Jobs in Japan Without Japanese or with a Low Level of Japanese

Are there jobs in Japan that do not need Japanese skills? And, is it possible to work in Japan without knowing much Japanese? Are there only English-speaking jobs available in Japan? These are very common questions among foreigners wanting to work in Japan.

In some cases, money is the reason many foreigners wish to work in Japan. However, there are various reasons foreigners opt to work in Japan. These reasons are as follows:

• Exploring and knowing Japan more by living and working in Japan
• Experiencing Japanese working and quality processes.
• Adding diversity of experiences
• Personal reasons like marriage to a Japanese national

Traditional culture and bustling modern technology make Japan a unique country to live and work in.

On the other hand, the need for foreign and English-speaking talent has increased greatly due to Japan’s shrinking population. As a result, many Japanese companies are looking to internationalize by attracting foreign talent from overseas to diversify their workforce.

However, the Japanese language comes up as the biggest obstacle. After all, despite all the efforts to improve internalization, Japan still ranks very poorly in the English proficiency index.

Although many companies are starting to relax their strict “Japanese-only” requirement, it is still possible that they want you to be at least conversational in Japanese for office communication. But what if you do not know Japanese? Is it possible to work in Japan without knowing Japanese?

This article will discuss opportunities that allow you to get a job in Japan without much Japanese language skills. Some of these opportunities can get you to Japan, allowing you to pursue your desired career path. However, there are some jobs that can act as the door-opener for your entry into Japan, whereby you can later switch to your desired career path.

Let’s discuss the types of English-speaking job opportunities for foreigners in Japan for which either Japanese knowledge is not mandatory or even basic Japanese skills are sufficient.

Foreign Language Teaching Jobs in Japan

Foreign language teaching jobs in Japan fall into the door-opener opportunities for foreigners to get jobs without Japanese skills.

English Teaching Jobs

Among foreign languages, English teaching opportunities are the highest. Teaching English is by far the easiest job to get without any knowledge of the Japanese language. Please check this guide to English teaching job opportunities in Japan.

French Teaching Jobs

Naturally, though French teaching job opportunities in Japan are not as common as in English, they exist.

Some foreign language school chains in Japan, like NOVA and Bertitz, often come out with vacancies for French teachers.

Apart from these language schools, you can also target the following institutes and French international schools, which offer a variety of French language courses for different levels, as well as cultural events and activities related to French culture.

• Institut Franco-Japonais de Tokyo (http://www.institutfrancais.jp/tokyo/)
• Institut Franco-Japonais de Kansai (https://www.ifjkansai.com/)
• Ecole Française du Kansai (https://efk.jp/)
• Lycée Français International de Tokyo (https://www.lfitokyo.org/)
• Lycée Français International de Kyoto (https://www.lfikyoto.org/)
• Lycée Français International de Yokohama (https://www.lfiyokohama.org/)
• Lycée Français de Fukuoka (http://www.lf-fukuoka.net/)
• Lycée Français de Nagoya (https://www.lfnagoya.com/)
• Lycée Français de Shizuoka (http://www.lfshizuoka.com/)

German Teaching Jobs

There are not many opportunities for German language teaching jobs in Japan. However, some of the options to find a German teaching job are as follows:

Goethe Institute

Goethe Institute offers German language courses of all levels in Japan. They are based in 4 locations in Japan as follows:

• Goethe-Institut in Tokyo
• Goethe-Institut in Yokohama
• Goethe-Institut in Osaka
• Goethe-Institut in Kyoto

German International Schools and Japanese-German Associations

Other alternatives are German international schools in Japan and Japanese-German Associations, which also provide German language courses. Unfortunately, there are only two German International schools in Japan, and these are as follows:

• Deutsche Schule International, Kobe
• Deutsche Schule, Yokohama

Many foreigners take the language-teaching route before venturing into other areas, so do not be afraid to settle as a teacher for a while before exploring other career paths.

Jobs with Japanese Companies with English as an Official Language

More and more companies in Japan are employing a global workforce to solidify their position for the future while expanding abroad. In fact, several Japanese companies, including Honda, UNIQLO (Fast Retailing Co., Ltd.), Rakuten, and Asahi, have adopted English as their official, in-house language.

Similarly, several modern tech companies welcome tech talent without knowledge of Japanese. Some examples are PayPay, the Japanese market leader in the Fintech domain; Mercari, the e-commerce company that was the first unicorn startup in Japan; and many others, which you can find in our list of English-speaking tech companies in Japan.

This trend will surely continue as globalization progresses. Searching for engineering positions in English or going through a foreign talent recruitment agency is the best way to secure one of these jobs – assuming you have the right resume!

Information Technology Jobs Without Japanese

Information Technology jobs in Japan remain among the most attractive positions for foreigners. Though most jobs require business-level Japanese, many modern Japanese tech companies hire people without Japanese language skills. Some of the examples of these companies are as follows:

• PayPay
• Mercari
• Line
• Rakuten
• Amazon, Japan
• Google, Japan
• Apple
• Dely, Inc.

Please check this detailed list of Japanese tech companies where you can get your dream job without knowing Japanese.

Many such companies welcome overseas IT professionals with Japanese Engineering visa sponsorship and relocation assistance.

Moreover, many other companies also welcome non-Japanese-speaking candidates for positions requiring niche IT skills to overcome the demand-supply gap of such talent in Japan. Some examples of these niche IT jobs are data scientists, artificial intelligence and machine learning engineers, QA automation, automation and robotic process automation Engineers, etc.

Jobs with Japanese Recruitment Companies

According to the Ministry of Labor, Health and Welfare‘s data for 2022, there were 27,899 recruitment companies in Japan.

The recruitment industry is a flourishing business in Japan because companies are highly dependent on recruiting companies to find talent. On the other hand, most candidates also like to use recruiting companies for job searches.

Many of these recruitment companies in Japan focus on jobs for bilingual candidates and sometimes on candidates with only English language skills. For such job opportunities, they need to deal with candidates who speak English and hiring managers with good English capabilities.

Therefore, recruiters working for such agencies need to have fluent English, and Japanese skills are just optional.

Simultaneously, a strong trend exists to fill positions in Japanese startups and tech companies with foreign talent. So, many recruiting companies are looking for native English speakers to help find talent overseas.

Unfortunately, recruitment has one of the highest turnover rates in any industry, with many people leaving within 6 months to 1 year for performance reasons. It requires a lot of resilience and creative thinking to achieve significant results. Some recruiting companies that hire foreign talent are ReachExt, Wahl+Case, Robert Walters, Hays, and Pasona.  

Other Types of Jobs Without Japanese Skills

Digital Marketing and Content Creation

For those with a knack for writing, editing, or video production, Japan has opportunities to build a self-made career as a content creator or digital marketing professional. These opportunities are to help companies market themselves overseas markets.

Just by being in Japan, you are automatically surrounded by fascinating culture, providing endless material for blogs, articles, videos, and more. Be it anime, manga, gaming, sightseeing, history, food, or drink, the worldwide thirst for Japanese culture is insatiable, making it a viable wave to ride to success.

Start your blog or YouTube channel, create content, and wait for the views to roll in. Whether you succeed or not depends upon a mix of talent and luck! Once you build a portfolio, you can also apply to Japanese web magazines or content producers for more stable and consistent work. 

Manual Labor/Factory Jobs 

More and more industries seek foreign workers to supplement the ever-decreasing Japanese labor force. This is arguably even more true for low-skill manual labor or factory jobs, which many Japanese are turning away or are unavailable for.

While a basic level of Japanese language ability is always appreciated, foreign workers with next to zero Japanese are becoming a common sight. As the work is often simple and repetitive, with little to no communication necessary after an initial explanation, manual labor/factory work is a common choice for those who have just started life in Japan.

Typical manual jobs include packaging, food/drink processing, assembly lines, and farm work. Manual labor is generally stable and in demand, making it a great short or long-term job to get by on. However, the work can be grueling, and career opportunities are limited.    

Cooking/Kitchen Staff

While those out front will need Japanese skills to communicate with customers, behind-the-scenes cooks or kitchen staff can generally get away with low to no Japanese ability. This is particularly true if you can find employment with a restaurant owner who speaks the same language as you.

If you are well-versed in cooking a certain type of cuisine, such as Spanish, French, Italian, Indian, Nepalese, Chinese, etc., you will also have a great chance at securing one of these jobs.

Like some factory work, the kitchen staff will be performing rudimentary tasks that can be performed with just a simple explanation and minimal communication. Be aware that hours may be unfavorable, and pay can be low. 

Working with Gaishikei or Foreign Multinational Companies

‘Gaishikei’ refers to multinational companies in Japan with foreign headquarters. Naturally, they are willing to employ employees of all backgrounds to achieve their goals for workplace diversity. However, they also need good language capabilities in English and sometimes in the language of their country of origin.

Japanese language skills are often not mandatory at such companies for some jobs, primarily if you were recruited from overseas.

In fact, you may even be able to start your career in your home country and eventually transfer to Japan. Unlike Japanese companies, hiring tends to be year-round for positions of all levels and skill sets.   

Jobs in the Japanese Tourism Industry

Guide, driver, planner, PR, content creator, travel planner—there are many opportunities in the tourism sector, even for those who do not speak Japanese! While many will require at least intermediate Japanese, most tour companies employ English-speaking Japanese staff to help you book, plan, and communicate with locals.

Your job will generally be to hold tours for foreigners, which could include sightseeing, hiking, canoeing, taste testing, and everything in between. If your Japanese is rusty, you must have proven specialized knowledge about Japan to be qualified to hold tours. Examples could include sake, cuisine, certain activities, history, wildlife, religion, etc. 

Conclusion and Additional Tips

Even if language isn’t your forte, getting a job and having a successful life in Japan is far from impossible. Whether it be an English teacher, engineer, factory worker, content creator, or tour guide, there are always opportunities waiting for foreign talent like you!

Naturally, the scope of potential jobs depends upon your visa and skills, so always consider those when job hunting.

A couple of additional tips while attempting to find a job in Japan as a foreigner are as follows:

Put some effort into Learning Japanese

Even if Japanese skills may not be mandatory, having some Japanese skills will always help. It will always be handy for your job search if you can pass at least the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) N3 level. You may check the article about how to study for JLPT.

Even if the Language is Not a Must, Culture is

You may be able to get a job in Japan and work successfully without the Japanese language. However, the same will not stand true without understanding and adapting to Japanese work culture. A lack of adaptability to Japanese traditions will also make it difficult for you to integrate into Japanese society and have a smooth life in Japan.

Please note that not behaving and working the way the Japanese do will make native Japanese around you uncomfortable. So, even after finding a job without Japanese skills, you must be sensitive to the Japanese work style.

Moreover, you will often find that you will end up causing more discomfort to fellow foreign colleagues. Especially those foreigners who have been in Japan for a long time and, at times, tend to follow Japanese work practices more than the natives. So, it is advisable to learn about Japanese culture, even while landing a job that does not need Japanese skills. Believe me, it will go a long way for you to succeed in Japan.

FAQ About Jobs in Japan without Japanese

Q1. What specific qualifications or certifications, if any, are required for foreigners to apply for jobs in fields like IT, digital marketing, or teaching in Japan without Japanese language skills?

Answer: Let’s cover the three areas one by one:

• Information Technology: Our article about the Japanese visa for engineers provides all the required information about the qualifications and certifications needed to get a job as an IT Engineer.
• Teaching Jobs: Please read our guide to English Teaching Jobs in Japan to find all relevant information about the qualifications and certifications needed to find a teaching job in Japan.
• Digital Marketing: Please note that if your target region for digital marketing is domestic, digital marketing jobs normally require knowledge of Japanese. However, organizations that target overseas markets for marketing would be open to hiring professionals who may not speak only English. In such cases, they would expect you to have at least a bachelor’s degree with decent relevant experience. Please also note that a bachelor’s degree will also be required for approval of the work permit.

Q2. How does the visa application process work for foreigners looking to work in Japan without Japanese language skills, and what types of visas are typically granted for such employment?

Answer: Japanese immigration authorities are not concerned about Japanese skills when granting a work visa. What they want is visa sponsorship by the future employer, the employer’s financial stability, and any mandatory educational qualifications and experience the candidate must possess for the job. Please note that Japanese language skills are never a part of visa approval criteria.

Please also note that most professions are covered under Japan’s Humanities/International Relations/Engineer visa category. However, there are some other specific working visa categories, which you can find under the Japanese visas section of EJable.

Q3. Are there any success stories or case studies of individuals who have successfully found employment in Japan without Japanese language skills, highlighting their journey and any challenges they faced?

Understanding the importance of knowing more about working in Japan before making that decision, we realized that the best way to assist foreigners who are curious about working in Japan is to help them hear about it from the horse’s mouth.

Considering the above, we interview foreign professionals working in Japan. You may please check some of the interviews of foreign tech professionals in Japan. Many of these English-speaking professionals do not speak Japanese.

In these interviews, expats share their experiences about finding English-speaking jobs in Japan without Japanese skills and also whether they faced any challenges in working in Japan with English without knowing Japanese.