Jobs in Japan for Singaporeans – The Only Guide You’ll Need

LOOKING FOR A JOB IN JAPAN   

If you’re a Singaporean 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 Singaporeans, 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 Singaporeans Want to Work in Japan?   

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 a population of 7,102 Singaporeans according to the Immigration Services Agency (ISA)^[2] So why do Singaporeans keep choosing to get a job in Japan?  

1. Access to tons of job opportunities in Japan for foreigners.  
2. Boost career with Japanese work experience.   
3. Grow from being part of an international community of Japanese expats. 
4. Explore Japan’s rich history and culture.  
5. Live out your anime dreams.  
6. Experience Japan’s beautiful four seasons.  
7. Lots of company benefits.   
8. Job security protected by government regulations^[3]  

Understanding the Japanese Job Market and Where Singaporeans Can Fit In  

The Japanese job market is different than most so of course it’s different than the job market in Singapore 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 Singaporeans  

Japanese companies are looking for international talents who can help them achieve their Sustainable Development Goals, opening tons of job openings in Japan for Singaporeans and other foreigners. 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.  

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 for Singaporeans who want a job 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 Singaporean 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 Singaporeans 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.  Here’s some Singaporean Universities FAST OFFER International has networked with that may be of help to you: 
• National University of Singapore  
• Nanyang Technological University  
• Singapore Management University 
• Singapore University of Technology and Design 
• 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 SINGAPOREAN TALENTS ARE IN DEMAND IN JAPAN   

The Singaporean 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, your native tongue, on top of Japanese gives you a clear advantage. 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 Singaporeans  

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 Singapore to jump in.  This large foreign working population that continues to rise means that there’s surely room for Singaporean 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 Singaporeans and other foreigners in Japan. We specifically looked at how many foreigners held two specific visas relevant to the engineering jobs:  

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 183 countries with this visa, 677 of whom came from Singapore.  

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^[9]. 

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

1. 19 National University of Singapore  
2. 32 Nanyang Technological University 

Navigating Work Visas and Other Legal Requirements as a Singaporean 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.   

Basic documents you need as a Singaporean 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)  
• Clearance from Scholarship bonds (Depends on your contract)  
• Work Visa (through a scheduled booking for a physical application at the Japanese Embassy in Singapore) ^[11] 

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 Singaporeans when learning Japanese? Start as soon as you can!   

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. Singaporeans who learned Japanese for a job in Japan must remember to focus on their speaking skills above all. 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 Singaporeans  

Japanese is vital to your career in Japan! There’s no skipping this skill for Singaporeans who want a job in Japan. We’ve collected tips from our successful Singaporean 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:  

• Take Japanese classes at your university. Take advantage of the required foreign language studies of your course.  
• 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.    
• Maximize the internet to study Japanese. There’s so much free and fun Japanese content on the internet to learn from!   
• Practice with classmates or real Japanese people. It’s the only way to get comfortable with speaking Japanese.   

FAST OFFER International’s free Japanese class last July 2024. Photo courtesy of FAST OFFER International 

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

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

THE SINGAPOREAN EXPAT LIFE IN JAPAN  

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

Cost of Living and Budgeting for Singaporeans 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 Singapore. 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 Singaporeans 

Japan’s statutory universal health insurance system provides universal coverage ^[12]. This means that working in Japan as a Singaporean 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 24^th 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. Workers in Japan, even foreigners, including Singaporeans with a job in Japan, can safely advocate for their rights. ^[16] 

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 Singaporean Food in Japan  

As a Singaporean with a job in Japan, you will want to maximize your Japanese lifestyle while still holding onto your culture. In your search for happiness 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.  Here’s some restaurants serving authentic Singaporean fare for your homesick cravings: 

Wee Nam Kee 

This famous Singaporean restaurant thankfully has found its way to Tokyo. Enjoy your Singaporean favorites such as their signature Hainanese chicken, roast chicken or dumplings. 

• Work Hours:  Monday – Friday, 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30–10 PM | Saturday – Sunday, 11 AM–3 PM, 5:30–9 PM 
• Address: 〒108-0023 Tokyo, Minato City, Shibaura, 3 Chome−4−1 田町グランパーク 1F 

Singapore Holic Laksa 

You can find the first laksa specialty store in Japan, right in Harajuku! You’ll keep coming back for their popular, affordable, delicious, and authentic laksa.   

• Work Hours:  Tuesday – Sunday, 11:30 AM – 11 PM 
• Address: 〒150-0042 Tokyo, Shibuya, Udagawacho, 37−15 2階 

HEAR FROM THE SINGAPOREAN 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 Singaporeans to find a job in Japan? 

What is it like to be a Singaporean in Japan? 

FAST OFFER International invites talents to share their success story. 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 Singaporeans finding jobs in Japan to inspire you:  

• Achieving My Dream of Working in Japan: A Journey from University to Employment 
• From Singapore to Japan: How ASIA to JAPAN’s Language and Interview Support Led to My International Career  

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 Singaporeans!  

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.  

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. Nippon. “Japan’s Population Decline Accelerates in 2022.” Nippon, www.nippon.com/en/japan-data/h01920. Accessed 12 Sept. 2024.  
7. ^2  
8. ^2  
9. Times Higher Education. “World University Rankings 2024.” Times Higher Education, www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2024/world-ranking. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.    
10. ^10  
11. Embassy of Japan in Singapore. “Visa Application Information.” Embassy of Japan in Singapore, www.sg.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/11_000001_00505.html. Accessed 14 Oct. 2024.  
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.