Question:
Besides the normal English teaching job, what else is available to us foreigners? I know that companies prefer natives over foreigners, so what other options do we have?
Answer:
a) Foreign Salaried Employees
Increasingly, Japanese companies have begun to realize that it makes sense to hire foreigners alongside their Japanese staff. International blue-chip companies like Toyota, Fujitsu, Sony and others have been doing this for many years and now the movement has caught on with other large corporations and even some small and medium sized firms.
In order to be hired as a regular employee (sei-shain) or contract employee (keiyaku shain) a high Japanese language level is often required. Why? Almost all Japanese corporations use Japanese as their working language at headquarters. In order to communicate you need Japanese. In order to consume the wealth of information available in writing you need Japanese. Thus companies often request that the job seeker has at least reached level 2, preferably level 1 of the Japanese proficiency exam.
b) IT professionals
IT professionals are a category of their own. This is evident from the fact, that you have executive search companies and dispatch agencies solely focused on this sector.
Unique to the IT sector, the Japanese language requirement is waived or even non-existent for some positions. Why? People are hired primarily for their programming skills and not their Japanese interaction skills. Nevertheless, it's always an advantage if you speak the language.
c) R&D positions
To get access to the latest technological developments and brain power, bigger Japanese corporations are gradually opening their doors to foreign researchers.
d) Language teachers
Teaching languages continues to be one of the most popular and easy to get jobs for foreigners in Japan. Contrary to common belief, a teaching qualification is not always required. Many schools simply require a native command of the language. And as schools are constantly on the lookout for teachers, even that requirement has often been downgraded to "native-level". Meaning if you command a decent level of English, even if it's not your mother tongue you are still eligible for many teaching positions so do not hesitate to apply if it says "native-level". Nevertheless, compared to the 80's and 90's the language schools have become more concerned about teaching qualifications. Teaching positions are not just limited to the big five language schools - Nova Co., GEOS Corp., AEON Corp., ECC Co. and Berlitz - that occupy 25% of the market. There are countless medium and smaller-sized schools all trying to get a piece of the JPY 700 billion plus market. And last but not least, many foreigners teach languages in the form of private lessons be it as a side-job or their main activity. Hourly wages start around JPY 1,000 and can go up all the way to JPY 6,000. The average tends to be around JPY 2,500. Many of these lessons take place in fast food joints or coffee shops.
e) Convenience shop attendants and waiters/waitresses
Have you ever noticed how many convenience shops these days have foreign shop attendants? Many of them come from Asia, speak perfect Japanese and if you are not really observant, chances are you haven't noticed them. You would be surprised to realize how common foreigners have become in the Japanese workplace. Convenience stores pay by the hour, usually below JPY 1,000. It's hard work but enables foreigners to turn most of their productive time, even at odd hours, into money.
The situation in restaurants and "izakayas" (Japanese style bars) is similar. The prerequisite is again a very high level of spoken Japanese, although this requirement is of less or no importance when it comes to establishments focusing on foreign clientele. Foreigners from all places are a common sight in restaurants and bars around Roppongi. Although some restaurants might pay up to JPY 2,000 per hour especially for late shifts, the average is again at the JPY 1,000 level.
f) Others: Expatriates
Expatriates often serve as managing directors or senior managers of foreign companies that have business operations in Japan. Usually they have worked a number of years at headquarters of the foreign company before being dispatched to Japan. Because of their management experience they enjoy favorable remuneration packages, often including accommodation, club memberships and a car for private use.
