan, and how that experience went. I'd be glad for any input from the group!

Thank you so much!

One positionsis to act as a Bridge Engineer, between one of our Japanese customers here and our off-shore technical members.

The other role is a lot more senior, to be a Lead Solution Architect and be the "right hand person" to the Head of IT. That position will have regional responsibility througout Asia, but needs Japanese as interaction is needed with the Japanese operational members (most of whom don't speak English).

So these positions do need JLPT N1, and the hiring managers would only consider applicants who have this certification (or equivalent). If there is anyone here who is matching and interested, feel free to DM me for more info.

M(28), I’m a software engineer in Japan with 2.5 YOE — about 1 year outside Japan and 1.5 years here.

Currently making around ¥4.4M gross/year including rent subsidy. My take-home is around ¥300k/month, and with ~10 hours of overtime, I usually get around ¥320k/month.

I live in Tokyo, and my monthly expenses are roughly:

• Rent: ~¥80k
• Everything else (food, utilities, transportation, eating out, travel, etc.): ~¥90k
• I usually manage to save around ¥150k/month
• I don’t currently have any major financial responsibilities or need to support family back home.

I’m currently working more on AWS/infrastructure/cloud. My Japanese language level is N3 and studying for N2.

The reason I’m asking is that I’ve been getting quite a few recruiter/interview requests on LinkedIn, and many positions are offering around ¥5–6M. Of course, getting through the interview process and actually landing one of those offers is a different story 😂.

The dilemma is that my current job is actually pretty good:

• Great work-life balance
• Very supportive seniors/team (100% Japanese)
• Valuable cloud/infra experience
• I’m genuinely happy with my life and have time to enjoy things outside work too

I’ve heard that staying around 3 years with one company can also look better on a Japanese resume, so I’m wondering whether I should stay another year, improve my skills + pass N2, and then aim for ¥6–8M, or switch now for the money.

I’m single, and honestly, ¥4.4M already lets me live fairly comfortably and save a decent amount. But knowing I could potentially earn more is making me a little greedy 😂

What would you do in my situation? Is ¥4.4M reasonable for 2.5 YOE, or am I leaving too much money on the table?

Hey everyone, I’m looking for advice on finding part-time work here in Osaka. I’m fluent in English but my Japanese is around the N5 level, currently started studying for N4 by myself. I initially came here for a few months, but I need to stay for a few more years due to a medical condition that requires regular checkups, as the healthcare here is much better than back home. My wife is currently the only one working, and it’s getting hard to manage the bills. If you have any advices on ways to look for a job or know of places hiring people with limited Japanese, please let me know.

Hi everyone,

I’m from the UK and I’m starting to look seriously into sports-related jobs in Tokyo or the surrounding area. My background is mainly youth basketball coaching, talent ID and video analysis. Longer term, I’m interested in scouting, performance analysis, sports operations or sports data.

I’d ideally like to find work connected to basketball, university/student sport, club operations, scouting/analysis, or sport programme coordination.

My Japanese is not fluent yet, but I’m keen to learn properly. My partner and I have wanted to live in Japan for a long time, have visited several times, and are trying to understand what is actually realistic before making any big decisions.

I’d really appreciate advice on where to look, whether sports jobs are realistic without fluent Japanese, whether visa sponsorship is likely in this area, and whether there are any people, groups or networks worth connecting with.

If anyone works in basketball, sport operations, university sport, scouting or analysis in Japan and would be open to a quick chat, I’d be grateful.

Thanks!

We’re looking for someone who is fluent in both Japanese and English for ongoing part-time work.

The position involves work where strong Japanese and English communication skills are required, so applicants must be comfortable working in both languages.

Details:

• $30–$50/hour, depending on experience and ability
• 20–50 hours per month
• Remote, with the position specifically intended for someone based in Japan
• Ongoing part-time work — this is not a one-off or temporary gig
• Japanese: fluent/professional proficiency
• English: fluent/professional proficiency

To apply, please DM me with:

• Japanese proficiency level
• English proficiency level
• Current location
• Resume/CV
• Brief summary of relevant experience

Please also mention your availability and approximate number of hours you can work per month.

If you have any questions about the position, feel free to ask in the comments.