If you are a mid-career professional or higher seeking new opportunities in Japan, bilingual recruitment services can be a valuable resource.
Recruitment agencies in Japan are external firms hired by employers to find the right candidates for their job vacancies. Oftentimes, companies use recruitment agencies rather than internal hiring because it saves them time, resources, and even money. This is because recruitment consultants can filter the right job seekers for specific positions, have a broader network of prospective candidates (meaning they already have a decent database of talent), and are more familiar with the job market and industry trends.
Recruitment consultants handle all of the paperwork and other formalities, and liaise with your new employer to make sure everything is in place for your first day and beyond. They can even negotiate your salary for you and make sure you get the best package out there. Consultants are paid by the employers and receive their fee based on whether they’ve successfully started in a role. This means that, as the prospective candidate, you shouldn’t pay for their services.
But which recruiters are the best in Japan right now? Check out these top bilingual recruitment agencies!
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What is a Bilingual Recruitment Agency?
Bilingual recruitment in Japan refers to hiring professionals who are fluent in both Japanese and another language, typically English, to work in roles that require cross-cultural communication or global business operations.
As more Japanese companies expand globally, and more foreign companies enter the Japanese market, there’s a growing need for professionals who can bridge language and cultural gaps, especially in industries like IT, finance, consulting, and customer support.
Most bilingual roles require business-level Japanese (N2 or N1 on the JLPT) and fluent English. Some positions may accept conversational Japanese (N3) if English is the primary working language.
Why Use a Recruitment Agency in Japan?
Recruitment consultants, especially those based in Tokyo (or big cities in Japan like Osaka), usually possess extensive knowledge of the local market. They’re highly skilled in filtering and sourcing candidates. They will usually collaborate with job seekers to ensure that you are completely well-advised as you move forward in your career.
They will take the time to understand your background, needs, goals, and preferences to match you with the right opportunity. Most of the time, they will guide you through every step of the screening process, too.
In other words, even though they mostly work on behalf of their clients, they can act as your personal career advisor — something you might need when you are making one of the most important decisions in your life.
A thing to keep in mind is that these vacant jobs are less likely to be entry-level and generic, as recruiters are paid to source hard-to-fill jobs. With that said, if you’d like some help in your job search, you can reach out to recruiters to see if they can match you with a job. Most — if not all — of these recruitment firms in Japan use English as their primary language, which makes it even more convenient for English-speaking job seekers to ask for advice and consultations for the right career moves.
Looking for a job hunting site? Check out: 10 Trusted Job Hunting Websites in Japan
1. Robert Walters
Robert Walters is one of the bigger bilingual recruitment agencies in Japan, with offices in Tokyo and Osaka. They specialize in recruitment for permanent, contract, and interim roles across all professional disciplines, including IT, marketing, sales, healthcare, supply chain management, and legal. Robert Walters Japan particularly focuses on permanent and contract recruitment solutions. They work with international clients, ranging from multi-national corporations and Fortune 500s to SMEs and start-ups.
Their teams are divided based on specialized fields to find candidates who are not typically found in the job market. We work with a diverse range of clients around the world.
Website: www.robertwalters.co.jp/en/
2. Michael Page
Michael Page specializes in the recruitment of mid to senior positions for top employers. Their Japan office is divided into three specialized disciplines: recruitment for multinational corporations (gaishi), Japanese corporations (nikkei), and temporary or contract employment. They employ industry specialists who can give you sage advice in your job search and help you find the perfect fit. If you’re an executive or looking for a job higher up on the corporate ladder, then their page PageExecutive might be more your speed. They, too, have extensive resources for improving your job search.
Website: www.michaelpage.co.jp/en
3. Robert Half
Robert Half pioneered specialized recruitment services and provides recruitment solutions for businesses and finance, accounting, financial services, technology, and administrative professionals. Having adapted to the new teleworking trend, they have dedicated some of their operations to assisting job seekers and candidates in finding remote work.
Website: www.roberthalf.jp/en
4. Hays
With over 20 years in Japan and 50 years worldwide, Hays is a reliable and established recruitment consultancy in Japan. This recruitment agency offers “an unrivaled suite of recruitment and workplace solutions”. They have the knowledge and expertise to help you take the next step in your career. They also provide a great number of resources for improving your job interviews in Japan, CVs, and progressing your career.
Website: www.hays.co.jp/en/home
5. Specialized Group
Unlike the other recruitment firms we mentioned, which have branches outside Japan, Specialized Group is a mid-sized recruitment agency based only in Tokyo. They focus on executive search for international businesses in Japan. Their consultants are well-trained and experienced and have good connections with lots of Japanese companies. As a Japanese company themselves, they can provide unique insight into the working culture in Japan.
They cover comprehensive industries, ranging from infrastructure and robots to consumer goods and real estate. Their biggest discipline, however, is in positions related to tech and IT.
Website: www.specialized-group.com/en
6. RGF Professional Recruitment
RGF Professional Recruitment Japan is part of the bilingual recruitment Recruit Group, Asia’s largest recruiting and information service company. They partner with both multinational companies and domestic businesses to provide market-leading bilingual talent for specialist and managerial positions.
The company covers all business sectors, with management teams specializing in various industries. Bilingual professionals in Japan looking to further grow their careers are free to seek advice (and open positions) from their experienced consultants. They’ll want to take the time to understand your background, needs, and goals to accurately match you with the right opportunity.
Website: www.rgf-professional.jp/en/
7. Build+ (Previously Wahl+Case)
Previously operating as Wahl+Case, the recruitment company was acquired by SHIFT in May 2023 and rebranded itself as Build+. Build+ is different from most of the other agencies, as they specialize in the tech industry. Because of their decision to focus on one industry, Build+ is much better at guiding you through the tech world. They work with a lot of recognizable brands like Netflix and Spotify, and a lot of startups.
Their consultants are very knowledgeable and experienced in the tech industry and are sure to provide you with some valuable insights. They also offer resources that are very relevant to tech positions.
Website: buildplus.io/
Want more tech-related jobs? Check out: Best IT Job Sites in Japan
8. Cornerstone Recruitment Japan
Although a new recruitment company in Japan (they were established in 2019), Cornerstone Japan has been growing its network of Tokyo-based clients and candidates. Their consultants are experienced in giving both sides access to guidance and expertise on the Tokyo job market.
Cornerstone Recruitment Japan focuses on placing bilingual, mid-career professionals across all sectors. Their retained service is particularly successful for clients with high-profile or critical hiring needs or niche searches.
Website: www.cornerstone.jp/
9. Morgan McKinley
Morgan McKinley is a very reliable and recognized recruitment agency. They’re a very trusted brand that has provided quality service to both companies and job hunters. They are much more dedicated to providing the human element to their process and will discuss with you both your career plans and goals, as well as provide honest feedback to help you accomplish them. They cover a large number of industries and provide more resources than anywhere else on this list, including top interview questions and salary reviews.
Website: www.morganmckinley.com/jp
10. JAC
Another major recruitment firm in Japan, JAC Recruitment, primarily focuses on domestic recruitment for Japanese candidates but has expanded significantly over the years. Their JAC International division specializes in search and placement services tailored to professional careers in multinational companies. Additionally, they offer placement services outside Japan, such as global talent sourcing and overseas job opportunities for bilingual professionals.
Website: www.jac-international.jp
Open more doors in Japan by learning Japanese at Coto Academy!
The best way to find a job in Japan is to open up more opportunities, and learning Japanese is key. Improve your chances by mastering Business Japanese at Coto Academy, where we help you confidently navigate the workplace and unlock new career doors.
Get a free level check and course consultation by filling out the contact form below!
Want to work in Japan? Check out our work-related series:
- Japanese Work Culture: How is it Different from The West?
- Introduction to Business Japanese: Keigo
- How to Write a Japanese Resume (Rirekisho): Free PDF Template
- How to Get a Job in Japan as a Foreigner
- Common Japanese Job Interview Questions to Know
- How to Introduce Yourself in Japanese
- How to Quit Your Job in Japan
- 10 Trusted Job Hunting Websites in Japan
FAQ
Do bilingual recruitment agencies charge job seekers?
No. In Japan, recruitment services are free for job seekers. Agencies are paid by the hiring company after a successful placement.
How can I increase my chances of getting hired in Japan?
Improve your Japanese language skills, tailor your resume and cover letter for the Japanese market, and work with a reputable bilingual recruitment agency that understands your background and goals.
What are the best industries for bilingual professionals in Japan?
Top industries include tech, finance, e-commerce, tourism, education, and global consulting, where both Japanese and English communication are essential.
What are the top billingual recruitment agencies in Japan?
Coto Work is a top bilingual recruitment agency in Japan that helps Japanese-English speakers find jobs in engineering, logistics, and business roles, alongside other leading firms like RGF, JAC International, and Morgan McKinley.
Should I use recruitment service in Japan?
If you’re a mid-career professional or bilingual, using a recruitment service in Japan can significantly boost your job search by connecting you with opportunities that match your skills and language abilities.
Is recruitment service in Japan free?
If you’re a candidate, remember that you should never pay a recruiter. Professional recruitment services in Japan charge the employer for successful placements, not the job seeker.