What Japanese factory jobs are recommended for foreigners? Explanation of job types, qualifications, etc.

Japanese factory jobs are relatively easy to find even for foreigners who have just arrived in Japan and have no skills or experience yet. In this article, we will explain recommended factory jobs for foreigners living in Japan, as well as recommended qualifications that are useful for working in factories.

What is the work in Japanese factories?
Types of work at Japanese factories include assembly/manufacturing, inspection/inspection, and operator work. Learn about each job and the skills required.
Assembly/manufacturing
Assembling machines and manufacturing food products are orthodox jobs in factories. There are jobs that require skills, such as assembling electronic equipment, and there are also light jobs that are easy to work even without experience.
Inspection/Inspection
One of the main tasks of the factory is inspection and inspection to confirm that there are no defects or abnormalities in the manufactured products. Inspection/inspection is a job that requires concentration, as it is necessary to identify defects in the product. For example, the annual salary for a metal inspector is approximately 3.97 million yen.
Source: What is the job content of a metal inspector? What is your annual income? https://job-con.jp/guide/navi151
operator
An operator is someone who operates machines used in a factory. There are simple operations that anyone can perform, and there are also advanced operations that require knowledge and experience. The average annual income is approximately 3.35 million yen.
Source: Machine operator job annual salary/hourly wage/salary https://xn--pckua2a7gp15o89zb.com/%E3%83%9E%E3%82%B7%E3%83%B3%E3%82%AA%E3% 83%9A%E3%83%AC%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%E3%81%AE%E5%B9%B4%E5%8F%8E%E3%83% BB%E6%99%82%E7%B5%A6
Recommended factory jobs for foreigners

There are many different types of factory work in Japan, such as automobiles and home appliances. Here we will introduce some that we recommend to foreigners.
car
At an automobile factory, there is work such as making various automobile parts and assembling automobiles from parts. Japan has a large number of automobile factories, so there are many job openings, and it is attractive that there are jobs that can be done even if you do not have high skills. The average annual salary for full-time employees is approximately 4 million yen to 4.5 million yen.
Source: What is the annual salary at an automobile factory ? https://job-con.jp/guide/hatarako62
Electrical appliances/electronic equipment
Work at a factory that manufactures electronic devices such as electrical appliances and smartphones is recommended for people who are good at detailed work as they work with precision machinery and semiconductors. Although you can work without experience, it will be advantageous if you have a qualification such as a machining technician. For example, the average annual salary for a semiconductor chip manufacturing factory is approximately 4.93 million yen.
Source: What is the annual salary of a semiconductor chip manufacturing worker? https://job-con.jp/guide/navi134
food
When working in a food factory producing bread or processed foods, it is important to be careful about hygiene. Although it is possible to work at a food factory without experience, it is advantageous to have qualifications such as hygiene management. The average annual salary for full-time employees is approximately 3.91 million yen.
Source: Annual salary/hourly wage/salary for food factory jobs https://xn--pckua2a7gp15o89zb.com/%E9%A3%9F%E5%93%81%E5%B7%A5%E5%A0%B4%E3% 81%AE%E5%B9%B4%E5%8F%8E%E3%83%BB%E6%99%82%E7%B5%A6
plastic
Plastic is used in a variety of products, so there are many jobs in factories that manufacture it. There are many job openings for people with no experience, so it can be said that this is a job that is easier for foreigners to work in. The average annual salary for full-time employees is approximately 3.38 million yen.
Source: Annual salary/hourly wage/salary for plastic molding jobs https://xn--pckua2a7gp15o89zb.com/%E3%83%97%E3%83%A9%E3%82%B9%E3%83%81%E3% 83%83%E3%82%AF%E6%88%90%E5%BD%A2%E3%81%AE%E5%B9%B4%E5%8F%8E%E3%83%BB%E6%99% 82%E7%B5%A6
ceramic
Ceramic is a material made by heating and hardening, and is used in a variety of products, from tableware to the bases of electronic devices. Therefore, there are many factory jobs available, making it easy for foreigners to find employment. There is no detailed data on the average annual salary, but it is thought to be roughly the same as other occupations.
Other work
In addition to the jobs introduced above, jobs in factories that produce glass, paper, and rubber products are jobs that even inexperienced foreigners can easily find.
- glass
- paper/cardboard
- Chemicals/Additives
- Rubber product

Recommended qualifications for foreigners working in Japanese factories
Even foreigners with no experience can work in factories, but having qualifications will increase your salary and make it easier to get a job. Here we introduce recommended qualifications related to factory work.
crane operator
A crane operator is a person who is qualified to operate cranes used in factories, construction sites, etc. Cranes are often used in factories, so having a crane operator qualification will give you an advantage in finding employment. The average annual salary for a crane operator is approximately 3.5 million yen.
Source: Annual salary, hourly wage, and salary for crane operator-related jobs https://xn--pckua2a7gp15o89zb.com/%E3%82%AF%E3%83%AC%E3%83%BC%E3%83%B3% E9%81%8B%E8%BB%A2%E5%A3%AB%E3%81%AE%E5%B9%B4%E5%8F%8E%E3%83%BB%E6%99%82%E7% B5%A6
Sling expert
Slinging is the process of loading and unloading cargo from a crane.In Japan, it is carried out by qualified slinging technicians, as mistakes can lead to serious accidents. Anyone over the age of 18 can take the sling technician training. The average annual income is approximately 4.27 million yen (male).
Source: What is a sling worker? Thorough explanation of job details including annual salary https://job-con.jp/guide/navi142
Other recommended qualifications
In addition to the ones introduced above, there are qualifications for various factory jobs in Japan. There are some that don't cost much or take a lot of time, so if you have a qualification you're interested in, it's a good idea to take one.
- Machining technician
- Electronic equipment assembly technician
- Confectionery manufacturing technician
- Plastic molding technician
How to find a factory job in Japan
One way to search for factory jobs in Japan is to search on employment information sites such as ``Doda'' and ``Indeed.'' We also recommend sites specializing in factories, such as "Factory Recruitment Navigation."
To search for factory jobs, for example, enter ``factory'' or ``factory foreigner'' into the site's search window, and the relevant job openings will appear. If you want to find a job close to home, set your "work location" to where you live.
What is the future of Japanese factories?
Many manufacturing industries in Japan have labor shortages, making it one of the jobs that are easier for foreigners to find work in. As Japan's population continues to decline due to the declining birthrate, the labor shortage is likely to accelerate further. The future potential of Japanese factories will depend on the active participation of foreigners.

summary
Factory work can be difficult as it requires manual labor and concentration, but there is always a shortage of workers, so it is easy for foreigners who have just arrived in Japan to find employment. If you plan to work in a factory for a long time, it will be advantageous to obtain a qualification such as a crane operator.