Job Sites for Foreigners in Japan: An Honest Channel Guide (2026)

There is no single best job site for foreigners in Japan. Most engineers who find a good job use three or four channels together: LinkedIn, one or two English-focused job boards, a recruiter or agency that knows their field, company career pages, and referrals. Each channel is strong for some jobs and weak for others.

This guide explains each type of channel honestly: what it is good for, what to watch out for, and who it suits. We name some well-known public platforms as examples, but we do not rank them. The right mix depends on your field, your Japanese level and whether you already live in Japan.

Information is described as of October 2026. Platforms change their features often, so check each site yourself.

Key takeaways

• Use several channels at the same time. No single site covers all English-OK engineering jobs.

• English-focused job boards are useful, but many of them focus on software or on roles like English teaching. Hardware and semiconductor roles are fewer.

• Recruiters and agencies can open roles that are not advertised. In Japan, licensed agencies in principle do not charge job seekers.

• Always check that an agency has a license number. You can search licensed agencies on MHLW's public database.

• Referrals from colleagues, alumni and your lab network are often the fastest route.

What types of job channels exist in Japan?

There are six main types of channels. The table gives a quick comparison.

How should you use LinkedIn to find a job in Japan?

LinkedIn is the main professional network used by recruiters who hire foreign engineers in Japan, so a strong profile is worth the time. Many recruiters search LinkedIn first, before they post a job.

Profile tips

• Set your location to the city in Japan where you live, or say you are relocating to Japan.

• Turn on "Open to work" (you can show it only to recruiters).

• Write your headline as a role plus key skills, for example "Process Engineer | Plasma Etch | ALD | Python."

• List tools and equipment by name in your experience section.

• Add your status of residence type and your JLPT level if you have one. These answer the first two questions recruiters ask.

What to watch for

Some messages are mass-sent and do not match your profile. Ask for the job description, employer type, contract type and location before you share personal documents. Never send your passport or residence card copy until you know who is asking and why.

Are general job boards useful for foreigners in Japan?

General job boards have the widest coverage, but most listings assume you can work in Japanese. They are still useful if you have business-level Japanese, or if you search carefully.

• Indeed collects listings from many sources. Searching in English shows some English-OK jobs; searching in Japanese shows far more.

• Hello Work is Japan's public employment service, run by the government. Its listings are mostly in Japanese. For highly skilled foreign workers and international students, MHLW runs Foreign Employment Service Centers in Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka that offer job counselling and placement (MHLW).

Search tip

Search with both English and Japanese terms. For example: "BIM" and "BIMオペレーター", or "process engineer" and "プロセスエンジニア". Add "英語" (English) or "外国籍" (foreign nationals welcome) to find more international-friendly listings.

What are English-focused job boards good for?

English-focused job boards let you filter by Japanese level, visa support and whether you can apply from abroad. This saves time. But each board has its own focus, so check whether it covers your field.

Limits to keep in mind

Hardware engineering roles, such as semiconductor process, construction BIM or marine engineering, are less common on English-focused boards than software roles. If you work in these fields, recruiters and specialist agencies may find more for you.

Should you use a recruiter or agency in Japan?

For many foreign engineers, yes, at least as one channel. Recruiters often know roles that are never advertised, and they can explain the process, the employer and the visa steps. In Japan, there are two main types:

• Placement agencies (shokai). They introduce you to a company, and if you are hired, you become that company's employee. The company pays the agency.

• Dispatch companies (haken). They employ you directly and you work at a client's site. The dispatch company pays your salary and social insurance.

Some agencies do both. Our guide on dispatch work in Japan explains how haken works.

How to check an agency

• License number. Placement agencies have a number like "XX-ユ-XXXXXX"; dispatch companies have a number like "派XX-XXXXXX." You can search these on MHLW's public database of licensed businesses (Human Resources Services website).

• Fees. In principle, licensed agencies in Japan do not charge job seekers. The law allows fees from job seekers only in a few special cases. If someone asks you to pay to be introduced, be very careful.

• Written conditions. Before your first interview, an agency should tell you the main conditions in writing or by email: job content, contract period, location, hours, wages, insurance and the employer's name.

• Your consent. A good agency asks before sending your CV to each company.

Should you apply directly on company career pages?

Applying directly works well when you already know which companies you want. Foreign-affiliated companies in Japan often post English-OK roles on their own career pages. Large Japanese companies may have English pages, but many roles still need Japanese.

JETRO, Japan's public trade organisation, runs a portal called "JAPAN – Open for Professionals" that lists Japanese companies interested in hiring global talent, along with visa and living information (JETRO). It is a good way to find company names that you can then check one by one.

Direct application tips

• Read the job description in both English and Japanese, if both exist. The Japanese version sometimes has more detail.

• Check the language line: "English OK" may mean English documents but Japanese meetings.

• Keep a simple spreadsheet of companies, dates and contacts.

How important are referrals in Japan?

Referrals are often the fastest and most trusted route. A colleague who recommends you can explain your skills, and the company already trusts their judgement. Researchers can ask former lab members who moved to industry, alumni from their university, or people met at conferences and industry events.

Ways to build referral options:

• Tell former colleagues and alumni clearly what role you want and when you can start.

• Join professional communities in your field and your nationality's community in Japan.

• Attend industry exhibitions and university career events.

• Thank people who help you, even when a referral does not lead to an offer.

How do you combine channels into one plan?

A simple weekly plan helps you stay consistent without burning out.

Avoid common mistakes

• Do not apply to the same job through several agencies. It confuses the employer and can harm your chances.

• Keep track of who sent your CV where.

• Do not quit your current job before you have a written offer and a clear visa path. See our guide on how to change jobs in Japan as a foreigner.

For an overview of which fields hire in English, see engineering jobs in Japan for English speakers.

How can AGG help?

AGG Careers is one option among these channels. We list English-OK engineering jobs in Japan in semiconductors, construction BIM and CAD, construction management (Japanese N3+), marine and offshore wind, AI and IT/Linux. Many roles are dispatch positions: you are employed by AGG (Fukuyoshi Inc.) and work at a client site, with social insurance. We support visa change paperwork. There are no agency fees for job seekers. AGG is licensed for worker dispatch (派28-301944) and paid employment placement (28-ユ-300660), and you can check both numbers on MHLW's database.

Frequently asked questions

Q. What is the best job site for foreigners in Japan?

There is no single best site. It depends on your field and Japanese level. Software engineers often find good options on software-focused English job boards. Bilingual professionals may do well on bilingual career boards. Hardware engineers, such as semiconductor or construction engineers, often find more through recruiters and specialist agencies, because fewer of these roles are posted on English boards. Most successful job seekers use LinkedIn, one or two boards, an agency and referrals at the same time.

Q. Can I find a job in Japan on LinkedIn?

Yes. Many recruiters who hire foreign engineers in Japan search LinkedIn first. Set your location to Japan, turn on "Open to work," and list your tools, equipment and skills by name. Add your status of residence type and JLPT level, because recruiters usually ask about these first. Be careful with generic messages: ask for the job description and employer type before sharing personal documents. Combine LinkedIn with job boards and referrals for the best results.

Q. Do Japanese recruitment agencies charge foreigners a fee?

In principle, no. Under Japan's Employment Security Act, licensed employment agencies generally may not charge job seekers. Fees from job seekers are allowed only in a few special cases set by law. Most agencies are paid by the hiring company. If someone asks you for money to introduce you to a job, check their license number on MHLW's public database and be very careful. Agencies that charge registration fees or "visa fees" up front are a warning sign.

Q. How do I check if a recruitment agency in Japan is legitimate?

Ask for the agency's license number. Placement agencies have numbers with "ユ" (paid placement), and dispatch companies have numbers starting with "派". Search the number or company name on MHLW's Human Resources Services website, which lists all licensed dispatch and placement businesses. Also check that the agency gives you written conditions before your first interview, asks for your consent before sending your CV, and does not ask you to pay fees. If anything feels wrong, stop and verify.

Q. Is Hello Work useful for foreign engineers?

Hello Work is Japan's public employment service. Most listings are in Japanese, so it is most useful if you have some Japanese. For highly skilled foreign workers and international students, MHLW runs Foreign Employment Service Centers in Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka. They offer job counselling and job placement. Language support varies, so contact the center first to ask what help is available. Hello Work is free to use.

Q. Are there English job sites for semiconductor or hardware engineers in Japan?

There are some, but fewer than for software. Many English-focused boards in Japan concentrate on software roles or on teaching and service jobs. Semiconductor, construction and marine engineering roles that accept English are often filled through recruiters, specialist agencies and referrals. Check bilingual career boards with an English-language filter, follow companies in your field on LinkedIn, and talk to agencies that specialise in your industry.

Q. Should I apply to the same job through several agencies?

No. If two agencies send your CV to the same company for the same role, the employer may be confused about who represents you, and some employers reject duplicate applications. Keep a list of which agency sent your CV where. A good agency asks for your consent before sending your profile to each company. If you want to apply directly after an agency has already introduced you, talk to the agency first.

Summary

• Use several channels together: LinkedIn, one or two job boards, an agency and referrals.

• English-focused boards save time but have different focuses; hardware roles are fewer.

• Licensed agencies in Japan in principle do not charge job seekers; always check the license number.

• JETRO's "Open for Professionals" and Hello Work's Foreign Employment Service Centers are free public resources.

• Keep track of applications and do not resign before you have a written offer and visa path.

Want to add one more channel? See our open engineering jobs and apply in a few minutes. A CV is optional, and there are no agency fees.

Reviewed by

Naoya Mitani — Head of Business Operations, Awaji Global Gateway (Fukuyoshi Inc.). Supports foreign engineers moving into jobs in Japan, including visa changes and onboarding.