Japan can rightfully be called one of the most powerful economic powers in the world, which is why many foreigners want to get a job in this country. Recently, this has become a completely feasible task, especially for residents of Russia, China and the CIS countries.
If you want to find employment in the Land of the Rising Sun, you should take into account all the subtleties and nuances, from the choice of employer to the mentality of the local residents. You should also find out in advance what the salary is in Japan for the specialty you are interested in.
Country's economy, industry, banking system, natural resources, ecology
Japan is an island state, despite this, the country has managed to become one of the economic centers of the world. Several important factors contributed to this:
- Minimum amount of mineral resources. The almost complete absence of mineral resources allowed the country to build profitable economic ties with other countries. Thus, 99% of oil and gas are imported, and most of the coal, iron ore and copper are also imported from abroad.
- Industry. Despite having minimal natural resources, Japan has managed to develop one of the largest industrial sectors in the world. The country produces various types of equipment: from smartphones to cars and specialized equipment.
- Banking system. Thanks to the three-tier model of the banking system, the country manages to provide favorable lending conditions to all parts of the economy. This approach makes it possible to highlight the Land of the Rising Sun, since banks are interested in maintaining price stability.
If we talk about the environment in the state, this is one of the main problems in Japan at the moment. This is due to many factors, including the nuclear legacy of World War II and the recent nuclear power plant accident. In addition, in large cities there is a high concentration of harmful substances due to the many industries and machines.
Population, education, culture
Japan is populated by very hardworking people who often put their career above all else. From an early age, residents receive decent education, which allows them to earn money in the future. And this is not surprising, because Japan has one of the most developed educational systems, which can be divided into 3 main stages:
- Pre-school education, including kindergartens and correctional institutions to help people with disabilities.
- Schooling, divided into elementary, middle and high schools.
- Higher and special, including both general education and admission to higher educational institutions.
Also, from childhood, the Japanese absorb the special mentality of their country. So, respect for the elderly and representatives of one’s people is important here. At first, residents of the Land of the Rising Sun treat foreigners with caution. However, over time, the degree of mistrust decreases.
Standard of living of ordinary Japanese
Unlike Russia, in Japan there is no significant gap between the rich, poor and middle class. Welfare per adult citizen is about 124 thousand dollars.
The reason for this high rate is several important factors. First of all, it is a powerful economy, ranked 3rd in the world ranking by GDP. In addition, it is worth noting the high level of hard work of the Japanese. Local residents prioritize their careers, which is why they actively move up the career ladder.
International statistics
The calculations of the International Labor Organization (ILO) are closer to the truth. The charts she compiled are based on a detailed study of the situation in 70 areas of the world whose economies are the most successful. The final table of indicators is a list where the top lines are occupied by the highest-income nations, and then in descending order of values. The US dollar was chosen as the monetary unit for calculations, but adjusted for the fact that in different countries $1 can buy different quantities of goods. Thus, the data does not reflect the overall profitability against the backdrop of all countries at once, but the consumer weight of labor pay for a particular region, based on the ratio of domestic prices and average profit.
Popular professions and salaries
IT professions are in particular demand in Japan. Some companies are ready to accept foreigners with the necessary qualifications in this particular industry. In addition, the country has a very developed service market, so you should start your job search in these areas.
Girls in Japan often earn less than men. Moreover, the difference in income increases with age. However, there is one secret: the state loves girls with Slavic appearance. Therefore, many women from the CIS countries go into the modeling business, where there is not only a high level of earnings, but also the opportunity to get an apartment.
Economic situation in the country
Every year there is an increase in GDP per capita with a minimum level of inflation. The increase in the first indicator at the beginning of 2021 is 1.22%, while food prices increased by only 0.18%. The country has a high standard of living, which is due to two aspects:
- absence of economic crises for a long time;
- the hard work of the local population.
The average salary of a Japanese person per year is 390 thousand dollars, which corresponds to 3250 per month. The local population works very hard and spends little. The Japanese can afford to travel all over the world, but they are very organized and know how to count money. Not a single extra penny will be spent on entertainment that does not correspond to moral principles.
Unemployment and prospects for migrants
Japan has one of the lowest unemployment rates. However, over the past decades there has been a positive trend. Since the early 1980s, its level has increased by more than 2%. Despite this, it is still possible to find work in the Land of the Rising Sun.
The main thing is to search correctly. So, for example, Chinese workers work in Japan, their income is lower than the average earnings of the Japanese in the same field. In addition, you can contact an American company located in Japan and receive income from it without knowing the Japanese language.
Where can I get a job?
The Japanese labor market requires both professionals and ordinary workers. Among the qualified specialists we can highlight representatives of the field of programming and computer software. These specialists can be in demand both in large international organizations and in small local firms. after all, modern Japan is known throughout the world for its desire for innovative technologies. Salaries in this case can reach 400,000 yen or even more. PL/SQL development specialists will receive slightly less.
Highly qualified specialists have a better chance of finding employment in Japan
Since the country pays great attention to the development of the healthcare system, Japan is trying to attract experienced specialists in the field of medicine and science from around the world. Thus, for work in the field of clinical research or pharmaceutical production, highly sought-after workers can receive from 500,000 yen per month
It is also possible to find employment as surgeons, anesthesiologists, resuscitators, and so on. The main criteria for hiring in this case will be experience and the availability of recommendations. The more years you have devoted to working in your profession and the greater heights you have achieved in this field, the greater your chances of taking a prestigious vacancy in one of the famous clinics or research centers in Japan.
Highly qualified doctors are in great demand in the country
In Japan, the trend towards learning the Russian language is gaining momentum. Russian-speaking immigrants can try themselves as teachers. Having a pedagogical education will be a big plus - this way you can find work in language schools or specialized gymnasiums. If you have not studied to become a teacher, you can take special courses that give you the right to work with children. And, although you will not have the right to teach in the above educational institutions, you will still be able to teach Russian to young children. There is also the option of private teaching, however, this is also strict in Japan: for private teaching, you must register your activities and pay taxes to the state. For teaching, it is desirable to know Japanese, and if we are talking about working with young children, then this requirement will be mandatory. If you plan to work with an older audience, you can teach in English, but this is the exception to the rule rather than the rule itself.
Russians often use their Slavic appearance as their main advantage. Despite the fact that no one is surprised by foreigners in Japan, having a non-standard appearance, by local standards, can significantly help you when finding a job. It will be a big plus if you have light eyes, skin and hair - such people will always stand out against the background of dark-haired and brown-eyed Japanese. In this case, you can get a job as a photo model, fashion model, presenter, and so on. Many foreigners first work in local bars and clubs. This activity should not be confused with an ancient profession - in this case, the employer must guarantee you protection and provide absolutely legal and acceptable work.
In Japan, models and artists of Slavic appearance are highly valued
List of the most in-demand professions in Japan for 2021:
- engineers;
- architects;
- computer specialists and programmers;
- marketers;
- security workers;
- doctors;
- hostess
Table: how much do representatives of different professions earn in Japan
| Profession | Salary (yen per month) |
| Specialist doctor | 900000 |
| Advocate | 850000 |
| School teacher | 550000 |
| Civil servant (in the field of law enforcement, fire safety, etc.) | 500000 |
| Courier | 440000 |
| Employees in the office |
|
| Nurse | 390000 |
| Bus driver | 320000 |
| Environmental and interior design specialist | 300000 |
| Cashier | 230000 |
| Builder | 250000 |
| Taxi driver | 240000 |
Features of job search
When looking for work in this country on your own, you first need to decide on the list of organizations that are ready to hire foreign citizens. You should also carefully study the requirements for specialists and, based on them, draw up a competent resume.
You can find out information about employment directly on company websites or by using job posting services. Japanese employers most often post advertisements on four resources:
- jobsinjapan.com;
- daijob.com;
- gaijinpot.com;
- careerjet.jp.
In addition, many foreign citizens turn to consulting companies. These organizations can select the optimal workplace for a fee. At the same time, employees will rely on the experience, wishes and capabilities of the client.
Specialists can also take advantage of the opportunity to participate in Japanese government programs for the employment of foreigners. This initiative is supported by many ministries. However, it is important to take into account the fact that such programs are mainly aimed at young people.
Internships
Some people mistakenly believe that only graduates of local educational institutions have the right to intern in Japan. This is fundamentally wrong. Not only students, but also specialists who already have experience in this or a related field and want to improve their skills can do an internship in one of the Japanese companies. The internship is also available to foreign citizens.
As a rule, internship programs in Japan are possible for participants of internship programs and people whose educational institution or company they work for cooperates with the host party - a Japanese company that agrees to accept interns. Most often, Russians follow the first path, since not every large Russian company has connections with Japanese colleagues. Thus, participation in internship programs is available to literally any foreigner who can boast of having a profession. The most popular program these days is the Japanese Studies Fellowship. It aims to help find internships for foreigners specializing in the social sciences or humanities. The program involves practice, which can last from three months to a year. During this time, talented trainees (and these are usually the majority) receive a decent stipend (about 300,000 yen).
Students from foreign universities have every chance of getting an internship in Japan
The Kenkyusei program is also well known. It was developed and controlled directly by the Japanese Embassy in Russia. As a rule, graduates of Russian universities can take advantage of this research program. More details can be found here.
...For me, the only healthcare representative studying T-TPS, the organizers found an opportunity to show me the leading clinic that provides medical care to employees of the Toyota automobile corporation. Many of the principles of T-TPS, which we saw in production itself (car assembly shop), were also used in this institution...
Nuriev
https://center-kaizen.ru/corp/158/
Also, many programs are offered directly by international companies. This means that the host recruits a group of trainees, usually consisting of people who already have some achievements in the field, and provides training with the goal of preparing new workers for the company. You can find out about the availability of programs directly from the company. As a rule, in this case, a small group of trainees is recruited, so getting into their ranks is quite problematic, however, such internships almost always result in employment.
Representatives of any specialty can find an internship program
...If transfer and arrival is a completely everyday process, then after that the listeners had to join a very active rhythm of life for a week, which included not only adopting the experience of Japanese specialists, but also a cultural program. The main action took place in Nagoya, although there was a tour of Tokyo...
ragequit
https://habrahabr.ru/company/progress/blog/245277/
Video: how much do I earn. Part-time work for students
I was going to study at a language school. However, he did not speak Japanese. AT ALL. An hour before landing on the plane, I was given a form that I had to fill out and present at passport control. It was entirely in Japanese. It looked like an alien tablet. At the airport, I gave this piece of paper to some Japanese guy, and he himself checked the necessary boxes for me. They took my fingerprints and released me in peace.
Dmitriy
https://asiarussia.ru/persons/6466/
Popular and profitable professions
One of the features of Japanese employment is the fact that some of the highest earnings are the income of social workers: teachers and medical workers.
At the same time, the same programmers who are paid a lot in other countries receive an average salary here. But welders are not included in this list at all, although in Russia they have one of the highest incomes. But how much do representatives of other professions earn in Japan?
| Name of profession | Average salary in Japan (monthly), converted to rubles |
| Civil aviation pilot | 884.5 thousand |
| Doctor | 596.2 thousand |
| Lawyer | 535.2 thousand |
| Architect | 370 thousand |
| School teacher, lecturer | 364.9 thousand |
| Electrician | 279.6 thousand |
| Pharmacist | 274.4 thousand |
| Nurse | 244.3 thousand |
| Programmer | 219.8 thousand |
Foreign specialists can also work part-time, which is called “arubaito” in Japan. Residents of the Land of the Rising Sun have a positive attitude towards such employment and mostly trust it to the younger generation. On average, the majority of people under 24 years of age are employed in arubaito, taking into account the fact that some begin working at the age of 15. Many of them work as animators, salespeople, cooks, waiters, cooks, or earn extra money as a manga artist.
National subtleties
In Japan, it is not difficult to determine the highest paid office worker. It's enough to just find out everyone's age. Japanese companies have a system based on which it turns out that the longer an employee has worked, the higher his salary. The “seniority system” has worked well for lifelong employment. Senior employees receive a very small salary, around 2.5 million yen per year, which is approximately 22 thousand dollars. The longer an employee stays in the company, the more significant his salary is. But, due to the economic crisis, the majority of companies restructured their expenses, as a result of which the “seniority system” began to gradually collapse. This event shocked many Japanese, since most of them did not imagine that they would have to change their profession at least once in their lives.
Young Japanese could not count on lifelong employment, so most simply stopped accepting jobs with initially low salaries. Young people working in traditional companies have begun to question the need for employee incentive systems based on age. Young specialists are not ready to wait for many years for the moment when they will be promoted. Some of them left their previous jobs in search of a more lucrative salary.
Most companies have revised their policies and introduced performance-based pay systems. Thus, they managed to attract promising young specialists to the company. Recently, many of the largest Japanese companies have abandoned the seniority system, although the lifetime employment system in Japan is considered the most acceptable.
Average salaries in various industries and professions: ratings, statistics
Looking at salaries in Japan for individual professions, you can see that the country has fairly high earnings. This is especially noticeable if you look at the table with the ranking of the most profitable industries for employees.
| Industry name | Average salaries in Japan, converted into Russian rubles |
| Medicine | 273.3 thousand |
| Finance | 250.6 thousand |
| Production | 247.2 thousand |
| IT | 247 thousand |
| Wholesale | 234.5 thousand |
| Construction and real estate market | 217.5 thousand |
| Media, Internet and advertising | 215.4 thousand |
| Services market | 195.8 thousand |
| Retail and catering | 187.5 thousand |
Football players, taxi drivers and photographers can earn a good annual income in Japan, but it is difficult to give their exact salary. Despite the high level of income and being in 3rd place in terms of GDP, the Japanese economy is in a period of stagnation, which has lasted about 30 years. The reason for this was the financial crisis in the first half of the 1990s.
Changes in workers' income as they age
The Japanese take jobs for life. Constant changes with notes in the work book are not welcomed by the employer. Specialists have been gaining experience for years. Young people at the beginning of their working life receive about $32,000 per year. A fifty-year-old specialist for the same amount of work can count on 65,000. [flat_ab id=”4"] In Japan, there is gender inequality in matters of pay. A young man earns $5,000 more than a woman, and at 50 this amount increases to 25,000. Often Japanese people retire from the same organization they joined after studying.
Features of migrant employment
Japan is a densely populated country. This factor, combined with the peculiarities of the mentality, makes it much more difficult for foreigners to find a job. However, advertisements often appear on the job market from organizations that are not averse to hiring an employee with the citizenship of another country. Often Chinese and Russians work as translators.
It is also worth noting that knowledge of the Japanese language is an important aspect when applying for a job. In addition, you should prepare for competition. The fact is that the Japanese themselves are very hardworking. Therefore, foreigners often have to demonstrate other competitive qualities, such as high qualifications or long experience.
Which field is better to work in?
Responsible approach to employment. This primarily concerns the hiring of foreign citizens. Foreigners are often viewed as a backup option, and such employees are not offered promotions. Knowing two or three languages, you can get a job as a translator with a salary of 561,000 ¥ ($5,100).
The professions in demand today are:
| Profession | Yen per month | US dollars per month |
| IT specialist | 310 000 | 2820 |
| Engineer | 451 000 | 4100 |
| Architect | 531 250 | 4830 |
| Salesman | 268 420 | 2440 |
| Designer | 300 000 | 2730 |
| Waiter | 231 670 | 2380 |
| Financier | 836 000 | 7600 |
| Web Designer | 319 000 | 2900 |
Highly qualified scientists and pharmacists are always required. In this industry they earn 500,000 - 950,000 ¥. There are still many vacancies in the food industry, averaging ¥323,140 ($2,930) and banking ¥387,972 ($3,520). The popular professions among men are car mechanics and mechanics ¥402,270 ($3,657). Girls try themselves as models. Large agencies can pay ¥550,000 ($5,000) for a day of filming.
Many opportunities are open to people of art. The career of a singer, musician or actor will be successful. Salary 88,000 ¥ per month, bonuses are also possible.
Payroll taxes
The Japanese tax system has a complex structure and includes many nuances. Thus, income tax for foreign citizens who have lived for less than a year is 20% of earnings. The percentage charged to residents directly depends on the citizen’s income:
- when earning up to 195 mana, you must pay 5%;
- if the amount of income is between 195 and 330 mana, then the tax will be 10% + tax rate of 97.5 thousand yen;
- if the amount of income is between 330 and 695 mana, then the tax will be 20% + tax rate of 427.5 thousand yen;
- if the amount of income is between 695 and 900 mana, then the tax will be 23% + tax rate 636 thousand yen;
- if the amount of income is between 900 and 1800 mana, then the tax will be 33% + tax rate 1,536,000 yen.
If you earn more than 1.8 thousand mana, you will have to give 40% of the profit without taking into account the tariff of 2.769 million yen.
Cities and regions with high earnings
The highest salaries in Japan are concentrated in the capital. So, last year the average salary of an employee in Tokyo was 325 thousand yen. This level can be compared with cities such as Paris, London and Hong Kong.
The presence of high salaries is due to the fact that the head offices of many companies, such as Sony, Casio, Honda and others, are located in the capital. In addition, Tokyo is one of the most important financial hubs in the world due to the Tokyo Stock Exchange located in the city.
In other regions of Japan, average wages are slightly lower, but still remain at a high level. The income of the population mainly depends on the development of the region, as well as the presence of important manufacturing enterprises.
Who gets paid the most by profession?
The ranking of salaries in the world for specific specialties deserves special attention. For example, in the TOP 10 regions with the best salaries, preferences for professions vary.
- Norway pays the most to doctors, IT workers, programmers, and oil workers;
- in Australia, residents of the capital earn well and residents of Tasmania receive little; doctors and programmers are highly valued;
- New Zealand pays the most for the work of lawyers and doctors;
- The USA pays dearly to engineers, teachers, doctors, police officers, and high-tech specialists;
- Germans willingly provide large incomes to talented computer scientists, financiers, doctors, and insurance specialists;
- Canada loves construction workers, computer scientists, truck drivers, engineers, chefs, oil workers, lawyers;
- the Japanese are traditionally unusual - in addition to standard computer and electronics engineers, designers, salespeople, architects, advertising geniuses, and PR people earn good money in Japan;
- To live in France, IT specialists are entitled to up to $4,000 per month, the same amount for accountants, and in production they can earn more than $3,000.
In general, salaries in Europe in 2019 were recognized as the highest in the following specialties:
- Engineer-economist (from 20 thousand dollars in Belgium to 40 thousand dollars in Switzerland).
- IT specialist (from 20 thousand dollars in Belgium, Italy to 40 thousand dollars in Switzerland).
- Lawyer (from 18 thousand in Belgium to 40 thousand dollars in Switzerland, Germany).
Applying for a work visa
To freely enter the country, you must obtain permission from the Japanese Foreign Ministry department, which is provided in the form of a visa. For citizens who want to come to work, there are two types of this document:
- Having “Residence Status”. This means that a foreigner can work exclusively in one profession and has no right to engage in other activities.
- Without being tied to a specific type of activity, which allows you to apply for almost any vacancy.
Specialists are granted a visa for a period of 1 to 3 years with the possibility of further extension up to 5 years. However, they can take family members with them. Thus, parents can be granted visas for a period of one year with subsequent extension. Children and spouses remain in the country for as long as the foreign citizen will work.
To obtain a visa, an immigrant must comply with Japanese law, as well as comply with paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Law on Immigration Control. He should also prepare the following documents in advance:
- internal passport of your country;
- international passport with color copies of the first page;
- two high-quality photographs for documents;
- invitation from the employer.
It is recommended to take photographs in two formats at once: 5x6 and 3.5x4.5. It is worth noting that the list of documents may change, so you should contact the embassy in advance to clarify the list of required documents. After submitting the application, all that remains is to wait for a response. Typically, the application is reviewed within 5 working days.
Comparison of income and expenses
You can understand how rich the average Japanese person is compared to their Russian counterpart only by taking into account prices. The following figures are presented in yen per month:
- Electricity and cellular communications - 30,000.
- Monthly mortgage – 80,000.
- Insurance and loan for the car – 20,000.
- The tuition fee for one child at a state university is 45,000.
If training is carried out at a private higher education institution, you will need to pay a little more. When entering a university, you must pay an entrance fee equal to the cost of six months of education.
Despite high salaries, the Japanese do not spend much money on themselves, in particular on food: in the country it is customary to limit themselves in food. But at the same time, they spend more money on clothes, since this is a symbol of social status. Ignorance of this leads foreigners to bewilderment when they observe that the courier bringing lunch to the office is dressed in an ironed business suit and a snow-white shirt.
>
In addition, the Japanese do not spend money on various trinkets, souvenirs and other things that are not needed in daily life. But this is by no means greed: Japan has a poorly developed social security system. Accordingly, pensions are almost not paid here, so everyone tries to save as much as possible and work all their lives so that they have enough to pay for their children’s education and equally expensive medical services, and so that they have money left over for the time when they can no longer go to work.
Business immigration to Japan
Japan is an attractive country for business due to its highly developed economy. In order for a foreigner to succeed, he must occupy strictly defined niches. These include:
- beauty industry;
- tailoring studio;
- design bureaus;
- architectural directions;
- entertainment sector.
The problem is that it is quite difficult for foreigners to compete with the Japanese in their home market in the manufacturing and industrial sectors. In addition, indigenous people are distrustful of goods produced by foreigners.
