How to Make Money on the Side While Living in Japan

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In 2015, 5.3 million people in Japan worked two jobs. In 2018, this number swelled to 7.4 million, or about 11% of the total workforce, according to Lancers Inc, one of Japan’s largest online freelancer job platforms.

Guidelines and models for companies to help them embrace a gig-style economy were put in place earlier this year, along with the removal of a labor ministry rule banning second jobs without the employer’s permission. Now, employees only have to inform their bosses before taking on another gig.

While Japanese companies have traditionally demanded 100% loyalty and monogamous commitment from their employees, more and more are changing their outlook in order to help current staff broaden their skillset, as well as attract new workers amid a labor shortage.

With the government actively encouraging people to have second jobs or work multiple part-time jobs, if you’re open to finding a side hustle in Japan now is the time to start looking.

What kind of jobs can a Foreigner get in Japan?
Is it easy to Make Money in Japan?
How can I get money While in Japan?
Can you get Rich in Japan?
Who are the Billionaires Living in Japan?
What is a Good Salary to Live in Japan?
Which Job Has Highest Salary in Japan?
Can I Get a Job in Japan if I Don’t Speak Japanese?
How Much is Per Hour Salary in Japan?
What is The Most Common Job in Japan?
What Job is in Demand Japan?
What Hours do Japanese Work?
Make Money in Japan
How to Make Money in Japan as a Foreigner
How to Make Money in Japan as a Student
Highest Paying Jobs in Japan For Foreigners
How to Get Rich in Japan
How to Earn Money in Japan Online
Apps to Earn Money in Japan
Free Money in Japan
How much Students earn in Japan?

What kind of jobs can a Foreigner get in Japan?

Here are some of the most common, accessible, and flexible side jobs for foreigners in Japan.

1. English Instructor

This may be one of the most popular side-jobs taken by foreigners living in Japan. English instructor or tutor positions are often flexible and may allow you to work from home, after regular work/school hours, or on weekends. Instructor job requirements may range from English play-time with nursery-school age children, to teaching primary or secondary school children, up to teaching business-level courses.

There’s also the private English lessons route where you teach as an independent freelancer via platforms like Hello Sensei or Eigo Pass. An eikaiwa cafe is another option, where English speakers will usually sit at a table at a designated café, then be joined by locals who engage in different interesting topics of conversation. Examples in Tokyo include Easy Eikaiwa or LeafCup English Café.

Potential earnings: ¥1000 – ¥6000 per hour

2. Social Media

Are you tired of people telling you you’re wasting too much time on Instagram? Well, now you can turn your social media addiction into a part-time job! Companies are always looking for social media managers. This type of job will typically have you providing feedback from Instagram and Facebook newsfeeds, deploying specific advertisements for targeted users, and putting your Google detective skills to good use.

This is also a great opportunity to work from home, and you can apply directly via GaijinPot Jobs. Keep in mind a lot of these jobs are not always run by English-speaking companies.

Potential earnings: Varies

3. Game Localization Testers

If you have a passion for video games, this might be the perfect side gig for you. Video game companies are often on the hunt for native speakers of a variety of different languages, to translate and test video games in the fast-growing field of game localization. If that doesn’t float your boat, but you still want to work in the gaming sector, consider working as a game player support staff.

Many of these positions can also be held remotely, as long as you have a computer and an internet connection. Another of the job requirements? “Extensive experience playing video games.” Check!

Potential earnings: ¥1200 per hour

4. Freelance Translator

If you’ve been in Japan for a while and want to put your language skills to the test, translation work may be the gig for you. Japanese companies often look for a native speaker to translate Japanese documents, websites, press releases, and more into other languages.

Translators may often be the liaison between foreign customers or vendors and the local Japanese company as well. If you’ve got the language skills, it’s worth updating your LinkedIn page with information in Japanese and creating a profile on a freelancer marketplace such as Gengo or CrowdWorks.

Potential earnings: Depends on project/work

5. Konbini Staff

Another popular side hustle in Japan is to work at konbini (convenience stores), which are found in every corner of the country. Konbini are in the midst of a foreign recruitment drive, with the four largest brands employing more than 50,000 foreign staff in total. Often, you can work as little or as much as you want during a week, and in some cases, you can bring home the leftover food!

It’s possible to take a part-time position at a konbini for their graveyard shifts or after regular work hours, too. You’ll need decent enough Japanese to be able to interact with managers and customers. Take a look at the recruitment pages for Lawson and 7-Eleven for an idea of what it’s all about.

Potential earnings: ¥800+ per hour (varies by store and by region)

6. Uber Eats Delivery Rider

As Uber Eats gains traction in Japan (while Uber itself can’t get a foothold) more delivery drivers and cyclists are needed to transport food around Japan’s big cities. The hours are flexible, you are your own boss, and if you choose to cycle, you can get a lot of exercise in too.

Pay is based on how many deliveries you make and you’ll need to sort yourself out with the proper bicycle insurance. Uber Eats is available in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Aichi, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Fukuoka, and it’s easy to get started as a delivery driver. If you want to go directly with a company, delivery jobs with Domino’s Pizza, KFC, and McDonald’s are open to foreign workers as well.

Potential earnings: ¥700 to ¥1800 per hour

7. J-Blogger or Vlogger

Monetize your own day-to-day Japanese experiences and adventures by starting a blog or vlog about your journey in Japan! It’s not uncommon for social media influencers to be able to make significant income using the power of the internet. Make money from creating sponsored content, placing ads, offering services, or using affiliate links to hotels and tours.

Our very own GaijnPot Blog is always looking for creative people to help contribute content across its media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. Get in touch with the team via the contact form.

Potential earnings: Varies

8. Part-Time Work

There’s a ton of interesting part-time jobs listed on GaijinPot right now, especially if you have experience teaching English. The list is always being updated with positions from different fields, though, so make sure to take a look here to see all of the offerings.

Potential earnings: Varies

Is it easy to Make Money in Japan?

As you’re probably already aware, Japan is a very unique place. No where else in the world will you find the same outrageous opportunities to make money that are open to just about anyone.

Here are some out of the box ideas to get you started. It’s important to note that it might seem “easier” to apply for a job at a company with an official job description, with established processes, training programs, etc. Doing side jobs might be a little bit more ambiguous in this sense and require you to be a bit more creative, and hence the learning curve might be a little bit steeper.

You might have to invest a couple of weeks into training yourself to get some new skills, fortunately, we have Youtube, Lynda: Online Courses, Class, Training, Tutorials and a host of other resources that provide free or cheap info to get there.

1. English Teaching

The most common job for new foreigners is teaching English. Despite the thousands of English schools and 12 years of study at school, the English level in Japan remains at lower intermediate, ensuring strong demand for teachers.

Every type of class and situation exists from Elementary schools right through to Flight Attendant Colleges. It can also be a great way into a previously non-existent position. I know of one teacher at a top Advertising agency who later became an English copywriter. He had no experience whatsoever in copywriting, they just liked him and enjoyed his lessons.

2. Acting/modeling/voice overs

Without a doubt, the epicenter for entertainment work is Tokyo. There are around 60 major freelance agencies that offer all kinds of work to foreigners living in the area. It is not uncommon for first timers to walk into $1000 plus jobs, while their friends back home fight over $120 extras work.

Experience is not expected – simply being foreign and having the right look is enough. In fact, most highly skilled dancers and actors would be appalled at how easy it is to get work and how the jobs are selected. Actual talent is very rarely considered – it is all about the look.

In many ways, the entertainment scene in Tokyo is a big break and a way to escape the comfort zone and limitations of home.

Many foreigners living in Japan, doing the work, return home to find their friends are just as broke as they were 5 years ago, fighting over the same tiny piece of the entertainment pie, hoping desperately for a break. They are not seeing that Tokyo is that break! Ewan McGregor, Edward Norton, Ashley Judd and Cameron Diaz are among some of the current stars to have worked in Japan.

3. Dancing/hostessing

Japan was long considered one of the best places for working Dancer/hostess types in the world. Whilst it still can be very lucrative, the rules have changed regarding visas. Whereas once a 90 tourist visa was adequate, immigration crackdowns have led to the introduction of entertainment visas for all women employed in the industry.

The Japanese culture remains one of the meetings and drinking, and corporate types still prefer to do both in the company of attractive, polite, western women. In the past, women simply had to be attractive and turn up, now they need to be just as adept at being charming in order to make the big money.

4. Wedding minister

The white wedding business is huge in Japan. It is the most popular type of ceremony from Sapporo to Okinawa and all those weddings create a demand for clean cut pastors to conduct the 20 minute ceremonies.

In some cases, 20,000 yen for the 20-minute ceremony and performing 20-30 per month on the weekends is normal, making this one of the best ways to make yen. There are some properly ordained ministers out there, but for the most part, basic Japanese and rudimentary training is all it takes to move one man from the classroom to the pulpit.

5. Headhunting

The Headhunting industry in Tokyo continues to flourish unabated. New companies emerge quarterly and are still able to bill fees of 30 – even 35% in some cases. Most of the ‘recruiters’ start out teaching English and usually have very little in the way of professional experience.

As English speakers though, they are considered to be experts in dealing with foreign companies, which is more than enough to qualify them for the job. Here you will find recruiters – both male and female making 6 figures when many would struggle to hold down simple jobs back home. This truly is an extraordinary opportunity open to anyone with some professionalism and knowledge of Japan.

6. Japanese language skills

For teaching English and Headhunting, Japanese is almost not required at all. Speaking with the students in Japanese is strongly discouraged – they are there to learn English after all, and in Headhunting, 95% of the candidates need to be effective communicators in English.

That leaves Wedding Ministers – the ceremony is read in Japanese, dancing/hostessing – where some basic Japanese will be looked upon favorably and Acting/modeling/voice-overs, where in most cases there will already be a translator and the pronunciation of 10 words in Japanese is more important that speaking ability.

An active interest in Japanese culture and the language will assist in daily life, but for the people simply interested in Japan as a way to make as much money as possible, it is simply not required.

How can I get money While in Japan?

Getting Japanese yen to spend while traveling in Japan is amazingly easy. Here’s how to get cash to fund your fun while in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Yes, you can go to a bank in your home country and buy some Japanese yen, but the exchange rates will be awful. Yes, you can bring travelers checks to Japan, but do you really want to spend a few hours sitting in a bank? And yes, you can bring your home currency and exchange it for yen cash in Japan, but do you really want to carry that much cash?

Don’t waste your time and your money!! The best way to get Japanese cash is from an ATM in Japan after you arrive!

You Can Use Your Home Bank Card in Japanese ATMs

These days, many Japanese ATMs are linked to international cash networks, and your home bank card is almost certainly a member of these networks. The catch is figuring out which ATMs will accept your card. To make things simple, here is the general rule: 7-11 convenience stores and post office ATMs will likely accept your card, while bank ATMs will not.

The situation is a little confusing because people confuse bank cards with credit cards, and the situation is muddied further because some cards act like both. When we say “bank card,” we mean a cash card that allows you to withdraw money from a live account (usually a checking or savings account).

We don’t mean a credit card that will allow you to charge some cash that will then appear as a charge on your credit card (a so-called “cash advance”). In Japan, you will find that it is very easy to withdraw cash from ATMs with a cash card, but it’s nearly impossible to perform a cash advance at an ATM with a credit card (for that, you’ll have to go into a large bank office).

7-11 ATMs Are the Best ATMs in Japan

The best ATMs for foreigners are 7-11 ATMs. Actually, they’re called 7 Bank ATMs. Most are found in 7-11 convenience stores, which are everywhere, but you can also find standalone 7 Bank ATMs in places like international airports, including the arrivals halls of Narita and Kansai (Osaka) airports.

These ATMs work with almost all foreign cards and have clear English (and Chinese) instructions. They also allow you to choose to withdraw from current (checking) or savings accounts, something other ATMs do not allow you to do. The best thing about 7-11 ATMs is that they are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Japan Post Office ATMs Are Also Great

Japan postal ATMs, which are found in Japanese post offices, are almost as good as 7 Bank ATMs. They have good, clear English instructions (just hit the “English Guide” and you’re away). You can find post offices in even the smallest villages and on the smallest islands.

The catch is that postal ATMs are usually only open when the post office itself is open (sometimes, they stay open a little longer and sometimes on Saturdays). However, in larger cities, there is usually a central post office that has ATMs that are open ALMOST 24 hours a day.

Japanese Bank ATMs Will Not Usually Accept Foreign Cards

Travelers will often be tempted by the rows of lovely ATMs in the lobbies of Japanese banks. But these are like mirages to thirsty men in a desert. Japan’s banks are notoriously insular and few of them have linked their ATMs to international networks. The only exceptions that I know of are the ATMs of SMBC Bank, which used to be Citibank. These ATMs generally work with foreign cards and have English instructions.

There Are 7-11 ATMs in Narita and Kansai International Airports

You can get Japanese cash in the arrivals halls in Narita and Kansai airports and in most other Japanese international airports. The ATMs are usually located right in the arrivals hall or nearby. Just follow the signs.

Bring At Least One Credit Card as a Backup

It’s a good idea to bring at least one credit card as a backup. A credit card can be used to do a cash advance if the account your bank card draws off runs dry. Credit cards are also very handy for paying for hotels, rental cars and fancy restaurants. Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted in Japan, while American Express is often not accepted.

Can you get Rich in Japan?

In the present economic downturn, you might feel you don’t have much to look forward to financially. But I’m here to tell you — don’t despair! You have a lot more money than you think you do. It’s just a matter of finding it.

Here are a few tips on how to become a millionaire.

Foreign exchange rate: Many people are rushing to pick up some extra money in the foreign exchange market. With the strong yen right now and the weak U.S. dollar, it may be tempting to take some of your hard-earned cash and convert it into dollars to take advantage of the great exchange rate.

But the truth is, while the exchange rate may be at its best right now, you’re still better off keeping the money you have. Why? Let’s say you make ¥300,000 per month (a 6-digit monthly salary mind you), and you decide to change that entire sum into dollars at the current exchange rate of ¥84.52 to the dollar.

That will yield $3,549. Now, why would you prefer to have 3,549 of something rather than 300,000 of it? Especially when it’s exactly the same thing — money! Remember your basic elementary school mathematics: 300,000 will always be more than 3,549. Feeling richer yet?

Asking for a raise: Perhaps the easiest way to increase your income without doing any extra work is to ask your boss for a raise. There is no financial penalty for asking, so you may as well pop the question. How much should you ask for? In the U.S., most people aspire to a 6-digit income. But you can be much richer than that!

In Japan, you can make millions doing the same job people do in the U.S. for much less money. At ¥300,000 per month for example, you’re making a total of ¥3,600,000 per year! It would take a long time just to count that much money!

And this is where Americans are missing the point. In the U.S., it’s all about digits. Ask any American if they wouldn’t be happy with a 6-digit income and they’ll say yes. But a good income is not about digits — it’s about commas. Not to be greedy, but wouldn’t you rather have a two-comma salary than a 6-digit one? You might be thinking I am going back on what I said about basic mathematics: That six will always be more than two.

But in this case, we are not comparing the same thing. Digits are numbers and commas are punctuation. Punctuation just doesn’t get enough credit in the math world. So the next time you ask your boss for a raise, tell her you want an increase in commas, not digits. It’s the commas that make you rich.

Saving money: Most people are very, very rich. But a lot of their money is tied up in retirement savings that they cannot access until they retire. Whose idea was this?! “Retirement” is a euphemism for “near death.” Why wait that long to enjoy life? And some people, especially artist/writer/musician types may only become rich after they’re dead.

Who are the Billionaires Living in Japan?

According to Forbes magazine’s 2019 list of Japan’s 50 Richest People, there were 45 Japanese-born billionaires in the world, not all of whom resided in Japan. The eight wealthiest Japanese residents had net worths ranging between $4.7 billion (Akira Mori) and $24.9 billion.

1. Tadashi Yanai: $24.9 Billion

One of the wealthiest self-made men in the world, Tadashi Yanai is a retail tycoon who founded Fast Retailing, owner of the Uniqlo brand of clothing stores. Yanai moved back into the top spot for the first time since 2016, thanks to Uniqlo’s continued profitability internationally. The 70-year-old started out selling kitchenware in the 1970s, before opening his first standalone store in Hiroshima in 1984.

Yanai saw a near $5.6 billion bump in his year-over-year net worth from 2018, reclaiming the top spot from Masayoshi Son.

2. Masayoshi Son: $24 Billion

Masayoshi Son saw a $2.1 billion rise in his net worth from the 2018 Forbes rankings. Nonetheless, he still dropped one spot on the list from No. 1 last year. Son, 62, the chairman and CEO of SoftBank Corp., has much of his wealth tied up in shares of his company.

The $100 billion SoftBank Vision Fund has been making big bets and many of them have paid off. The Vision Fund has raised $45 billion from Saudi Arabia‘s Public Investment Fund, plus smaller amounts from Apple and other corporations, reportedly.

3. Takemitsu Takizaki: $18.6 Billion

The founder of global electronic components company Keyence, Takemitsu Takizaki saw his net worth jump by $1 billion between 2018 and 2019, moving him up to No. 3 on the list from No. 4 last year.

His company is best known for holding a small army of technological patents and pouring huge sums of money into research and development (R&D). Keyence has seen big growth in China, where its sensors are used to monitor how machines and robots are performing in factories.

4. Nobutada Saji (and family): $10.8 Billion

Nobutada Saji and family saw a drop of $7.2 billion from the previous year, the biggest drop of anyone on the list; the decline was mostly because new information showed the group’s Suntory stake was smaller than previously thought, with some of it owned by charities, and therefore not included in their net worth. The Saji family’s fortune was also hurt by weaker global beer sales.

Saji gave away the reigns of Suntory Holdings, the food and beverage conglomerate, in 2014. This was the first time a non-Torii family outsider headed the company since 1899. However, even after abdicating most of his business responsibilities, the 73-year-old Saji stayed on the company board of directors.

5. Hiroshi Mikitani: $6 Billion

At age 54, Hiroshi Mikitani is as active a billionaire as you can find. He is chairman and CEO of Japan’s largest online retailer, Rakuten, and he also owns Ebates, a U.S.-based rebate website. He struck multi-year sponsorship deals with NBA’s Golden State Warriors and soccer team FC Barcelona for $120 million in 2017.

He bought OverDrive, an American e-book store, for $400 million in 2014, just before spending $300 million to buy a 12% ownership stake in car service Lyft. On the downside, weak sales in the U.K., Austria, and Spain caused Rakuten to shut down retail operations in those locations.

Mikitani is also highly involved in Japanese politics, even advising the prime minister on technological and economic matters. Mikitani is a Harvard-educated former exchange student with a second home in California, and he has plans to make Rakuten an English-speaking company despite being based in Japan.

6. Yasumitsu Shigeta (and family): $5.4 Billion

Yasumitsu Shigeta, 54, is CEO of Hikari Tsushin, which retails mobile phones at its HIT Shop chain of stores. The Tokyo-listed company also sells insurance and office equipment.

He founded the company in 1988 and in 1999 became Japan’s youngest self-made billionaire, at the age of 34. But he lost most of his then $42 billion fortune in the dot com crash of 2001. Shigeta rejoined the Forbes billionaires list in 2005 when shares of his company rebounded.

7. Takahisa Takahara: $5.2 Billion

Takahisa Takahara, 57, is the CEO of Tokyo-listed Unicharm, which makes diapers, napkins, and other personal care items. More than half of the company’s revenues come from other Asian countries outside Japan. Takahara is a newcomer to the list, after he and his two siblings inherited the family stake in Unicharm after his father Keiichiro died in October 2018. Keiichiro Takahara founded the company in 1961. It currently has $5.9 billion in revenues.

8. Akira Mori (and family): $4.7 Billion

Akira Mori, 82, is the chairman, co-CEO, and owner of real estate developer Mori Trust. The company owns more than 100 properties across Japan, including office buildings and hotels. Mori appointed his daughter, Miwako Date, as president and co-CEO of Mori Trust in 2016. That same year, the company bought two office buildings in Boston. The company said in 2016 that it will invest $7 billion in new projects over the next decade.

What is a Good Salary to Live in Japan?

If you are an office staff (with no heavy responsibilities and all), the average Japanese earns 150,000 to 180,000 yen. That is a fair amount of income if your company covers your rental and transportation expense. Minus taxes, insurances, and bills will give you a net of 109,000 to 130, 000 net income. Given that you live alone.

However, if not and you have loads of expenses, heavy responsibilities, then a minimum of 250,000++ yen will basically help you live a not so scarce life.

“How much is good income” actually depends on you. You may have the 109,000 yen per month of income and that is already good enough for you or have a 300,000 yen per month gross income and still feels restrained financially. Also, it depends on your field of expertise.

Which Job Has Highest Salary in Japan?

Working in Japan is certainly a unique experience, and when it comes to high-paying jobs, there are plenty of opportunities for foreigners and locals alike. Indeed, if you possess the right skills and qualifications, you could find yourself in a lucrative job role.

1. Chief executive officer

Average annual salary: ¥21,600,000 ($198,220 / £142,850)

This is a high-power role that holds the responsibility for the success or failure of an entire organisation.

Due to the nature and impact of this role, you may need to be proficient in Japanese. You will also need extensive experience in your industry, high awareness of business etiquette as well as a solid understanding of cultural norms and customs to succeed in this complex corporate setting.

2. Neurosurgeon

Average annual salary: ¥20,350,000 ($186,735 / £134,570)

This role is in high demand across the world, including in Japan.

To become a doctor, you need a bachelor’s degree in medicine or a related field, followed by an MD and a residency. In order to become a neurosurgeon, you would also need to specialize in neurology and neuroscience.

After obtaining experience in your country, you would then be able to apply for a job at a hospital in Japan. However, you will likely need to be fluent in Japanese to be eligible for this role.

If you are still a student, you could consider applying for a scholarship at a Japanese institution, which will include taking an intensive Japanese language course.

While this is one of the best-paid jobs in Japan, neurosurgeons need an immense level of manual dexterity, exceptional hand-eye coordination, and high physical stamina.

3. Executive director

Average annual salary: ¥16,200,000 ($148,640 / £107,120)

An executive director is an esteemed role involving a great deal of responsibility. Such a role entails managing company assets, establishing business goals and optimising financial operations.

Executive directors need good leadership skills and an entrepreneurial spirit in order to successfully streamline operations and drive a business forward. So, if you’re looking to become an executive in Japan, be sure you possess the right qualifications and skills to establish your career.

4. HR vice president

Average annual salary: ¥15,500,000 ($142,205 / £102,500)

The vice president of HR is responsible for facilitating operations within the company’s human resources department.

VPs of HR must oversee contracts, create strategic staffing plans, develop written policies, develop training programmes, monitor compliance and much more.

Such a role in Japan requires knowledge of legal areas, equal opportunity, health and safety, taxes, retirement and pension plans, and wages and compensation. A bachelor’s degree in a related field is a minimum requirement, though a master’s degree is typically a prerequisite.

This is a rewarding role that requires creativity, leadership, communication, conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.

5. Chief financial officer

Average annual salary: ¥15,000,000 ($137,620 / £99,170)

A chief financial officer (CFO) in Japan is a highly lucrative role that’s well-worth pursuing if you’re sharp with numbers and possess financial leadership skills.

If you successfully land this role, you will be responsible for the company’s accounting and treasury activities and its budget management, spending, and revenue. What is more, CFOs support the business in taking actions for profitability improvement.

6. Senior marketing manager (tie)

Average annual salary: ¥15,000,000 ($137,620 / £99,170)

With technology evolving at such a rapid pace, it comes as no surprise that this is one of the highest-paying jobs in the world. In recent years, senior marketing roles have seen a huge increase in demand due to a shift in consumer behaviour.

A senior marketing manager oversees market planning and product development, ensuring that the brand’s marketing strategies are hitting the right target audience.

So, if you’ve got excellent communication skills, strong attention to detail, creativity, commercial awareness and good organisation skills, then a senior marketing manager in Japan could be the role for you.

In many companies, you’ll also benefit from paid healthcare, paid overtime, reimbursed commuting expenses and more.

7. Sales director

Average annual salary: ¥15,000,000 ($137,620 / £99,170)

Many Japanese firms turn their sights to the global marketplace, from the smallest businesses to some of the biggest companies in Japan.

A sales director is responsible for developing sales networks and partnerships, managing direct sales and contributing to marketing strategies.

To succeed in this role, you need excellent communication skills, thorough knowledge of the product or service you’re selling, the ability to leverage technology to remain ahead of the competition, and, of course, persistence.

8. Operations director

Average annual salary: ¥14,950,000 ($137,135 / £98,840)

The role of an operations director is pivotal to the success of any business. With often an attractive remuneration package, it comes as no surprise that this is one of Japan’s most popular and highly sought-after roles.

While responsibilities differ depending on the type and size of the business, operations directors must generally oversee every operational aspect of a company and its strategy and relay information and updates to its chief executives.

Aside from a degree and relevant professional qualifications, operations directors must have extensive industry experience and exhaustive knowledge of different business functions and principles.

9. Country manager

Average annual salary: ¥14,900,000 ($136,675 / £98,505)

A country manager is responsible for representing a company in a foreign country. This is a vital role in Japan, where communication and cultural awareness are fundamental for the success of an organization.

To succeed within the role of country manager, you must have outstanding interpersonal skills, as you will need to integrate seamlessly within the team to run efficient operations.

You must also have a deep cultural awareness of Japan and its business ethics, which will help you develop and lead the company in the right direction.

10. Business development director

Average annual salary: ¥13,500,000 ($123,839 / £89,250)

Whether the role is in digital media, technology or television, a business development director is responsible for driving the business forward and increasing revenues.

This top paying role, which is typically higher up the corporate ladder when compared with sales or operations manager roles, involves directly collaborating with the board of directors to develop strategies, fine-tune tasks, align departments and understand legal matters.

Bear in mind that depending on the company you work for, you may need to be fluent in Japanese and English and have prior experience working in business, sales or technology in Japan.

Can I Get a Job in Japan if I Don’t Speak Japanese?

It’s certainly possible to work in Japan without speaking Japanese, though your options will be limited. The first choice by newcomers to Japan is typically teaching English at private English language schools, or eikaiwa. These schools actually prefer their teachers don’t speak Japanese, as they strive for an authentic, “English-only” environment.

Unfortunately, teaching English in Japan in 2020 means a typically low pay ceiling with not much room to advance. Many use this job either as a secure means to live for one or two years before returning to their home countries, or as a springboard to their next careers in Japan.

Another possibility is recruiting, or headhunting. These jobs have potentially higher salaries, but typically provide a low base pay with performance-based commission bonuses. As such, these positions can be very high-stress, but potentially rewarding, especially if you have a compatible, highly-driven sales temperament.

One more option is software engineering. This is a relatively newer position that’s cropped up in Japan, but some positions are available with little-to-no Japanese language ability required.

That being said, the salaries for these positions is much lower than in, say, America, so we don’t recommend this route if you’re looking to develop your career.

Beyond these choices, you’ll be hard-pressed to find work without having at least some Japanese language ability. Of course, you could always start your own business.

How Much is Per Hour Salary in Japan?

Part-time employees in Japan between the age of 35 to 39 years old earned more than 1,620 Japanese yen per hour as of June 2020.

According to the survey, the part-time employees worked an average of 5.2 hours a day with an average hourly wage of approximately 1.4 thousand Japanese yen. The average hourly wage gap between men and women amounted to around 330 Japanese yen during the measured time period.

What is The Most Common Job in Japan?

The highly advanced country that is Japan has hundreds, if not thousands, of fast-paced and driven industries that keep the country going. In each industry, you can imagine jobs of various levels of expertise and skillsets, some of these jobs are more than others.

With such a working culture in this island nation, the demand for some jobs has got to be more than others. When asking someone in Japan what their job in Japan is, regardless of local or foreigner, you can expect the same few answers in rotation.

That’s because there are quite a few common jobs here, just like in any other country, based on what the country needs. And Japan’s economy is focused on service, technology, and development.

1. Hair Stylist

If you have been to Japan and walk down a random street, coming across at least five different hair salons on the same street. That is just how it is over here — the Japanese love their hair grooming.

Because the industry is so highly concentrated, there is quite a demand to fill the position holes in the salons. Whether or not you have any experience at cutting or grooming someone’s hair, you have quite a chance at getting a job as a hairstylist — as long as your Japanese ability is at a conversational level or more.

The business that hires you will put you through training before sending you on your merry way to serve customers, so don’t worry about that.

If you’re interested in a fairly easy job (to get) that will undoubtedly give you a fun experience, you can find listings of these jobs on the various salons’ websites and social media. In fact, you can even walk into one directly and ask the manager if they have any openings. Chances are they have one, if not they can recommend another position to fill in the meantime.

2. Sales Staff

Another common job in Japan is definitely sales staff — anything from sales representatives and support staff to sales managers. Japanese companies have products that they are needing to sell, whether it is domestically or internationally. Usually, if the company is looking to sell domestically, they will just hire a local out of convenience since locals are more accustomed to the local traditions, culture, and customs.

For the companies that are looking to access the international market, most of the time, these jobs are with technology, automobile, and banking companies. But from time to time, you’ll get openings from other industries like publishing. If you’re bilingual and can speak two languages — Japanese should be at least one of them — then you should definitely consider this job. They are known to pay well and provide stability.

If you don’t have the Japanese language ability, don’t be bummed out because you still have options in the sales staff department — just not as many.

If you’re really interested in getting into the sales industry, there are quite a few listings on Glassdoor and Jobs in Japan. Gaijinpot has one of the most extensive job listings in Japan for foreigners; it may be where you land your next job.

3. Service Staff

Service is a huge aspect of Japan — tons of restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, and convenience stores are scattered on every street in Japan. What’s more, hotels and resorts are recently booming due to the rise of tourism in the country. Because of such demand, there are hundreds of job openings in the service staff industry day in and day out, without fail.

Because Japan is primarily using the Japanese language, to be part of the service industry, you would have to be able to speak the language. A lot of the local service facilities wouldn’t need their staff to speak any other languages except Japanese, so that’s a crucial requirement.

Your bilingualism will be considered as an asset and extremely useful in certain parts of the service industry like the hospitality department, especially in areas that attract more foreign guests. Hotels and resorts are the way to go if you want a notch above the rest with your multiple language ability.

These jobs come easily, and Gaijinpot is a convenient platform for this. If not, Craigslist has quite a decent listing from time to time — keep your eye out.

A note that you should remember is that the names for these types of job positions can come in a few different forms so make sure to search them all; Front Staff, Hotel Staff, and International Reservations Consultant are just to name a few.

4. Banker

Japan has a huge banking industry — due to that, they are in need of more staff to fill their position gaps in various departments. More and more locals are taking on these jobs as well as foreign staff.

The bigger investment banks, especially, can afford to hire workers from overseas and provide and support their workers with well-paying roles, including positions in the IT sector.

Depending on the company, you may or may not require the Japanese language to get in. If it’s a small business, chances are, you would need to have at least basic Japanese to get by. If it’s a larger one and they’re actively seeking foreign workers, then you might not need to pick up Japanese for your job.

Get on major sites like Glassdoor to see the full job openings listings.

5. Researcher

Japan is constantly looking to improve every industry in the country, from products and technology to medicine and science. There will always be a position open for a researcher of any type including data scientists and analysts. With this job, there are specific skill sets that are required to fulfill the roles of the job, like a strong background in statistics and computer science.

The demand is extremely high for the job of a researcher, hence many with the required skills often snag up these jobs. Bigger companies are also stretching outside of the country due to the small talent pool in Japan, so us foreigners have a higher chance of getting hired in this industry. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you won’t even need Japanese for your job!

What Job is in Demand Japan?

This is a compilation extracted from some of the most important recruitment sources in Japan, together with my own experience. Before the list itself, this is a brief fast facts list worth mentioning:

Still, having a good Japanese level is a requirement for most of the jobs/companies
The Japanese requirement tends to get relaxed (to various degrees) for engineering or science related roles
Given the worsening skills mismatch, companies are already looking beyond direct experience and considering potential for the role (e.g. relevant transferable skills, good analytical abilities, etc.)
More companies don’t care anymore about the 35 years old wall [a mixed consequence of this ever increasing life expectancy and labor shortage?]

…and, omataseshimashita. This is the list you were waiting for. No surprise it is composed of many IT-related items, as it is the reality that IT folks reign in the sea of skills mismatch. Before Covid19 there was already a strong demand for IT expertise and Covid19 has given it an additional impulse.

Mobile application engineering
Data science (big data) and AI expertise
Security-related IT engineering (cybersecurity)
Cloud computing
IoT engineering
Full-stack development
Server engineering
IT infrastructure-related project management
IT skills with combination of manufacturing experience (cloud/data expertise)

For non IT talent:

In finance: product & control evaluation expertise
In commerce: (bilingual) financial analyst, and M&A specialists
In general affairs: experienced (bilingual) office managers
In energy and infrastructure: civil engineers; in the solar energy industry: various organizational roles; in chemical: R&D and risk specialists
Almost cross-sectoral: sales and marketing for medical, pharmaceutical, consumer, retail hospitality, digital online (SEO experts)
(Bilingual) business analyst and project managers
International business expansion roles (usually international sales): Although Covid19 has put many of these roles to a halt, the Japanese shrinking market has forced more companies to go abroad. It is very likely that these roles will come back rather soon

What Hours do Japanese Work?

Japan has some of the longest working hours in the world.

Nearly one quarter of Japanese companies require employees to work more than 80 hours of overtime a month, according to a 2016 government survey. Those extra hours are often unpaid.

And the Japanese aren’t taking enough time off, either. A study by Expedia found that Japanese workers on average didn’t use 10 of their paid vacation days, and 63 percent of Japanese respondents felt guilty for taking paid leave.

Yet long work hours don’t necessarily mean high productivity. In fact, Japan has the lowest productivity among G-7 nations, according to data from OECD Compendium of Productivity Indicators.

‘Death by overwork’

The term “karoshi” translates to “death by overwork” in Japanese, and is a legal term recognized as a cause of death.

An employee of Japan’s largest advertising firm, Dentsu, jumped to her death in 2015. The cause was said to have been depression caused by overwork.

The case generated widespread attention and renewed calls to change the long working hours and illegal unpaid overtime highly common in Japan.

Dentsu’s CEO resigned over the controversy and the company was fined for violating labor standards as she had been reportedly forced to work 100 hours of overtime a month.

After the death, Dentsu made changes within the company, including turning off lights in the office at 10 p.m. in an effort to force employees to leave.

Make Money in Japan

1. Secret Shopper

This is a really fun option! There are some hassles of course, but this is an enjoyable way to make extra cash in Japan.

For this job, you are assigned a store or restaurant to go to and act like you normally would. While you are there, talk some mental notes about the customer service. Then afterwards, you fill out some forms about your experience. That’s it! Easy and fun! The hassles come from doing paperwork and trying to get assigned jobs. But overall, this is a great way to get paid to act like a spy.

Look on Gaijin Pot for Mystery Shopper jobs or check out International Service Check to get started.

2. Translate Menus

This option does require some Japanese ability or at least patience with a dictionary.

All of us in Japan have been to restaurants that don’t have an English a menu or have seen menus like this:

These are fun to read, but there is defiantly room for improvement. Many restaurants or other businesses would love to have a menu or something created by a native English speaker. An English menu or flyer would be a great asset to them and most likely increase their business.

It can be time consuming but it is fairly easy to translate menus and the cash payout is usually pretty good. So no matter where you live you can find a small Izakaiya or restaurant that is in need of an English menu.

Go in, eat some dinner and then ask the owner if they would be interested in having an English menu. They might really love the idea and then you can work out the payment details. Its cash in hand and one of the great ways to make money in Japan.

3. Help People Move

It happens every year and it is a good way to make extra cash in Japan. Thousands of people move into a new house or apartment at the start of April. Offer your services and help people move. Everyone needs help moving their couch down the stairs and no matter how strong someone is, carrying the fridge is always awkward.

Before the moving season starts, ask around and see if anyone needs help moving. Ask your friends, neighbors or colleagues. You are sure to find someone willing to give you some cash to help them out. After all, no one likes moving, so having someone to help makes it so much better and faster.

4. Sell to Recycle Shops

This isnt the most original idea, but it is still one of the best ways for making money in Japan fast. Japan has a number of large recycle shops that buy almost anything. Sell you old clothes, toys, furniture, electronics or sports gear. These stores don’t pay much, but it all adds up and it feels good to clean out your apartment from time to time.

Another option is to ask around and see if your friends or neighbors have things that they don’t need. You can offer to take it off their hands and move it for them for free and then you can take it to the recycle store! Everyone wins!

Also, remember that it is illegal to walk around during the moving season or on the big trash days and take things from the trash to sell at recycle shops. Yes, Japanese people throw away great things in great condition. But it is illegal to take these things and then take them to the recycle shop for money.

These are the big recycle shops to look for in Japan. Use their store finders on their webpages to find the nearest store to you.

The Hardoff Group has great stores like Hardoff, Houseoff and Bookoff. Bookoff is great for selling books and manga.

Another major chain is Second Street (Japanese site only) and they are found all over Japan.

A couple of other recycle stores to look out for are: DonDonDown and Treasure Factory.

5. Sell Old American Clothes (different than above)

There are many small clothing stores in Japan that sell mostly old and classic American clothes. Old American style is considered オシャレ　(fancy).

Keep an eye out for these stores and you could make some good cash. These stores are usually mom and pop shops, so I cant tell you any store names. But there many of these shops. Other things that could be sold for high profits are Lee Jeans, Levi or any Harley Davidson clothes.

If you go back home for summer vacation, this is a good way to offset some of the cost. Go to the recycle stores back home and try to buy some of these old clothes and sell them in Japan.

6. Pet Sitter

There are many, many house cats and dogs in Japan. Their owners treat them like royality and are often nervous about leaving their pets behind when they travel. Pet hotels are insanely expensive so many people just decide not to travel. This is where you can help out and get some extra cash.

Put the word out to your social network and the people around you that you love animals and are willing to pet sit while they travel. Try putting a free ad on Craigslist or JMTY as well. Set a price and make some easy money playing with pets.

In addition to pets, there are many people who love their plants. They are often willing to pay people to water their plants while they on vacation. Both of these are pretty good options to make extra money in Japan.

7. Rent Out Extra Space

We know that here in Japan, there isn’t a lot of “extra room”, but if you have some it’s a good way to make some extra cash. Space is a premium in Japan, so you can rent out space for storage or even for people to stay.

The big obvious choice is Airbnb, because you can use their website to rent out rooms you aren’t using. Or even your whole apartment when you leave on vacation. The problem with Airbnb is that Japan hasn’t really jumped on the bandwagon yet.

Japan has some strict rules when it comes to Airbnb and new rules keep coming out. So be sure to check the current status of Airbnb before you decide to try it out in Japan.

It is also possible to rent out storage space or parking spaces. Renting out you parking space can lead to some friction with your landlord so keep that in mind if you have a landlord. If you are able to do it, the profit is substantial.

If you have an extra room in your house or an unused garage, rent that space out. Storage space is always in high demand, so talk to your network and see if anyone needs a place to store some things. You are sure to find someone that needs a place to keep their snowboards, bikes or boxes of clothes. Ask around and give it a try!

8. Host Workshops

This may seem daunting at first, but it is actually not that hard to do. After doing it a couple of times it becomes one of fun ways to make money in Japan. If you have a skill like cooking or making crafts, you can do a workshop.

First, decide what you want to do and then find a place to hold the workshop. Rental rooms are readily available in most towns. After finding a place, all that is left is to advertise and get people to come. Charge a set price per person and you’re ready to go.

How to Make Money in Japan as a Foreigner

In many fields in Japan, being a foreigner doesn’t really add a competitive advantage. Sometimes, it’s the opposite — especially when the industry requires the workers to interact frequently with Japanese clients. In some other fields, foreigners are the ones that bring a competitive advantage over hiring a Japanese person.

Usually, these industries require constant interaction with foreign customers or require another language other than Japanese; most of the time, that language is English. Sometimes, you don’t even need Japanese to be able to land a full-time job in Japan.

Let’s take a look at the most common jobs in Japan as a foreigner — both that require and don’t require the Japanese language ability.

1. English Teacher

First up is definitely the job of an English teacher. If you have at least a bachelor’s degree, you don’t need any level of Japanese or prior experience to land a full-time job here in Japan. It’s probably the easiest job to get out of them all.

You can choose to teach at a variety of teaching institutions including public schools or English conversational language schools known as “eikaiwa”, which offers one-to-one tutoring.

However, there’s a catch: they don’t pay all that well because it’s such a crowded market. Nonetheless, it does offer invaluable experience and gets you a legitimate working visa as you live in a foreign country.

2. Tourism Roles

As we all know, the tourism industry in Japan is booming in recent years — it’s picking up at such a fast pace that the locals are unable to keep up with it. That’s where the foreigners come in — travel agencies and tourism-related businesses require foreigners to fill in the roles in their companies to assist with interactions with non-Japanese clients. One common and easy-to-get role is being a tour guide.

In the case of jobs similar to these, you might be required to have at least conversational level Japanese to communicate between your company and your clients. Salaries and benefits can vary depending on your experience and skill set since it’s such a competitive market. One of the best parts about being part of the tourism industry is that you get to travel yourself!

3. Translator/Interpreter

This is the perfect job if you’re confident in two of the languages that you speak. There is quite a demand in the translation and interpretation industry not only in Japan but also the rest of the world.

In Japan, the biggest industry that is in need of translators and interpreters is the gaming industry as Japan is quite well known for its animation and video games. Most of the time, game companies need their works to be tested and finalized locally before releasing it worldwide.

There are also other alternatives like freelance work and part-time work as well. Jobs like this involves assisting businessmen travelling to Japan for work or translating written works.

4. IT Professional

After English teaching, the second most common job in Japan for a foreigner is an IT professional like software programmers. That is because the talent pool among the local Japanese for programmers is small, so companies reach out to international talent pools to fill the roles in their company. That benefits us, most definitely!

The best part about this job is that it requires minimal to no Japanese language ability most of the time. As long as you have the required skill set, you’re good to go.

5. Engineer

Last but definitely not least of the common jobs as a foreigner in Japan is engineering. In fact, its commonness comes right after the job of an IT professional. The country is reputed for its advanced engineering, and it comes in all shapes and sizes — from automobile engineering to computer engineering.

Japan is not going to stop developing its engineering industries, hence these companies are looking overseas for talented engineers. No Japanese is required for most companies — especially the bigger ones. Because these companies are looking to expand or already expanding their business overseas, you’ll be dealing with more foreign clients than local ones.

How to Make Money in Japan as a Student

1. English Instructor

Instructor job requirements may range from English play-time with nursery-school age children, to teaching primary or secondary school children, up to teaching business-level courses.

Potential earnings: ¥1000 – ¥6000 per hour

2. Social Media

This type of job will typically have you providing feedback from Instagram and Facebook newsfeeds, deploying specific advertisements for targeted users, and putting your Google detective skills to good use.

This is also a great opportunity to work from home, and you can apply directly via GaijinPot Jobs. Keep in mind a lot of these jobs are not always run by English-speaking companies.

Potential earnings: Varies

3. Game Localization Testers

If that doesn’t float your boat, but you still want to work in the gaming sector, consider working as a game player support staff. Many of these positions can also be held remotely, as long as you have a computer and an internet connection. Another of the job requirements? “Extensive experience playing video games.” Check!

Potential earnings: ¥1200 per hour

4. Freelance Translator

Potential earnings: Depends on project/work

5. Konbini Staff

Potential earnings: ¥800+ per hour (varies by store and by region)

6. Uber Eats Delivery Rider

Potential earnings: ¥700 to ¥1800 per hour

7. J-Blogger or Vlogger

Our very own GaijnPot Blog is always looking for creative people to help contribute content across its media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.

Potential earnings: Varies

8. Part-Time Work

There’s a ton of interesting part-time jobs listed on GaijinPot right now, especially if you have experience teaching English.

Highest Paying Jobs in Japan For Foreigners

Social welfare and financial prosperity are reflected in high salaries in both the private and public sectors. This includes IT professionals who can earn up to more than 500,000 Japanese yen a month. And the National Tax Agency report shows that a person working in Japan typically makes about $4,320,000 ($40,353) a year.

1. IT Professional

Monthly salary: ¥311,000 ($2,905) – ¥628,000 ($5,866)
% Foreigners in the industry: 2.63%

IT professionals are undoubtedly considered to be those who, depending on the type, receive the highest salary in Japan. IT consultant is the highest-earning job in this sector, offering an average of 6.04 million yen annually. Web service engineers make around 4.25 million yen, while web designers can make about 3.57 million yen.

2. Investment Banking

Monthly salary: 300,000 ($2,802) – 600,000 ($5,604)
% Foreigners in the Industry: 0.62%
Requirements: Fluent in English & Japanese, 3-5 years experience

Similar to many other countries, people working in the finance and banking field typically have a top paid salary.

3. Business Analyst

Monthly salary: 450,000 ($4,203)
% Foreigners in the industry: 2.63%
Requirements: Fluent in English & Japanese, 3-5 years experience

Business analysts are responsible for enhancing the competitiveness and performance of a company and are trying to seek new ways to control costs, increase productivity, or boost sales. This is a particularly high-paying job, as this position is responsible for ensuring better performance and contesting with rival companies.

4. Marketing & Sales

Monthly salary: ¥290,000 ($2,640)– ¥ 528,000 ($4,932)
% Foreigners in the Industry: 2.63%
Requirements: Business Level Japanese, at least 3 years of experience, Visa Sponsorship available

At number four, we’ve got sales of the staff as a profitable job in Japan. More and more foreigners are gaining positions in the marketing and sales departments of Japanese companies. Sales staff in Japan are in high demand. Sales staff, sales managers, sales agents, sales representatives are here. Japanese people like to take these services from foreigners.

And what’s more, marketing jobs in Japan can make an average of an impressive 4.90 million yen.

5. Engineer

Monthly salary: ¥380,000 ($3,549)
% Foreigners in the industry: 4.17%

Of course, it’s a well-paid job all over the world. Japan is well-known for its technology and machinery. Thus, manufacturing industries employ the highest rate of foreign workers. That’s why if you have an engineering background, you can get an excellent salary in Japan.

How to Get Rich in Japan

As you’re probably already aware, Japan is a very unique place. No where else in the world will you find the same outrageous opportunities to make money that are open to just about anyone.

English Teaching.

Acting/modeling/voice overs.

In many ways, the entertainment scene in Tokyo is a big break and a way to escape the comfort zone and limitations of home.

Dancing/hostessing.

The Japanese culture remains one of meetings and drinking, and corporate types still prefer to do both in the company of attractive, polite, western women. In the past, women simply had to be attractive and turn up, now they need to be just as adept at being charming in order to make the big money.

Wedding minister.

In some cases, 20,000 yen for the 20 minute ceremony and performing 20-30 per month on the weekends is normal, making this one of the best ways to make yen. There are some properly ordained ministers out there, but for the most part, basic Japanese and rudimentary training is all it takes to move one man from the classroom to the pulpit.

Headhunting.

Japanese language skills.

How to Earn Money in Japan Online

Finding online jobs in Japan can seem like a challenge unless you know where to look. But the reality is that almost every industry is in demand for remote workers and the market for online Jobs in Japan has been growing.

That’s why we have created a whole list of places that offer online work for foreigners living in Japan! Below you will find some of the most common (and a few uncommon) Jobs that you can work from your home in Japan.

1. Freelancing: Graphic design/Digital marketing/Programming/Video & Animation Jobs

Are you a graphic designer, digital marketing, programmer, or illustrator? If so, this next section of Online Jobs is for you!

With freelance work, there are websites where you can upload your portfolio, website, and other information for people from all over the world to view your work and potentially ask for your services. Sites like Zehitomo cater to a wide range of professions, from photographers to personal trainers, and help with introducing you to clients.

One of the biggest pluses of using these freelancing sites is that even if you don’t speak the native language, you can do remote gigs for people all around the world. For this reason, Japanese or English skills are not required, but it is recommended that you use English as a way to “throw a larger net” so to say and reach out to more people (Japanese if you are looking locally).

2. Translator (Japanese)

Are you fluent in Japanese and English? (or other languages?)
Then this may be the job opportunity you’ve been looking for. Translation work is usually pretty abundant at any time, though most would be freelance rather than working for a company. The JLPT N2 Japanese level is enough to start working as a translator in Japan.

The set up of translating gigs usually goes as follows: a client gets in touch with you through a platform, you talk about the project with the client and agree on a price/hourly rate, then translate the given text to the language they desire by the agreed-upon date.

Some translation companies such as Joho translation will hire talented freelancers directly from their site as well so be sure to check out and apply to these companies to increase your chances of getting translating work.

One downside to working for a translation company is that they may have a set hourly or project wage that is not up for negotiation so you might not get as much as you would working directly for the client. Companies that have worked with you in the past may also reach out to you in the future, so if you do good work, this could become a pretty nice regular source of income!

Typical salary: 1,500 – 3,000 / hour

3. Stock Photography

If you are someone that enjoys photography and have some decent gear, this may be a nice option to consider. Stock photographs can be sold on sites to people or companies looking to download them for personal or commercial reasons.

Stock photography is quite competitive and probably the most “long game” source of income out of all the possible online jobs in Japan on this list. Each photograph will only net you a small amount of money so you would need to take a ton of photographs to make decent cash.

These photos would also need to be something that many people would select as well (most are used for different ads and articles). That being said if your photos are used/bought frequently, it does become a good form of passive income and you would continuously be paid for work that you have previously done.

For those of you that aren’t walking around with high-grade DSLR cameras and lenses, not to worry! You don’t need to be a professional photographer, since most sites allow anyone to upload their photos. If you’re lucky, in addition to bringing in some extra income, one of your photos might even end up as an internet meme!

Typical salary: Varies (Based on sales of your photos)

4. Freelance Writer

Japan is rapidly growing in popularity as a place for people to travel to and every day more foreigners are becoming interested in living in Japan. With Japan rising in the ranks as a dream travel/living destination all over the world, the demand for digital content in English and other languages is increasing.

Many magazines, websites, publications, and blogs often offer freelance writing work. You will find yourself writing about things from the day to day life in Japan to hidden subcultures and oddities.

For the creative people that love writing and diving deeper into topics while getting creative with them, this is the perfect chance for you to make some extra moolah doing something you enjoy. Becoming a successful freelancer takes time but is doable.

Usually, you would be paid a fixed rate for each published article. The compensation for these articles would depend on the length of the article but we’ve found that the going rate for an article of around 500 to 800 words was around 5000 yen.

Certain companies will also reimburse you up to a certain amount for travel and other expenses you have incurred so it does become quite a good opportunity to travel to new places and try new things as well!

Typical salary: Varies, paid by article/article length (usually around 5000 yen per 500 to 800-word article)

5. Online Tour Guide

ArigatoJapan provides the real Japan experience as an Online Tour.

It is a creative way to explore Japan from home with Japanese locals and other foreigners living in Japan. With this online tour service, people can experience Japanese tea ceremonies, Japanese food, or virtual tours around exciting spots in Tokyo from the safety and comfort of their own home.

Of course, every tour needs a tour guide! As a virtual tour guide, you will be sharing stories about Japanese culture and daily life. This is an especially good fit for adventurous people that know their prefectures well.

Expect to be providing knowledge about the do’s and don’ts, best times and seasons to visit, restaurant recommendations, and more. If you don’t have the knowledge on it yet it is best to do the research beforehand!

Apps to Earn Money in Japan

Here are the best apps that you can use to make extra money in Japan.

1. PrizeRebel

PrizeRebel is one of the top apps that you can use to make easy money in Japan. PrizeRebel is free to join and use in Japan. They are the perfect app for residents of Japan.

You can earn extra money in Japan with PrizeRebel when you take surveys, complete offers, watch videos, do tasks, and refer others. As you can see, it’s easy to earn free money with the PrizeRebel app in Japan.

2. Swagbucks

Swagbucks is one of the best money making apps in Japan; they are free to join and use. Swagbucks has been in business since 2008 and has paid out millions to members. You can earn free cash in Japan with Swagbucks when you take online surveys, watching videos, do tasks, search, play games, shop and refer others.

The minimum payout is $25 and payments are made through PayPal. So, if you want apps to make money in Japan, then you should join Swagbucks today!

3. Survey Junkie

Survey Junkie is one of the best paying apps in Japan, that you can use to earn money; they’ve been online since 2005 and have paid out millions to members. You can earn money in Japan with this app when you take surveys and share your opinions with market research companies.

Free Money in Japan

Japan is giving its citizens $930 of free money, joining the US in handing out stimulus checks during the coronavirus pandemic.

Japan’s government had earlier announced it would sanction 300,000 yen ($2,794) to households that were impacted by the outbreak, but the prime minister has instead decided to replace this measure with the cash handout to each citizen, NHK reported.

Shinzo said this decision was taken considering that everyone in the country has been asked to live under various restrictions, including avoidance of non-essential outings.

How much Students earn in Japan?

Are you considering working in Japan while you are studying? Approximately 75% of privately financed international students in Japan are working part-time (this is called “arubaito” or just “baito” in Japanese).

When engaging in part-time work in Japan, you must abide by the conditions stated below. Failure to do so may result in punishment and even deportation.

Apply for permission to engage in activities other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted at the nearest immigration bureau. Persons entering Japan for the first time who have the “Student” status of residence and will be residing in the country for more than three months may apply to engage in activities other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted at an airport, etc. when landing permission is issued.
The part-time work does not affect your studies.
The earned income is meant to supplement your academic cost and necessary expenses and not for saving or for remittance overseas.
The part-time work engaged in is not in adult entertainment businesses. Note: Prohibited by law
Within 28 hours a week (up to eight hours a day during the long school holidays).
The part-time work is done while you retain student status in an educational institution.

Please note that every year, international students are forced to leave Japan as they cannot extend their period of authorized stay in the country due to their low school-attendance rates because they work part-time and neglect their studies. You have to be very careful not to let this situation happen.

Beware of frauds and scams promising high-paying jobs while studying in Japan
Be wary of “Study in Japan” agents who give you false or misleading information such as:
“You can earn 3,000 yen (about US $26) per hour working part-time.”
→The average hourly wage is about 900 yen (about US $8).
“You’ll be able to earn 200,000 to 300,000 yen a month working at a part-time job while studying in Japan; you’ll be able to cover your school and living expenses and send money home.”

This is not possible. (The average is around 50,000 yen [US $439].

Bottom line

Japan presents a lot of opportunities to make money as we have seen most of them. If you want to be rich, there are three options available to you. First, you might be lucky to get an inheritance. Secondly, you need to get a high paying source of income. And lastly, you need to save over the long term.

All these methods will help you make money and eventually become rich in Japan.

What kind of jobs can a Foreigner get in Japan?

Is it easy to Make Money in Japan?

How can I get money While in Japan?

Can you get Rich in Japan?

Who are the Billionaires Living in Japan?

What is a Good Salary to Live in Japan?

Which Job Has Highest Salary in Japan?

1. Chief executive officer

2. Neurosurgeon

3. Executive director

4. HR vice president

5. Chief financial officer

6. Senior marketing manager (tie)

7. Sales director

8. Operations director

9. Country manager

10. Business development director

Can I Get a Job in Japan if I Don’t Speak Japanese?

How Much is Per Hour Salary in Japan?

What is The Most Common Job in Japan?

1. Hair Stylist

2. Sales Staff

3. Service Staff

4. Banker

5. Researcher

What Job is in Demand Japan?

What Hours do Japanese Work?

‘Death by overwork’

Make Money in Japan

1. Secret Shopper

2. Translate Menus

3. Help People Move

4. Sell to Recycle Shops

5. Sell Old American Clothes (different than above)

6. Pet Sitter

7. Rent Out Extra Space

8. Host Workshops

How to Make Money in Japan as a Foreigner

1. English Teacher

2. Tourism Roles

3. Translator/Interpreter

4. IT Professional

5. Engineer

How to Make Money in Japan as a Student

1. English Instructor

2. Social Media

3. Game Localization Testers

4. Freelance Translator

5. Konbini Staff

6. Uber Eats Delivery Rider

7. J-Blogger or Vlogger

8. Part-Time Work

Highest Paying Jobs in Japan For Foreigners

1. IT Professional

2. Investment Banking

3. Business Analyst

4. Marketing & Sales

5. Engineer

How to Get Rich in Japan

English Teaching.

Acting/modeling/voice overs.

Dancing/hostessing.

Wedding minister.

Headhunting.

Japanese language skills.

How to Earn Money in Japan Online

1. Freelancing: Graphic design/Digital marketing/Programming/Video & Animation Jobs

2. Translator (Japanese)

3. Stock Photography

4. Freelance Writer

5. Online Tour Guide

Apps to Earn Money in Japan

1. PrizeRebel

2. Swagbucks

3. Survey Junkie

Free Money in Japan

How much Students earn in Japan?

Bottom line

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