Everything you need to work in Japan, researched.
Long-form, 2026-current answers to the questions foreigners actually hit: which visa, what JLPT really buys you, how Japanese resumes differ, what to expect in interviews and salary, and how to spot a black company before you sign.
Jump in by what you need
Six common situations, each pointed at the fastest useful answer.
All resources
Every guide is a 5 to 10 minute read with a sidebar table of contents.
Work visas in Japan, every category for foreign professionals
Engineer/Specialist, HSP, J-Skip, J-Find, Business Manager, Instructor, Spouse, Working Holiday, what each is for, who qualifies, and what changed in 2024–25.
ReadJLPT levels, what each really means for hiring
What employers actually expect at N5 through N1, how to self-assess honestly, when to apply below your listed level, and the alternative tests (BJT, JFT-Basic) you may not know about.
ReadJapanese resume formats, rirekisho and shokumu keirekisho explained
Japan uses two distinct resume documents. Get the format, date conventions, photo specs, and the specific mistakes that get foreign applicants screened out.
ReadJapanese interview etiquette, the rules that aren't on the job listing
Arrive 5–10 minutes early, knock three times, bow on entry, present meishi with both hands. What actually matters at gaishikei vs. traditional Japanese employers.
ReadSalary expectations in Japan, real 2026 numbers by role
Real salary bands by role family for foreign hires in 2026, junior to executive, plus how Japanese comp structures (base + 2× bonus + RSU) actually work.
ReadCost of living in Japan, real 2025–26 numbers, ward by ward
Real Tokyo rent prices by ward, utilities, groceries, transport, healthcare. Including the deposit, key money, and guarantor fees that catch foreigners off guard.
ReadUseful Japanese for interviews, phrases by interview stage
30+ phrases organised by interview stage, entering the room, self-introduction, answering common questions, asking questions back, and closing politely. With romaji and English glosses.
ReadRed flags, how to spot a black company before you sign
Black companies (ブラック企業) are real and disproportionately affect foreign workers. The specific warning signs in job listings, interview questions to flush them out, and the labour-law violations to know about.
ReadCurated external resources, job boards, agencies, blogs, learning tools
A vetted directory of the external sites foreigners use to job-hunt and learn Japanese, with honest notes on when each is actually useful, who it's for, and which to skip.
ReadApplying from abroad, how to land a Japan job before you move
The realistic playbook for getting hired in Japan while you still live overseas: which employers actually do it, how the COE process works, interview logistics across time zones, and what to have ready.
ReadMost useful next steps
Run the numbers
Calculators instead of articles: eligibility, points, and take-home pay.
Place and role guides
Focused advice for a specific city or career track.
Vetted external sites
60+ job boards, recruiters, and learning tools with honest notes on each.