In November 2025, the ASIA to JAPAN team visited several universities across Malaysia, where we hosted information sessions to introduce FAST OFFER International— a program that supports global talent in securing career opportunities in Japan. Through our discussions with students, we saw a clear rise in interest in working in Japan, especially among those seeking international exposure and career growth. However, despite this enthusiasm, many students remain cautious due to various concerns.
One of the most prominent concerns is the fear of joining a “black company” (ブラック企業). On social media, there are many posts and vlogs featuring Japanese workers being overworked. This has caused fear among those seeking work in Japan that this might happen to them. However, this is a generalization, and there are many Japanese companies that take good care of foreign talent. The key is to watch out for warning signs.
Here are some tips for foreigners on how to avoid black companies when job hunting for career opportunities in Japan.
What is a Black Company?
Black companies (ブラック企業) are workplaces with poor working conditions. Often, employees at black companies endure excessive overtime, have limited work-life balance, and little to no employee support.
Unfortunately, foreign talents who are seeking work in Japan can be more vulnerable to exploitation due to language barriers and limited familiarity with Japanese labour laws. Many black companies assume that foreign workers are less likely to question unfair conditions. Foreign workers may feel compelled to tolerate them due to their reliance on visa sponsorship.
Tips to Avoid Black Companies in Japan
Do your Company Research!
- High employee turnover is a warning sign. Bad working conditions lead to many black company employees experience burnout quickly. This gives black companies a high turnover rate. If they are constantly hiring for the same position or have frequent job postings, it can signal a poor retention rate due to internal issues.
- You can also check company reviews on Glassdoor or Reddit. However, best to take those with a grain of salt as employees with a good experience are less likely to right about it than an outlier irate employee. Be discerning if certain complaints are localized exemptions or reflective of a broader, problematic. company culture.
Be discerning at the job interview!
- Think twice if you had a negative interview experience. Remember that job interviews give you a peek into a company’s culture. If the interviewer is disrespectful, condescending, or offers vague answers to your questions, it could signal that the organization is not an ideal place to work.
- Clarify overtime expectations. Working overtime is sometimes expected, but it becomes a concern when a company says “overtime included” without clearly stating how you will be compensated for overtime work or how those excess hours will be recorded. This can suggest the possibility of excessive or even unpaid overtime. It’s also worth being cautious if there’s no mention of work-life balance or standard working hours. Those are often signals that long workdays are the norm.
Review your contract before signing!
- Don’t sign a contract with an unclear job description. If a job listing is unclear about responsibilities, it could be a red flag. It might mean you’ll be expected to juggle a bunch of unrelated tasks without clear boundaries. This can easily lead to overwork. More importantly, don’t be pressured into signing a contract without taking the time to review it. This tactic is commonly used to rush applicants into unfavourable agreements.
- Don’t accept lowballing of salary. If you have a strong resume and qualifications, don’t let being a foreigner make you accept a low offer. Unfortunately, some black companies take advantage of highly skilled foreign talent by offering lower salaries. They might even treat them as cheap labour despite their experience and credentials. A good company to work for as a foreign talent will not only offer a competitive salary, but also provide support for foreign talent.
Understand Your Rights as a Foreign Worker
Japan has labour laws to protect all workers, both domestic and foreign workers. For foreign workers, the scope of work and tasks is also defined by the visa they currently hold. This includes the types of industries they are allowed to work in, the type of tasks they can undertake, limits on working hours and overtime pay if you work outside your standard hours. As a foreign worker, you are also entitled to vacation days and break times. Knowing these basics can help you spot if an employer is breaking the rules.
If any issues come up at work, there are official channels you can turn to for support. For example, the Labor Standards Inspection Offices (労働基準監督署) handle complaints about workplace violations.
A Safer Alternative to Job Hunting: Using Reputable Agencies
One of the most effective ways to avoid black companies is to sign up with a reputable agency that specializes in placing foreign talent with vetted Japanese companies. Research an agency thoroughly to understand if they’re the right fit for you before applying. This includes:
- Checking the agency website, company certifications, Google Maps address, etc.
- Checking the agency’s review on social media and employee review websites.
- Receiving clear information, in writing, regarding the fees of the program. If an agency is unclear about the fee payment or structure, it can be a warning sign.
- Receiving clear information, in writing, regarding contractual obligations and the dropout process, including penalty fees (if applicable).
- If possible, try to contact someone who has had experience registering with the agency to hear their firsthand experience.
Many agencies in Japan, including the FAST OFFER International Program, operate by introducing recent graduates or early-career professionals to Japanese companies without fees (including penalties) or contracts. Their assistance may also involve support for Japanese language learning, support for the application of work visas and guidance for interviews. This may be a safe and strategic approach, especially for candidates who are applying from outside of Japan.
Key segments from the introduction were drawn from ASIA to JAPAN’s business trip report: 【出張レポート | マレーシア】日本就職への関心は拡大中？説明会参加者増加の背景と学生の本音
