Jobs

Japanese work culture is genuinely different from what most foreigners are used to. Some of it will make sense pretty quickly. Some of it will take longer. But understanding the basics upfront will save you from a lot of awkward moments and misread situations. Punctuality Means Something Different Here In most countries, showing up on time is fine. In Japan, showing up on time means you’re almost late. The unwritten rule: arrive 5–10 minutes early. Exactly on time feels slightly disrespectful to many Japanese colleagues. Late without notice is a serious problem. ...

Finding a job in Japan as a foreigner is very doable — but you need to be on the right platforms. Japanese job sites that work great for locals are often useless for foreigners. Here are the ones that actually work. Best Job Sites for English-Speaking Foreigners 1. GaijinPot Jobs — Best for English Speakers gaijinpot.com/jobs Look, GaijinPot is the starting point for most foreigners job hunting in Japan. It’s the largest English-language job board in the country, and a lot of the listings don’t require Japanese at all. ...

Changing jobs in Japan as a foreigner feels scary. Will you lose your visa? Do you need to tell immigration? Can your new employer sponsor you? The short answer: yes, you can change jobs — but there are rules you need to follow. Miss them and you’ve got a real problem. So Can You Actually Change Jobs? Yes. Most work visas in Japan — like the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (Gijinkoku) — are not tied to a specific employer. ...