Japan

How the system works

Japan issues a status of residence tied to what you will do in the country. For most long-term stays, your employer or school applies for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) at a regional immigration bureau. Once issued, you take it to a Japanese embassy or consulate to get your visa, then receive your residence card on arrival. Many COEs can now be sent electronically.

Common routes

• Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services: the main work visa for office jobs, IT, marketing, translation and English teaching. Usually needs a degree or 10 years of experience (3 for language work).
• Highly Skilled Professional (HSP): points-based (70 points or more) with faster permanent residence after 1 to 3 years. The J-Skip track fast-tracks high earners and researchers.
• Specified Skilled Worker (i) and (ii): for sectors such as caregiving, construction, food service and manufacturing, requiring skills and Japanese tests.
• Student: for universities and language schools. Part-time work is allowed up to 28 hours a week with a permission to engage in activity stamp.
• Working Holiday: for young citizens (usually 18 to 30) of partner countries, up to 12 months.
• Digital Nomad (Designated Activities): up to 6 months for remote workers earning at least ¥10 million a year from eligible countries, with private health cover.

Practical tips

Renew your status before it expires at your local immigration bureau. You can apply up to 3 months in advance.

Where the jobs are

Japan's shrinking workforce means employers in many sectors actively recruit abroad. Common fields for foreign professionals include:

• IT and software: web, mobile, data and infrastructure roles, many in English at startups and global firms in Tokyo.
• Engineering and manufacturing: automotive, electronics and machinery, often requiring business-level Japanese.
• English teaching: eikaiwa schools, private academies and the government-backed JET Programme.
• Hospitality, tourism and care: growing demand, often under the Specified Skilled Worker system.
• Finance and consulting: mostly in Tokyo, usually bilingual.

Salaries and conditions

Typical starting salaries for graduate roles are ¥250,000-¥300,000 a month. Experienced engineers earn ¥6 million to ¥10 million a year, and senior roles at foreign companies can pay more. Many firms pay twice-yearly bonuses, so check whether the offer quotes annual or monthly pay. Minimum wage varies by prefecture and is highest in Tokyo.

How to search

• English-friendly job boards and recruiters focused on bilingual candidates.
• Hello Work, the public employment service, which has foreign-resident desks in major cities.
• Networking at meetups, tech events and alumni groups, which matters a lot in Japan.

Passing the JLPT N2 is a common benchmark that noticeably increases job opportunities.

Types of housing

• Apartments (mansion or apato): most people rent. Layouts are described as 1K, 1LDK, 2LDK and so on, where L is living, D is dining and K is kitchen.
• Share houses: furnished rooms with shared kitchens, popular for the first months. Contracts are simple and deposits small.
• Monthly and furnished apartments: convenient but more expensive, useful while you search.

Typical costs

A 1LDK in central Tokyo costs around ¥150,000-¥200,000 a month, while a studio in the suburbs can be ¥70,000-¥90,000. Osaka and Kyoto are noticeably cheaper.

Expect upfront costs of 4 to 6 months' rent, including:

• Shikikin (deposit, partly refundable)
• Reikin (key money, a non-refundable gift to the landlord, increasingly waived)
• Agency fee (usually one month plus tax)
• Guarantor company fee (often 50% to 100% of one month's rent)
• Fire insurance and lock change

Finding a place

Use property portals and agencies that advertise foreigner-friendly listings. Many landlords require a guarantor company, a Japanese phone number and proof of income. Contracts usually last 2 years with a renewal fee.

Floor area is measured in square metres or in jo (tatami mats, about 1.6 square metres each).

Public health insurance

Japan has universal coverage and joining is mandatory for residents staying more than 3 months. There are two main schemes:

• Employee Health Insurance (shakai hoken): for most full-time employees. Premiums are split with your employer and deducted from your salary, together with the employee pension.
• National Health Insurance (kokumin kenko hoken): for students, freelancers and the self-employed. You enrol at the ward office and pay premiums based on the previous year's income.

With either scheme you pay 30% of the cost of most treatment and prescriptions. Children and older people pay less, and a monthly high-cost medical expense cap protects you from very large bills.

Using the system

• Clinics and hospitals are easy to access without GP referral, although large hospitals charge an extra fee if you arrive without one.
• Always bring your insurance card or a My Number card registered for health insurance.
• Pharmacies (yakkyoku) fill prescriptions; drugstores sell over-the-counter medicine.
• Dental care is covered, but cosmetic work is not.

In an emergency, call 119 for an ambulance or fire service. Ambulance transport is free.

A realistic monthly budget

For a single person in Tokyo, a comfortable budget is around ¥250,000-¥330,000 a month including rent. In Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka or Sapporo, ¥180,000-¥250,000 goes a long way.

• Rent: the biggest cost. ¥70,000-¥200,000 depending on city and location.
• Utilities: ¥12,000-¥20,000, higher in summer (air conditioning) and winter.
• Mobile: budget carriers offer plans from about ¥1,000-¥3,000.
• Groceries: ¥35,000-¥50,000 for one person cooking at home.
• Eating out: set lunches cost ¥800-¥1,200; ramen or a beef bowl can be under ¥1,000.

Where you can save

• Convenience stores and supermarkets discount bento and fresh food in the evening.
• Many employers reimburse your commuter pass, so transport can cost you nothing.
• Discount chains such as 100-yen shops and Don Quijote cover household basics cheaply.
• Buying second-hand furniture and appliances through local marketplaces is common and easy.

What costs more

Imported goods, fruit, international schools and private childcare can be expensive. Resident tax arrives in your second year, because it is based on the previous year's income, so budget for it.

Trains and subways

Japan's rail network is one of the best in the world. Big cities have dense subway and private rail networks, and the Shinkansen (bullet train) links Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and Fukuoka in a few hours.

• IC cards: Suica, PASMO and ICOCA work on almost all trains and buses nationwide and at many shops. You can add them to an iPhone or compatible Android phone.
• Commuter passes (teiki): fixed-route monthly passes, usually reimbursed by employers.
• Last trains: most lines stop around midnight, so plan late nights or budget for a taxi.

Buses, bicycles and taxis

Buses fill the gaps in cities and serve rural areas. Cycling is very common for short trips; register your bicycle (bouhan touroku) when you buy it. Taxis are safe and clean but pricey, with starting fares around ¥500 in Tokyo. Ride-hailing apps work mainly as taxi dispatch.

Driving

You can drive for up to 1 year on an International Driving Permit (1949 Geneva Convention) or, for some countries, an official translation of your licence. After that you must convert your licence at a driving licence centre. Some nationalities need to take a practical test.

Domestic flights and overnight buses are good budget options for long distances.

Daily life

Life in Japan runs on consideration for others. Queues are orderly, trains are quiet and people rarely speak loudly in public. Convenience stores open 24 hours, deliveries arrive on time and lost wallets are often returned.

Social etiquette

• Take off your shoes when entering homes, some restaurants and traditional inns.
• Sort rubbish strictly by type (burnable, non-burnable, plastics, cans and bottles) and put it out on the right day.
• Avoid phone calls on trains and keep noise down in apartments, especially at night.
• Tipping is not expected and can cause confusion.

Making friends

Building close friendships can take time. Join clubs, sports teams, language exchanges, volunteer groups or community centres. Big cities have active international communities and meetups for almost every interest.

Food, nature and leisure

Japan is a paradise for food lovers, from ramen and sushi to regional specialities. Outside the cities you will find hot springs (onsen), mountains for hiking and skiing, and beautiful coastlines. Seasonal events such as cherry blossom viewing in spring and summer fireworks festivals are part of everyday life.

Challenges

Loneliness and language barriers are the biggest hurdles for many newcomers. Workplaces can feel formal, and it may take time to understand indirect communication. Being patient, learning some Japanese and showing interest in local customs goes a long way.

Schools for children

Compulsory education runs for 9 years: elementary school (6 years) and junior high school (3 years). Public schools are free of tuition and foreign children are welcome, although lessons are in Japanese. Many local governments offer Japanese support classes.

• Public schools: apply through your ward office after registering your address.
• International schools: teach in English or other languages, often following IB, American or British curricula. Fees are typically ¥2 million-¥3.5 million a year.
• Daycare (hoikuen): licensed places are subsidised and free for ages 3 to 5 nationally, but waiting lists exist in some areas.

Universities

Japan has around 800 universities. Top institutions such as the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University and Osaka University offer growing numbers of English-taught degrees. National university tuition is about ¥535,800 a year, while private universities charge more.

Scholarships include the government MEXT scholarship and JASSO support for international students.

Japanese language schools

Many people start with 1 to 2 years at a language school on a Student visa before moving on to university or work. Choose a school accredited by the Ministry of Justice and check its visa support record.

Opening an account

You usually need:

• Your residence card showing your registered address
• A Japanese phone number
• Sometimes your My Number and an employer letter or student ID
• A personal seal (hanko) at some branches, though signatures are increasingly accepted

Some banks require you to have lived in Japan for 6 months before opening an account, so check in advance.

Popular banks

• Japan Post Bank (Yucho): branches in every post office, easy for newcomers.
• MUFG, SMBC and Mizuho: the three megabanks with large ATM networks.
• Sony Bank, Rakuten Bank and SBI Sumishin Net Bank: online banks with good apps and some English support.

Payments

Cash is still common in small shops and restaurants, but cards, IC cards and QR payments such as PayPay are now widely accepted. Convenience store ATMs (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) usually accept foreign cards.

Sending money

Wise, Revolut and bank transfers are common for international transfers. Remittance services will ask for your My Number.

Tax basics

Employers withhold income tax monthly and adjust it at year end (nenmatsu chosei). Freelancers must file a return between mid-February and mid-March.

Your residence obligations

• Carry your residence card at all times. Police can ask to see it, and failing to show it is an offence.
• Report changes of address, employer or school within 14 days.
• Renew your status before it expires, and get a re-entry permit (or use the special re-entry permit) when leaving temporarily.

Drugs and medicines

Japan has very strict drug laws. Possession of even small amounts of cannabis can lead to arrest, detention and deportation. Some over-the-counter medicines sold abroad, including certain decongestants containing pseudoephedrine, are banned. Large quantities of prescription medicine may require a Yakkan Shoumei import certificate.

Work rules

Only do work allowed by your status of residence. Students and dependants need permission for part-time jobs and are limited to 28 hours a week.

Everyday rules

• Smoking is banned indoors in most public places and on many streets. Use designated smoking areas.
• The legal age for drinking and smoking is 20. The age of majority is 18.
• Riding a bicycle while using a phone, holding an umbrella or after drinking is illegal, and blue-ticket fines for cyclists started in 2026.

If you are arrested

Suspects can be held for up to 23 days before charges. You have the right to a lawyer and to contact your embassy.

Entering Japan

Citizens of more than 70 countries and regions, including the UK, US, Canada, Australia and most of the EU, can enter visa-free as temporary visitors, usually for up to 90 days. You cannot work on this status. Other nationalities need a visa from a Japanese embassy or consulate, and some can apply online through the eVISA system.

• Complete immigration and customs forms online in advance through Visit Japan Web to speed up arrival.
• Keep your passport with you while travelling; hotels must record it.

Getting around as a visitor

• Shinkansen for long distances, and regional rail passes for specific areas.
• Suica, PASMO or ICOCA IC cards for local trains and buses.
• Domestic flights for Hokkaido, Okinawa and remote islands.

Popular destinations

Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Nara, Hokkaido and Okinawa are the classic highlights. For quieter trips, try Kanazawa, Takayama, Shikoku or the Tohoku region.

Seasons and timing

Spring (cherry blossom) and autumn (colourful leaves) are beautiful but busy. Golden Week (late April to early May), Obon (mid-August) and New Year are peak domestic travel periods, so book early.