6 Best Work From Home Jobs in Japan for Foreigners

Working from home, aka remote work, has become increasingly accepted in Japan.

While the number of Japanese companies that allow work from home might not compare to Western companies, employees who want to work remotely are in a better position now than 5 years ago.

If you're a foreigner living in Japan and are (a) looking for a job that pays well (b) want to work from home so you can live anywhere in Japan, check out the job list below for the best WFH jobs in Japan. 

1. Language instructor 

If you like to teach a language that you're excellent at, being an online language instructor is the best way. 

According to Japan Today, Japanese people face challenges in learning English, although people want to learn English, and the subject is mandatory in school. Japan is falling behind its neighboring countries, Korea and China, regarding English proficiency. 

The reasons leading to the low English proficiency in Japan include:

• Curriculum design—The curriculum is designed to test students' ability to remember rather than use the language effectively. For instance, the required test for Japanese Teachers of English focuses on grammar and vocabulary. 

• Inefficient textbooks—Many foreign language teachers criticized their students' textbooks, citing various issues, including content and grammatical mistakes. Many people questioned the grammar contained, doubting that some are not native English.

• Wrong focus—The focus of using English is directed to the ability to translate it back to Japanese. Most English classes use mainly the Japanese language as an instruction method. Students lack the opportunity to use English in the class. 

Hence, knowing that Japanese students need to have more conversation practice with a native speaker in the language they'd like to learn, you can grab your chance!  

Some of the perks of being an online instructor: 

• Free to choose the working hours and rate, depending on the website you register on. 

• Avoid the hassles and expenses of commuting. 

• Customize the curriculum according to your client's learning style and level. 

• Able to juggle between jobs. 

• Ability to freelance and gain your own client lineup.

Average salary range: 2000 to 5000 yen per hour for online classes

2. Translator and interpreter

Being a freelance translator or interpreter in Japan is a great idea. Many Japanese companies that want to go global with their businesses are seeking out bilingual foreigners. 

You also have an advantage if you're already in Japan and applying for the job since most firms prefer to work with translators or interpreters who reside in the same time zone and are available for in-person meetings for urgent deadlines. 

Average salary range: 400,000 to 600,000 per month.

3. Software engineer

Many Japanese companies are outsourcing their IT human resources to online freelancers. 

One of the reasons for outsourcing is to reduce the cost of human resource management. According to Japan-Dev, an IT Japanese company may have to pay high costs to bring in a foreign engineer who is good at their job. The costs include visa sponsorship, relocation assistance, and language training. 

Therefore, if you have a unique set of IT skills, you can apply for jobs on online websites for freelance work or full-time positions. Since you can do your job remotely, the company may give you options to work from home. 

The Japanese ability you need for a job such as this one is typically quite low to non-existent or where you only need to know individual words to get by.

Average salary range: 400,000 to 700,000 yen per month

4. Customer support

Japanese small and mid-sized companies are still looking for multilingual customer support solutions. As businesses are expanding internationally, they need to have a team of customer support specialists who can respond in multiple languages, such as Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, English, etc. 

If you have N2, that will also help with your job application, but it isn't always necessary, depending on the employer.

While Japanese businesses are famous for their customer service, not all businesses step up to ensure the service is available for all customers besides their Japanese customers. However, there is an ongoing change in this matter. More companies are making a move for a global change: especially SaaS (Software as a Service) and tech companies. 

Why not try searching for remote customer support or technical support work? 

Average salary range: 250,000 to 400,000 yen per month

5. Recruitment consultant

As long as you have a good internet connection and qualified skills in recruitment, you can work for firms in talent acquisition.

Recruitment consulting is a perfect job for working remotely, especially if you are bilingual and can conduct interviews with candidates worldwide.

The differences in time zone may be an issue for you to work in the office. However, in the comfort of your home, it can be easier to schedule meetings and interviews that work best for you.  

Average salary range: 500,000 to 900,000 yen

6. Virtual assistant

Many small business owners seek a virtual assistant to save time dealing with administrative tasks and data entry. 

If you can dedicate a few hours per day or a full-time workday, and find yourself good at the following tasks, consider being a virtual assistant a good choice. 

• Bilingual ability (for example, English and Japanese) 

• Event planning 

• Restaurant booking 

• Social media 

• Travel booking 

• Basic accounting and bookkeeping 

• Document translation

• Live message support 

• Data entry

Average salary range: 350,000 to 500,000 yen per month

Frequently asked questions

Can foreigners work from home in Japan?

Foreigners can work from home in Japan if the company they are working for has allowed this stipulation in their contract or if the foreigner is a sole proprietor and is responsible for their own work hours.

What types of work-from-home jobs are available in Japan for foreigners?

Popular work-from-home jobs in Japan include customer support, bilingual virtual assistant support, English teaching, recruitment consulting, IT or software engineer jobs, etc.

Do I need to know Japanese to work from home in Japan?

Some online jobs in Japan require little Japanese ability, such as English teaching or customer support for an English hotline. Other jobs require some level of Japanese ability.

What are the legal requirements for foreigners working from home in Japan?

Foreigners working from home in Japan must have a visa that allows them to work in the category that they are interested in working in. We would recommend consulting with an immigration lawyer for accurate advice on the matter.

How can I find work-from-home jobs in Japan for foreigners?

There are various online job sites that provide info on jobs in Japan for foreigners. These include Gaijinpot.com and Jobs in Japan.

Are there any cultural considerations when working remotely for a Japanese company?

Check out our article on working with Japanese colleagues!

In closing

Working from home has opened up many opportunities for freelancers to find suitable employment. If you are up for it, you can also try starting an online business in Japan.

If you're looking for jobs in Japan that will allow you the flexibility to work remotely and explore Japan beyond Tokyo, consider the categories listed in this article.