Japan has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world and a well-documented labor shortage across many sectors. For Filipinos, this creates a genuine window of opportunity, but the process of actually landing a job here is different from what most people expect.
This guide covers the realistic path: what jobs are available, where to look, what employers expect, and what you need to have in place before you start applying.
Before You Start: Get Your Visa Situation Sorted
You cannot legally work in Japan on a tourist visa. This is the most common mistake people make, and it creates problems that are very difficult to undo.
If you are already in Japan on a valid working visa, you can job hunt freely (with some restrictions depending on your visa category). If you are still in the Philippines and looking for a job in Japan, you will need a job offer first. Your employer will then sponsor your work visa from there.
The most common visa categories for Filipino workers are:
- Specified Skilled Worker (SSW / 特定技能): For skilled workers in 12 designated industries including manufacturing, food service, construction, and nursing care. You need to pass a skills test and Japanese language test in most cases.
- Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services: For office-based roles in IT, marketing, translation, and similar work. Usually requires a university degree or equivalent experience.
- Entertainer: For performers, musicians, and those working in entertainment venues. Requirements are strict and POEA regulations apply.
- Nursing Care (介護): For qualified nurses and caregivers, often arranged through the EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement) program.
- Technical Intern Training (TITP) /育成就労 (Ikusei Shuro): The TITP program has been under reform. The new Ikusei Shuro system is being phased in as its replacement. Be sure to ask your recruiter which program they are referring to.
If you are unsure which visa applies to your situation, consult the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Japan or a licensed recruitment agency before proceeding.
Where to Look for Jobs
1. Japan-Based Job Portals
These are the main job listing sites used in Japan. Most have English or multilingual options:
- Indeed Japan: Large volume of listings. Filter by “English OK” or search for roles specifically mentioning Filipino or bilingual candidates.
- GaijinPot Jobs: One of the most popular platforms for foreign job seekers in Japan. Many listings are in English.
- Daijob: Focused on bilingual and international professionals.
- Jobs in Japan: English-language job board with roles across many industries.
- Hello Work (ハローワーク): Japan’s government-run employment service. Free to use and available in Japanese. Staff at some offices can assist in English. Most useful once you are already in Japan.
- Baitoru and Town Work: Good for part-time (arubaito) and short-term roles.
2. POEA-Accredited Recruitment Agencies
If you are applying from the Philippines, going through a legitimate POEA-accredited agency is the safest and most regulated route. Agencies handle the paperwork, coordinate with the Japanese employer, and arrange your job order documentation.
Check the POEA website (poea.gov.ph) to verify that any agency you deal with is legitimately licensed. Never pay placement fees to an agency for Japan-bound jobs. This is illegal under POEA rules.
3. Filipino Community Networks
Many Filipinos in Japan find work through word of mouth, Facebook groups, and community connections. This is especially true for part-time work, domestic jobs, and roles in Filipino-owned businesses.
Look for active groups such as:
- Filipinos in Japan (various Facebook groups organized by region or city)
- OFW Japan community groups
- Prefecture-specific groups (Filipinos in Tokyo, Osaka Filipinos, etc.)
This is not a replacement for formal channels, but it is a real part of how the job market works here.
4. FilipinosInJapan.com Jobs Board
Browse listings on our Jobs board for roles specifically relevant to the Filipino community in Japan, from bilingual positions to care work, food service, and more.
Industries with the Most Openings for Filipinos
Japan’s labor shortage is concentrated in specific sectors. These are the areas where Filipino workers are most in demand:
Nursing and Caregiving (介護 / 看護) Japan’s aging population means demand for care workers is extremely high and growing. Filipino nurses and caregivers have been coming to Japan through the EPA program since 2009. The SSW care visa has also opened new pathways. Japanese language ability at N3 or N4 level is generally required.
Manufacturing and Factory Work This is one of the largest categories for Filipino workers in Japan. SSW visas cover manufacturing of industrial machinery, electronics, food and beverages, and more. Physical stamina matters, and Japanese language ability requirements vary by employer.
Food Service and Restaurants The food service sector is covered under SSW, and there is also a large market for Filipino restaurant workers in both Japanese establishments and Filipino-owned restaurants. Conversational Japanese is usually needed.
Construction Covered under SSW and requires specific skills tests. Some Filipino workers have come through technical intern training in this field and later transitioned to SSW status.
IT and Engineering For degree holders in computer science, engineering, or related fields. Many tech companies in Japan are actively recruiting bilingual (English-Japanese) workers. Japanese language skills are an advantage but not always required at international companies.
Entertainment and Hospitality A long-standing category for Filipino workers in Japan. Requirements around the Entertainer visa are specific. Performers need to meet minimum experience and training criteria set by the Japanese government. Research carefully before pursuing this path.
Bilingual Roles (English-Japanese) Companies dealing with international clients, customer support centers, and translation agencies often look for Filipino workers specifically because of English fluency. BPO-adjacent roles exist in Japan, though less common than in the Philippines.
What Japanese Employers Expect
Job hunting in Japan has its own culture, and understanding it will help you stand out.
The Rirekisho (履歴書) This is the standard Japanese resume form. It follows a specific format and includes your photo, personal details, work history, education, and a self-introduction section. Typed versions are accepted for most modern job applications. Do not submit a Western-style resume unless the job listing specifically asks for a CV in that format.
Attitude and Reliability Japanese employers consistently rank reliability, punctuality, and a cooperative attitude among the most important qualities in a worker. Being able to follow instructions carefully, show up on time, and communicate clearly matters a great deal. In many cases this counts for more than raw qualifications.
Japanese Language Skills For most jobs outside of specialized international roles, some level of Japanese is expected. At minimum, basic workplace communication is needed, such as reading simple notices, greeting customers, and understanding instructions. For client-facing roles or caregiving, N3 or higher is often required. For management-level or office roles, N2 is commonly the threshold.
If your Japanese is limited, be honest about it and show that you are actively studying. Many employers will work with you if they can see genuine effort and a willingness to improve.
Job Interviews Japanese job interviews tend to be more formal than what Filipinos are used to. Dress conservatively (a dark suit is standard for office roles), arrive a few minutes early, and be prepared to explain why you want to work for that specific company. Vague or overly generic answers do not land well here.
Practical Tips Before You Apply
Get your documents ready. You will likely need your passport, residence card (if already in Japan), certificates of employment or graduation, and any relevant licenses or qualifications. Have these translated into Japanese if necessary, as a certified translation is often required.
Check your visa status. If you are already in Japan, confirm whether your current visa allows you to work in the role you are applying for. Changing visa status mid-employment is possible but requires advance planning and immigration paperwork.
Set realistic salary expectations. Wages in Japan vary by region, industry, and company size. Tokyo pays more but costs more too. Research the going rate for your role before negotiating. Minimum wage in Japan is set per prefecture. Check current rates at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare website (mhlw.go.jp).
Use Hello Work if you are already in Japan. Hello Work offices are located in every city and can help you search for work, prepare your resume, and access job training programs. Services are free. Some offices have multilingual support, though availability varies by location.
Be careful of scams. If someone promises you a job in Japan without any interview, asks for large upfront fees, or cannot produce a proper job order and employer information, treat it as a red flag. Legitimate employment arrangements follow proper POEA or immigration procedures.
A Note on Domestic Helpers and “Tourist” Workers
This deserves a direct mention because it comes up often in Filipino communities.
Some Filipinos enter Japan on a tourist or student visa and find informal work as domestic helpers, cleaners, or restaurant workers without a proper work permit. This is illegal under Japanese immigration law and carries serious consequences: deportation, a re-entry ban, and possible impact on future visa applications anywhere in the world.
Japan has become stricter in recent years about overstaying and unauthorized work. The risk is real. No job is worth that outcome. If you want to work in Japan, go through proper channels even if it takes longer.
Useful Resources
- POEA (Philippines Overseas Employment Administration): poea.gov.ph
- POLO Japan (Philippine Overseas Labor Office): polo-japan.org
- Hello Work Japan: hellowork.mhlw.go.jp
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan: moj.go.jp/isa
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (minimum wage and labor rights): mhlw.go.jp
- FilipinosInJapan.com Jobs Board: FilipinosInJapan.com/jobs
