Jobs & Employment

TIP

Many jobs in Japan require at least conversational Japanese. Investing in language study before your job search will dramatically expand your options. Check your visa's work restrictions too -- not all residence statuses permit employment.

Job Boards

• GaijinPot Jobs - The biggest and most well-known job board for foreigners in Japan, with listings across industries and experience levels.
• CareerCross - Focused on bilingual positions at international and Japanese companies, great for mid-career professionals.
• TokyoDev - The go-to job board for software developers looking to work in Japan, with a strong community and helpful articles.
• Daijob - Long-running bilingual job site with positions that value English and other language skills.
• Wantedly - Popular with Japanese startups, especially for product, design, and engineering roles.
• LinkedIn Japan - Strong for executive, sales, marketing, and bilingual professional positions.
• Indeed Japan - Massive aggregator with English filtering for foreigner-friendly roles.
• Justa - Curated bilingual job board with strong tech and design listings.
• Hello Work (English) - Japan's national employment office. Some offices have foreign-resident desks.
• Glassdoor Community - Company reviews and salary info to help you evaluate potential employers before applying.
• Metropolis - Japan's English-language magazine with a classifieds section that sometimes features job postings.
• Craigslist Tokyo / Osaka - Occasional job listings, especially for part-time, freelance, or informal work. Use caution as always.

Recruitment Agencies

• Robert Walters Japan - Major international recruiter specializing in mid-to-senior bilingual professionals.
• Hays Japan - Global recruiter with strong tech, finance, and engineering desks in Tokyo.
• Michael Page Japan - International specialist recruitment for finance, tech, and supply chain.
• en world Japan - Bilingual recruiter focused on multinational and Japanese global firms.

Bilingual Jobs

• Japan Remotely - Relocation consulting service that also connects bilingual professionals with remote-friendly positions in Japan.
• Japanese Universities Green List - List of Japanese universities known to offer tenure-track positions to foreign faculty. Useful for academics.

Creative & Alternative Work

• AIR Japan - Directory of artist-in-residence programs across Japan, perfect for creatives looking for funded stays.
• WWOOF Japan - Work on organic farms in exchange for room and board. A unique way to experience rural Japan while learning new skills.

Teaching English

• JET Programme - The most famous teaching program in Japan, run by the government. Competitive but offers excellent support and pay.
• Interac - One of the largest ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) recruitment companies, placing teachers in public schools nationwide.
• Dave's ESL Cafe - Classic teacher job board with Japan-specific listings, forums, and advice for ESL teachers worldwide.
• JALT - Japan Association for Language Teaching, offering professional development, conferences, and networking for teachers.
• ELT News - Teaching job listings and resources for English language teachers in Japan.
• Hokkaido Teaching Jobs - Niche resource for teaching positions specifically in Hokkaido, maintained by a long-time educator there.
• International Schools Job Board - List of international schools in Japan, useful for finding teaching positions outside the public ALT system.

Government & Trade

• JETRO - Japan External Trade Organization, providing business support, market research, and investment info for foreign companies.
• METI - Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Useful for understanding Japan's business regulations and economic policies.
• Japanese Law Translation - Official English translations of Japanese laws. Know your labor rights before signing that contract.
• AIEJ - Association of International Education, Japan. Administers the JLPT and provides info on studying and working in Japan.
• Small Business Promotion Agency - Tokyo Metropolitan Government's support center for small businesses, including resources for foreign entrepreneurs.

Regional Employment Centers

• Osaka Employment Service Center for Foreigners - Osaka's dedicated employment support office for foreign residents, offering job counseling and placement assistance.
• Inspection Division, Labor Standards, Hokkaido - Regional labor standards office in Hokkaido for reporting workplace issues or getting advice on labor law.

Staffing Agencies

• Tempstaff Group - One of Japan's largest staffing agencies, offering temp, contract, and permanent placement across many industries.