8+ Jobs In Japan For Foreigners in Japan Without A Degree – 2022

You may already be aware that unless you have at least 10 years of experience working in a certain profession, finding employment in Japan without a university degree is practically impossible. If you want to find jobs in Japan for foreigners without a degree, continue reading to learn how you can live and work in Japan.

Is it possible to work in Japan without a degree? Have you given it any thought? Or have you overheard a friend or family member say that? Many people have fantasized about relocating to Japan to live and work there.

The Japan Times reports that as of October 2019, there were 1,658,804 foreign workers overall in the nation, which is the largest number ever. The Japanese government sees the need to bring more workforce because its population is aging rapidly. But even without a degree, will you be able to get employment in the nation? Let’s read and find jobs in Japan for foreigners without a degree!

8 Jobs In Japan For Foreigners in Japan Without A Degree

1. Consultant and Recruiter

Foreigners are drawn to careers in international consulting firms in Japan for a variety of reasons. In general, even if you just graduated, your base income will still be higher.

It’s also one of the most well-liked possibilities for foreign nationals seeking a career move. This is because anyone can work as a recruiter regardless of background or prior experience. Although it’s always a benefit, you don’t need a relevant degree in human resources, psychology, or communication. The right applicant is instead chosen by hiring managers and recruiting firms based on their soft talents, such as negotiation, effective communication, self-assurance, and critical thinking.

Most importantly, you don’t need to know Japanese to work as a recruiter. The majority of your clients will be bilingual, and the majority of the databases at the consulting firm are administered in English. In reality, since discussions are conducted in English, you should be proficient in them.

A consultant’s life is highly sought after and competitive. Think of recruiters as being in sales rather than HR. You must be able to flourish under pressure and in a fast-paced workplace to be a top biller. But it’s also incredibly rewarding.

The median beginning wage is 3.6 million JPY per year (~$ 24657.51/year ~ $2054.79/per month), but this can vary depending on your company’s size and terms of employment. Remember that your bonuses have not yet been added to this. You can simply double and treble your revenue if you do it effectively.

Always examine the “Careers” website of the company you want to work for because you can also work as an internal recruiter for large, international corporations. Specialists in talent acquisition may have openings in Japan.

2. Japanese Real Estate Jobs

You must interact with real estate agents and follow stringent regulations in Japanese to purchase a home, make an investment in real estate, or look for an apartment. Due to the 2.89 million international residents the nation had in 2020, English-speaking real estate brokers were in great demand.

Many real estate firms now offer multilingual assistance, including English. Some of them focus solely on serving clients from other countries.

We can anticipate a spike in new immigrants and relocating foreign residents when travel restrictions and border controls loosen.

You can now find real estate companies that focus on helping foreigners find apartments, so that’s where you come in. The majority of employers prefer individuals who have real estate brokerage transaction expertise, however, many accept applicants with related experience.

The commission structure is another appealing aspect. Top salesmen may receive payment of up to 20 million JPY/year including the commission (~$136986.19/year~$11415.52/month).

3. English teachers

When you combine “English” and “jobs in Japan,” “English teacher” is the first thing that springs to mind. You must possess a Bachelor’s degree to teach English in Japan, but it need not be in a related field of study. Although not typically necessary, teaching credentials like the TEFL are encouraged.

Not all English teachers may be grouped.

• ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) 

ALTs make up more than half of the English teachers in Japan. You do not have to teach the entire class as an ALT. Instead, you collaborate with the Japanese instructor at the school you’ve been allocated. The dual roles of “cultural ambassador” and language teacher are yours to fill.

To be an ALT, you do not need a master’s degree in education or any other related field.

• Eikaiwa Instructor 

Students at the English conversation school Eikaiwa may be either children or adults. The words “Eikaiwa” and “Ei” (both in English) are the ancestors of each other (Conversation). NOVA, ECC, AEON, Berlitz, and Peppy Kids Club are examples of large Eikaiwa businesses.

• An instructor at a private school or university

The pay for ALT and Eikawa teachers is respectable but not exceptional. Your greatest shot at higher pay and faster career advancement in the Japanese education sector is to work full-time as a teacher at a private school or university.

In Japan, there are more than 700 universities, and some of them offer English language courses. Schools frequently demand that you have a master’s degree in education, TEFL or TESOL certification, and even previous teaching experience.

The average monthly salary for English teachers in Japan is about 351,000 JPY (~$2404.11/month), so even if the market has become more competitive, it may still be worth looking into. In addition to the aforementioned, you can teach English to adults or young children.

Here are several well-known job search engines for English:

• GaijinPot Jobs
• Daijob
• Jobs in Japan

4. Engineer Jobs in Japan for IT and Tech

There is no doubt that Japan has an IT shortage, thus having experience in the field can greatly increase your chances of getting hired. It’s understandable why there are more than 100 programming positions available on employment boards like LinkedIn and Glassdoor alone. All businesses, whether they are traditional Japanese or foreign, need web designers, developers, and IT specialists because Japan accounts for around 3% of the global IT market.

The demand-supply imbalance in the IT job market means that Japanese language proficiency is frequently not required at all. Tech engineers from other countries are hired by startup and unicorn businesses like Mercari and Zehitomo.

An app that connects Japanese businesses with Indian software engineers has been developed by the Japanese technology company NEC in collaboration with Persol Career.

Over 435 software engineers who reside in Japan were surveyed by Tokyo Dev, one of the top IT job sites in the country. The annual compensation is 8.5 million JYP(~58219.13/year~$4851.59/month), which is near twice as much as the average wage in Japan (6.2 million JYP/year~42465.72/year~$3538.81/month).

Only one-third of them can speak Japanese fluently, and 80% of them use English as their main form of interlanguage communication.

It should be noted that despite a large number of open engineering and tech opportunities, the positions are nonetheless in high demand.

JavaScript, HTML/CSS, and Python are all necessary programming languages to know, however, some corporations may also utilize TypeScript, C++, and SQL.

Here are a few well-known job sites in Japan that focus on IT and tech-related positions:

• Japan Dev
• TokyoDev
• Tokyo Tech

See more:

• All About Engineering Jobs In Japan For Foreigners
• How to Find and Survive Part-time Jobs In Japan
• How To Get A Job In Japan? – A Comprehensive Guide

5. Jobs in Hospitality in Japan

Japan registered 8 million international travelers in 2019 (pre-COVID). In general, popular tourist attractions and urban areas like Tokyo are friendlier to foreigners. Some hotels will feature native customer service workers, including front desk staff, cooks, PR staff, and general managers, in addition to English-speaking Japanese staff. Examine the job openings on Career Cross and Daijob if you have the requisite experience and background. The average salary is about 18.3M JYP per year (~$125342.36/year ~$10445.20/month).

Examining the career area of each company’s website is another fantastic technique to search for open positions. International hotel chains may also transfer employees internally or personally seek potential prospects.

6.  Jobs in Customer Service in Japan

A customer service representative’s duties include responding to client inquiries, offering solutions, and assisting clients with the features and functionalities of the service. You must be a strong communicator to succeed in this position. However, if you’re a professional in the middle of your career, there are available roles that require little Japanese: supervisors, site directors, and managers. In general, Japanese-based organizations encourage bilingual customer service.

For instance, Salary Expert’s data reveals that if you work as a hotel manager, you may make up to 13.5M JYP per year(~$92465.68/year~$7705.47/month). In contrast, the average salary of a hotel concierge in Japan is only 3.41M JYP per year(~$23356.14/year~$1946.34/month).

A business that works with many overseas clients might hire In Japan, job postings for customer service positions can be found at staffing firms including Michael Page, Hays, and Robert Walters.

7. A Career as a Graphic, Product, or Creative Designer in Japan

Designers are currently in high demand as a profession in Japan. Your key selling point, whether you’re a UI/UX specialist, graphic designer, or product designer, will be your hard talents and portfolio. Photoshop and Illustrator proficiency are standard prerequisites, but some employers may also look for advanced understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (depending on the position).

Google has further job ads. The average annual pay for engineers in Japan is typically around 7.07M JYP(~$48424.62/year~$4035.38/month), however as you gain more experience, your earning potential may increase.

8. Staff from Study Abroad in Japan

The number of foreign students who can enter Japan from their home countries is currently limited (subject to change). Though the business may currently be in a slump, activity is beginning to perk up.

In general, there are two ways to apply independently—by finding a university and applying directly—or through an agent—if you want to study in Japan. Foreign students can apply for a school — a university or a Japanese language school — and a student visa with the aid of organizations like GogoNihon and Gaijinpot. They often offer further assistance, such as assisting you in finding an apartment or a house to share. The average compensation is 5.93M JYP per year(~$40616.40/year~$3384.7/month), yet it could be greater depending on your level of expertise.

These organizations are seeking student coordinators who are native speakers of Korean, French, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Italian in addition to English speakers because they work with foreign students.

Universities in Japan that offer English-taught courses, or at least those that enroll a lot of international students, will also engage foreigners to oversee their student body.

Where to Look for Work in Japan (With Low Japanese Requirement)

Searching job posting websites and hiring platforms like LinkedIn, GlassDoor, Jobs in Japan, Career Cross and GaijinPot Jobs offer the best possibility of finding a job in Japan that doesn’t require advanced Japanese language abilities.

In addition, we advise you to conduct independent research. Learn about the sector and explore for firms you might be interested in. Check out their website. The majority of businesses have a specific Careers page (“Work with Us,” “Careers”).

Approach a recruiter if you have more years of experience working in a specialized field (such as healthcare, automotive, or infrastructure). You have a better chance of being matched with a potential job in a prestigious firm that is willing to negotiate your conditions and salary because they deal with highly specialized positions that are frequently mid-career or even at C-levels.

Jobs in Japan that pay the most for foreigners

Even while the majority of well-paying positions in Japan are popular with foreigners, especially if you have a lot of expertise, moving into more specialized industries typically comes with greater income.

In addition to what was just mentioned, some other specialized industries in Japan that offer the best paid occupations are as follows:

• Sales and marketing and hiring
• Finance
• Banking
• Healthcare
• Law
• Aviation

For instance, the typical salary for a recruiter in Japan is about 4.05M per year, yet with adequate expertise, that salary can occasionally reach 10M. As a manager, you can make about 10.6 million dollars a year in sales and marketing, and as an executive, you can make about 25.2 million.

The following additional industries have the highest average salaries:

Industry or Field	Average Salary Per Year(JYP)	Average Salary Per Year(USD)
Finance	¥9M to ¥12.8M	$61,643.78 to $87,671.16
Banking	¥11M to ¥13.8M	$75,342.40 to $94,520.47
Law	¥8.73M to ¥18.4M	$59,794.47 to $126,027.29
Aviation	¥7.81M to ¥12.9M	$53,493.11 to $88,356.09
Healthcare	¥18.2M to ¥27.6M	$124,657.43 to $189,040.94

These are based on Salary Explorer’s most recent statistics, and they may change based on characteristics including job, experience, and specialization.

That said, you’re more likely to make more money if you specialize in one of these industries. Given Japan’s generally higher cost of living, the increased pay may be advantageous.

The basic cost of living in Japan

Being able to live and work in Japan can be wonderful. Some people bring that experience back with them, and others use it to start a completely new life. Can I Afford to Live in Japan? is a concern for many people who aren’t sure. While it is true that Japan has a reputation for being pricey, the real response is, “Yes, and rather comfortably too!” The most important thing you need to understand is that although Japan might be very pricey for tourists, things become a lot more doable as a resident.

• A single individual in Japan could get by on around 1,103 USD per month (without rent) and a family of four could manage on roughly 3,984 USD per month (excluding rent).

How can you get a working visa without a degree?

Work visas come in a variety of forms in Japan. High school graduates or holders of diplomas are ineligible for some of these forms of employment because they do not meet the necessary educational qualifications. So how do you fit the bill? If you don’t have a degree but have 10 years or more of relevant experience, you’ll be qualified even without one.

Take a look at a sample job posting for a marketing director to help you understand. The following criteria apply:

Skills:

• Analytical and financial capabilities
• Knowledge of the business elements of vaccine/medicine development from research to launch.
• The capacity to use insights from important clients, like as patients, payers, and providers, to inform important marketing projections
• Skills in negotiating and effective communication for a wide range of audiences, including senior management.

Education and Language Abilities

• Business as a major or a closely related field
• Fluent in both Japanese and English

We can then comprehend that a non-degree holder won’t qualify for the employment because it has educational qualifications based on the specified prerequisites.

A sample job posting from this website would be nice. In Yokohama, a construction company is looking to hire a construction project manager. These are its requirements:

• Must be presently residing in Japan
• Must be able to work in Japan and possess a current visa
• Able to communicate effectively in Japanese
• It is preferred to have a building project manager with experience
• Ready to go to work right away

Just experience is needed for this position. This means that someone without a degree can still apply, all they have to do is show their employment credentials. But what if you lack the necessary academic qualifications and professional experience?

How to apply?

The general conditions for applying for a work visa in Japan are as follows:

• A resume or curriculum vitae
• visa application form for passport
• Photograph
• Your original Certificate of Eligibility (CoE)

If you don’t have a degree but have at least 10 years of experience in the field you want to work in Japan, you must submit a certificate of employment from each employer you’ve worked for to demonstrate that you’ve actually earned a lot of experience.

You must pass both the skills test and the Japanese language test to qualify for the Specified Skilled Worker visa. After that, you must sign an employment contract with the company that will hire you.

Each country that Japan has cooperated with has various requirements and procedures for obtaining a working holiday visa.

The only way to apply for this kind of visa, which is based on a bilateral agreement, is by going in person to the Japanese embassy or general consulate in your home country.

You will require a certificate of admission from the school you have registered in if you plan to apply for a student visa. The consulate in your native nation may require further documentation. In our previous article, we went over a more thorough process for requesting this kind of visa.

The Japanese embassy or consulate should receive these necessary documents. Additionally, you will be required to take tests or exams.

Just a friendly reminder: as soon as your visa is granted, make sure to obtain the original copy of your CoE. Even if you don’t have a degree, the process will be time-consuming and labor-intensive, but once you obtain your work visa, it will be worthwhile.

FAQs

1. Can you get a job in Japan without a degree?

Without a degree, it is feasible to find employment in Japan, but it is a little more challenging and requires you to hustle and network, which may appeal to some personality types more than others. However, it might be a terrific chance for individuals who are prepared to put in the work.

2. How do you get a job in Japan as a foreigner without a degree?

There are two ways to obtain this visa, one of which requires passing an exam that assesses the applicant’s proficiency in both Japanese and a particular industry relevant to the field in which they wish to work. The alternative is to finish a three-year program in technical intern training in Japan.

3. Is it easy to get a job in Japan as a foreigner?

So, given what has just been said, is it simple for a foreigner to find employment in Japan? It depends, is the response to this. This is so because a variety of factors can determine how simple or complicated it would be for a foreigner to acquire employment in Japan.

Your highest degree of education, language proficiency, work experience, level of expertise in your particular business, and the demand for your specialized skills in your chosen profession are a few examples of these.

The good news is that Japan is eager to hire more foreigners since, according to estimates, they will require 6.74 million foreign workers by 2040.

The Japanese government is taking this action to help with the labor shortage that is currently affecting their nation.

Of course, as was already noted, not all domestic enterprises are eager to hire foreign workers as it typically comes at a cost to their businesses.

For international job searchers, though, things appear to be improving, particularly as more Japanese firms are warming to the notion, notably in the IT sector.

Additionally, the Japanese government is taking a more active role in helping competent foreigners find employment in Japan by developing initiatives like the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW), which expands job prospects for skilled foreigners.

In order to give foreign workers the assistance they need to have a more satisfying working experience in Japan, numerous government organizations are also collaborating.

4. Can I teach English in Japan without degree?

While the majority of English-teaching organizations demand that their instructors hold a degree (of any kind! ), there are still a sufficient number of organizations for which being a native speaker, holding a TEFL certification, and having some teaching experience are more than sufficient to meet minimum requirements to teach English online.

Conclusion

Japan may be a rewarding place to work and live. Even yet, it might be challenging to find jobs in japan for foreigners without a degree due to the country’s unique culture and set of standards.

However, additional career opportunities in Japan may soon be reachable as the nation opens up to employing international workers.

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