Struggling with your job search in Japan? Would you like to work somewhere where you can improve your Japanese and learn about Japanese culture? We’ve got you covered! Gaining job experience in a foreign country might seem daunting, but through this article, we would love to boost your optimism by introducing some job opportunities in Japan that you might not have thought of before! Working in Japan isn’t just about office work in a Japanese company!

If you have conversational-level Japanese, we’ve got you covered. No need for complex business Japanese! Remember that Japan is the fourth largest economy in the world which means that opportunities to work for foreign companies in Japan are also available. Without further ado, here are some industries that you can consider applying for as an introduction to the Japanese work environment.

Japanese Fast Food Restaurant

Want a part-time job but don’t have much free time? Most Japanese fast-food restaurants operate in a monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly shift system that allows you to select your shifts in advance to help ensure you have a flexible schedule for your private life and studies. Some fast food restaurants allow you to work for just one day a week, with a minimum of just three hours!

Most of the time, fast-food restaurants are chains and can be found almost everywhere. It is thus the most common option for part-time job seekers. Depending on your work as well, only a minimum level of Japanese requirement is needed. Additionally, some restaurants will also provide free meals to staff who are working the whole day! Getting to earn and save money simultaneously is a pretty good deal don’t you think?

Furthermore, fast-food restaurant work is an effective way for you to brush up your Japanese speaking skills as some of them will provide you with some set phrases to remember on certain occasions, along with interacting with Japanese customers for most of your work, making it a perfect option for your first job in Japan.

English Teaching

One of the most popular options for foreign workers who have a high English proficiency. If you prefer a job that is less labor intensive, English teaching is the perfect job for you! Since more English-language schools for adults and children are now open for business throughout Japan, the market for English-language learners has expanded. Some schools even offset work visa support for foreign nationals who are interested in working for them.

As most schools require their students to communicate in English as much as possible, you will not be required to speak a lot of Japanese, making it a good option for Japanese beginners. However, for the most part, this field is among the most competitive among foreign workers if you live in Tokyo, and negotiating a convenient shift depending on your school (company) may be difficult to do.

Nonetheless, it is still a common option for foreign workers, especially students, to pursue English teaching as their first job in Japan. Make sure you’re a patient person and can work well with people (both kids and adults)!

Hotel Staff

If you would like to pursue a career in hospitality, working as a hotel staff is another option for you. Most hotels have job options for both the beginner and the intermediate Japanese level as proficiency in a second commonly spoken language such as English or Chinese is equally important. For Japanese beginners, you can acquire jobs in the housekeeping or hotel cleaning field as it involves minimal contact with Japanese customers as compared to working as a front desk receptionist, the latter requiring better conversational skills than the former.

Working in a hotel is the best opportunity to work in an industry that has an equal number of Japanese and foreign clients. One of the better options is if you’re in between learning Japanese and not being fluent in the language simultaneously. Communicating with your colleagues and staff will provide you with an opportunity to get comfortable speaking in the Japanese honorific language, an important aspect of improving your Japanese fluency.

However, the hotel industry for the most part is a pretty demanding field, especially considering that Japan is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. Hence, if you have the option to be selective in your hotel preferences, try to do so.

Traffic Guidance Staff

If you want to challenge yourself to reassure public safety and security, this work is for you. This work involves guiding pedestrians, general vehicles, and construction-related vehicles at construction sites that are often found in the city. This is another job option for those who do not speak fluent Japanese. You’ll be gaining experience and connections within the construction, electricity, and telecommunications industries as well since they will be your main clients.

For most companies, a self-declaration shift system is allowed for their workers. In other words, you have a say over your work hours, and you can choose to work only day or night shifts as you prefer. You will also receive Summer, New Year's, and Golden Week vacations as well so don’t be concerned about juggling work-life balance with this job. Overtime work for the most part is also rare and usually depends on the state of traffic. Nevertheless, you will generally receive overtime compensation and have your transportation fees, and even social insurance covered to a certain extent.

If you’re in an emergency and need to get a job immediately, keep this option in mind as alongside the minimal Japanese requirements, a motivation to work is a significant indicator to securing this job, not your educational background and past experiences.

Kickstart Your Job-Hunting Journey Today

Remember that there will always be options out there for you to acquire legal work in Japan. Freelance work in the entertainment or arts industry is also an overlooked option that you can try to pursue if you’re interested. Furthermore, despite the abundance of Japanese-beginner-friendly jobs in Japan, you will ultimately need to continue pursuing your Japanese studies well if you want to climb up the career ladder.

If you want some recommendations on available job listings, check out the Guidable Jobs website, your number one source for foreigner-friendly jobs in Japan.