How to Work in Japan? Check Out the Requirements and Tips!

Last updated on March 11th, 2025 at 11:04 am

Japan is one of the developed countries with a strong economy, making it a popular destination for foreign workers. There are many job opportunities in Japan, ranging from manufacturing, technology, to tourism. The work culture in Japan is known for being very disciplined and organized. Japanese people are known for their hard work and high work ethic.

However, if you are planning to work in Japan, it’s important to understand how the work environment in Japan operates, including requirements, work culture, and workflows. By understanding these points, you will be able to adapt more easily and be successful in your job.

So, how can you find job or internship opportunities in Japan? What are the requirements and how does the work process work in Japan? Let’s check out the following article.

Requirements for Working in Japan

If you want to work in Japan, here are the requirements you need to know before applying:

1. Japanese Language Skills

Japanese language proficiency is often an important requirement, but this depends on the type of job you are interested in. Many positions require at least basic understanding of Japanese to communicate in a day-to-day work environment. Some jobs may require higher proficiency, especially those that involve interaction with local people.

2. Education Level

The level of education can be a requirement for certain jobs in Japan. Many companies may require specific educational backgrounds or degrees depending on the field of the job being offered. For instance, some positions require a university degree or education relevant to the job being applied for.

3. Medical Check-Up

Some companies in Japan may require potential employees to undergo a medical check-up before starting work. This may include general health checks to ensure that employees are in good physical condition and do not have any health issues that might affect their work in the future.

In addition to these three requirements, other factors such as previous work experience, specific skills required for certain jobs, and visa requirements set by the Japanese government may also be considered. In many cases, employers in Japan will set different requirements depending on the industry and job position.

Requirements for LPK Japan

LPK (Lembaga Pelatihan Kerja) is an institution authorized to provide specialized skill training for the workforce. Unlike regular training institutes, LPK focuses on practical skills that are useful for participants when entering the job market. LPK also acts as an intermediary for placing workers both domestically and internationally. Here are the registration requirements you need to know:

1. Minimum high school graduate (preferred D1, D2, D3, or S1)
2. Open to both men and women
3. Age between 18 to 25 years at the time of registration
4. Physically and mentally healthy
5. Minimum height of 160 cm for men and 150 cm for women
6. Proportional weight
7. Good attitude and mentality
8. Not currently bound to any other LPK or labor placement agency
9. Not a student currently studying in an educational institution
10. Bukan merupakan pelajar yang sedang belajar di institusi pendidikan
11. Not employed or working under a contract
12. Parental or family permission required
13. Never participated in a previous internship program in Japan

How to Work in Japan

There are several ways to work in Japan, generally through government channels or private agencies. The government program allows Indonesia to send workers to Japan every year, both for internship workers from high school graduates or recent graduates, as well as skilled labor.

To join an internship program, the first step is to contact the local Ministry of Manpower and fulfill the administrative requirements. These typically include being between the ages of 18-26, having at least a high school diploma, completing a minimum of 160 hours of work training (for those who are not from specific fields), as well as certain physical criteria such as height and no visible tattoos or piercings.

For internship visas, Japan has expanded its work visa types for foreign workers through specialized skilled worker programs.

Read Also: Studying in Japan: Preparation, Requirements, and Costs

Meanwhile, the private route can be taken by high school graduates or recent graduates by collaborating with Indonesian Migrant Worker Placement Companies (P3MI) to Japan. P3MI acts as an intermediary between job seekers in Indonesia and companies in Japan that need labor.

Although P3MI provides training for prospective workers, it’s important to do due diligence before choosing a P3MI as there are cases of fraud in recruitment. P3MI charges a fee for their services, and the cost varies depending on the services selected.

Work Culture in Japan 

It is well-known that in Japan, the idea of "working hard" is extremely important. For foreign workers in Japan, the ability to work hard is highly expected. Why? Because the quality of work is very visible, and it will be noticeable when their performance is not up to par compared to local colleagues.

In addition to working hard, Japan’s work culture is also famous for being highly disciplined. They place great importance on punctuality and an efficient work process, allowing them to stay focused on innovation and continuous improvement.

This work approach is often referred to as the "kaizen" principle. To learn more about Japanese work culture, check out the following link: Work Culture in Japan

Minimum Education Level for Working in Japan

There are no specific educational requirements to work in Japan, but the level of education can influence the types of jobs available.

For high school graduates, job opportunities are more likely to be in positions that don’t require special qualifications, such as restaurant servers or farm workers.

Meanwhile, for those with a university degree or special skill certifications, there are more opportunities to work as specialists in certain industries, such as software engineers, programmers, mechanics, researchers, and more.

Read Also: 6 Ways to Work Abroad and Their Requirements

Salary for Working in Japan

Here is an overview of the salary ranges based on data from mhlw.go.jp. The average hourly wage in several cities in Japan are as follows: 1. Hyogo: ¥899 (around IDR 119,000) 2. Kyoto: ¥909 (around IDR 120,000) 3. Osaka: ¥964 (around IDR 127,000) 4. Kanagawa: ¥1,011 (around IDR 133,700) 5. Tokyo: ¥1,013 (around IDR 134,000)

Work Process in Japan

In Japan, the work process starts with job search through various channels such as career websites, recruitment agencies, or companies with job openings. After submitting your resume and cover letter, the selection process typically involves interviews and tests.

If accepted, you will receive a job contract detailing your position, salary, and working conditions. There may also be an orientation and training phase related to the position before you begin working, ensuring you comply with company rules and culture.

Work Process in Japan

Here are some tips for working in Japan: 

1. Learn the Work Culture: Understand Japanese work culture, including norms, etiquette, and values in the workplace.
2. Improve Language Skills: Enhance your Japanese language skills. While not all jobs require advanced Japanese, having at least basic understanding will be very helpful.
3. Punctuality: Be on time. Punctuality is highly valued in Japanese work culture.
4. Professional Attitude: Maintain a professional attitude in communication, interaction, and task completion.
5. Teamwork and Collaboration: Adapt to team-oriented work and the collaborative culture. Japan places great importance on teamwork.
6. Adaptability and Flexibility: Be flexible and prepared to adapt to changes.
7. Learning and Growth Opportunities: Take advantage of opportunities to learn and grow in your workplace and contribute positively.

Read Also: Saving Tips and Cost of Living in Japan With Estimates

Now, it’s clear how to work in Japan, right? You can choose whether to go through government channels or private agencies. However, before deciding to work in Japan, make sure you have at least an N4-level understanding of Japanese.

Also, ensure that your financial needs in Japan are fully met! Send money safely, quickly, and conveniently with Easylink. Click the link below to find out how to send money easily to Japan. kirim uang ke jepang.