If you’re expecting a definitive answer at the end, my honest response is: I don’t know!

Japan has been, is, and will continue to be a good work destination for many foreigners. For others, it hasn’t worked out. Cultural adaptation? Language? Work culture? It’s easy to get caught up in endless discussions about why some people adjust while others don’t.

Some will categorically tell you not to come, while others will encourage you the opposite. It’s likely you’ll find numerous reasons on both sides on YouTube.

I prefer to provide information—as objectively as possible—so that individuals can make their own decisions.

What information can I provide about Japan that you don’t already know?

That, for example, in certain industries—such as machine tools, industrial robots, auto parts and automobiles, materials technology—it is the leader or one of the world leaders? Or that it leads the Economic Complexity Index, reflecting the degree of diversification and sophistication of its exports? Or that it’s one of the world leaders in the number of patent applications?

On the other hand, the fact that it is a country with a serious problem of low birth rate and aging population? Or that, along with Italy and France, it has one of the lowest levels of employee engagement, according to Gallup? Surprising, isn’t it?

But I imagine all of the above is very general, macro, and perhaps philosophical. As Gallup also says, what a good percentage of inhabitants on our planet seek is a good job—that is, more than 30 hours of work per week, stable salary, among other things.

Let’s get to the point! Is there enough work in Japan? Generally, what types of jobs? And can you make a living, and perhaps save, even a little?

The topic could become complex (it depends on the type of work, the region where you live, etc.), but, in general terms, Japan is not that overly expensive country that many imagine.

Let’s look at some essential data, starting with the basics:

Average Household Income and Expenditure in Japan

Type of Household	Average Monthly Income	Average Monthly Expenditure*
All households (including single-person households)	¥542,886	¥250,929
Households with two or more persons	¥636,155	¥300,243

+Table based on official information.

*It does not include mortgage payments but does include rent, as mortgages are considered asset accumulation rather than expenditure. The average monthly mortgage payment is ¥100,000.

Let’s look at some information about occupations. I hope it gives you a good initial idea of the labor landscape in Japan.

Top 10 Jobs with the Highest Job Offer/Applicant Ratio

(A figure increasingly higher than 1 indicates more job offers per applicant)

Occupation	Job Offer/Applicant Ratio	Average Annual Salary
Home Care Assistant/Visiting Caregiver*	30.96	¥3,900,000
Railway Track Manager	16.69	¥4,111,000
Tile Worker (Tiler)**	16.32	¥4,526,000
Barber	15.75	¥3,797,000
Waterproofing Worker	15.26	¥4,526,000
Taxi Driver	15.23	¥4,190,000
Paving Worker	15.05	¥4,111,000
Office Automation Equipment Salesperson	14.9	¥5,335,000
Printing Services Salesperson	12.38	¥5,795,000
Plumber	10.56	¥5,125,000

+ Table based on official information.
*It requires especial license.

**Most of these occupations fall under the “blue-collar” category and have special visa regimes (they don’t necessarily require higher education).

Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs

Occupation	Job Offer/Applicant Ratio	Average Annual Salary
Pilot (airplane, helicopter)	N/A	¥17,790,000
Doctor (various fields)	0.69	¥14,365,000
Patent Examiner	0.94	¥11,217,000
Judicial Scrivener, Patent Agent	1.92	¥11,217,000
Lawyer	N/A	¥11,217,000
University Professor	0.1	¥10,747,000
Financial Planner	0.6	¥9,476,000
Labor and Social Security Consultant	0.85	¥9,476,000
HR Consultant	0.6	¥9,476,000
Securities Analyst, Actuary, Fund Manager, M&A Consultant, Independent Financial Advisor (IFA), Small and Medium Business Management Consultant	N/A	¥9,476,000

+ Table based on official information.

10 Jobs with Relatively Attractive Salaries and&or Still in Relatively High Demand

Occupation	Job Offer/Applicant Ratio	Average Annual Salary
Biotechnology Researcher	0.48	¥7,402,000
IT Project Manager	2.12	¥6,849,000 (Level 5: ¥6.5–¥9.5M)
Marketing Professional (Web, Research)	0.58	¥6,455,000
Industrial Robotics Development Engineer	2.96	¥6,124,000
Telecommunications Engineer	3.54	¥5,583,000
AI/Data Engineer	1.95	¥5,583,000
Cybersecurity Expert	2.81	¥5,583,000
Systems Engineer (Embedded, IoT)	5.88	¥5,576,000
Software Engineer (Web, Smartphones)	3	¥5,576,000 (Level 5: ¥6–¥9.5M)
Data Scientist	2.83	¥5,543,000

+ Table based on official information.

++ Although, on average, most professionals in these occupations have a bachelor’s degree, technically anyone can access these jobs (if they have the knowledge, skills, and experience). However, for foreigners to obtain a visa in this category of occupations, higher education or 10 years of work experience is required.

What is the Required Level of Japanese?

Information about language requirements is quite scattered, but here are some general guidelines, drawn from my 10 years of experience in the recruitment industry.

– Most business-related jobs (e.g., marketing, public relations, consulting) require a very high level of Japanese, even for roles focused on international business expansion.

– There are a few companies that don’t require any Japanese knowledge (sometimes even for business-related positions). Rakuten is a well-known example, but other companies — including startups and emerging businesses — also exist. However, these are the exception.

– Although you may still see N2 or N1 certification requirements in some cases, what usually matters most is the actual ability to communicate in Japanese.

– For manual or blue-collar jobs, the Japanese requirement is generally not as high, though some knowledge of the language is definitely expected.

– There’s more flexibility for engineering roles across many companies, but with a few caveats:

a) The more experience you have, the more flexibility you might be given.

b) In general, N3 level (N5 is considered the most basic level, while N1 is the most advanced) could serve as a potential entry point, while N2 is almost a guaranteed ticket in.

***

The opinion of someone you know living in Japan — or even a YouTuber — can be valuable, but how reliable is the information they provide? Keep in mind that people tend to narrate from their personal experiences, often generalizing.

This applies not only to Japan. When considering emigration, there’s nothing better than making well-informed decisions. The good news is that, in many cases, the information is just a click away. And with free translation tools, it’s even possible to consult official sources.