Jobs in Japan for Chinese Talents – The Only Guide You Will Need   

LOOKING FOR A JOB IN JAPAN   

If you’re a Chinese who wants to know how to work in Japan, then you’re in the right place. Find everything about jobs in Japan right here. There are so many jobs in Japan for Chinese Talents, that it’s just a matter of being in the know. Through thorough research and using our vast collection of success stories, we have everything you need to land your dream job in Japan.  

Why Do Many Chinese Talents Want to Work in Japan?   

“Japanese companies not only pay well but also follow labor laws and have comprehensive welfare systems.“

Navigating Job Hunting in Japan: The Crucial Role of Professional Guidance in Job Hunting 

So many foreigners choose Japan as their dream destination for work. In the latest census last October 2023, Japan was home to two million foreign workers!^[1] As of October 2023, Japan has Chinese population of 1,701,761 people according to the Immigration Services Agency (ISA)^[2] Of the 199 foreign nationalities in Japan, the Chinese are the largest population! So what makes Japan especially attractive for Chinese talents?  

1. Access tons of job opportunities in Japan for foreigners. 
2. Boost career with Japanese work experience.  
3. Explore Japan’s rich history and culture. 
4. Live out your anime dreams. 
5. Enjoy a good salary and company benefits.  
6. Job security protected by government regulations.^[3]
7. They’ve heard the success stories of fellow peers, friends and family.  
8. An opportunity to be part of a stable work environment that values its employees 
9. There’s a clear and well-tested path to Japan through FAST OFFER International 

“…in Japan, one can start as a new employee and progress to become a project leader by gaining technical skills and experience.”

 Comparing Work Environments: Why I Chose Japan Over China for My Engineering Career  

Understanding the Japanese Job Market and Where Chinese Talents Can Fit In  

The Japanese job market is different than most so of course it’s different than the job market in China you might be familiar with. Understanding its different aspects is key to finding the right opportunity for you.   

An overview of Japanese companies and why it’s fit for aspiring Chinese Talents  

“…attending job fairs for Japanese companies during my time abroad allowed me to gain insight into the strengths of Japan’s corporate culture and systems. As a result, I began to seriously consider pursuing employment opportunities in Japan.” 

Jilin University Alumni’s Transition into the IT Sector in Japan  

Japanese companies are looking for international talents who can help them achieve their Sustainable Development Goals. Because of this, globalizing Japanese companies are becoming increasingly foreign-friendly. Here are ways some Japanese companies are helping their foreign employees:  

• Openness to questions and clarifications   
• English-only departments  
• Leniency with Keigo (honorific speech)  
• Company rules regulating, compensating, or in some cases banning overtime work  
• Designated prayer rooms for Muslim workers   
• Subsidized living costs  
• Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has a Working Conditions Handbook for all foreign nationals working in Japan.  

“Today, Japanese companies still have a high demand for foreign workers and are becoming more welcome of staff diversity, making it a good place to work. “

Finding A Job In Japan Even During the Pandemic  

What do Japanese companies look for in their prospective employees?

Unlike most job markets, the Japanese job market is distinct from the rest of the world. One of the key differences is what they look for in their prospective employees. Understanding what Japanese employers are looking for can be key as a Chinese looking for a job in Japan. 

“Get to know the company you will be interviewing for and find out why your technical skills and core values fit with theirs.” 

Bridging Cultures: How Learning Japanese Opened Doors for a Wuhan University Graduate in Japan   

Here’s some traits Japanese companies are looking for when they’re interviewing prospective talents:   

1. Loyalty – Japanese companies are looking for employees who plan to stick around.   
2. Eagerness to learn – Japanese companies want to make sure you want to learn and emulate their work culture.  
3. Aligned with their vision – Japanese companies want employees who understand the company’s purpose and see themselves as a key part of its fulfillment.   
4. Have the right background – Your course degree, final year project, and internships reflect whether your skills and interests fit the company.  
5. Enthusiasm and positivity – Companies like new hires who are excited to join the company and have a positive outlook. One quick way to show this during interviews? Keep smiling!   

How do you best time your job hunting to the Japanese work calendar?

Find out which Japanese job market you belong to   

Another aspect of the Japanese job market you need to understand is knowing how you fit into it. There are two main markets that you can be part of depending on when you join their workforce:   

• You belong in the mid-career market if you are 26-29 years old, with more than 3 years’ experience.
  • This market evaluates candidates based on meeting skill requirements. Conversational Japanese is typically expected except if you’re extremely qualified for a niche job.   

• You belong to the Fresh Graduate Market if you are younger than 26 years old, and you are in your final year of university, or it’s been less than 3 years since you graduated.
  • The most in-demand market, Japanese companies mass hire fresh graduates so they can sync training seasons.  

Understanding the Best Time to Job Hunt in Japan  

Timing your job hunt can greatly help your chances as a Chinese determined to land aj ob in Japan. 

Some Japanese companies hire all year, but most mass hire from November to February for April joiners. Companies that don’t meet their quota of new hires will continue looking for applicants for October joiners.   

There is often a long waiting time between getting the job offer and the actual joining date. This can be convenient if you secure your offer in your final year and can join the company straight after graduating. You can use that time to complete your document requirements. If you’re currently working for a company, it’s best to resign at a strategic time.   

Preparing for Your Hunt for the Perfect Job in Japan    

If you want to maximize your job hunt, then preparation is key! Here’s some tips on how to start your job application for Chinese Talents looking to work in Japan:  

• Get your eye on the prize. Be ready for challenges along the way and don’t give up.   

• Learn to speak Japanese. Japanese companies may focus on how well you can communicate during the Japanese interviews.   

• Sign up with experts. Foreigners new to Japanese companies’ meticulous multilayered application process can get overwhelmed. Sign up with an experienced agency to simplify the process.  

• Polish your resume. Whether it’s internships, prior work, or an impressive final-year project, your project experiences will be a big topic in Japanese job interviews.   

• Start networking. You don’t have to wait until you get to Japan before building your network. Expanding your network can help set you up for success.   

• Apply ASAP! Time is your enemy. Securing a job in Japan is easiest for fresh graduates. Mid-career applicants have higher requirements. Once you surpass 30 years old, getting a work visa becomes more difficult.   

WHY CHINESE TALENTS ARE IN DEMAND IN JAPAN   

The Chinese Advantage When in the Japanese Workplace 

To expand beyond their shores, Japanese companies seek multilingual talents who can connect them to international markets. That’s why knowing English, and Chinese on top of Japanese gives you a clear advantage. Chinese expats hold the potential of connecting their companies to the burgeoning Chinese market.  

Their inherent knowledge of Chinese characters will also come in handy when learning Japanese. For most talents outside of Japan, China, and Korea, Japanese kanji posit the biggest challenge. Studies also show that being bilingual makes it easier to learn a new language^[4] so it’ll be easier to add Japanese!  

IT Engineering Jobs for Chinese Talents  

Last July 2024, the ratio of jobs to applications in Japan was 1.23 ^[5]. This means that there are more openings than there are people to fill these opportunities. Japan is looking for overseas talent to fill its growing demand for highly skilled workers. In 2023, the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare reported a record high of 2,048,675 foreign workers in Japan^[6]. This trend can be seen in Japan’s IT industry, leading to more opportunities for skilled China to jump in.  This large foreign working population that continues to rise means that there’s surely room for Chinese looking for a job in Japan. 

We looked at the Japanese census from December 2023^[7] to paint us a picture of the booming tech job opportunities for foreigners in Japan. We specifically looked at how many foreigners held two specific visas relevant to the engineering jobs:  

(高度専門職1号ロ ) Highly Skilled Professional Visa 1

Specifically designed to attract high-level professionals with advanced specialized or technical skills in engineering, science, or business. At the time of the census, there were 19,757 expats from 129 countries with this visa, 11,828 came from China. That’s 64% of the whole foreign worker population in Japan!  

(技術・人文知識・国際業務 ) Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services Visa

Designed for professionals in fields such as engineering, humanities, social sciences, and international business. At the time of the census, there were 388,717 expats from 184 countries with this visa, 92,141, or 25% of all foreign workers in Japan, came from China.  

With so many talents from around the globe applying for these special work visas, it’s important to make your resume stand out.   

Tips for a competitive resume in the Japanese job market:

• Improve your Japanese.   

• Get relevant Internships.  

• Join and win contests for future engineers.  

• Join a top university based on Times Higher Education’s list^[10]. 

Top 10 Universities in China based on the Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings  2024^[11] 

1. 12th  Tsinghua University 
2. 14th  Peking University 
3. 43rd Shanghai Jiao Tong University 
4. 44th  Fudan University 
5. 55th Zhejiang University 
6. 57th University of Science and Technology of China 
7. 73rd Nanjing University 
8. 150th Sichuan University 
9. 158th Huazhong University of Science and Technology 
10. 164th Wuhan University 

Navigating Work Visas and Other Legal Requirements as a Chinese About to Work in Japan 

Things will happen fast once you accept the job offer. Most applicants take two to three months to finish their requirements. It’s important to get as many of your documents ready as you are looking for a job.  You can learn more about how Chinese talents can secure Japan work visas here. 

Basic documents you need as a Chinese to work in Japan:

• Passport  
• University Documents (Transcript of Record, diploma, etc.)  
• Certificate of Eligibility (to be provided by your future employer)  
• Clearance from past employers (Valid for Mid-career employees)  
• Japanese Work Visa for Chinese Nationals (from the Japanese embassy or consulate in China assigned to your locale through an agency) 
• Copy of the Chinese Family Register  
• Temporary Residence Permit or Residence Certificate (If the applicant does not have a family register within the region under the jurisdiction of the embassy or consulate-general where the application will be made) 

LEARNING JAPANESE TO SECURE A JOB IN JAPAN  

If there’s one skill you absolutely must have to land work and maximize living in Japan, it’s learning the language. What is the number one advice for Chinese Talents when learning Japanese? Start as soon as you can!   

“Based on my experience in job hunting in Japan, the most important advice I can give is that Japanese language skills are paramount. First and foremost, prioritize your Japanese language studies and work hard to improve them.” 

Overcoming COVID Challenges: My Path from Studying in Ireland to Landing a Job in Japan  

How Good at Japanese Do You Need to Be to Work in Japan?  

Different companies have different needs. Through FAST OFFER International’s several partnerships with Japanese companies, we’ve observed just how important an applicant’s Japanese is in the context of different prospective employers.

Most Japanese companies are not fixated on your JLPT certificate which mainly reflects your reading and writing ability, but rather on how well your Japanese speaking ability can function in the workplace. There are no Japanese language tests you will need to take during the employment process, but rather, they will observe your Japanese conversation skills during your interview with them.   

Here are a few general tendencies within Japanese companies:  

• Arts or Humanities student: N2 or the equivalent.  

• • Competing with locals means you need to be as fluent as them in Japanese. More than your writing ability though, employers will be paying more attention.   

• IT or Engineering student: Conversational Japanese with at least N4 or the equivalent.  

• • You will need to be able to carry out a job interview in Japanese. This interview will include your ability to explain your final year project.   

• IT Engineer with work experience: at least N3 or the equivalent.  

• • This applies if you are under thirty years old. As you will not be entering the company as a new grad, you will be afforded less training time and will have to work closely with others, hence the importance of conversational Japanese.  

• A few jobs: fluent English.  

• • Some jobs with English-only departments don’t require Japanese fluency to secure. However, those jobs are extremely few and far between while extremely high in demand. Most English teacher jobs do not require Japanese proficiency but will prioritize applicants from English-speaking countries and have a somewhat limited career trajectory. Although it’s possible to secure a job in Japan without knowing Japanese, you will still need to learn Japanese to navigate your life outside of work hours.  

• Factory Workers: Basic Japanese.  

• • Prospective applicants are required to take Basic Japanese classes to secure the job. Factory workers should at the minimum understand safety symbols and basic instructions on the job.  

Tips on Learning Japanese for Chinese Talents  

Japanese is vital to your career in Japan! If you want to work in Japan as a Chinese, this is the one skill you can’t skip. We’ve collected tips from our successful Chinese applicants to help you learn the language. After all, learning Japanese is a different experience for everyone. Here’s a summary of the most important tips we have:  

1. Practice Japanese by incorporating Japanese culture into your hobbies. Whether it’s anime, j-rock, or soccer, it’ll be easier to learn Japanese if you make it a fun habit.    
2. Maximize the internet to study Japanese. There’s so much free and fun Japanese content on the internet to learn from!  
3. Practice with classmates or real Japanese people. It’s the only way to get comfortable with speaking Japanese. 
4. Watch Japanese news to hear and absorb Japanese natives. Pick-up the local accent by immersing yourself in Japanese audio materials.   

  How to Get Into FAST OFFER International’s Free Japanese Classes  

“I joined the “Worldwide Japanese Class” offered by ASIA to JAPAN, where I learned Japanese with students from various parts of the world.” 

Overcoming COVID Challenges: My Path from Studying in Ireland to Landing a Job in Japan  

To see when you can sign up with FAST OFFER International’s Japanese classes for global students, check our page here. 

THE CHINESE EXPAT LIFE IN JAPAN  

Chinese Expats who succeeded through FAST OFFER International shared their experiences of what happens once you’re in Japan.  

Cost of Living and Budgeting for Chinese Talents Working in Japan  

Once you’re working in Japan, you might be surprised to experience how different cost of living in Japan as an expat is from what you’re used to in China. For one thing, most Chinese expats enjoy a higher starting salary in Japan. Even though the cost of living in Japan is more expensive, Japanese companies offer subsidies that keep living costs down.  Because companies aid with transportation, rent, and even childcare, new graduates often have enough money left over from their salary to travel and enjoy Japan.   

What can be surprising to expats though, is the government-mandated deductions for their salary. Universal health insurance deductions though will be useful. On the other hand, pension-related deductions can be reimbursed if you decide to leave Japan later on.   

Understanding the Japanese Healthcare and Health Insurance for Chinese Talents 

Japan’s statutory universal health insurance system provides universal coverage^[12]. This means that working in Japan as a Chinese expat will make you part of Japan’s healthcare system. You can use it for hospital, primary, specialty, and mental health care, as well as prescription drugs. You will have access to excellent health outcomes at a relatively low cost with equity. It is funded primarily by taxes and individual contributions. When you land in Japan to work, you will be paying for and receiving benefits from their universal healthcare plan.   

The healthcare insurance framework is divided into two principal categories:

Employees’ Health Insurance System  

• This ensures that company employees and their families are covered. Those in this bracket will be charged a monthly salary deduction. 

National Health Insurance (NHI)  

• This segment serves those who are self-employed or not in employment, such as freelancers and retirees, and is managed at the local level by municipal authorities, including cities and smaller communities.  

For surgery, and other procedures outside of the insurance plan, some companies will offer cash aid if within their contract. Some companies offer added benefits. Some companies in Japan even offer workers suffering from hay fever subsidized trips to help them work remotely. ^[13] 

Work-Life-Balance in Japan  

Global Life-Work Balance Index 2024^[14] ranked Tokyo near-average at the 24th place  out of the 60 big cities from around the globe. As Japanese companies move towards globalization, some are proactively working to ensure employee work-life balance.   

Most Japanese companies with sustainable development goals in mind are actively working on creating a work environment that employees want to stay in for the long term.^[15] It must be noted though, that work culture will vary from one company to another. What is consistent though is that Japan’s legal infrastructure helps protect employee rights. Workers in Japan, even foreigners, can safely advocate for their rights. ^[16] 

“In Japan, most companies provide overtime pay and adequate break time.”

Comparing Work Environments: Why I Chose Japan Over China for My Engineering Career 

You don’t have to keep on doing overtime. As you try to blend in and be more Japanese, you might find yourself following in someone else’s unhealthy footsteps. It’s important to communicate your boundaries and your own values. Find a middle ground and talk it out with your superiors.    

Where to Find Authentic Chinese Food in Japan  

Once you’ve flown from China to your job in Japan, your next focus as you settle in will be maximizing your life in Japan. Part of that is finding food that makes you happy and comforted. For a lot of people, comfort food is the taste of home. Chinese expats recommended these authentic Chinese restaurants that can help fight homesickness.  

Chinese-Recommended Restaurants in Japan 

 Mara Daigaku  

This restaurant chain’s vision is to make healthy Sichuan cuisine more well-known and accessible. Expect the spice level to be catered to Sichuan natives! If you’re looking for “real Chinese” mapo tofu, this is your best bet.   

• Work Hours: Every day, 11:00-15:00, 17:00-22:00    
• Branch Locations: Ueno, Harumi and Kawasaki   

Hai Di Lao  

From the aromas of the mala lamb meat hotpot that hits you as you enter this restaurant, you’ll already feel right at home. Plucked straight from China, this well-known hotpot restaurant chain currently has 1,700 branches all around the world. Unique to this restaurant are hospitality services such as free nail service, and surprise performances.   

• Work Hours: Every day, 11:00-24:00, 6:00-11:00  
• Branch Locations: Ueno, Fukuoka, Kawasaki, Chiba, Yokohama, Yokohama (Chinatown) Akihibara, Osaka, and Shinjuku   

Chinatowns in Japan ^[17]

Lucky for Chinese expats, they can find home away from home in Japan through the three Chinatowns in Japan. Located at the three main ports of the country, you can find Chinatowns in Yokohama (the largest in Japan), Kobe and Nagasaki.  

HEAR FROM THE CHINESE PROS: THE SUCCESS STORIES  

FAST OFFER International has helped 700+ talents find work across Japan all for free. For each case, we offered personalized help from start to finish. Over the years, we’ve collected a rich bank of stories of success that can both inspire and inform you.  Will you be part of our next batch of Chinese talents to find a job in Japan? 

Chinese Graduates Who Secured a Job Offer in Japan  

Right after securing a job offer with FAST OFFER International, we invite talents to share their success story while they wait for their scheduled joining date. We have a great variety of talents from different countries, degrees, and interests all with one thing in common: the drive to make their dream come true.   

Here are more stories about Chinese Talents finding jobs in Japan to inspire you:  

• Navigating Job Hunting in Japan: The Crucial Role of Professional Guidance in Job Hunting 
• Breaking into the Japanese IT Industry: Insights from a Wuhan University Alumni 
• Jilin University Alumni’s Transition into the IT Sector in Japan 
• From Wuhan University to Anchoring a Career in Japan 
• Bridging Cultures: Navigating the Japanese IT Sector with FAST OFFER 
• Navigating Global Challenges: A Chinese Student’s Pursuit of an IT Career in Japan 
• The Courage to Face One’s Dreams Head-On  

WHAT DO ALL SUCCESSFUL FOREIGN TALENTS IN JAPAN HAVE IN COMMON?   

Our diverse pool of successful applicants’ winning strategies to secure a job in Japan has two things in common:  

1. They learned Japanese!  
2. They never gave up!   

There are plenty of job opportunities in Japan for determined Chinese Talents!  

Do you want to be part of Japan’s exciting, cutting-edge industry and be part of their well-cared-for workforce? Are you eager to explore and enjoy the best of Japanese culture? Do you dream of strolling through a shower of Sakura blossoms, zipping through prefectures on bullet trains, and attending festivals in a kimono? Then working in Japan might be in your future.  

“But FAST OFFER’s kind staff alleviated my worries. They helped me believe in myself and simplified the process: all I needed to do was make the effort, wait, and trust everything else to FAST OFFER.”  

Overcoming the Impossible: My Journey from Aspiring to Achieving a Career in Japan with FAST OFFER International  

If you’re serious about your dream, you can start working on it today! There are so many opportunities in Japan for the taking. With determination, grit, and the right support, you can make your dream come true.   

REFERENCES  

1. Statista. “Number of Foreign Workers in Japan Hits Two Million Mark.” Statista, www.statista.com/statistics/961717/japan-number-foreign-workers/. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024. ii SOURCE.xlsx   

2. E-Stat. “Population Statistics: Japanese and Foreign Population by Nationality.” e-Stat, www.e-stat.go.jp/stat-search/files?page=1&layout=datalist&toukei=00250012&tstat=000001018034&cycle=1&year=20230&month=24101212&tclass1=000001060399. Accessed 10 Sept. 2024.   

3. Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. “Guidelines for Visa Applications and COVID-19 Measures.” MHLW, www.mhlw.go.jp/content/001199834.pdf . Accessed 11 Sept. 2024.   

4. ScienceDaily. “Bilinguals Find It Easier to Learn a Third Language.” ScienceDaily, 1 Feb. 2011, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110201110915.htm. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.   

5. Trading Economics. “Japan Jobs-to-Applications Ratio.” Trading Economics, www.tradingeconomics.com/japan/jobs-to-applications-ratio. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.    

6. https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-data/h01920/ 

7. ^2 

8. ^2 

9. ^2 

10. Times Higher Education. “World University Rankings 2024.” Times Higher Education, www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2024/world-ranking. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.   

11. ^10 

12. Commonwealth Fund. “International Health Care System Profiles: Japan.” Commonwealth Fund, Dec. 2020, www.commonwealthfund.org/sites/default/files/2020-12/2020_IntlOverview_JAPAN.pdf. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.   

13. Vinter, Robyn. “Japan Companies Offer Tropical Trips to Workers with Hay Fever.” Business Insider, 4 Apr. 2024, www.businessinsider.com/japan-companies-offer-tropical-trips-workers-with-hay-fever-2024-4. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.   

14. Remote. “Global Life Work Balance Index.” Remote, www.remote.com/resources/research/global-life-work-balance-index. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.   

15. Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES). “SDGs and Business: Progress 2022.” IGES, www.iges.or.jp/en/pub/sdgs-business-progress-2022-en/en. Accessed 12 Sept. 2024. 

16. Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. “Aichi Labor Bureau Document.” Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, jsite.mhlw.go.jp/aichi-roudoukyoku/content/contents/000945065.pdf. Accessed 2 October. 2024. 

17. Japan Cheapo. “Japan’s Chinatowns: Kobe, Yokohama, and Nagasaki.” Japan Cheapo, www.japancheapo.com/food-and-drink/japan-chinatown-kobe-yokohama-nagasaki. Accessed 12 Sept. 2024.