Job Market & Workplace in Japan

Interview with Ms. H

"When I first entered a Japanese company, I was struck by the loyalty of my colleagues. Many of them had joined right out of university and stayed until retirement. Some climbed to high positions, while others remained lifelong specialists without much promotion...

Interview with Mr. T

"When I first graduated from university, I joined a Japanese company. At the time, finding a job here wasn’t too difficult—especially compared to China, where competition is much harsher. In Japan, if you’re not too picky, the employment rate is about 95%...

Interview with Ms. L

"My work is more flexible than that of a regular office worker. I’m self-employed, so I can decide my own rest days and adjust my schedule freely. What I mainly do is currency exchange...

Interview with Mr. M

"In the beginning, I started with daigou—buying products in Japan and sending them to customers in China...

Interview with Ms. Z

"Japanese attitudes toward foreign workers are quite contradictory. On the one hand, some Japanese employees feel that foreigners are taking jobs and making the labor market more competitive. On the other hand, with Japan’s serious aging population, the country has no choice but to bring in foreign workers to keep things running...

Interview with Ms. D2

"In the workplace, I’ve noticed that Chinese employees—especially younger ones—often carry a stronger drive to push forward...

Interview with Mr. S

"The first time I came to Japan was in 1991, when I was sent here to study and work on aircraft engines...

Interview with Mr. Z

"After graduating, I tried job hunting, but most of the time I’ve chosen to work for myself...

Interview with Ms. D1

"Being Chinese has its own advantages and disadvantages when it comes to finding work in Japan...