For the last couple of decades, the international student body in Japan has increased considerably. This is mainly due to the accessibility of the country and the steps taken by the Japanese government to attract foreigners like offering higher standards of living, quality education, high-level working standards, and economic independence.
An additional, important advantage to studying in Japan for higher education is that there are a variety of work opportunities international students can take to support themselves while pursuing their program. Are you interested in that? Read this article to learn about the best ways to work while studying in Japan.
Ways to Work While Studying in Japan
Below, we state the three most common ways for international students to work while studying in Japan.
1. University Assistantships
International students enrolled in a degree program at a Japanese university can apply for university assistantships to be able to work and study at the same time. Student assistantships can include teaching assistants, teaching fellows, or research assistants, and they require you to work specific hours of the week.
The type of university assistantship you can get depends on the university’s requirements for the student’s degree. Generally, undergraduate students may be eligible for some student assistantship programs but for a teaching assistant or research assistant position, Japanese universities often look for graduate students. There are many universities with assistantship programs like Osaka University, Nagoya University, and Tokyo University of Technology.
2. Freelance Jobs
Freelance jobs allow students to work freely from various locations without worrying about transportation expenses. Moreover, the variety of available work is much wider, which makes it easier for anyone to find a job that meets their talents. However, it is important to note that a work permit may be necessary, as you are still – technically – working inside Japan.
Popular freelance jobs include graphic and website design, translation, virtual assistantship, and social media specialist. However, one thing international students should be careful about is the time difference for certain that could be incompatible with your schedule. As your classes should be your priority, arrange your time wisely in order not to fall behind in your classes. Our suggestion is to apply for jobs that do not conflict with your classes. Also, discuss the terms and conditions and notify the recruiters about your class schedule before starting the position.
3. Part-Time Jobs
Working in a part-time job is the most common way to earn a salary for international students. However, the number of such work opportunities available to them depends on their location in Japan. For instance, in more economically developed prefectures like Tokyo, Osaka, or Fukuoka, it is more likely for international students to work in a part-time job while studying.
There are a couple of ways to find a part-time job in Japan but common methods. You may use recruitment websites like GaijinPot, language tutoring websites like Hello-Sensei, or job advert boards at Japanese language schools or universities. Popular part-time jobs in Japan include waiters, receptionists, private tutors, language teachers at English schools, international tour guides, and so on. The salary range depends heavily on the type of job but on average, waiters or bartenders can earn about ¥1,500 ($10) per hour, whereas private tutors can earn up to ¥4,000 ($27) per hour.
FAQs: Working While Studying in Japan
Is there a Work-Study Program in Japan?
No, but international students in Japan can work while studying such as university assistantships (e.g., research assistants or teaching assistants). Such jobs are generally for graduate students who are enrolled in the related field but some positions may accept undergraduate students as well, depending on their skillset.
One Japanese university offering an assistantship program is the Kyoto Pharmaceutical University. It hires graduate students to render teaching or research assistance with an hourly payment of ¥1,000 ($7) to ¥1,300 ($9).
Can You Work in Japan While on A Student Visa?
International students coming to Japan are not allowed to work while studying with only a student visa. They must first obtain a work permit. Application requirements for a work permit include a residence card, passport, and the application form for the permit to work or do activities other than those permitted by the student visa.
Once they have a permit, they can work up to 28 hours per week in a part-time position and support themselves financially. That limitation may be extended to 8 hours per day during summer and winter breaks. Also, you must note that spouses of students cannot work without a permit.
What Are the Benefits of Working While Studying in Japan?
Finding ways to work while studying in Japan has incredible advantages for international students. Firstly, part-time employment provides you with a financial source. It allows you to get in touch with the local community, develop Japanese language skills, and create a valuable network for potential employment opportunities.
In Japan, the most common way to work while studying is to be employed in the following sectors: entertainment, education, hospitality, or assistance. However, while those look many, the actual number of jobs available to a student will differ depending on their language skills. Most part-time jobs are for Japanese speakers, but there are also several opportunities for international students who can speak English, Chinese, Korean, or other languages.
Finding ways to work while studying in Japan will provide you with not just an income, but also experience and opportunities you can use to further your career and personal development. Thus, consider these work opportunities if you’re planning to study in Japan for a while and are looking for ways to find financial support or socialize with different communities.
We hope this article has given you many work options while studying in Japan. However, if you don’t know yet what you are going to study there, check out these Available Programs in Japan! You can also visit our Study in Japan for more articles!
