Foreigners Employment Support Organization (FESO) ／ Published ／ Last updated
This article is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.
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Answer
To work lawfully in Japan, you need a work visa that matches your occupation, your skills and your experience. There is no special visa for rural areas. You choose the one that fits the job you will do from among the statuses of residence that apply throughout Japan, such as 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」, 「特定技能」, 「高度専門職」 and 「技能」.
What is this enquiry about?
A guide for foreign nationals thinking of working in rural Japan, covering the types of work visa and what working there is really like.
Subject: working in rural Japan in general (how to choose a status of residence)
Background: In rural Japan, a falling population and an ageing society are serious problems. Foreign workers have become essential if local economies are to be maintained and new energy created.
What this guide covers: the main types of work visa and the points to watch when you apply, the attractions of working outside the big cities, and the practical problems of working there and how to deal with them.
Who is 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」 for?
It is for people doing work that uses specialised knowledge in the natural sciences or the humanities, or work with an international character.
It covers foreign nationals doing work that uses specialised knowledge or skills in physical science, engineering, other natural sciences, the humanities or the social sciences, or work with an international character.
Main occupations covered
IT engineers (programmers, systems engineers and so on)
Researchers, university professors
Translation and interpreting
Designers (web, graphic and so on)
Marketing, public relations
Overseas sales
Planning, management consultancy
Points to watch when you apply
You need a bachelor's degree or higher in a related field, or at least 10 years of practical experience.
A connection is required between the work you will do and your education or your work history.
The stability of the company employing you and the nature of its business are also examined.
Where you will do "translation", "interpreting", "language teaching", "public relations", "advertising", "overseas trade", "clothing" or "design and product development relating to interior decoration", or similar work, you are required to be able to prove at least 3 years of practical experience (a university graduate taking up work connected with their mother tongue, such as translation or interpreting, does not need practical experience).
What kind of system is 「特定技能」?
It is a status of residence that lets people with a certain level of skill work in specified industrial fields where the shortage of workers is serious.
It is a status of residence that lets foreign nationals with a certain level of skill work in specified industrial fields where the shortage of workers is serious.
Main industrial fields covered
Nursing care
Agriculture
Fishery
Construction
Accommodation
Manufacture of food and beverages
Food service
Vehicle maintenance
Aviation
Manufacture of industrial products
The fields that were once counted separately as 素形材産業 (materials industries), 産業機械製造業 (industrial machinery manufacturing) and 電気電子情報関連産業 (electric, electronics and information industries) have been merged into 「工業製品製造業分野」, the manufacture of industrial products field. There are also fields which the law covers, but where preparations for accepting workers are still under way and no workers are in fact being accepted yet.
Points to watch when you apply
You need to pass the skills evaluation test set for each field.
A certain level of Japanese ability (equivalent to N4 or above) is required.
You need an employment contract with the accepting company.
There are 「特定技能1号」 (Specified Skilled Worker (i)) and 「特定技能2号」 (Specified Skilled Worker (ii)). 特定技能2号 is for people with more advanced skills; there is no limit on renewing the period of stay, and family members may accompany you (in some fields).
The industrial fields covered are reviewed when the system is amended. Please check with the accepting company, or in the latest material published by the 出入国在留管理庁 (Immigration Services Agency of Japan), whether the field you are applying to is in fact covered.
What preferential treatment comes with 「高度専門職」?
If your points total passes a set score, you receive treatment that is more favourable than under an ordinary work visa.
This is a status of residence for actively accepting foreign professionals with advanced ability that contributes to Japan's economic growth. Education, work history, annual income, research record and so on are converted into points, and preferential measures apply once you pass a set score.
Fields covered
Advanced academic research and specialised technical fields (researchers, engineers and so on)
Advanced business management fields (company owners, managers and so on)
Advanced culture and arts fields (artists, musicians and so on)
Examples of preferential measures
A shorter period before you can obtain permission for permanent residence
Permission for your spouse to work
A wider range of work activities
Priority processing of entry and residence procedures
Points to watch when you apply
Your points total needs to be 70 points or more, or 80 points or more.
There are requirements on education, work history, annual income and so on for each field.
Which occupations does 「技能」 cover?
It is for people doing specified work that requires practised skill.
Main occupations covered
Cooks (Japanese cuisine, Chinese cuisine and so on)
Sports trainers
Aircraft pilots
Craftworkers in precious metals, jewellery, fur and the like
Animal trainers
Points to watch when you apply
At least 10 years of practical experience is needed (with some exceptions).
You are required to have a special skill that would be difficult to acquire outside Japan.
What is attractive about working outside the big cities?
Not only the lower cost of living, but the natural surroundings, the local community, the food and a calmer way of life.
Contact with rich natural surroundings: the beauty of each season is close at hand, and outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing and skiing are easy to enjoy.
A community rooted in the area: ties between local people are close, and it is easy to build warm relationships. Joining traditional festivals and local events lets you experience Japanese culture more deeply.
Fresh, safe food: fresh vegetables, fruit and seafood are easy to obtain, and you can eat well.
A calm living environment: away from the noise of the city, you can live in quiet, settled surroundings. For families raising children, an environment rich in nature is a real attraction.
Contact with traditional culture and history: many areas keep their old streets and historic sites, so there are many chances to come into contact with Japanese history and culture.
What problems come with working outside the big cities?
Language, culture and customs, living infrastructure, healthcare and career path: these 5 points are the main problems.
The language barrier: some areas have their own distinct dialect. Make use of the Japanese-language classes run by local authorities and local residents.
Differences in culture and customs: you may be puzzled by customs and manners peculiar to Japan. It is important to learn about Japanese culture in advance and to communicate actively with local people.
Living infrastructure: compared with the cities, public transport may be less convenient and there may be fewer shops. Gather the information you need in advance, and think through how you will travel and do your shopping.
Healthcare: the number of medical institutions able to deal with foreign languages may be limited. It is important to look into local healthcare information in advance.
Career path: you may feel there are fewer chances to move up than in the cities. It is important to work actively on your own skills and to deepen expertise that contributes to the area.
Tips for a comfortable life outside the big cities
Join local festivals and events actively, and get to know local residents.
Work on the Japanese you need at work, not only everyday conversation.
Use local authority websites and the advice desks for foreign nationals to gather the information you need for daily life.
Get to know other foreign workers living in the area, exchange information and give each other support.
Understand and respect the values and the way of life of local people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a special work visa for working outside the big cities?
There is no status of residence just for rural areas. You obtain one that matches the occupation you will take up and your own skills and experience, chosen from among the work visas that apply throughout Japan, such as 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」, 「特定技能」, 「高度専門職」 and 「技能」.
What are the education and experience requirements for 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」?
You need a bachelor's degree or higher in a related field, or at least 10 years of practical experience. However, where you will do work such as translation, interpreting, language teaching, public relations, advertising or overseas trade, at least 3 years of practical experience is enough, and a university graduate taking up translation or interpreting work connected with their mother tongue does not need practical experience.
What do I need in order to work under 「特定技能」?
You need to pass the skills evaluation test set for each field, to have Japanese ability equivalent to N4 or above, and to have an employment contract with the accepting company. Note that the fields covered are reviewed when the system is amended: 素形材産業, 産業機械製造業 and 電気電子情報関連産業 have been merged into 「工業製品製造業分野」, the manufacture of industrial products field. There are also fields which the law covers but where preparations for accepting workers are still under way, so please check the latest list of fields with the accepting company or in the material published by the 出入国在留管理庁 (Immigration Services Agency of Japan).
What preferential measures come with 「高度専門職」?
They include a shorter period before you can obtain permission for permanent residence, permission for your spouse to work, a wider range of work activities, and priority processing of entry and residence procedures. Your points total needs to be 70 points or more, or 80 points or more.
This article provides general information. Immigration rules change, and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Please check the Immigration Services Agency website or consult a qualified specialist.
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.
