Jobs in Japan for Foreigners: 2025 Visa Sponsorship and Job Search Trends

Japan's job market in 2025 is showing strong growth, especially for foreign professionals seeking work in Japan. With the country facing a nationwide labor shortage and an increasing focus on internationalization, more companies are turning to overseas talent to fill critical roles. Tokyo remains the top destination for foreigners wanting to work in Japan, home to nearly a quarter of all non-Japanese workers across the country.

Whether you're already in Japan or planning to search jobs abroad, understanding the latest hiring trends, visa support options, and application tips can significantly improve your chances of finding a job in Japan. This global career guide will help you navigate Japan's evolving employment landscape as a foreigner in 2025.

The Job Market in 2025: Growing Demand for Foreign Talent

In 2025, Japan continues to set record highs in foreign employment. As of late 2024, there were about 2.3 million foreigners working across the country—a 12% increase from the previous year. These non-Japanese workers now make up over 3% of the national workforce, and this number is expected to keep rising.

The most common industries offering full-time and part-time jobs for foreigners include manufacturing (26%), service (15.4%), retail (13%), and caregiving. These sectors have become increasingly dependent on international labor, with some employers—particularly in hospitality—reporting that more than half of their team members are foreigners.

Tokyo remains the largest job site network, employing over 590,000 foreign workers, with nearby Kanagawa, Saitama, and Fukuoka also offering many jobs. The concentration of international firms, tech companies, and service industries makes these areas attractive for bilingual candidates who want to work in Japan.

Industries Hiring Foreigners in 2025

IT and Technology

Japan's digital transformation is creating serious demand for skilled foreign tech workers. There is a projected shortage of over 220,000 IT professionals in 2025. Global companies are actively hiring foreign software developers, cybersecurity experts, AI specialists, and data analysts. Tokyo-based firms like Rakuten and SoftBank are expanding their search to recruit international talent, especially in fintech and AI sectors.

Entry-level IT roles often start at ¥6–8 million annually, with experienced multilingual professionals earning over ¥10 million. Japanese language skills are not always required for these positions, but they are a definite advantage during the interview process.

Caregiving and Nursing

Japan's aging population has led to an urgent need for caregivers. Foreign employment in the healthcare and welfare sectors has grown by over 28% year-on-year. Caregiving jobs now account for 5% of all work opportunities for foreigners in Japan.

Most foreign care workers enter Japan through visa sponsorship programs like the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa or bilateral agreements with countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Annual salaries usually range from ¥2.5 to ¥3.5 million, and while the pay may be modest, the demand for workers in this field offers stable career opportunities with support available for visa applications.

Hospitality and Tourism

As international tourism rebounds, hotels, resorts, and travel companies are rapidly hiring foreign staff to support multilingual customer service. Jobs in this field often include front desk clerks, guest relations, restaurant servers, and retail staff catering to tourists.

Wages in hospitality vary, but full-time roles typically pay around ¥2.5–3 million annually. Japanese fluency is helpful, but many hotel and resort positions prioritize English speakers or those with Chinese language skills instead.

Finance and Banking

Tokyo's role as a financial hub means that foreign professionals with work experience in finance, investment, or fintech are in high demand. Banks and international firms are especially interested in bilingual talent or those with specialized knowledge of global markets, compliance, or crypto.

Salaries are among the highest across industries, with average annual compensation around ¥4.9 million and top management roles exceeding ¥10 million. Business-level Japanese is often required, although foreign corporate entities may operate primarily in English.

Teaching English and Education

English teaching remains one of the most accessible jobs in Japan for foreigners. Schools recruit native English speakers for positions as English teachers through direct hire arrangements or via job sites like GaijinPot. ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) programs, English conversation schools, and international educational institutions regularly hire native or fluent speakers.

Teaching salaries typically range from ¥2.8 to ¥3.5 million per year. Many English conversation positions offer visa support for qualified candidates, making them an excellent entry point for those who want to work in Japan without prior experience living abroad.

Manufacturing and Other Industries

Manufacturing remains the largest employer of foreigners, particularly in food processing, electronics, and machinery. Jobs often come through trainee programs or the SSW visa with full visa sponsorship.

Other in-demand fields include construction, sales, HR, marketing, consulting, and design. Japanese language ability plays a larger role in these fields, especially for client-facing positions, but many companies have international or global divisions where English speakers can find work in Japan.

Understanding Visa Options for Working in Japan

Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services Visa

This standard work visa covers most white-collar roles, such as IT, finance, teaching, and marketing. It requires a degree or relevant work experience, and employers usually provide visa sponsorship through their HR department.

Specified Skilled Worker Visa (SSW)

Created to support industries facing labor shortages, the SSW visa with full visa support is especially common in caregiving, construction, and food service. Applicants must pass a skills and Japanese language test. SSW Type 1 is limited to 5 years, while SSW Type 2 allows indefinite renewal and family sponsorship (in select sectors).

Highly Skilled Professional Visa

This visa is point-based and designed for professional talent with high income, advanced education, and experience. It comes with benefits like a 5-year visa term and a fast-track to permanent residency. Recent initiatives make it easier for elite professionals and graduates from top universities to enter Japan.

Other Visa Options

• Working Holiday Visa: For youth from specific countries, allows short-term work and travel.
• Student Visa (with work permit): Enables part-time jobs while studying.
• Spouse/Dependent Visa: Offers full work rights without employer visa sponsorship.
• Digital Nomad Visa: A new 6-month remote work visa for high-income earners (over ¥10 million annually), effective from 2024.

Job Search Platforms and Resources for Foreigners

There are several ways to search jobs in Japan, both in English and Japanese:

• Hello Work: Japan's official employment center. Some branches specialize in support available for foreigners looking for full-time or part-time work.
• English Job Boards: Popular job sites like GaijinPot, Jobs in Japan, CareerCross, and Daijob offer many job listings open to foreigners. GaijinPot focuses more on English teacher positions and service jobs, while Daijob and CareerCross cater to bilingual professionals seeking corporate roles.
• Japanese Job Portals: Sites like Rikunabi, doda, and Mynavi have the most listings but are primarily in Japanese. These can be accessed with translation tools for those who want to work with Japanese companies.
• Recruitment Agencies: Firms such as Robert Walters, Hays Japan, and Pasona Global are good for mid-career and bilingual job seekers. These agencies often specialize in placing foreign talent in international companies or the global divisions of Japanese firms.
• Networking and Direct Applications: LinkedIn, local meetups, and job fairs can help you find a job through personal connections. Many Tokyo-based startups and international companies also post openings on their own websites, offering direct hire opportunities.

Resume and Interview Tips for Japan

Applying to Japanese companies often involves some unique steps. Most employers expect a resume in the Japanese format (履歴書 or "rirekisho"), complete with a professional photo and neatly typed or handwritten information. More experienced professionals may also need a 職務経歴書 (shokumu keirekisho), which outlines career achievements in detail.

In interviews with Japanese companies, punctuality, politeness, and preparation are essential. Always arrive early, dress formally, and bring copies of your resume. You'll likely be asked why you want to work in Japan, why you chose the company, and how you'll adapt to the work culture. Demonstrating respect for Japanese customs and expressing a genuine interest in the company can make a big difference during the interview process.

Follow up after your interview with a polite thank-you email. It is not only courteous but also helps keep you top of mind for the HR team making hiring decisions.

Spotlight on Tokyo: Best City for Foreign Professionals

Tokyo remains the most foreigner-friendly city in Japan when it comes to employment. It offers the most job listings, highest average salaries, and a wider variety of English-speaking roles. Tech, finance, sales, marketing, consulting, and design jobs are plentiful, and international companies are more likely to hire foreigners even without fluent Japanese language skills.

For those looking beyond the capital, nearby prefectures like Kanagawa and Saitama offer good job opportunities with a lower cost of living. Cities like Fukuoka are also developing as hubs for foreign talent, with special economic zones and startup incentives.

However, competition in Tokyo is fierce, and the cost of living is high. Monthly rent often ranges from ¥80,000 to ¥150,000 or more. For job seekers planning to move abroad to Japan, it's important to budget wisely and consider housing support services.

Fortunately, Tokyo also provides excellent resources for foreigners: employment seminars, expat networks, public consultation services, and English-speaking offices. It's one of the easiest cities in Japan for non-Japanese residents to find work and settle in.

Internship and Career Development Opportunities

For recent graduates or those looking to transition into working in Japan, internships can be an excellent entry point. Many global companies and Japanese firms with international ambitions offer internship programs that can lead to full-time positions. These opportunities are particularly common in fields like IT, marketing, and finance.

Foreign interns can often receive visa sponsorship if the program meets certain criteria, making this a viable path for those who want to work in Japan but lack extensive work experience. Both part-time and full-time internships are available, with the latter more likely to come with visa support.

Move to Work in Japan

Finding a job is only half the battle—finding housing in Japan as a foreigner can be even harder. That's where we come in. We specialize in helping foreigners relocate to Tokyo and other major cities by offering:

• Rental listings with no Japanese guarantor required
• English-language support throughout the leasing process
• Assistance with utilities, contracts, and neighborhood information
• Short-term rental options for those arriving before securing long-term housing

We understand the challenges foreigners face when living and working in Japan and are here to make your transition to life abroad easier.

Final Thoughts

2025 is shaping up to be a great year for foreigners seeking work in Japan. With the country embracing international labor more than ever before, sectors like IT, caregiving, hospitality, finance, and English teaching are offering real opportunities for those with the right skills and mindset.

By understanding visa options, preparing culturally appropriate resumes for job applications, acing your interview, and using the right job search tools, you can position yourself for a successful career in Japan.

If you are moving to Tokyo for work—or considering it—reach out to e-housing.jp. We are ready to help you find a place to call home as you start this exciting new chapter living and working in Japan.