Popular Jobs for Foreigners Working in Japan
Top 5 Jobs with the Most Foreign Workers
As of now, there are 1,724,328 foreigners working in Japan. This number continues to grow due to the domestic labor shortage and the introduction of the new Specific Skill Visa.
Let’s take a look at the top five most popular jobs for foreign workers in Japan, ranked from 1st to 5th.
1st Place: “Manufacturing”
The most common occupation for foreigners in Japan is manufacturing.
According to the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare, approximately 27% of foreign workers are employed in the manufacturing sector. In simple terms, this field involves producing goods and includes a variety of industries such as machinery, food production, and metal processing.
Foreigners often find work in production lines, technical departments, and administrative roles. The manufacturing industry is typically understaffed, leading to active recruitment of foreign workers. With well-established manuals in place, foreigners can quickly adapt and start contributing, even without strong Japanese language skills.
Additionally, manufacturing jobs offer the opportunity to acquire specialized skills, making it an attractive field.
2nd Place: “Teaching”
Teaching has long been a popular career choice for foreigners in Japan.
Opportunities range from teaching English at conversation schools to working at Japanese language schools. To work as a teacher in Japan, a university degree is typically required, though it doesn’t necessarily need to be from a Japanese institution.
While proficiency in Japanese may be required for some teaching roles, many positions allow you to focus on teaching foreign languages. However, many teaching jobs are part-time, so long-term stability often depends on your individual skills and job type.
As with many professions, teaching requires continuous learning to stay competitive in the field.
3rd Place: “Wholesale and Retail”
Roughly 13% of foreign workers are employed in the wholesale and retail industries, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare.
These jobs are generally customer service-based, which means a high level of Japanese language proficiency is often required, especially when interacting with Japanese customers. That said, working in stores frequently visited by foreign tourists—such as electronics stores in Akihabara or shops near tourist attractions—may present more opportunities for those fluent in foreign languages.
In addition to customer service, foreigners are also active in technical and engineering roles, such as automobile maintenance and machinery repair.
4th Place: “Sales”
Sales positions for companies with international business operations are highly valuable, and foreign workers often excel in these roles.
Proficiency in English or other foreign languages, combined with knowledge of international cultures and customs, allows foreigners to thrive in sales positions that involve overseas business. As a result, sales jobs have become increasingly popular among foreign workers.
Salaries in this field tend to be higher than in other occupations, and most positions are full-time, making it an appealing option for foreigners who plan to build a long-term career in Japan.
5th Place: “Accommodation and Food Service”
About 12% of foreign workers in Japan are employed in the accommodation and food service industry, making it the fifth most popular field for foreign workers.
These roles typically involve customer service, and if you work in an environment with many foreign customers, you may have the opportunity to use your native language. However, jobs at hotels or traditional Japanese restaurants may require mastery of honorifics and customer service etiquette, which can be challenging.
Foreigners with Japanese language skills can serve both Japanese and international guests, giving them a competitive edge in positions such as hotel receptionists. Working in this industry also provides the chance to learn Japanese hospitality and service standards on the job.
Summary
The most popular jobs for foreigners in Japan tend to be those that don’t require advanced Japanese language skills or offer opportunities to use foreign languages. Technical and engineering roles, for example, often don’t demand fluency in Japanese, though it’s uncommon for someone without any Japanese ability to be hired.
When job hunting in Japan, acquiring a Japanese language qualification is highly recommended. The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is the most recognized qualification and is divided into five levels, from N1 (highest) to N5 (beginner). For certain jobs in teaching or sales, having JLPT N1 may be a requirement.
Although obtaining N1 is challenging, it’s a valuable asset for anyone planning to work long-term in Japan.