How to Get a Job in Japan

Japan has it all. The country claims one of the largest cities in the world, automated restaurants alongside small rustic villages, and jaw-dropping vistas. It is safe and clean in this country. Japan is very rich in culture and art. These are some of the reasons why so many wish to move to Japan. The cost of living in Japan is high, though, so unless you come with trust fund in hand, you’re going to need a source of income. Speaking nihongo is very important in looking for a job in this country. 

In terms of job opportunities, Japan's fast growing neighbors such as China are more likely to produce large numbers of jobs for foreign workers in the coming decade. That being said, if you have a personal interest in working in Japan, it is possible for you.

Many Japanese companies (including those in the electronics, automotive and heavy manufacturing industries) are open to hiring foreign engineers. There are a great number of engineering jobs in Japan — it's not a function most Japanese companies are willing to offshore.

Japanese companies haven't been quick to offshore IT to India. Most IT shops have hired at least a few foreigners in the local market. This is only likely to increase.

English teaching is the best known path to working in Japan. In the old days (1980s), English teaching in Japan was an excellent deal. The pay was enough to enjoy your life and go home with savings. Conditions for English teachers in Japan remain difficult today. On the plus side, English teaching jobs are available in all of Japan's 47 prefectures. It's possible to live virtually anywhere in Japan and teach English (most other jobs for foreign workers are located in Tokyo). English teachers seldom regret the decision to work in Japan. Even if they don't walk away with big money — it's a great experience.

Top Tips in Looking for a Job in Japan:

• The Internet can be an invaluable tool in Job-Hunting. Though it takes a lot of time and effort just browsing through the myriad of documents available. Below are some websites in where you can check for job vacancies in Japan. There are also a lot of English schools in Japan that are looking for teachers. 

                                 http://www.gaijinpot.com
                                 http://www.oakassociates.co.jp
                                 http://www.randi.co.jp
                                 http://www.robertwalters.co.jp
                                 http://www.reuters.com
                                 http://www.lincmedia.co.jp
                                 http://www.kpmg.or.jp
                                 http://www.daijob.com
                                 http://www.biosjp.com
                                 http://www.panache.co.jp
                                 http://www.morganbanks.co.jp
                                 http://www.tokyoclassified.com
                                 http://www.jobsinjapan.com

• Newspaper & Magazine advertisements are the most common way that foreigners get their jobs. Once you reach Japan, you will need to buy a newspaper. The Japan Times in English has employment ads in their Monday morning edition. This is the only day that the ads are published, and the paper is often not available after about 11am. It is very important to get the paper very early and answer the ads immediately (often they will say something like "call Monday 8am-12pm"). It is not uncommon for all the interview spots to be filled in the first couple hours after the paper comes out Monday morning. It is generally the jobs in the bigger cities (such as Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, etc.) that go so quickly. Jobs in the smaller rural towns are much more available, but the distance and isolation often make them less desirable. Many of the ads will have very specific parameters about the qualifications they are looking. 

• Students flying to Japan under the auspices of the Ministry of Education or the Japan Student Services Organization have a distinct advantage over almost everybody else when applying for a visa. They are in possession of a special document called the Certificate of Eligibility, which eliminates the need for many of the requirements such as Income Tax Returns, Bank Certificates, and Letters of Guarantee. The Certificate of Eligibility is exclusively issued to university exchange students (whether postgraduate or undergraduate) so to be able to obtain one, it would be best to start off by applying for a Japanese exchange student programme via your college or university. Application procedures vary for different universities (UP, ADMU, DLSU, etc.) and areas of discipline (language, liberal arts, engineering, etc.) so it would be best to consult with your school’s Foreign Exchange offices. Once you have cleared their selection process and are bound for Japan, your certificate will be issued to you alongside your Japanese school admission forms and other documents. All you need to do is submit it to the Consul Office along with your current passport to obtain your visa. 

• These are your requirements in getting a Visa. Proof of financial standing just means that you have the ability to support yourself during your Japan stay; it also implies that you will not be seeking illegal employment once you have entered the country. This proof comes in the form of your original Income Tax Return, which explicitly states how much you pay in taxes and earn in a year. Another important document that proves you are financially capable is a Bank Certificate stating that you have at least PhP 100,000 in savings, which would roughly be the amount you need to cover the 15 days you spend in Japan as allowed by your tourist visa.

• History of travel is basically the number of used visas or old immigration stamps that you have accumulated in your passport. As a rule of thumb, the more stamps you have the better your chances of being granted a visa, since this implies that you regularly travel abroad and that you return to the Philippines after every trip. Used visas from the US, Europe, Australia, and of course Japan are also helpful in getting you an entry visa, since this guarantees the Consul Office that you have entered and left other foreign countries in good faith.

• Last but not least is your proof of return: your round-trip airline ticket. This reassures the Consul Office that you will be returning to the Philippines once the fifteen day limit of your tourist visa expires, and will not attempt to stay in the country illegally for employment purposes. You can also submit land titles, business permits, and other documents that will outline your properties and business interests in the Philippines that you will return to once your trip is finished.

• Once your application has been received, it will take the Japanese consuls office three to five business days to review it and approve or deny your application. If approved, you will receive your passport from your travel agent with the visa attached. If your passport has been returned to you with no visa attached, your application was denied, and you will have to wait another six months to lodge another application. Under no circumstances will the visa office explain why your application has been denied, so there is really no point in pursuing the argument further.