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Getting a Job in Japan with no Japanese
How is people's experience with finding a decent job with no Japanese skills and no bachelors degree? any idea about which sites I should look at? It's a tricky situation, but I need to make it work!
Tags: japan work
Question Status: Open
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Answer @ 3/21/2017 1:24:12 PM by TMyhre
If you don't have a degree, you will need 10 years relevant working experience. I would say unless you have this, and with no Japanese skills your chances of getting hired are as good as impossible. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but that's just how it is. You could try and get a teaching job, but I still think your chances are very slim.
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  • 3
    JONRUUD
    Not all fields require 10+ years of work experience if no degree. Many arts (including sports) related job require neither. Gov recognises these are "specialist areas" so take other factors into consideration as they're less about qualifications and more about practical skill level. (Just adding more info to the basket)
  • 1
    TMYHRE
    I was denied a role as I did not have 10 years relevant experience. The simple fact is she wants a good job, with no education background, and no language skills, in one of the hardest job markets in the world. There probably are options but the chances are extremely limited, I get your point though every industry is different, and perhaps hands on experience or skills gained will be preferred.
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Answer @ 3/19/2017 8:24:12 AM by KacperW
No Japanese and no university degree... I'd start with looking at a language school or university if your future doesn't involve flipping burgers....
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Answer @ 3/20/2017 9:24:12 AM by Afonso88
I have two bachelor's degrees, Chinese language skills, and basic Japanese and it's still a challenge to find a good job. You need technical skills and a degree to do well here. Teaching English will barely keep you afloat in Tokyo. I'd recommend going to school.
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Answer @ 3/16/2017 10:24:12 PM by madgoosetour
Not too picky sounds to me like you don't know what you want to do. A not at all uncommon thing many people do is get some shady job at some shady bar in Roppongi. Shady here means all the shades of shady you see in yakuza movies... These guys know how to get visas via some unofficial route, and some of them pay quite well. But unless you choose the career path of a gangster, this kind of jobs don't really lead anywhere. Usually this kind of jobs don't come with retirement or benefit packages...
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Answer @ 3/16/2017 2:24:12 AM by Zajc80
Plenty of seasonal work - esp in winter resort towns for anyone with working holiday visa.
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Answer @ 3/16/2017 4:24:12 AM by TianaP87
Best option is an English Cafe, there are tons in Tokyo, it was my first job. Pay isn't super amazing but it's going to be one of your only options without knowing Japanese. Most places wont accept you without Japanese skills or a bachelors degree. If you're looking to get a work visa, it is impossible without a bachelors degree OR minimum 3 years experience in the field you're trying to enter. The only exception is artist visas or entertainer visas but experience is still required. I just went through this myself and it's the reason I'm home in Canada for the next year getting another year of teaching experience under my belt.
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  • 0
    SADAMU90
    According to what I read on the japanese U.K. Embassy I can still get a work/holiday visa for 1 year regardless, is that not correct, do you know?
  • 3
    TIANAP87
    A Working Holiday visa yes, that's how I originally came to Japan. This is a restricted visa though and only allows part time work (under 28 hours a week) and you can not work in places such as bars, nightclubs, etc. and your income intake is restricted as well I believe. You also have to show that you have a certain amount of money saved for the trip to apply for the visa.
  • 1
    TIANAP87
    This visa will not help you get a job though, most places don't want to hire people on working holiday visas because they know you're gone soon, only places that usually will accept you are English cafes. I've had a few friends who also became live-in aupairs in Tokyo to have room and board to not worry about while living in Tokyo, they usually don't need much aside from English speaking skills.

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