BUILD YOUR CAREER IN JAPAN
Work in Japan – A record 2.57 million foreign professionals already do.
Japan is short of workers in almost every sector and is opening new visa routes for students, graduates and skilled talent. Here is everything you need to know — visas, salaries, job hunting and life at work — in one place.
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JAPAN AT A GLANCE
Japan’s foreign workforce is already at record scale.
2,571,037
Foreign workers in Japan. Oct 2025 · record, 13th straight year
+11.7%
Year-on-year growth. Oct 2025
4.1%
Share of all employed people. of 62.14 million
Nearly 3×
Growth over 10 years. about 900,000 in 2015
25.4%
Workers in Tokyo. Oct 2025
¥1,121/hour
Average minimum wage. ¥1,176 recommended for FY2026
5.02%
Spring wage settlements (shunto) — above 5% for the 3rd straight year. June 2026.
WHY WORK IN JAPAN?
Why Work in Japan?
Japan needs workers more than it ever has: unemployment sits at 2.5% and there are 1.18 jobs for every applicant at public job offices (August 2026, Trading Economics / MIC & MHLW). The shortage is structural, driven by a shrinking and ageing population, so demand for foreign talent will keep rising.
The demographic reality
- 11 million workers short by 2040. Recruit Works Institute projects labour supply will fall about 12% from 2022 to 2040 while demand stays flat (Bloomberg).
- Working-age population down 20%. It is forecast to shrink from 2020 levels to 59.8 million by 2040.
- Every prefecture except Tokyo is expected to face a labour shortfall by 2040; Kyoto could lack about 39% of needed workers, Hokkaido nearly 32%.
- Nearly 1 million foreign workers short. JICA’s research arm estimates 5.91 million foreigners will be working in Japan by 2040 at the current pace — about 1 million fewer than needed to sustain 1.24% annual growth (Reuters via Marianas Variety).
What that means for you
| Advantage | Detail |
|---|---|
| Strong job security | Very low unemployment and long-term hiring culture; companies invest in training new graduates. |
| Rising pay | Spring wage settlements topped 5% for a third straight year in 2026; minimum wage rose a record ¥66 in FY2025. |
| Clear visa pathways | Over 10 work-eligible statuses, plus fast-track permanent residency for highly skilled professionals (1–3 years). |
| Safety and quality of life | Low crime, universal health insurance, world-class public transport. |
| Career value | Experience with Japanese firms is valued across Asia and in global supply chains. |
| Regional opportunity | Regions outside Tokyo face the sharpest shortages, often with incentives for foreign hires. |
FOREIGN WORKERS IN JAPAN
Foreign Workers in Japan: By the Numbers
Japan had 2,571,037 foreign workers at the end of October 2025, up 11.7% in a year and a record for the 13th year running (Jiji Press via nippon.com). The total is nearly three times the roughly 900,000 counted in 2015.
Growth paused only in 2020–21, when COVID-19 border closures halted new arrivals, then accelerated to double-digit rates.
By status of residence
| Status group | Workers (approx.) | Who it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Specialized / technical fields | 870,000 | Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Specified Skilled Worker, Highly Skilled Professional, etc. |
| Status-based residents | 650,000 | Permanent residents, spouses of Japanese nationals, long-term residents |
| Technical Intern Training | 500,000 | Trainees on the programme being replaced by ESW in 2027 |
| Permission for other activity | — | Mainly international students working part-time |
| Designated Activities | — | Working holiday, internships, post-graduation job search |
Top nationalities
| Nationality | Workers | Year-on-year |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | 605,906 (23.6%) | +6.2% |
| China (incl. HK, Macao) | 431,949 | +5.7% |
| Philippines | 260,869 | +6.2% |
| Nepal | 235,874 | +25.7% |
| Indonesia | 228,118 | +34.6% |
Fastest-growing groups: Myanmar (+42.5%), Indonesia (+34.6%) and Sri Lanka (+28.9%).
Top industries
| Industry | Foreign workers | Year-on-year |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 635,075 (24.7%) | +6.1% |
| Wholesale and retail | 340,687 | +14.2% |
| Accommodation and food service | 319,999 | +17.1% |
| Medical care and welfare | 146,105 | +25.6% |
Where they work
Foreign workers cluster in big metro areas: Tokyo 25.4%, Aichi 9.7% and Osaka 8.1% of the national total. They now make up 4.1% of Japan’s 62.14 million employees.
Planning to study before you work?
Start with the main Study in Japan website for admissions, costs, scholarships and student life.
Shortlist universities with career fit in mind
Compare English-taught programs, university types, fees and eligibility.
Funding your degree
Browse MEXT, JASSO and other scholarships for international students.
WORK VISAS & STATUS OF RESIDENCE
Work Visas and Statuses of Residence Explained
To work in Japan you need a status of residence that matches your job; there is no single “work visa”. Most graduates use Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, while non-graduate skilled workers use Specified Skilled Worker (SSW).
Main work-eligible statuses
| Status | Best for | Key requirements | Stay | Family | Path to PR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services | Graduates in IT, engineering, business, translation, marketing, teaching at companies | Degree (or Japanese vocational diploma, or 10 yrs experience; 3 yrs for language roles) related to the job; pay equal to Japanese staff | 3 mo–5 yrs, renewable | Yes | Yes (normally 10 yrs residence, 5 on work visa) |
| Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) | High earners, researchers, managers | 70+ points (degree, income, age, Japanese, etc.) | 5 yrs, then unlimited (HSP ii) | Yes, plus parents/helpers in some cases | Fast track: 3 yrs at 70 pts, 1 yr at 80 pts |
| J-Skip (Special HSP) | Very high earners | Master’s or 10+ yrs experience and income ¥20M+ (executives: 5 yrs + ¥40M+) | 5 yrs | Yes | Fast track (1 yr) |
| J-Find (Future Creation Individual) | Recent grads of top-ranked world universities | Graduated from a top-100 ranked university within 5 years; ¥200,000+ savings | Up to 2 yrs to job hunt or start a business | Yes | Switch to a work status once hired |
| Specified Skilled Worker (i) | Skilled workers in 16 labour-shortage fields | Skills test + Japanese (usually JLPT N4 / JFT-Basic) | Up to 5 yrs total | No | No (switch to SSW ii) |
| Specified Skilled Worker (ii) | Experienced SSW workers | Advanced skills test; available in all but a few fields | Renewable, no cap | Yes | Yes |
| Business Manager | Entrepreneurs | ¥30M capital + 1 full-time local employee (since Oct 2025) | 3 mo–5 yrs | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Nomad (Designated Activities) | Remote workers for foreign employers | Income ¥10M+/yr; eligible nationality; private health insurance | 6 months | Yes | No |
| Student (with work permit) | International students | Permission to engage in activity other than that permitted | Length of study | — | — |
Specified Skilled Worker: the fastest-growing route
- 444,256 SSW holders at end of June 2026, up 13.8% in six months (Jiji Press via nippon.com).
- Type 2 holders jumped 2.3× to 18,295, as Type 1 workers hit their 5-year limit and pass Type 2 exams. Vietnamese make up over 75% of Type 2 holders.
- 16 fields today, including nursing care, construction, food service, food manufacturing, agriculture, accommodation, automobile transportation and railway.
- 3 new fields from 2027: logistics warehousing, resource circulation and linen supply, Type 1 only for now (One Asia Lawyers).
- Food service cap reached: new Type 1 certifications were suspended from 13 April 2026 as the 50,000-worker cap for FY2024–2028 neared.
- Proposed caps through FY2028: 805,700 SSW (i) plus 426,200 under the new ESW system — about 1.23 million combined.
Costs and recent rule changes to know
- Visa issuance fees rose about fivefold from 1 July 2026 — the first change since 1978; multiple-entry visas went from ¥6,000 to ¥30,000 (Business Today). Visa-exempt nationalities do not pay these.
- Residence fees jumped in October 2026: permanent residency now costs ¥200,000 (20× more), with an income requirement of ¥5.75M, stricter pension records and Japanese language requirements (Business Today, citing SCMP). The government had floated about ¥70,000 for changes and extensions.
- Business Manager applications fell 96% in the five months after the ¥30M capital rule was announced.
FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
For International Students: Work While You Study, Stay After You Graduate
Japan wants its international graduates to stay: the government aims to raise the share who find jobs in Japan from 48% to 60% by 2033 (Cabinet Secretariat, J-MIRAI). It already hit its 400,000-student goal in 2025, eight years early (Times Higher Education); 464,784 people held Student status at the end of 2025 (nippon.com).
Part-time work while studying
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Permission needed | “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted” — apply at the airport on arrival or at a regional immigration bureau |
| Hours in term time | Up to 28 hours per week |
| Hours in long vacations | Up to 8 hours per day during school-set holidays |
| Banned work | Adult entertainment businesses (bars with hostesses, pachinko, etc.), even for cleaning or dishwashing |
| Typical pay | At least the prefectural minimum wage — ¥1,280/hour in Tokyo from 1 October 2026; ¥1,085 at the lowest (Miyazaki) |
| Common jobs | Convenience stores, restaurants, hotels, tutoring, translation, retail, warehouses |
Japan’s job-hunting calendar (shūkatsu)
Japanese companies hire new graduates in one big annual intake, so you start applying about 18 months before graduation. International students follow the same timeline as Japanese students (JASSO / Study in Japan).
- Year 3, summer–winter: Self-analysis, industry research, summer and winter internships (increasingly used for early selection).
- Year 3, 1 March: Company information sessions and entry sheet (ES) applications open.
- Year 4, 1 June: Formal selection begins — aptitude tests (SPI), group discussions, multiple interview rounds.
- Year 4, from June: Informal job offers (naitei) issued.
- Year 4, 1 October: Official offer ceremonies.
- Year 4, Dec–Jan: Apply to change from Student to a work status (2026 grads had to file by 31 January to start on 1 April).
- 1 April: Join the company with your new hire cohort.
If you haven’t found a job by graduation
- Switch to Designated Activities (job hunting) for 6 months, extendable once — up to 1 year total — and keep working part-time with permission.
- Graduates who meet certain conditions (e.g. support from a local government programme) may extend into a second year.
- Graduates who start a business can use the Startup visa route (up to 2 years) instead.
- Japanese university graduates with JLPT N1 (or a Japanese-major degree) can use Designated Activities No. 46 to take broader jobs, including service work that uses Japanese communication skills.
Free support available
- Hello Work’s Employment Service Centers for Foreigners in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka offer career guidance, internships, job interview fairs and job placement.
- JASSO publishes the annual Job Hunting Guide for International Students.
- University career centres run Japanese-language interview practice and company fairs.
IN-DEMAND INDUSTRIES & JOBS
In-Demand Industries and Jobs
The biggest openings for foreigners are in IT, nursing care, manufacturing and semiconductors, construction, logistics and hospitality. Engineers in information processing and communications had 1.75 jobs per applicant in January 2025, against about 1.2 across all jobs (Tohoku Gakuin University, citing MHLW).
| Sector | Size of the gap | Typical roles | Usual visa route |
|---|---|---|---|
| IT and digital | Up to 790,000 IT professionals short by 2030 (METI) | Software engineers, cloud/infra, data scientists, cybersecurity, bridge SEs | Engineer/Specialist, HSP |
| AI and robotics | 3.39 million specialists short by 2040 (METI projection) | ML engineers, robotics engineers, automation specialists | Engineer/Specialist, HSP |
| Nursing care | 2.72 million carers needed by 2040; 570,000 short (US Trade.gov) | Care workers, certified care workers (kaigo fukushishi) | SSW (i), Care status, EPA programmes |
| Semiconductors and manufacturing | 35,000 semiconductor engineers short; manufacturing employs 635,075 foreigners | Process/equipment engineers (TSMC Kumamoto, Rapidus Hokkaido), factory technicians | Engineer/Specialist, SSW (industrial products) |
| Construction | Labour supply shrinking as workers age; overtime caps since April 2024 | Site workers, CAD, construction management | SSW (i)/(ii), Engineer/Specialist |
| Logistics and transport | Truck, taxi and bus drivers short after 2024 overtime caps; warehousing joins SSW in 2027 | Drivers, warehouse staff | SSW (automobile transportation) |
| Hospitality and food service | 319,999 foreign workers (+17.1%); inbound tourism at record levels | Hotel front desk, chefs, restaurant staff | SSW (accommodation, food service — food service cap reached in 2026), Engineer/Specialist for multilingual roles |
| Retail and wholesale | 340,687 foreign workers (+14.2%) | Store staff, buyers, trade and e-commerce roles | Engineer/Specialist; part-time for students |
| Education | Steady demand for English and other language teachers | ALT, eikaiwa teachers, university instructors | Instructor, Specialist in Humanities, Professor |
Content note
Pair this table with job-category cards (“IT & Tech”, “Healthcare & Care”, “Engineering & Manufacturing”, “Hospitality”, “Teaching”) linking to visa and salary details.
SALARIES, BENEFITS & COST OF LIVING
Salaries, Minimum Wage, Benefits and Cost of Living
The average private-sector salary in Japan hit a record ¥4.87 million in 2025, up 1.9% and rising for a fifth straight year (National Tax Agency via Jiji/nippon.com). Foreign employees must by law be paid at least what a Japanese worker would earn for the same job.
Average pay (National Tax Agency)
| Group | Average annual pay | Year |
|---|---|---|
| All private-sector workers | ¥4.87M (incl. ~¥750,000 bonus) | 2025 |
| Men | ¥5.97M | 2025 |
| Women | ¥3.42M | 2025 |
| Regular (full-time) employees | ¥5.45M | 2024 |
| Non-regular employees | ¥2.06M | 2024 |
| Highest industry: electricity, gas, water | ¥8.32M | 2024 |
| Finance and insurance | ¥7.02M | 2024 |
| Information and communications | ¥6.60M | 2024 |
| Lowest industry: accommodation and food service | ¥2.79M | 2024 |
Starting salaries for new graduates are climbing fast
- About 89% of 3,000 firms surveyed by Mynavi raised starting pay for spring 2026 graduates (Staffing Industry Analysts).
- Typical university graduate starting pay is around ¥250,000 per month; many large firms now offer ¥300,000+.
- Examples for April 2026 hires: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking ¥300,000; Marubeni ¥330,000; Tokio Marine up to ¥410,000 (with relocation); Sony Interactive Entertainment ¥425,000 for bachelor’s graduates, including fixed overtime.
Minimum wage (FY2026)
| Area | Hourly minimum | Effective |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo (highest) | ¥1,280 (from ¥1,226) | 1 Oct 2026 (MHLW Tokyo Labour Bureau) |
| Kanagawa | ¥1,279 | 1 Oct 2026 |
| Saitama | ¥1,196 | 1 Oct 2026 |
| Hokkaido | ¥1,131 | 1 Oct 2026 |
| Miyazaki (lowest) | ¥1,085 | Oct–Dec 2026 |
| National average (target) | ¥1,176 (from ¥1,121) | Phased Oct 2026–Mar 2027 |
Standard benefits for full-time employees
- Social insurance: health insurance, Employees’ Pension, employment insurance and workers’ accident insurance — employer pays about half.
- Bonuses: usually twice a year (summer and winter), often 2–5 months’ salary combined at large firms.
- Paid leave: 10 days after 6 months, rising to 20 days a year; 5 days must be taken annually.
- Allowances: commuting costs (usually fully covered), housing and family allowances at many firms.
- Pension refund: foreigners who leave Japan can claim a Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment for up to 5 years of contributions.
Monthly cost of living (approximate, single person)
| Item | Tokyo 23 wards | Regional city |
|---|---|---|
| Rent, 1K/1R apartment | ¥80,000–120,000 | ¥40,000–65,000 |
| Food | ¥40,000–50,000 | ¥30,000–40,000 |
| Utilities and internet | ¥15,000–20,000 | ¥12,000–18,000 |
| Phone | ¥2,000–5,000 | ¥2,000–5,000 |
| Transport | Usually paid by employer | Car may be needed |
| Social insurance and taxes | About 20–25% of gross pay | Same |
WORKPLACE CULTURE & LANGUAGE
Japanese Workplace Culture and Language Requirements
Japanese ability is the single biggest factor in getting hired and getting promoted. In a Disco survey of major employers, 85.9% said they interview international students entirely in Japanese (nippon.com Japan Data), and about 90% of companies use Japanese in selection (Waseda University Career Center).
What level of Japanese do you need?
| JLPT level | What it opens up |
|---|---|
| N1 | Almost any role at a Japanese company; Designated Activities No. 46; HSP bonus points (15) |
| N2 | The usual minimum for full-time office jobs at Japanese firms; HSP bonus points (10) |
| N3 | Some service, hospitality and manufacturing roles; English-first startups |
| N4 / JFT-Basic | Minimum for most SSW (i) fields |
| None | English-only roles: foreign-affiliated firms, IT at global companies, English teaching, some startups |
The language gap cuts both ways: 45.8% of Japanese employees who work with foreigners report communication difficulties, yet 53.4% of managers say their firm offers no Japanese-learning programme for foreign staff (HCAMag, citing Staff Service Holdings).
Key features of Japanese work culture
| Feature | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Lifetime-style employment | New graduates are hired as generalists in April cohorts, trained in-house and rotated between departments. |
| Seniority and hierarchy | Pay and titles rise with tenure; respectful language (keigo) and seating order matter. |
| Consensus decisions | Nemawashi (pre-meeting groundwork) and ringi (circulated approvals) slow decisions but build buy-in. |
| Hō-ren-sō | Report, contact, consult — keep your manager updated constantly. |
| Punctuality and detail | Being on time means arriving early; quality and precision are highly valued. |
| Overtime | Legally capped at 45 hours/month and 360 hours/year in normal cases since 2019; still common in some sectors. |
| After-work socialising | Nomikai drinking parties build relationships; usually optional now. |
| Changing culture | Job-hopping, mid-career hiring, remote work and English-language workplaces are growing, especially in IT and startups. |
Your rights as a foreign worker
- Japanese labour law (Labour Standards Act, Minimum Wage Act) applies equally to foreign and Japanese workers.
- Employers must give a written statement of working conditions and enroll you in social insurance.
- Free multilingual advice is available at Labour Standards Inspection Offices and MHLW consultation lines for foreign workers.
STEP BY STEP
Step by Step: How to Get a Job in Japan
Most people land a Japanese job in 3–12 months; the visa itself takes 1–3 months once you have an offer. The employer, not you, usually starts the visa process.
- Choose your route. Graduate with a degree → Engineer/Specialist; non-degree skilled worker → SSW; top-university graduate → J-Find; high earner → HSP/J-Skip; student in Japan → shūkatsu.
- Build your Japanese. Aim for JLPT N2 for Japanese companies; N4/JFT-Basic for SSW. Tests run in July and December (JLPT) and year-round (JFT-Basic).
- Prepare Japanese-style documents. A rirekisho (standard CV form with photo) and shokumu keirekisho (career history), plus an English CV for global firms.
- Search through the right channels.
- Job sites for foreigners and bilinguals (e.g. Daijob, CareerCross, GaijinPot Jobs, Japan Dev for tech)
- Mainstream Japanese sites (Mynavi, Rikunabi for new grads; doda, en Japan for mid-career)
- Recruitment agencies specialising in bilingual hires
- Hello Work and its Employment Service Centers for Foreigners (free)
- Career fairs, company info sessions and university career centres
- Pass selection. Expect an entry sheet, the SPI aptitude test, group discussion and 2–4 interviews — often in Japanese.
- Get your offer and contract. Check salary, working hours, overtime rules, social insurance and job duties match your intended status.
- Apply for the visa.
- From abroad: your employer applies for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) — about 1–3 months — then you get a visa at the Japanese embassy (about 5 working days).
- Already in Japan: apply to change your status of residence at a regional immigration bureau.
- Arrive and settle in. Collect your residence card at the airport, register your address at the city office within 14 days, enroll in health insurance and pension, open a bank account and get a phone.
- Plan long-term. Renew on time, keep tax and pension records clean (now checked for PR), and consider HSP points or SSW (ii) as a route to permanent residency.
POLICY UPDATES
Policy Changes and What’s Next
Japan is still expanding foreign-worker intake while tightening rules and raising costs. In January 2026 the Cabinet set a cap of 1,231,900 workers under SSW and the new ESW system through FY2028 (Jiji Press via Tuoi Tre), alongside a framework of “orderly coexistence” (nippon.com).
Recent changes (newest first)
| Date | Change | Who it affects |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2026 | Permanent residency fee raised to ¥200,000; PR applicants face income (¥5.75M), pension and Japanese requirements | Long-term residents |
| 1 Oct 2026 | FY2026 minimum wages take effect (Tokyo ¥1,280) | All hourly workers, students |
| 1 Jul 2026 | Visa issuance fees raised about fivefold (multiple-entry ¥6,000 → ¥30,000) | Visa-required nationals |
| May 2026 | Diet passes Immigration Act revision allowing much higher residence fees | All foreign residents |
| 13 Apr 2026 | New SSW (i) certifications in food service suspended as 50,000 cap nears | SSW food-service applicants |
| Jan 2026 | “Comprehensive Measures for Accepting Foreign Nationals and Orderly Coexistence”; SSW/ESW caps set; 3 new SSW fields from 2027 | Employers, SSW candidates |
| Oct 2025 | Business Manager visa: ¥30M capital + 1 full-time local employee | Entrepreneurs |
| Mar 2024 | Digital Nomad status launched | Remote workers |
| Apr 2023 | J-Skip and J-Find launched | High earners, top-university graduates |
Coming next
- April 2027 — Employment for Skill Development (ESW, Ikusei Shūrō) replaces Technical Intern Training. Workers train for up to 3 years toward SSW (i) level in 17 fields, can change employers after a set period, and the intake is capped at about 426,200 (Ministry of Justice outline).
- 2027 — SSW expands to 19 fields with logistics warehousing, resource circulation and linen supply.
- By end of FY2026 (March 2027) — higher residence-application fees. The government has floated about ¥70,000 for status changes and extensions.
- By end of FY2026 — a basic policy on “quantitative management” of foreign residents, possibly including targets or caps by status; no blanket cap exists today (Tokyo Weekender).
Balanced view for readers: Supporters say the reforms restore public trust and fund immigration services; critics, including economists and business owners, warn that higher costs and stricter rules could deter the talent Japan needs. Public opinion has shifted too: one poll found 56% now oppose more foreign settlement, up from 36% in 2024.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Work in Japan FAQs
Can I work in Japan without speaking Japanese?
Yes, but your options narrow. English-only roles exist in IT at global firms, foreign-affiliated companies, English teaching and some startups. Most Japanese companies expect JLPT N2, and 85.9% of major employers interview international students fully in Japanese.
Do I need a degree to work in Japan?
Not always. The Engineer/Specialist visa needs a related degree, a Japanese vocational diploma, or 10 years’ experience (3 for language roles). The Specified Skilled Worker visa needs no degree — only a skills test and basic Japanese (usually N4).
How much can students earn part-time?
Students may work up to 28 hours a week in term time and 8 hours a day in long vacations, with permission. At Tokyo’s ¥1,280 minimum, 28 hours a week is roughly ¥143,000–155,000 a month before tax.
Is there a post-study work visa?
No universal one. Graduates can switch to Designated Activities for up to 1 year to job hunt, with part-time work allowed. Graduates of top-100 world universities can use J-Find for up to 2 years.
How long does a work visa take?
The Certificate of Eligibility usually takes 1–3 months; the visa at an embassy about 5 working days after that.
What is a typical starting salary?
Around ¥250,000 per month for university graduates, with many large firms now paying ¥300,000 or more. The national average annual salary was ¥4.87 million in 2025.
Can I bring my family?
Yes on most professional visas (Engineer/Specialist, HSP, SSW ii, Business Manager) via the Dependent status. SSW (i) does not allow family.
How do I get permanent residency?
Normally 10 years in Japan, including 5 on a work visa. HSPs can apply after 3 years (70 points) or 1 year (80 points). Since October 2026 the fee is ¥200,000, with stricter income, tax and pension checks.
Can I change jobs on a work visa?
Yes, if the new job fits your status. File a notification with immigration within 14 days; a Certificate of Authorized Employment is optional but recommended.
Is Japan safe for foreign workers?
Japan has low crime and strong labour laws that apply equally to foreigners. Free multilingual labour consultation is available through MHLW and Labour Standards Inspection Offices.
CONTINUE EXPLORING
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Universities in Japan
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MEXT Scholarship 2027
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Scholarships in Japan
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OFFICI
Official resources
| Resource | Use it for |
|---|---|
| Study in Japan — Jobs & Careers (JASSO) | Job-hunting schedule, employment exams, status of residence for students |
| Immigration Services Agency of Japan | Visa rules, forms, fees, SSW and ESW programmes |
| MOJ: Employment for Skill Development outline | The 2027 system replacing Technical Intern Training |
| J-MIRAI international student policy (Cabinet Secretariat) | 60% graduate-retention target by 2033 |
Press and data sources used (fetched or found October 2026)
| Source | Data used |
|---|---|
| Jiji Press via nippon.com — foreign workers 2.57M | Oct 2025 totals, nationalities, industries |
| nippon.com Japan Data — foreign workforce | By status, region, fastest-growing nationalities |
| nippon.com Japan Data — foreign population | 4.13M residents; student and SSW holders |
| Jiji Press via nippon.com — SSW at 444,256 | SSW totals, Type 2 growth (June 2026) |
| Jiji Press via nippon.com — wages record | 2025 average salary |
| nippon.com Japan Data — salaries 2024 | Pay by industry and employment type |
| MHLW Tokyo Labour Bureau notice | Tokyo minimum wage ¥1,280 |
| nippon.com Japan Data — minimum wage | FY2026 national average, ¥1,500 target |
| Trading Economics | Unemployment and jobs-to-applicants ratio |
| Bloomberg — 11M worker shortfall | Recruit Works 2040 projection |
| Business Today, citing SCMP | Oct 2026 PR fee and business visa changes |
| One Asia Lawyers | New SSW fields from 2027 |
| Times Higher Education | 400,000-student goal reached |