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【6 recommended remote work options for foreigners working in Japan 】! We also show you how to find one!

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Foreign women working remotely

Many foreigners may be interested in working remotely while living in Japan. Remote work has the advantage of allowing you to work at your own pace without being restricted by location or time. On the other hand, many may not know what kind of work is available or how to find work.

Therefore, this article introduces six specific remote work options for foreigners living in Japan who wish to work in Japan or through the Internet, and also explains how to find work efficiently.

In addition, we have also picked up five recommended job sites that offer a wide range of job information for foreigners, so please take a look at them.

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【 for foreigners 】 6 recommended remote work options in Japan

In recent years, an increasing number of people have moved their businesses entirely to the Internet (online). Some foreigners living in Japan may even be making a living solely from remote locations.

This type of work is called "remote work," "online work," or "online jobs. If it is a way of working that involves taking on multiple short-term or one-off tasks, it is also called the "gig economy.

Here are six examples of remote work for foreigners that we can recommend in Japan.

1. foreign language instructors

First and foremost would be foreign language instructors. This is a job where you can make use of your native language, so if you have language skills, you can do it even if your Japanese language skills are somewhat lacking.

In recent years, many companies have developed online language schools, and there are many jobs available for foreign teachers. Some languages, such as English, Spanish, and Chinese, are in very high demand.

Classes are conducted through video calls or other means. Although some teaching materials may need to be prepared, in most cases, the school provides the basic materials, allowing the instructor to concentrate on teaching the class.

2. interpretation/translation

Along with foreign language instructors, remote work that is in high demand is interpretation and translation work. The main work involves interpreting and translating from one's native language to Japanese or from Japanese to one's native language. The work ranges from interpreting over the phone or video calls to translating e-mails and documents.

Interpreters are required to provide real-time audio interpretation for business meetings, conferences, and events. A certain level of Japanese language proficiency is required, and this job is recommended for those who are confident in their speaking ability. Translation, on the other hand, is the process of translating text into one's native language, and can be handled by those with Japanese reading and writing skills.

In addition to pure interpretation and translation work, there are also tasks such as checking and correcting machine translation results. This is also recommended for those who wish to hone their translation skills.

3. IT Engineer

This is one of those occupations where the work is done using a PC and can be completed completely remotely. It is an occupation that is increasingly employing skilled foreigners not only for remote work, but also in the general corporate sector.

IT engineers perform a wide variety of tasks, including programming, website and application development, infrastructure construction, and data analysis. The basic process is to design a system according to the client's requirements, code, test, and deliver the system.

If you have IT skills and the ability to think logically, you can be successful in this position even if you have some difficulty with Japanese and communication skills. If you can communicate in English, you will be an immediate asset to a Japanese company. This is also a good option for those who want to put their self-taught skills to work.

4. skills instructor (music, yoga, etc.)

If you have a special skill, such as playing a musical instrument, cooking, yoga, or dancing, working as an online skills instructor is also recommended.

In recent years, demand for online lessons has been increasing, and foreign tutors are also becoming more active in this area. The appeal of this service is that you can teach from the comfort of your own home at a time of your choice.

The skills taught are diverse. In music, instrumental lessons such as piano, guitar, and vocals are popular, and students' interests range from yoga and fitness to dance, painting, and cooking. It may also be interesting to offer classes that introduce students to the culture of their home country.

Lesson formats vary from one-on-one to group lessons and video materials, so the appeal of being a skills instructor is that you can work at your own pace without strain. This is a profession where you can turn your hobby into a job and enjoy communicating with your students.

5. service staff

Service staff in remote work refers to customer service provided online by staff through video calls or other means.

Examples include receptionists at companies, showrooms, real estate information, appointment scheduling, and telephone representatives (tele-appointments). Because you are working online rather than in person, you can work from any location.

Foreign staff are in particularly high demand in situations where they can communicate on an equal footing because they are native speakers, such as when dealing with foreigners looking for rental properties or handling inquiries from overseas.

In many cases, service staff jobs also require the ability to speak Japanese. Because solid communication is required, this is a job where you can make full use of your language skills. Although some business etiquette is required, if you are cheerful, you will have a wide range of opportunities.

6. online assistant

This position is for an assistant who undertakes clerical and other tasks for a company via online. Specifically, the work includes data entry, document preparation, scheduling, e-mail correspondence, expense reimbursement, and a wide variety of other tasks.

Employment varies, but it is common for employees to work from home and be fully remote, minimizing the need to come to work, even if they are affiliated with a company.

Skills required include use of Microsoft Office software and Google applications, business etiquette, and document preparation skills. This job is suitable for candidates with previous administrative or assistant experience. Language skills to exchange Japanese emails are also required.

However, work hours and duties vary from company to company, so it is important to find an environment where you can work in a way that suits you. If you expand the range of work you can do, you may find a more comfortable place to work.

How to use the Internet to find a job

The most efficient way to find a remote work job is to use a job site.

In recent years, we have seen an increase in the number of job sites that specialize in remote and online work, and we recommend that you take a look at those sites. You can search for jobs efficiently by narrowing down your search based on your skills, experience, and desired work style.

There are several job sites for foreigners who want to work in Japan, which will be introduced in more detail later. The attraction of these sites is that they provide language support, visa support, and other services that are tailored to the unique concerns of foreigners.

If you know the industry or type of work you want to do, you may also want to search for individual companies in that industry. You may be able to find information on job openings by visiting the company's website. Some of the larger companies may have a dedicated recruitment page for foreign nationals, so it is worth checking.

If you are confident in your language skills, we recommend using Japanese job sites. If you search with the language set to "English," for example, you are likely to find jobs that are OK for foreigners, so you may want to take the plunge and apply for jobs in Japanese.

When starting to work remotely, you should also consider an environment where you can work outside of your home. There are numerous coworking spaces, especially in Tokyo. Please check out the following article for more information on how to choose a coworking space and recommended locations.
▶︎ How to choose a coworking space in Tokyo and 7 recommendations.

For Foreigners] Recommended sites to find job information in Japan

Here are some recommended job sites for foreigners.

1. NINJA

NINJA" is an employment information site for foreigners working in Japan.

Specializing in job postings for foreigners in Japan, you can search for jobs by specifying various criteria such as "annual income over 5 million yen" or "office work using a foreign language".

The site also has a wide range of contents useful for job seekers from overseas. They can help you with visa application support, how to write a resume for work in Japan, interview preparation, and many other issues related to finding a job in Japan.

With over 15 years of experience in helping foreign nationals find employment, it is a reliable job site.

Reference:NINJA for information on career change and employment opportunities for foreigners

2. NIPPONJOB.com

NIPPONJOB.com" is another website specializing in job information in Japan for foreigners.

Among job sites for foreigners, we have won first place in various categories such as "No.1 in customer satisfaction," "No.1 in number of jobs," and "No.1 job site I would introduce to a friend.

We feature jobs in major cities such as Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Hokkaido. You can also search for jobs by job type, such as "office work" or "service," or by the languages you can use, making it easy to find a job that fits your needs.

One of the attractions of this site is that it supports foreigners in obtaining work visas. This site is recommended for those who wish to work in Japan for a long time.

Reference:Job site for foreigners｜NIPPONJOB.com, the best place to find a job and change jobs!

3. foreigner job net

Gaikokujin JOB OPPORTUNITY NET is a job site that provides full support for foreigners in recruiting, changing jobs, and finding employment. It boasts one of the highest numbers of registered foreign personnel in Japan, and is operated with the main purpose of supporting recruitment and hiring of career (mid-career) and foreign students.

In particular, a major feature of this site is that it handles a large number of jobs at major and well-known Japanese companies. This site is recommended for those who are looking to advance their careers in Japan.

The site offers a wide variety of jobs in sales, production management, accounting, and other high-level positions. It is the perfect job site for foreigners with specialized skills.

Reference:Recruitment site for only full time foreign employees｜Foreigners Employment Net ACE

4. WeXpats Jobs

WeXpats Jobs is a job site for foreigners that allows you to search for jobs based on a wide range of criteria.

In addition to your Japanese level, you can search for jobs by specifying your desired work location, employment type such as "part-time," "full-time" or "temporary" employee, and specific skills.

In particular, work locations can be searched from all over Japan, from Hokkaido to Okinawa, and are recommended for those who want to work in a rural area or move from a rural area to an urban area.

Each job listing includes detailed information on the level of Japanese required, as well as the experience and skills desired, making it easy to find a job that suits you. The site also has a wealth of useful information for job hunting, such as how to write a resume and prepare for interviews. It is a site that even first-time job seekers in Japan can use with confidence.

Reference:WeXpats Jobs, the job site for foreigners looking for work in Japan

5.GaijinPot Jobs

GaijinPot Jobs is one of the largest job sites for foreigners in Japan.

We feature a variety of job types, including English teachers, IT engineers, marketing, gaming, design, and more. You can search for your ideal job by job title, location, employment type, salary, and other criteria.

There are also a variety of blogs and forums that provide information on working in Japan for foreigners, including visas, work history, interview preparation, and other information you need to know about working in Japan.

The site is operated in both Japanese and English, making it easy to use even for those who are not confident in their Japanese. GaijinPot, a lifestyle information site for foreigners, operates the site, so you can receive support for your daily life in addition to job offers.

Reference:Gaijin Pot Job

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summary

So far, we have recommended remote work for foreigners living in Japan, how to find a job using the Internet, as well as detailed explanations and introductions of job sites for foreigners.

Remote work is an attractive option that allows you to work freely while fully demonstrating your abilities. Even if you are not fluent in Japanese, it is reassuring to know that there is a place where you can use your native language skills as a weapon, and if you acquire IT and business skills, you will be able to further expand your range of activities.

However, finding a remote work job may not be easy due to the language barrier. In such cases, try using job sites for foreigners. If you use a job site that offers generous support, you are sure to find your ideal job.

If you are a foreigner who wishes to "work in your own way" or "make the most of your skills," please take a look at this article. We sincerely hope that the day will come when you can be active in remote work.

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