Work in Japan
The world's most severe labour shortage, a fast-track to permanent residence in as little as 1 year through the points system, and a culture unlike any other destination.
Every listing verified to sponsor international workers.
See All Jobs βWhy Japan?
Japan faces the most acute labour shortage among developed economies β 118 job openings for every 100 job seekers, with a 220,000-person gap in IT alone. The economy is the world's third-largest, driven by automotive, electronics, robotics, semiconductors, pharma, and a growing tech startup ecosystem. The Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) visa offers one of the fastest permanent residence pathways in the world: 1 year with 80+ points, 3 years with 70+ points. Salaries are lower than the US, UK, or Switzerland, but Japan's safety, infrastructure, healthcare, and cultural depth are genuine draws.
Tokyo dominates international hiring across tech, finance, and corporate headquarters. Osaka is strong in manufacturing, pharma, and commerce. Nagoya centres on automotive (Toyota, Denso). Fukuoka has a growing startup scene with government support for foreign entrepreneurs. Japanese is the primary working language in the vast majority of companies. English-only roles exist in some tech companies, international firms, and English-teaching positions, but career growth in Japan almost always requires Japanese ability.
What to know before you move
Live visa-sponsored roles in Japan
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Top industries hiring internationally
Japan's labour shortage is structural and deepening. The working-age population has been shrinking for decades, and the job-to-applicant ratio stands at 1.18 β meaning more openings than job seekers. IT has a 220,000-person gap. Healthcare, construction, and manufacturing also face critical shortages. The government has responded by expanding visa categories and raising minimum wages above Β₯1,064/hour nationally.
Science & Technology25 jobs
Entertainment & Game Development17 jobs
Hospitality12 jobs
Media & Communication2 jobs
Information Technology1 jobsPopular work visa programs for Japan
Japan's work visa system is category-based β your visa type must match your job activities. The "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" visa covers most professional roles. The Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) visa uses a points system and offers accelerated permanent residence. The Specified Skilled Worker visa covers hands-on and technical shortage occupations. Your employer initiates the process by applying for a Certificate of Eligibility. Use the Workbeyond Visa Explorer to match your profile to the right route.
Steps to move to Japan with a job
These steps cover the employer-sponsored work visa routes β the path Workbeyond is built to support. The Certificate of Eligibility (COE) stage is the main bottleneck, taking 1β3 months. Once the COE is issued, the visa follows within 1β2 weeks. Total timeline from signed offer to arrival is typically 2β4 months. Japanese employers handle the COE application on your behalf.
Important:Β These steps must happen in order. Your employer must obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the regional Immigration Bureau before you can apply for a visa at the Japanese consulate. The job offer and the COE come first.
What does life cost in Japan?
Japan is moderately affordable compared to other developed Asian economies and significantly cheaper than Switzerland, the UK, or the US for housing and daily life. Central Tokyo is the most expensive area. Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka cost 20β40% less. Outside major cities, costs drop further. The weak yen (Β₯155β160 per USD in 2026) makes Japan more affordable for those earning in or converting from stronger currencies.
On the professional average of Β₯6,180,000 gross, your take-home after income tax (national + local), social insurance, and pension contributions is roughly Β₯4,700,000βΒ₯5,000,000 per year (Β₯390,000βΒ₯415,000/month). In Osaka or Fukuoka, this covers rent, food, transport, and meaningful savings. In central Tokyo, housing takes a larger share.
