Do i need a temporary work permit to work in tokyo?

Question:

in between semesters i wanted to travel to tokyo. if i had enough money i would just stay there as a vacation. but i will have to work there if i want to stay in tokyo for a while. i wanted to bartend but i'm not familiar w/ working outside the country. i would need a work permit to work in tokyo, right? also, do most people in tokyo now speak english? i'm afraid i wont be able to bartend w/o being fluent in japanese. thanks for your feedback.

Answer:

It depends on what country you are from. If you are from say the UK, Canada or Australia you can get a working holiday visa. The united states DOES NOT have a working holiday visa agreement with Japan.

Also for Tokyo, you can get work in bars etc in Roppongi for example for just speaking English. My old roommate (UK-Working holiday) did just that. Of course it is pretty hard, but since so many foreigners illogically left Japan because of "radiation" there might be a job somewhere available.