Work in Japan Without Speaking Japanese
While teaching in Japan, Jon worked as a real estate agent with Kevyn at Platinum, which caters to expats looking to buy and rent. Kevyn came to Japan as a JET teaching English in the 1990s and is now a partner at Platinum.
He hasn’t taught English in nearly a decade!
It’s the story of countless expats all over Asia, and Japan is no exception. You come to Japan to do one thing, and before you know it, you’re doing something completely different.
Martin: “I too started out in Japan as a teacher.”
When she was looking for a place to stay in Tokyo, her boss introduced her to Kevyn; being in Japan is the best advantage you can have; now she’s given up everything to work freelance so she can pursue her dream of traveling the world.
Meet people! Get out there. Listen. Learn. Act. Great things will happen.
Many gaikokujin work and run their own businesses in Japan, some simply teaching more private lessons to supplement their income, but I know people who do everything from paint to sell craft tables to run coffee shops. If you want to be successful in Japan, you need at least a B1-2 level of Japanese. Even a moderate level of communicative Japanese will suffice.
Here are some examples of people I personally know who cannot speak Japanese who work in Tokyo:
The rule is that if you want to advance, you should learn at least B1-2 level Japanese so that you can interact with Japanese people; you can do this after you arrive, but you should learn Japanese. This is what I learned in my six years in Tokyo.
Can I get a job in Japan if I don’t speak Japanese?
It is possible to work in Japan without knowing Japanese, but your options will be limited. This is a relatively new position that has popped up in Japan, but some positions require little to no Japanese language ability.
What jobs can foreigners get in Japan?
The 8 Most Popular Jobs in Japan for Foreigners
- The most common job for foreign workers is teaching English at cram schools.
- IT professional.
- Translator/interpreter.
- Sales staff.
- Military personnel.
- Banker.
- Service staff.
- Engineer.
Is it hard to get a job in Japan as a foreigner?
Jobs in Japan for foreigners can be difficult to come by, and employment opportunities in Japan don’t always jump out at you; however, once you learn more about the job market here, it becomes much easier and more straightforward.
Can I study in Japan without knowing Japanese?
Yes, you can study in Japan without knowing the language; many people have done so before you, and many more will continue to do so in the future; however, your options for schools will likely be limited to international high schools, colleges, and universities that offer some English-language programs.
Can I move to Japan without a job?
If you don’t have a job lined up, you can try your luck with a tourist visa, which allows you to stay in the country for up to 90 days. Many people who relocate to Tokyo do so in the hopes of finding work and obtaining a work visa before their initial visa period expires.
Is Japan a good place to live?
You can expect to pay a lot of money for rent if you want to live anywhere near a city center in Japan; the country’s cost of living has long been one of the highest in the world, and while it has become more affordable in recent years, it is still not a cheap place to call home.
What jobs pay well in Japan?
Top Paying Jobs in Japan for Foreigners (Ranking)
- Business Analyst.
- Investment Banking.
- IT Professional.
- Service Staff.
- English Teacher.
- Recruitment Consultant.
- Engineer.
- Marketing and Sales.
- Business Analyst.
What is the most common job in Japan?
“Craftsman, mining, manufacturing, and construction workers and laborers” were the largest group, accounting for 19.31 million people or 30.1% of all employed people in Japan aged 15 and up, followed by “Clerical and related workers,” with 12.12 million people or 18.9%, and “Sales workers,” with 9.5 million people or 14.8%.
Is it easy to migrate to Japan?
Japan has made it difficult for foreigners to settle in the country by imposing complex tax structures, such as a high inheritance tax that applies to even short-term foreign residents, prompting some to wonder whether they should stay in the country for more than a decade.
Is it hard to find work in Japan?
Finding a job in Japan can be more difficult than in your home country because the job you want isn’t in demand, or you have some skills the company wants but not all of them. It might not be the sales or marketing position you want, but it’s something.
How much is rent in Japan?
The national average monthly rent for a one-room apartment (20-40 square meters), not including utilities, is between 50,000 and 70,000 yen, with similar-sized apartments in central Tokyo and nearby popular neighborhoods starting at around 100,000 yen.
Is Japanese hard to learn?
Japanese has an air of mystery about it, despite the fact that it is no longer considered a linguistic isolate; it now belongs to a family with only the Ryukyuan languages, and its origin is unknown; it is considered one of the most difficult languages to master, at least by English speakers.
How many hours do Japanese students study?
In general, children must arrive at school by 8:45 a.m., and school ends around 3:15 p.m., meaning that they must attend school for approximately six and a half hours every day from Monday to Friday; however, most children also attend after-school clubs, and many go to juku (cram school) in the evening to do extra studying.
Is it hard to get into a Japanese university?
In both undergraduate and graduate programs, admission procedures in Japanese universities appear to be extremely difficult, aggressive, and competitive for international students; the number of students admitted is abysmally low in comparison to other countries, and the majority of them appear to always be the same.
Is college cheaper in Japan?
Tuition fees in Japan are relatively low, especially when compared to the United States, where “in-state” students typically pay at least $10,000 per year, and “out of state” and international students pay several times more. Tuition fees at Japanese public universities are 535,800 yen, or $6,500.