JPN-Journal.com News/Laws for Foreigners Working in Japan.

** Japan News **

Japan to double credit line for troubled JAL | TOKYO (AFP) – The Japanese government agreed Sunday to double a state-funded credit line for troubled Japan Airlines to 200 billion yen (2.2 billion dollars), local news agencies reported. Full coverage


ANA aims for Asian megacarrier status | Yomiuri Shimbun - All Nippon Airways' ambition to become a megacarrier in Asia will become a step closer if it succeeds in taking over many international routes from Japan Airlines, according to industry sources. Full coverage

Audio tours take tourists beyond the surface of Tokyo's top sites | Asahi Shimbun - For first-time foreign visitors, Tokyo can be an overwhelming proposition--an exciting but bamboozling megalopolis difficult to properly appreciate on a short trip, even with the help of a good guidebook. Full coverage

SIA sent wartime records on Koreans | Asahi Shimbun - The Social Insurance Agency sent copies of pension records to the South Korean government for 4,727 Koreans forced to work in Japan during World War II, sources said Tuesday. Full coverage

Crisis deepens for Japan Airlines | Herald Sun - JAPAN Airlines was teetering towards bankruptcy after its shares plunged to a record low in Tokyo trading after it was revealed that a liquidation option was put to creditors. Full coverage

Wendy’s Burger Chain Exits Japan as Customers Queue on Sidewalk | Bloomberg - Wendy’s closes its doors in Japan today after almost 30 years as queues spill onto the sidewalk at some of the hamburger chain’s 71 restaurants. Full coverage

Govt seeks 3% growth over 10 years / New strategy plan to boost demand, jobs | Yomiuri Shimbun - The government of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Wednesday decided the basic policy on a new growth strategy aiming at boosting the growth rate of nominal gross domestic product above 3 percent on average over the decade starting next year. Full coverage

Pensions body faces tough test / Funding for records checks cut; sacked officials planning to sue | Yomiuri Shimbun - Japan Pension Service, an organization set up to take over the work of the Social Insurance Agency, will start operations Friday. Full coverage

FamilyMart acquires am/pm Japan | Kyodo News - Convenience store chain operator FamilyMart Co. has announced that smaller rival am/pm Japan Co. has become its wholly owned subsidiary. Full coverage

SIA to dismiss 525 in largest postwar layoff | Yomiuri Shimbun - The Social Insurance Agency plans to dismiss 525 personnel when it becomes the Japan Pension Agency on Jan. 1, marking the first layoff of government workers since 1964. Full coverage

Tokyo sets up temp facility to aid jobless | Asahi Shimbun - The Tokyo metropolitan government opened a temporary facility Monday to feed and provide shelter to jobless people during the year-end and New Year holidays. Full coverage

Public schools turn to non-Japanese teachers | Yomiuri Shimbun - OSAKA--Third-grade students at Osaka municipal Kita-Nakajima Primary School get insights into culture on the Korean Peninsula that many others do not. Full coverage

Free legal consultation available for foreigners | Yomiuri Shimbun - The Musashino International Association will hold free legal and mental consultations for non-Japanese on Jan. 22 in Musashino, western Tokyo. Full coverage

McDonalds Japan To Launch 4 'Big America' Burgers In 2010 | Inventor Spot - McDonald's Quarter Pounder has been a heavy hit for McDonalds Japan so the company is going all out to expand the appeal of this very American burger. Full coverage

Japan's outstanding debt to rise to record 862 tril. yen in FY 2010 | AP - The outstanding balance of state and local government debt as of the end of fiscal 2010 is expected to rise to a record-high 862 trillion yen, the highest level among major economies, as the government plans to issue a total of 162.41 trillion yen worth of bonds in the year through March 2011, the government said Friday. Full coverage

IN THE NEWS / Teaching Japanese to France's future | Yomiuri Shimbun - PARIS--For 22 years, Yoko Ishii has taught Japanese at an elite national science and technology school outside of Paris, during which she has come to be known by the about 700 students who have studied under her as "everybody's mother." Full coverage

Town hall now L. American school | Yomiuri Shimbun - HAMAMATSU, Shizuoka--A former town hall in Hamamatsu is being reborn as a school for Latin American children, whose present school building is small, old and has a leaky roof, and recession-caused financial difficulties prevent upkeep. Full coverage

Core CPI down for 9th month | Yomiuri Shimbun - The key consumer price index fell 1.7 percent in November from a year earlier, the ninth straight month of annual decline, the government said Friday, highlighting deflationary pressure on the economy. Full coverage

Economic growth remains uncertain | Yomiuri Shimbun - The government on Friday issued a forecast of the nation's first economic expansion in three years for fiscal 2010, but there is uncertainty about whether such growth can be achieved as business sentiment among large companies worsened in the latest quarter. Full coverage

Jobless rate rises to 5.2% | Yomiuri Shimbun - The nation's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in November rose 0.1 percentage point to 5.2 percent from the previous month, the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry said Friday. Full coverage

Taxes to rise by 980 billion yen | Asahi Shimbun - Tax reforms for fiscal 2010 approved by the Cabinet on Tuesday will lead to an annual tax increase of 980 billion yen, part of which will come from a steep tobacco tax hike. Full coverage

U.S. colleges losing allure for Japanese students | Asahi Shimbun - For decades, the United States was the hip destination of choice for Japanese wanting to study abroad. Full coverage

Shift in demographic challenges night schools | Asahi Shimbun - With a newfound joy of learning, Shigeru Kawakami always arrives at least 30 minutes early for his 5 p.m. class at a junior high school in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture. Full coverage

Jobless facing tough new year / No work on the horizon as unemployment benefits run out | Yomiuri Shimbun - OSAKA--Many of the people who lost their jobs following the collapse of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. last autumn have been unable to find new work, and their unemployment benefits have run out. Full coverage

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Non-Japanese Nationals in Japan

Non-Japanese nationals in Japan are frequently referred to as "gai-jin," short for "gaikoku-jin" composed of "gaikoku" (foreign country) and "jin" (person). The word has often been the subject of debate as to its appropriateness, particularly in its shortened form.

In 2005, a United Nations report expressed concerns about the racism in Japan due to the government's lack of recognition and attention to the depth of the problem. The report, based on a nine-day investigation of several Japanese cities and meeting with minorities groups and tourism slums, concluded that racial discrimination and xenophobia in Japan primarily affects three groups: national minorities, descendants of former Japanese colonies and foreigners from other Asian countries.

In recent years as the term gai-jin has become somewhat politically incorrect, it has become common to refer to non-East Asians non-Japanese nationals as gaikoku-jin while more culturally similar Chinese are referred to as "Chugoku-jin" (Chinese person), Koreans as "Kankoku-jin" (South Korean person), Taiwanese as "Taiwan-jin" (Taiwan person), and North Koreans as "Chosen-jin" (North Korean person).

As shown in table below, those from Korea and China combined represent more than half of foreign population in Japan (data does not include about 50,000 U.S. soldiers stationed in Japan and illegal immigrants). Together with Brazilians and Filipinos, they represent the four largest foreign minority groups residing in Japan.

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Work in Japan

The number of foreign nationals working in Japan has been increasing year after year due to the combination of aging society and lack of skilled workers.

Japan's employment market is sufferring shortages of workers in manual/low skill workers, biotechnology specialists, entrepreneurs, IT engineers, accountants, lawyers barred in Japan and lawyers with a technical background, insurance specialists, and bi-linguals capable of working in international operations of Japanese companies or within foreign affiliated companies.

Despite many challenges, working in Japan can be both rewarding and exciting and many forigners reap the benefits of working in Japan. To get yourself started you should first settle your social infrastructures: employment, visa, and tax.

Foreign nationals wishing to engage in paid activities in Japan must first obtain a visa allowing them to work in Japan. It is illegal to engage in any paid activities on a tourist visa and those arrested are subject to deportation.

Having a job offer in Japan is often a prerequisite for successfully applying for most types of working visa. There are several routes to obtaining a working visa in Japan.
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Employment


Corporate Internal Transfer

Those already employed by a multi-national company may be eligible to apply for assignments in Japan. Many global firms such as Citi Group, American Express, Deloitte, General Electric, and Philips Electronics have significant operations in Japan and internal transfers are available for qualified professionals.


Public Employment Security Office

Public Employment Security Office (PESO) provides foreign nationals job opening information, vocational counseling, and other employment services.

There are 601 PESO offices located in major municipalities throughout Japan. "Employment Service Corner for Foreign Workers" provides interpreters and is available in some PESOs for those not comfortable with the Japanese language.

"Employment Service Center for Foreigners" in Tokyo and Osaka offer foreign university graduates and foreigners with special knowledge and skills with various employment services.

Further, Japanese descent foreigners can visit "NIKKEIS" in Tochigi Labour Bureau PESO Utsunomiya, Gunma Labour Bureau PESO Oota, Chiba Labour Bureau PESO Chiba, Shizuoka Labour Bureau PESO Hamamatsu, Aichi Labour Bureau Nagoya Gaikokujin job Center, and Osaka Labour Bureau Osaka Employment Service Center for Foreigners, and the Center of Information and Support for Foreign Workers (CIATE) In Sao Paulo, Brazil for employment services in Japan.


Private Employment Agencies

Many private employment service agencies dedicate to serving foreign nationals in Japan. These private employment service agencies are in no way related to PESO or any other government agencies.

When searching for a job in Japan through private employment service agencies, it is important to use full caution not to fall prey to illegal employment brokers. Dispatching workers to employers or providing placement service without authorization is illegal in Japan.

Links to several private employment service agencies are posted to the right.


New Hire after Graduation from a Japanese College/University

Each year usually beginning in fall, many Japanese companies conduct recruiting events on campuses, at corporate headquarters, and at hotels and conference centers. Students graduating in the near months and often a year ahead are eligible to participate. Those interested in the company submit their resume to enroll in the formal recruiting process. Foreign nationals are not barred from the process.
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Visa

There are three general categories of visas permitting foreign nationals to work in Japan: Diplomat Visa, Official Visa, and Working Visa. Diplomat and official visas are issued to those to be engaged in diplomatic and official businesses of foreign governments, respectively, and in most cases are not applicable to private individuals.

Working visa applicable to private individuals is divided into detailed sub-categories depending on the field of profession/activity. Holders of working visa are not permitted to work outside of the fields defined by their visa.

Permanent Resident, Spouse/Child of Japanese National, Spouse/Child of Permanent Resident, and Long Term Resident of Japan are allowed to engage in any paid activity regardless of the professional field.

Student visa holders are not allowed to engage in paid activities, unless they obtain the permission of their school and the immigration office. Students may engage in paid activities upon being granted these permissions. It is important to note, however, that the number or hours students may work y work per week is limited.

Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Korea, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Ireland between the ages of 18 and 30 may also apply for a working holiday visa to work in Japan for up to a year.
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Tax

On November 19, 2007, Mercer, a global consulting firm, released its 2007 Worldwide Individual Tax Comparator Report ranking 32 countries focusing on personal tax structures, average salaries, and marital status.

According to the report, Japan ranked 14th place with 24.3 percent taxes and 75.7 percent of gross pay to take home for singles, 11th place with 22.9 percent taxes and 77.1 percent of gross pay to take home for married couple with no children, and 9th with 20.1 percent taxes and 79.9 percent of gross pay to take home for married couple with two children.

Japan's tax structures in terms of its attractiveness to individuals ranked nearly equal to that of the United States and ahead of many European countries.

Withheld from gross pay are national income tax, local inhabitant tax, health insurance premium, long-term care insurance premium, unemployment insurance premium, and pension insurance premium.

Individual income tax returns are due on or before March 15th of each year. Failure to file and/or pay by the statutory due date may result in imposition of penaly and interest.

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Takeyachi Chiropractic Center is a chiropractic clinic directed by orthopedic doctor. We are experts in treating symptoms of low back pain, neck / shoulder pain and stiffness, headaches and herniated discs.
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Weather Forecast | Weather Maps | Weather Radar
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Kurata International Labor Management Consultant is run by Mr. Tetsuro Kurata, a registered Certified Social Insurance and Labor Consultant. Born in Hyogo prefecture and graduated from Yokohama City University. Mr. Kurata has global business experience in US based large scale manufacturing company. Today, Mr. Kurata dedicates to serving foreign affiliated companies.

Yamamoto Immigration & Labor Consulting Office is run by Mr. Nobuyuki Yamamoto, a dual professional. He is a registered Gyoseishoshi Lawyer and a registered Certified Social Insurance and Labor Consultant. He received his Master's degree from International Relations University of San Diego. After working for a U.S. financial services provider, Mr. Yamamoto established his practice.

Sugimura Certified Social Insurance and Labor Consultant Office is run by Mr. Takuya Sugimura, a registered Certified Social Insurance and Labor Contultant. Born in Ooita prefecture and holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Politics from Meiji University. Mr. Sugimura has years of experience with the employment and social insurance legal services division at Grant Thornton, world's fifth largest accounting firm. His practice areas include payroll calculation, compliance with social insurance and various employment related regulations, consultation on employer-employee matters, drafting employment handbooks, and designing compensation structures.
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Masae Nishio Certified Social Insurance and Labor Consultant Office is run by Ms. Masae Nishio, a registered Certified Social Insurance and Labor Consultant. Born in Fukuoka prefecture, she holds a Bachelor's degree in English literature from Seinan Gakuin University. After 30 years of experience in the service industry where she mastered the essence of communication between people of all cultures, she stepped up to challenge for the legal profession. And she will stand up for her clients at anytime and at all cost.

Wakamatsu Labor Consulting Office is run by Ms. Eri Wakamatsu, a dual professional. She is a registered Gyoseishoshi Lawyer and a registered Certified Social Insurance and Labor Consultant. Born in Nagasaki prefecture, her career includes Sony EMCS Corp., STMicroelectronics, General Electric Company, and other foreign based companies where she was responsible for the hiring of experienced personnel and other human resource operations.

Oshima Jimusho Social Insurance Specialist / Administrator is run by Mr. Oshima Kazuhiko, a dual professional. He is a registered Gyoseishoshi Lawyer and a registered Certified Social Insurance and Labor Consultant. Born in Okayama prefecture, he holds a Bachelor's degree in economics from Kwansai Gakuin University. His firm, established in 1986, is now in its 21st year of operation. Mr. Oshima is an active participant in Okayama prefecture's professional club and has wide networks.
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Private Employment Service Agencies


Job site for Bilingual professionals and International-minded individuals.


Information on bilingual employment in Japan for bilingual Japanese and English speakers, plus an invaluable resource for foreigners Living and Working in Japan.


Exclusively for people who want to work in Japan. Job seekers can also register from outside Japan.


Going Global includes world-wide job openings, internship listing, industry profiles and country-specific career and employment information.


Whether you're searching for your dream job or looking to recruit the ideal person for your business, then we can help. At Michael Page we've been bringing job seekers and employers together for more than 30 years.


Recruitment agency with 19 years of trust in Japan. A network linking seven domestic branch offices and six countries worldwide.


The programme offers university graduates the opportunity to serve in local government organizations as well as public and private primary, junior high and senior high schools.


Many foreign students choose to do part-time work to help pay their tuition or living expenses. In fact, seven out of ten foreign students are engaged in some type of part-time work in Japan.


New overseas jobs listings arriving daily - Our listings are updated 24/7/365 - Overseas jobs available in nations around the world.


Short to medium term language and cultural exchange programs for tertiary and secondary educational institutions throughout Asia, predominantly Japan and Hong Kong.


Job Seek Japan's full-featured job site is the Web's most-visited free source of Japan-based employment information.


HOTJOBSJAPAN is a staffing agency in Japan, placing foreign workers in Japanese companies. Currently we are seeking candidates for the positions of language teachers, translators, and IT engineers.


KOPRA strives for improving mutual understanding between Europe and the region of East Asia through international internship exchange.
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What some have to say about Japan

>Japan without the sugar
"There ain't no samurai, there are few geisha, Japanese are not the most polite people in the world. In practice, there is no special love nor care for nature, nor are they uniquely unique. Sorry, but the sugar-coated Japan of Edwin O. Reischauer does not now, and never has existed."

>Observing Japan
Observations of Japanese and international politics by a (newly) former aide to a member of the Japanese Diet.

>One Life Japan
Partners-in-life Kevin and Tomoe have been bike-touring Japan together since 2001, with a passion for finding ways to live a healthy, fulfilling, fun, learningful, and sustainable lifestyle with a close connection to community, and the environment. Their story, about real-life experiences of the natural, cultural, and historical beauty - not to mention incredible hospitality - that Japan has to offer, is told from a seat of a 18 km/hr bycicle.

>thE qUirKY jaPan HomEPage
Are you tired of shrines and temples, reconstructed ferro-concrete castles and tea ceremonies? Do you like to get off the beaten track? Would you like to meet Japanese people who do not meet the conformist stereotype? Japan, behind the conservative grey suits and formal bows, is a country quirkier than you can ever imagine.

>What Japan Thinks
From kimono to keitai; research Japanese facts and figures through translated opinion polls and surveys.