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Recommended for foreigners! Explanation of types, occupations, and qualifications for factory jobs in Japan.

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Factory jobs in Japan are relatively easy to find, even for foreigners who have just arrived in Japan and do not yet have the skills or experience. Many factory jobs can be challenging even for inexperienced workers, and are also opportunities for foreigners to play an active role. Japan has a declining birthrate and an aging population, and it is expected that there will continue to be a shortage of labor, especially in the manufacturing industry. Therefore, factory work is an attractive option for foreigners who want to work in Japan.

This article details the types of factory jobs available to foreigners living in Japan, job descriptions, annual income information that may be of interest, qualifications useful for factory work, and how to find a job. If you are interested in factory work, please refer to this article.

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What is a factory job in Japan?

Types of factory jobs in Japan include product assembly and manufacturing, inspection and testing, and machine operation. All of these jobs play an important role in the manufacturing industry. Let's take a closer look at the job description, required skills, and annual salary for each.

Assembly and manufacturing

These jobs involve assembling and manufacturing products such as machinery, electronics, and food products. Some products require a certain level of specialized skills, but many of the tasks are relatively simple and can be started with no experience. The average annual salary is around 4.61 million yen for full-time employees. The overall salary range is relatively narrow, from 2.56 to 5.2 million yen, and there seems to be little difference depending on the place of work, experience, and required skills.

Reference:Mechanical Assembler Job Annual Income, Hourly Wage, and Salary｜Job Box

Inspection and testing

This job involves checking manufactured products for defects or abnormalities. Although inspection methods vary depending on the type of product, visual inspections are the main focus, so concentration is required. The average annual salary for metal inspectors is about 4.21 million yen, which is about average among factory jobs.

Reference:Inspector (Industrial Products)｜jobtag

operator

This job involves operating and managing machines and equipment in factories. The level of knowledge and skills required differs depending on the type of machinery, but many of them can be started with basic operations, making this job an easy challenge even for inexperienced workers. The average annual salary is about 4.72 million yen, which is slightly higher than other factory jobs.

Reference:Machine Operator Jobs - Annual Income, Hourly Wage and Salary - Job Box

Types of factories recommended for foreigners

Japan is home to many different types of factories, including those for automobiles, electrical appliances, and food products. As labor shortages become more serious in the manufacturing industry, foreign nationals are finding more and more opportunities to play an active role. Let's take a look at the types of factories that are especially recommended for non-Japanese workers.

1. automobile

Japan is one of the world's leading automobile nations, with Toyota Motor Corporation at the helm and numerous other automakers' plants located throughout the country. Automobile manufacturing processes are wide-ranging and include a variety of processes from parts processing to assembly and inspection. The automobile assembly process, in particular, is centered on attaching parts one after another to car bodies placed on conveyor belts, making it easy for inexperienced workers to take on this challenge. The average annual income of full-time employees in automobile factories is about 4.6 million yen, which is a relatively high level of income among factories.

Reference:High annual salary in a car factory! How much money can you make? | Baitoru Magazine BOMS

2. electrical appliances and electronic equipment

Jobs in electronics factories for electrical appliances, smartphones, and other electronic devices are recommended for people who are good at detailed work since they handle precision machinery and semiconductors. You can work even with no experience, but it is advantageous to have qualifications such as a machining technician. The average annual salary, for example, is approximately 3 to 4 million yen at a semiconductor manufacturing plant. Some factories require workers to work night shifts, and if late-night pay, rent subsidies, and other benefits are taken into account, the income will be relatively high.

Reference:What is a semiconductor manufacturing plant? Job description, salary and other attractions! | Kojob

3. food products

Food factories, such as bread, confectionery, and processed foods, are also good places for foreigners to work. Food factories are characterized by the fact that thorough hygiene management is of utmost importance, and food ingredients are processed and products are packed in a clean environment. There are many workplaces where even inexperienced workers can work, but one thing to keep in mind is hygiene. Japanese food factories have a high level of hygiene management even by global standards, so it is important to follow the rules carefully. The average annual salary for full-time employees is 4.74 million yen, which is a high level salary for a factory job.

Reference:Annual salary, hourly wage, and salary for food factory related jobs｜Job Box

4. plastic

Plastic products are used in a wide range of fields, from daily necessities to industrial parts, so there is a wide variety of jobs in plastics factories. The main work involves molding products using injection molding machines and other equipment and finishing the molded products. There are many jobs in plastic factories where you can work with no experience, so this is a good place to work for foreigners interested in factory work. The average annual salary for full-time employees is about 3.98 million yen.

Reference:Plastic Molding Jobs - Annual Income, Hourly Wages, and Salaries - Job Box

5. ceramics

Ceramic is a material made by baking and hardening clay and other raw materials at high temperatures. It is used in a wide variety of products, including tableware, electronic components, and automotive parts. There are various types of jobs at ceramic factories along the manufacturing process, from raw material preparation to molding, firing, inspection, and finishing. There is no detailed data on the average annual salary of ceramic factory workers, but it is generally considered to be about the same as other factory jobs.

6. other work

In addition to the above, there are many other factory jobs where foreigners can work easily. Examples are factories for glass products, paper products, and rubber products. All of these are relatively simple tasks in the manufacturing industry, and it is easy to find a job without special experience or skills.

  • glass
  • Paper and cardboard
  • Chemicals & Additives
  • rubber goods

In the next section, we will discuss the qualifications recommended for foreign nationals working in factories. You can start working in a factory with no experience, but by acquiring specialized qualifications, you can aim to increase your skills as well as your income.

Qualifications for foreign nationals working in factories

Special qualifications are not necessarily required for factory jobs. However, acquiring specialized qualifications has the advantage of broadening the scope of your work and increasing your chances for career advancement. Here are some factory-related qualifications recommended for foreign nationals.

1. crane operator

A crane operator certification is required to operate cranes used in factories and construction sites. Since crane operations are common in factory work, obtaining this certification will give you an advantage in finding a job. The average annual income of crane operators is about 3.84 million yen, and you can expect to increase your income if you make use of your qualifications. Foreigners with Japanese language proficiency of N3 or above in the Japanese Language Proficiency Test are eligible to take the classroom and practical training courses required to obtain the certification.

Reference:Annual salary, hourly wage, and salary for crane operator related jobs｜Job Box

2. ball-hanging operator

Slingshotting is the process of properly attaching a load to a sling using a wire rope or other means when lifting an object with a crane. Hanging operations are just as important as crane operation and cannot be performed without certification. Anyone over the age of 18 can become certified as a sling operator, and both a classroom course and a practical skills course are required. The average annual salary for a sling operator is 4,330,000 yen, and the longer one has been with the company, the higher the annual salary tends to be. If you acquire this qualification along with the crane operator's qualification, you will have more opportunities to play an active role in the factory workforce.

Reference:What is "slinging"? Necessary qualifications, examinations, and suitable candidates

3. other recommended qualifications

There are many other qualifications that are useful for factory work. For example, certifications related to specialized tasks such as machining, electronics assembly, and welding. These certifications can help you get a more specialized job, such as operating machinery or assembling products. Some certifications are expensive and time-consuming to obtain, but they are recommended for those who want to improve their skills.

  • Machining Technician
  • Electronic Assembly Technician
  • Semi-automatic welding technician
  • Proficiency testing (metal stamping, machine inspection, finishing, machine maintenance, electronics assembly, etc.)

Now that you understand the qualifications for factory jobs, let's look at how to actually search for jobs. With the development of the Internet, it is now possible to search for jobs by specifying detailed criteria such as job type and location.

How to find factory jobs in Japan

If you are looking for factory jobs, we recommend using specialized job sites that specialize in factory jobs. Of these, we especially recommend "Factory Job Navi" and "Kojob".

FACTORY JOB NAVI is a job site operated by NISSO KOSAN, a pioneer in manufacturing-related human resource services. The site features a large number of jobs with favorable conditions, such as dormitory facilities, no dormitory fees, and weekends off. The site also offers a wide variety of jobs from major manufacturers, and you can find permanent jobs as well. Nisso Kosan has more than 50 offices nationwide and a meticulous support system, so you can expect a safe and secure working environment.

Another recommendation is Kojob. This site also specializes in only factory and manufacturing jobs, and is designed to make it easy for job seekers to find work. Many jobs offer good benefits, such as free dormitory expenses, a gift for joining the company, and daily/weekly pay. The site covers a wide range of job types, from processing and assembly to inspection, painting, and light work, making it easy to find a job that suits you.

If you are looking for a factory job, please check out "Factory Job Navi" and "Kojob". With a wealth of job information and a generous support system, they are sure to help foreign nationals find employment. For more information on each, please click on the links below.

The site is full of jobs with high income and dormitory facilities!
Factory-based job information job siteFactory Job Navigator

【 Kow Job 】 Job site specializing in factory and manufacturing jobs

That's all for how to find factory jobs, but if you would like more detailed information on finding a job in Japan, check out this article.
▶︎The Complete Guide to Finding a Job in Japan! Finding a job, changing jobs, and part-time work for foreigners

What is the future of Japanese factories?

Japan's manufacturing industry faces a major challenge of labor shortages due to the declining birthrate and aging population. In particular, many local factories are facing serious labor shortages, and expectations for foreign workers are increasing. The government is also actively promoting the acceptance of foreign workers, and in April 2019, a new status of residence, "specified technical skill," was established.

It is expected that the number of foreigners working in Japanese factories will further increase in the future. As the manufacturing industry becomes increasingly globalized, it is essential for Japanese factories to accept foreign workers and create an environment where a diverse range of human resources can play an active role. For foreign nationals, jobs in Japanese factories will become an increasingly attractive option.

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summary

Factory work in Japan is an easy occupation for even inexperienced foreigners to take on, and it offers promising prospects. There are many different types of factories, such as automobile, electrical appliance, and food, so it is easy to find a job that suits your interests and aptitude.

Obtaining qualifications useful for factory work will increase your skills as well as your chances of increasing your income. There are many qualifications that can be obtained in a relatively short period of time, such as crane operator and sling operator.

The number of non-Japanese who wish to work in factories in Japan is increasing every year, and the opportunities for success are expected to expand further in the future. We hope that you will be able to demonstrate your abilities in the field of manufacturing and realize a fulfilling life in Japan.

These are the types of factories recommended for foreigners, but there are many other types of work available for foreigners who cannot speak Japanese, in addition to factories. Tokyo, in particular, is accepting more and more foreign workers, and there are jobs available even for those who are not comfortable with their language skills.

The following article details jobs available in Tokyo for foreigners who do not speak much Japanese. Please check it out.
▶︎ What kind of jobs are available in Tokyo for foreigners who cannot speak Japanese? Explanation of the work process

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