Thinking about working in Japan but worried about your Japanese skills?
Good news: There are jobs available for English speakers, even if you can’t speak much Japanese!
Here’s a realistic guide to jobs you can get in Japan with little or no Japanese ability.
✅ 1. English Teacher (Most Common)
Teaching English is the most common job for foreigners who can’t speak Japanese.
Typical Jobs:
- ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) in public schools (through programs like JET or dispatch companies)
- Eikaiwa (English conversation school) teacher for kids or adults
- Private tutoring
Requirements:
- Native-level English
- Bachelor’s degree (required for visa)
- Friendly personality
Salary:
- ¥220,000 to ¥300,000 per month ($1,500–$2,000 USD)
- Higher salaries possible with experience or private lessons
Pros:
- Easy to get hired from abroad
- Visa sponsorship common
- Good way to experience Japanese culture
Cons:
- Can be tiring work
- Long hours at some companies
- Little career growth if you don’t study Japanese
✅ 2. Hotel & Hospitality Jobs (Tourism Sector)
Many hotels, ryokan (traditional inns), and guesthouses hire foreigners for customer service.
Typical Jobs:
- Front desk
- Guest services
- Cleaning staff (sometimes)
- Tour guides in English
Requirements:
- Conversational English
- Hospitality experience preferred
- Visa (some offer visa sponsorship)
Salary:
- ¥200,000 to ¥280,000 per month ($1,400–$1,900 USD)
Pros:
- Work in famous tourist areas
- Chance to meet people from around the world
Cons:
- Shift work (including nights, weekends)
- Some jobs require basic Japanese for emergencies
✅ 3. IT & Tech Jobs
Japan’s tech industry needs skilled workers—and many companies hire English speakers.
Typical Jobs:
- Software developer
- Web developer
- Systems engineer
- Data analyst
Requirements:
- IT skills (programming, software, etc.)
- Bachelor’s degree
- Japanese optional at some companies (especially startups or foreign firms)
Salary:
- ¥4,000,000 to ¥8,000,000 per year ($28,000–$55,000 USD+)
Pros:
- High salaries
- Growing industry
- English-speaking environments available
Cons:
- Hard to enter without experience or strong skills
- Visa paperwork can be complicated
✅ 4. Restaurant & Bar Work (Limited Options)
Some foreign-friendly restaurants, bars, and cafes hire English-speaking staff—especially in tourist areas.
Typical Jobs:
- Bartender
- Waiter/Waitress
- Kitchen staff
Requirements:
- Basic hospitality skills
- Visa (many places cannot sponsor visas)
- Often need working holiday visa or student visa with work permission
Salary:
- ¥1,100 to ¥1,500 per hour ($7.50–$10.50 USD/hour)
Pros:
- Easy to find in touristy places like Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto
- Flexible hours
- Good for socializing
Cons:
- Hard to get full-time visa from these jobs
- Physically demanding work
- Unstable income
✅ 5. Online Jobs / Remote Work
If you can’t speak Japanese and don’t need a company visa, you can also work online.
Typical Jobs:
- Freelance writing, editing, or design
- Online English teaching
- Remote IT jobs
- Translation (if you learn some Japanese later)
Requirements:
- Your own visa (student, spouse, or permanent resident) or remote work contract from abroad
Pros:
- Freedom to work anywhere in Japan
- No Japanese required
Cons:
- No visa sponsorship
- You must find your own clients or jobs
✅ Other Possible Jobs (Rare but Available)
| Job Type | Notes |
|---|---|
| Modeling / Acting | Often doesn’t need Japanese, but unstable |
| Warehouse Staff | Physical labor, some hire foreigners with low Japanese |
| Factory Work | Some hire foreigners for simple tasks (with restrictions) |
✅ Visa Types for Working
| Visa Type | Jobs Allowed |
|---|---|
| Instructor / Specialist in Humanities / International Services | Teaching, translation, IT, marketing, etc. |
| Skilled Labor | Certain technical jobs (cooking, factory work) |
| Working Holiday Visa | Temporary, for people under 30 from certain countries |
| Student Visa (With Permission) | Part-time work (up to 28 hours per week) |
| Spouse Visa | Can work freely in any job |
✅ Tips for Finding English-Speaking Jobs in Japan
- Use English job sites:
- Prepare a good resume in English and Japanese (if possible).
- Network with others in Japan—many jobs are found through connections.
- Be flexible: You may need to start with part-time or lower-paid work.
✅ Final Thoughts:
Yes, it’s possible to work in Japan without speaking Japanese—but your job options will be limited at first.
If you’re serious about living in Japan long-term:
- Start learning Japanese now.
- Try teaching English or working in tourism as a starting point.
- Look into IT or remote work if you have special skills.
With patience and effort, you can build a career here—even as an English speaker.