Top 6 Advantages of a Career in Japan

Are you thinking of working in Japan? That makes sense! Japan has significant sectors from automobile to high-tech, which attracts all walks of lives from overseas. Tokyo is home to leading companies contributing to the world-class Japanese economy. Especially, robotics is a highly recognised field.

Furthermore, many tourists converge on Japan to see traditional cultural beauties. Not only for that, Japan is well-known for a lower crime rate and a clean and modern environment. Given those, you will have advantages to live and work in Japan. Whatever the reasons you want to work in Japan, there are good reasons why many people pursue their careers in Japan.

Learn the top 6 advantages of a career in Japan.

1. Increase in foreign workers

In Japan, foreign workers have rapidly increased since 2015. As of 2018, it reached over 1 million. Japan has particularly sought young high skilled workers and overseas students for filling the gap of young workforces. A low childbirth rate is estimated to affect its economic development in the foreseeable future. Additionally, over the last five years, the majority of companies have endeavoured to keep pace with globalisation and to change their traditional corporate culture and business strategies with the help of foreign workers.

The companies which took interest in foreign workers were mainly medium and small-sized firms. Compared to 2017, foreign employees increased by 13,5% in 2018. Prominently, those with less than 30 employers positively hired foreigners. In 2019, the Japanese government partially altered the working visa system to accelerate the increase in blue-collar workers. Given that, a bright prospect lies ahead for foreigners who wish to have a career in Japan.

2. Job opportunities

Companies based in big cities are keen on recruiting talents from overseas. Japan, the third-largest economy in the world, takes pride in its innovative business style. Tokyo and Kyoto have numerous top-notch universities. Notably, a great diversity of industries thriving in the capital is seeking an alley of talent. There are multiple chances to meet many professionals and great entrepreneurs who are contributing to the Japanese economy.

Getting a working visa is not hard in Japan. The visa has three main categories: Working Visa, Non-working visa and Family members visa. The working visa is granted for high-level professionals and not for a person seeking simple labour or unspecified jobs. The types of work visa include Professors, journalists, business managers, and skilled labour, such as a chef.

3. Health insurance

There are two types of a social security system.

One is Kokumi Kenko Hoken which is for the self-employed or long term or part-time workers. To register, you need to visit your local government office and pay a monthly insurance premium. The fee varies, according to an individual's income. As the insurance covers 70% of health treatment, what you pay is just a little. It means that you can actualise stress-free health management at a low cost. For foreigners who don't wish to work for the long term, Kokumin Hoken is the best.

The other is Shakai Hoken. Compared to the Kokumin Hoken, it covers a wide range of security including health insurance, industrial injuries insurance, unemployment insurance and pension benefit. Because of this, it costs almost double. If you work in Japan for a couple of years, you should consider another option. Unless you work for 20 years or more, your contribution to the pension benefit will be in vain.

4. Company-covered commuting allowance

One of the beauties for a career in Japan is that companies pay commuting expenses, regardless of full-time or part-time work. Most companies located overseas usually don't cover the fee so that employees have to pay their daily travel fare out of their salary. Also, it limits your choice of work. Compared to foreign countries, you will enjoy more benefits in Japan.

Most people buy a commuter pass, rather than daily return tickets. A commuter pass is very convenient as you can use it every day. Once you got the pass, travelling on holiday or at weekends are free as long as it covers your entire route.

5. Training opportunity

Japanese companies are keen on giving opportunities for self-development. Many types of training are offered to bring the best service to their customers. Foreign workers attend business culture training to learn business communication and the Japanese language. Those programmes usually include the fundamental concept of Japanese culture, Japanese ways of doing business, the character of the Japanese organisation, or how to communicate with Japanese colleagues.

Besides, you can learn job-specific skills as well. Primarily, Japanese customer service is known as the best in the world. Once you have learned the skill, it will be useful wherever you work. Many countries appreciate workers who completed their training in Japan.

6. Helpful Job sites

There are many ways to find a job in Japan. If the Internet is available, go straight to job sites as it is the easiest and quickest option. Why not explore below websites?

Quick Jobs Japan (https://quickjobsjapan.com/)

CareerCross (https://www.careercross.com/en)

Daijob.com (https://www.daijob.com/en/)

GaijinPot Jobs (https://jobs.gaijinpot.com/job/index/lang/en)

Apart from these websites, there are many websites which introduce a variety of jobs.

If you are in Japan and can not connect with the Internet, it is a good idea to look at classified advertisements in newspapers or turn to a jobcentre nearby. Also, using your networking is recommended. Your friends may know of a vacancy that suits you. Let them know you are looking for a job.

Good news is that Japan has recently keenly recruited foreign workers. From April in 2019, the immigration law was revised in terms of blue-collar workers from overseas. Notably, health, construction and food sectors are estimated to face a severe shortage of workforce. It means that these industries will seek more employees in the foreseeable future. Keep an eye on job websites!

Last remarks

I introduced 6 merits of a career in Japan. Whatever you like, you will benefit from working in Japan. Many multinationals seek skilled talent who are insightful of cultural differences and who maximize their ability wherever they work. Working in Japan will be a big step for your career. Broaden your mind and enjoy working.