English teaching in Japan is one of the most common jobs for foreigners, but other career fields and roles surprisingly don’t require a high level of Japanese. That said, you do need some level of basic-to-intermediate speaking skills to live comfortably in Japan.

While many jobs in Japan require fluency in Japanese, there are still plenty of opportunities available for non-Japanese speakers. Thanks to Japan’s increasing globalization and demand for international talent, you can now find jobs in industries like tech, hospitality, design, and more where little to no Japanese is required. In this article, we’ll explore 11 jobs you can land in Japan without needing Japanese fluency, and what you’ll need to get started.

Want to fast-track your career in Japan? Coto Academy’s 3-month Business Japanese Course is designed to help you master keigo (business Japanese) and improve workplace communication skills. Gain the confidence to speak professionally with colleagues and clients and open up new career opportunities!

Can I Really Work in Japan Without Knowing Any Japanese?

The short answer is yes, you can get a job without needing Japanese, and that job doesn’t have to be an English teacher. 

You might have more limited options, and your opportunities depend largely on your skills and the current job market trend. The IT industry, for example, is one of the largest industries in the Japanese economy. The Japan Times estimated that the country would face a shortage of 600,000 IT-related professionals by 2030. A lot of companies are eager to hire foreign IT workers as a solution. If you have a background or knowledge in tech, recruiters in top companies are willing to hire you from overseas and sponsor your stay in Japan, even if you don’t necessarily have a high level of Japanese language skills.

Recommended: Top 8 IT and Tech Job Sites in Japan 

It’s relatively easy to get accepted as an English teacher, ALT, and eikaiwa teacher if you come from an English-speaking country. There are plenty of opportunities in a lot of industries, even if you only speak English. In fact, a lot of foreigners, who’ve lived here for more than 10 years, can’t speak Japanese. 

There’s a catch, though: you’re closing a lot of doors if you don’t bother to learn at least conversational-level Japanese. Live here long enough, and eventually, you will realize that you can miss out on getting promotions and attractive job offers. 

Even a decent conversational level or the ability to speak Japanese confidently (which is the focus of Coto Academy), can widen your job opportunities. Even if that job doesn’t require Japanese, showing that you are learning will give you a good impression and open more career opportunities.

English-speaking Jobs in Japan With No Japanese Required

We’ll be covering jobs that fall under the Engineer/Humanities visa, or the 技術/人文知識/国際業務 (gijutsu/jinbun-chishiki/kokusai-gyoumu). Most professional jobs fall under this category because they include fields like human resources, accounting, tech, marketing, and sales. 

What we won’t cover are the jobs under the Specified Skills Visa, or 特定技能ビザ (tokutei ginou bisa). The type of jobs you do on this type of visa are work-related tasks, like construction, automobile maintenance, food service, hospitality, and nursing care. We won’t be recommending blue-collar and part-time jobs. 

1. Recruiter and Consultant Job in Japan

A career at an international consulting firm in Japan is attractive to foreigners for a few reasons. Generally, even if you are a fresh graduate,  you will still receive a higher base salary. 

It’s also one of the most popular options for foreigners who want to change their careers. This is because it’s possible to become a recruiter without any prior experience or relevant background. You don’t need a relevant degree like human resources, psychology, or communication, although that’s always a plus point. Instead, hiring managers and recruiting companies decide on the right candidate based on their soft skills: negotiation, strong communication, confidence, and critical thinking. 

Most of all, you don’t need Japanese language ability to be a recruiter. Most of your clients will be bilingual, and most of the consulting firm’s databases are managed in English. In fact, you should be able to speak it well, because negotiations are done in English. 

The life of a consultant is coveted and competitive. Rather than HR, think of recruiters as a sales job. To be a top biller, you need to be able to thrive under pressure and in a fast-paced environment. But it’s extremely rewarding, too. 

The annual starting salary is typically 3.6 million JPY, but the number can go up depending on the size and contract of your company. Keep in mind that this doesn’t include your bonuses yet. If you perform well, you can easily double and triple your income.

Top consulting firms in Japan are Robert Walters, Michael Page and Hays, but you will also find mid to smaller-sized recruitment companies.

You can also be an internal recruiter for global and international companies, so always check the “Careers” page of your dream company. There might be an open position for talent acquisition specialists in Japan.

2. Creative and Marketing Roles in Japan

With Japan’s growth as both a travel destination and an economic hub, many companies are now turning their attention to previously untapped markets: global and non-Japanese audiences. Some are expanding their brand presence overseas, while others are adapting their services for foreigners living in Japan, creating demand for skilled professionals who can localize and market effectively in either (or even both!) directions.

As a result, depending on the company, you might see a demand for international talent that can focus on global outreach. Marketing and advertising agencies in Japan like Humble Bunny, which is an expert in helping companies localize for the Japanese market, actively seek bilingual or English-speaking marketers or project managers to help bridge cultural and communication gaps.

3. Real Estate Jobs in Japan

To buy a house, invest in a property, or hunt for an apartment, you have to deal with real estate agents and go through rigorous procedures — all in Japanese. In 2020, the country recorded 2.89 million foreigners living here, so there was high demand for English-speaking housing agents. 

Now, a lot of real estate companies provide multilingual support, including English. Some of them exclusively specialize in handling foreign clients. 

There was a high demand for English-speaking housing agents in Japan. In 2020, the country recorded 2.89 million foreigners living here, and a big chunk of them have trouble going to the typical Japanese real estate company. With travel restrictions and borders easing, we can expect a surge of newcomers and returning international residents. 

Now, you can find real estate agencies that specialize in finding an apartment for foreigners, which is where you can come in. Usually, experience in real estate brokerage transactions is preferred, but a lot of companies welcome candidates with relevant experience. 

Another attractive feature is the commission system, too. Top salespeople can earn up to 20 million JPY as compensation.

4. English Teaching Jobs in Japan

The first thing that comes to mind when you put “English” and “jobs in Japan” together is “English teacher”. In order to teach English in Japan, you will need to have a Bachelor’s degree, but it doesn’t have to be relevant to education. Teaching certifications, like the TEFL, are preferred but generally not required. 

You can’t group all English teachers the same. 

1. ALT (Assistant Language Teacher)

More than half of the English teachers in Japan are ALTs. As an ALT, you’re not in charge of teaching the whole class. Rather, you’re working with the Japanese teacher at the school you’re assigned to. Your role is to become the language instructor and “cultural ambassador”. 

You don’t need any educational license, master’s degree or relevant education degree to be an ALT. 

2. Eikaiwa Teacher

Eikaiwa is an English conversation school, and the students can either be children or adults. The word “Eikaiwa” stems from 英 or “Ei” (English) and 会話 or “Kaiwa” (Conversation). Giant Eikaiwa companies include NOVA, ECC, AEON, Berlitz or Peppy Kids Club. 

3. Private school or university teacher

Salaries for ALT and Eikawa teachers are decent, but not the best. In terms of a career within the education industry in Japan, becoming a full-time teacher at a private school or university is your best bet to nail a higher salary and better career progression. 

There are over 700 universities in Japan, and some of them have an English learning program. Schools will often require you to have at least a master’s degree in education, alongside TEFL or TESOL, and even prior teaching experience. 

Other than the above, you can become an English teacher for adults or for kindergartens. 

Here are some popular job sites to search for English:

• GaijinPot Jobs
• Daijob
• Jobs in Japan

4. One Coin English

Some English-teaching jobs are also available on a part-time basis. Schools like One Coin English, which provide English conversation lessons, offer part-time positions, meaning you can work while studying Japanese or job hunting for other full-time positions. They have locations across Tokyo, including Iidabashi and Shibuya.

5. IT and Tech Engineer Jobs in Japan

There’s no denying that Japan is facing an IT shortage, so having a background in IT can seriously make you a sought-after candidate. You can find more than 100 programming jobs on job platforms like LinkedIn and Glassdoor alone, and it’s easy to see why. Japan’s IT industry takes about 3% of the world market, and all companies, regardless if they’re traditional Japanese or international, need web designers, developers, and IT professionals.

Because of this lopsided supply-demand IT job market situation, requirements for the Japanese language are relatively low, sometimes none at all. Startup and unicorn companies like Mercari and Zehitomo hire tech engineers from overseas. Japanese technology group NEC partnered with Persol Career and has provided an app that matches companies in Japan with Indian tech engineers.

Tokyo Dev, one of the leading IT job sites in Japan, did a survey of more than 435 software engineers living in Japan. The average salary is 8.5 million yen per year, which is almost half more than what the average worker in Japan makes (6.2 million yen).

Out of all of them, only a third can speak Japanese fluently, and 80% of these employees use English as the primary language to communicate with their coworkers.

Note that even though there is a big pool of vacant engineering and tech positions, the roles are still coveted. You will need to be adept in JavaScript, HTML/CSS, and Python (all common coding languages), but some corporations may use TypeScript, C++, and SQL.

Here are some popular job sites that are specifically for IT and tech-related roles in Japan:

• Japan Dev
• TokyoDev
• Tokyo Tech

We’ve created a separate article dedicated to listing the best IT job sites in Japan.

6. Hospitality Jobs in Japan

In 2019 (pre-COVID), Japan recorded 8 million overseas travelers. Urban centers like Tokyo and famous holiday destinations are generally more foreign-friendly. Besides English-speaking Japanese staff, some hotels will have native customer support employees: front desk agents, chefs, PR staff, and general managers. If you can bring relevant experience and background to the table, check out the job listings on Career Cross and Daijob.

Another great way to look for job vacancies is by exploring the career section of each company’s website. Global hotel chains will also do internal transfers or approach prospective candidates themselves.

7. Customer Service Positions in Japan

Responsibilities of a customer service staff include resolving customer queries, recommending solutions, and guiding service users through features and functionalities. To be successful in this role, you should be an excellent communicator. Generally, Japan-based companies favor bilingual customer service, but if you’re a mid-career professional, there are open positions that require little Japanese: supervisors, site directors, managers.

If a company deals with a large volume of foreign customers, it may hire. You can find customer service job advertisements in Japan in recruitment agencies like Michael Page, Hays, and Robert Walters.

Check out some of the more popular bilingual recruitment agencies in Japan.

8. Graphic, Product, or Creative Designer Career in Japan

Designers are also in high-demand jobs in Japan at the moment. Whether it’sa UI/UX specialist, a graphic designer, or a product designer, your main selling point will be your hard skills and portfolio. General requirements include knowledge of Photoshop and Illustrator, but some companies may require advanced skills in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (depending on the position). You can find more job listings on Google.

9. Study Abroad Staff in Japan

Currently, Japan is restricting the number of foreign students who can enter from their home countries (subject to change). The industry might be in a lull right now, but things are starting to pick back up.

Usually, you can go and live in Japan as a student in two ways: independent application, where you find a university and apply directly, or through an agent. Companies like Coto School Finder help foreign students apply for a school in a Japanese language school and a student visa. Besides that, they provide additional support, like helping you find an apartment or share a house.

Because they are dealing with international students, these agencies are not just looking for English-speaking staff, but native Korean, French, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Italian student coordinators, too.

Universities in Japan with an English track program — or at least those that deal with a large volume of foreign students — will also hire foreigners to manage their students.

Where to Find Jobs in Japan that Don’t Require Japanese

The best chance to get a career in Japan that doesn’t require high Japanese skills is through browsing job posting sites and hiring platforms like LinkedIn, GlassDoor, Jobs in Japan, Career Cross, and GaijinPot Jobs. Check out some of the best foreigner-friendly job hunting sites in Japan for more options.

Besides that, we recommend that you do your own research. Find out about the industry and look for companies that you might like. Visit their website. Most companies have a designated Careers page (“Work with Us”, “Careers”).

If you have more years of experience in your pocket working in a niche industry (like healthcare, automotive, or infrastructure), approach a recruiter. They deal with highly specialized positions that are often mid-career or even at C-levels, so you have a better chance of being matched with a potential job in a top company that is willing to negotiate your terms and salary.

Want to Boost Your Career in Japan? Take Japanese Lessons at Coto Academy

While there are jobs in Japan besides English teaching, your options might still be limited. The best way to boost your career prospects in Japan is by improving your Japanese skills!

Why not take Japanese lessons at Coto Academy and open more doors for your career? With locations in Shibuya, Yokohama, and online, our classes are designed to fit the busy schedules of working professionals. Discover how we can help you achieve your Japanese language goals. If you’re unsure where to start, we offer a free Japanese level check to guide you on the right path.

FAQ

Want to work in Japan? You might like related content like:

• Japanese Work Culture: How is it Different from the West?
• 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
• How to Exchange Business Cards in Japan: Meishi Koukan

The Japanese government just announced that on April 15, 2026, the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa (one of the most common work visas for foreign nationals) will be revised to include a Japanese language requirement. Under the new system, foreigners need to have Japanese language skills equivalent to the N2 level of the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test, or the B2 level of the CEFR standards.

However, the Japanese language requirements for work visas apply only to roles that already require Japanese proficiency, rather than to all applicants under the 技人国 (gijinkoku) visa category. Either way, how are these revisions actually going to work, who is this change for, and why is the Japanese government making these revisions in the first place?

This information is based on ongoing developments and should not be considered legal advice. We are not legal experts or an official immigration authority. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to the Residence Status: Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services page provided by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.

The JLPT N2 is Now Required for One of the Most Common Work Visas

The Immigration Services Agency officially stated on its website that Japan will require proof of Japanese proficiency for the gijinkoku visa. They’ve decided that Japanese proficiency needs to be at the CEFR B2 level, which is considered to be equivalent to the JLPT N2. However, there are a few things to keep in mind.

1. You only need to submit a JLPT N2 certificate if your application falls under category 3 or 4 (employment at SMEs).
2. Passing the JLPT N2 (CEFR B2) is not a strict requirement since the website outlines that alternative proof of proficiency could be accepted.
3. Any new requirement will apply only to applicants entering Japan on a 技人国 (Gijinkoku) visa for the first time. Foreign nationals already in Japan on student visas who transition directly into this visa category could be exempt.
4. Language requirements would only apply to jobs where Japanese is actually used.

So, let’s unpack what all that means.

What is the Engineering, Specialist in Humanities, and International Services Visa?

Before we discuss the exact revisions, we need to understand the exact visa that is being affected. The Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa, known in Japanese as 技術・人文知識・国際業務 (Gijutsu, Jinbun Chishiki, Kokusai Gyoumu), is one of the most common work visas for foreign professionals in Japan. It is often abbreviated as 技人国 (Gijinkoku).

The gijinkoku is a flexible, wide-reaching work visa allowing foreigners to engage in a variety of industries that fall under engineering, humanities, or international services. Below is a breakdown of typical roles covered by the gijinkoku visa.

Basically, almost anything can fall under these broad categories, from software, marketing, consulting, creative, to even English teaching. So, it might be easier to define what this visa is not:

• It is not a blue-collar labor visa
• It is not meant for factory or construction work
• It is not meant for hospitality or food service work (waiter, bartender, etc.)

Currently, the visa requires either a bachelor’s degree or some years of work experience in an industry relevant to the visa’s permitted work scope. To receive the visa, you do not need any Japanese language ability.

What are Category 3 or 4 Applications for the Gijinkoku Work Visa

Categories 3 and 4 are typically small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have existed for some time and have submitted their statutory withholding tax records for the previous year. Category 4 includes newly established companies (startups) or very small businesses with limited financial history.

So, how likely is it for foreigners to work in SMEs? The majority of foreigners are employed at small companies, over 36% work at companies with under 30 employees, and almost 20% work in companies employing between 30 and 99 employees, according to the Immigration Services Agency. With so many foreigners working for SMEs, they will need to have the JLPT N2 qualification if their job requires Japanese.

However, keep in mind, you are deemed to have JLPT N2 if you have:

・Graduated from a Japanese university, completed a specialized or advanced course at a Japanese college of technology or vocational school.
・Completed compulsory education in Japan and graduated from a Japanese high school

So, if you have already studied in Japan at a university, you do not need JLPT N2; however, the system will make it harder for overseas applicants to come to Japan if they are hired by smaller firms, or if they did not attend a Japanese higher education institution.

Why is Japan Making These Revisions?

What the gijinkoku visa is, the type of work it permits, and its eligibility criteria lead us directly into why Japan is going to make revisions to its language requirements. The government believes that many foreigners enter the country with the gijinkoku visa but end up working in sectors that do not fall under its permitted scope. So, the government feels that the visa’s lack of language proficiency requirements is partly to blame for this.

There are currently 468,068 gijinkoku visa holders according to the Ministry of Labor, Health, and Welfare (MLHW), making it the second most common visa after the permanent resident visa. With the number of foreign workers the visa brings into the country, Japan wants to ensure that all the foreigners meet qualifications while preventing visa holders from working in sectors not allowed under the gijinkoku work criteria. So, requiring proof of Japanese ability could bar candidates who don’t have that baseline qualification, as well as allow in more foreigners, more likely to integrate into Japanese society. 

So, it’s for this purpose that the JLPT N2 is going to be required for getting the visa. Additionally, the fact that the revisions are only for category 3 and 4 applications means small companies are the main target. With so many foreigners being employed by SMEs, they need to ensure these companies (with fewer financial records) are also complying. So the new policy also includes restrictions that will bar any company from hiring foreign workers for 5 years if they have any labor or harassment violations.

Recent policy discussions in Japan have also focused on tightening requirements for permanent residency. Specifically, government panels and ruling party officials are considering introducing a Japanese language requirement for permanent residency applicants as part of broader immigration reforms.

What Language Requirements Are Actually Being Proposed?

Japan will revise the eligibility criteria for the gijinkoku visa to require applicants to possess Japanese at the CEFR B2 level, which is approximately equivalent to the JLPT N2. 

However, there are some important caveats you should keep in mind:

1. Applicable Only to Roles Needing Japanese

These changes are only applicable to roles that require Japanese language ability. Since the gijinkoku visa is so flexible and covers a wide range of roles, certain positions such as English teaching (often covered by the gijinkoku), recruitment, inbound marketing, and certain engineering/technical roles likely wouldn’t be applicable for the new language requirement changes if no Japanese is required.

2. Revisions Likely Won’t Apply to Visa Status Changes or Renewals

The revisions also won’t be applied to foreigners seeking to change their visa status, such as university students changing their visa to the gijinkoku or current workers who are renewing their visa. So, if you’ve just changed jobs and will be needing to renew your visa, you won’t need to rush to pass the N2. The revision is mainly targeted at foreigners entering Japan for the first time and requiring a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).

3. JLPT N2 is One of Many Accepted Documents Proving Japanese Skills

The biggest elephant in the room is whether the JLPT N2 certificate will actually be a strict requirement for visa eligibility. It seems the government just wants proof of language ability at the CEFR B2 standard, which they feel is equivalent to the N2. So, an N2 certificate would be sufficient proof of language ability, but it doesn’t have to be the only one. Others include:

• A score of at least 400 on the Business Japanese Test (BJT)
• Graduating from universities in Japan, or completing advanced or specialized courses at vocational/technical colleges
• Residing in Japan for 20 years or more as a medium-to-long term resident
• Completing compulsory education in Japan and completing high school

About the JLPT N2 or CEFR B2

The N2 is the second-highest level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), an exam that evaluates Japanese language abilities. The N2 is considered sufficient for working in Japanese, meaning you can engage in complicated dialogue, read articles, conduct meetings, and meet the diverse language demands of a working setting in Japanese.

However, the policy will stipulate submitting documents proving you’re at the CEFR B2 level, which officially corresponds to the N2. The CEFR, or the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, is a global standard that measures language proficiency. According to the website, the B2 level means you can comfortably communicate with native speakers as well as understand concrete and abstract texts and discussions. You can also produce detailed writings on a range of subjects you are knowledgeable about. 

There is no test for the CEFR specifically, so Japan considers the N2 to be an indicator of being at the CEFR B2 level. But note that the JLPT N2 will not be the only certificate the government will consider, as mentioned above.

Who Will Need the JLPT N2 Under These New Revisions?

As mentioned, not every person seeking the gijinkoku visa will be subject to the new revisions. The main target of the revision is foreigners who are still living in their home country and need a COE. The revisions will be part of the eligibility requirements for receiving the COE, which is needed for granting the gijinkoku visa. However, these revisions are only applicable to job descriptions requiring Japanese language skills. 

Here are some typical roles that could require Japanese and fall under the gijinkoku qualifications:

• Client-facing positions, such as consulting or sales
• Domestic marketing positions
• Translation and interpretation between Japanese and English
• Any company where all operations are conducted in Japanese

So, let’s break down who does and does not apply for the Japanese language requirements when seeking the gijinkoku visa:

Client-facing and Other Roles Requiring JLPT N2 for the Visa

Client-facing roles will probably need Japanese the most, but what do these roles actually entail? In English teaching, you are dealing with “clients” who could be your students or the parents whom you need to speak to directly, sometimes even in Japanese. However, these roles probably won’t expect you to have a JLPT N2 for the job since Japanese is not a core part of the role’s responsibilities. The Job Description will need to clearly state that Japanese language skills are necessary, but often, the extent to which is not clearly defined. So, in these cases, you would need to clarify what is needed and if you would need to submit proof of language abilities to immigration.

Most of the time, roles needing a high level of Japanese will clearly state that candidates should possess at least the JLPT N2 skill level, whether you have the certificate or not. But with the new revisions, you might need to submit certification to immigration. Usually, these roles involve speaking with Japanese stakeholders, which often includes external clients or business partners. In client-facing roles, you would need to engage with Japanese clients to discuss products, help with inquiries, or make recommendations. Since you often need to explain complicated details, respond to questions, and help clients make big decisions, your Japanese would need to be sharp.

“Client-facing” is not the only role needing high Japanese proficiency. A role involving internal stakeholders, where you have to speak, train, or participate in meetings with your colleagues and fellow employees, would require excellent Japanese. Also, translation and interpretation roles would need high proficiency, ideally a bi-lingual level, in Japanese as well as the target language. These roles are quite common across Japanese industries, especially with SMEs, since they often need resources for localization.

Impact on the Japanese Job Market & How to Prepare

So, what do these revisions mean for companies hiring and sponsoring foreign workers? Hiring companies will need to comply by ensuring that job descriptions clearly disclose language requirements, and the interview process will also need to thoroughly screen the candidates to determine if they actually meet the language demands of the role. 

This means if you apply for a role, you will need to submit proof of language abilities to both your job and the Japanese embassy in your home country for your COE. The Japanese job market might have a higher barrier to entry as the government now requires proof of language proficiency via certifications like the JLPT N2, and companies might become stricter about language screening. On the other hand, this change could potentially decrease the pool of candidates, making the job market in Japan less crowded. 

The Japanese government also wants to use the revisions to crack down on employers that have engaged in unfair labor practices or have harassed employees in the past. So, any companies with violations won’t be able to hire foreign employees for at least 5 years.

So, how can you prepare for getting a job in Japan that requires Japanese and showing proof of language skills for your visa? Here’s what you will need to know:

1. Start Preparing for Japanese Language Tests

While other exams and qualifications will be accepted for the gijinkoku visa, we highly recommend getting the JLPT N2. It has already been cited as sufficient for getting the visa and is considered equivalent to the CEFR B2. It is also the most accepted certification for Japanese language proficiency for companies, government agencies, and universities. Whichever exam you choose, just ensure it is considered to be equivalent to the CEFR B2 level.

To get started on preparing for the N2, consider joining JLPT prep courses at Coto Academy!

2. Get the Certificate

Once you pass the exam, you will need to be sure you download and print the certification, which you will need to submit to the Japanese embassy for your COE. Additionally, you might need to show proof of your language proficiency to the hiring company. They probably won’t ask for the certificate, since they will test your Japanese during the interview, but it might be good to have an extra copy or a digital one ready in case they ask for it.

3. Prepare for Japanese Interviews

Preparing for Japanese interviews will be just as essential as preparing for the JLPT, since you need the company to hire and sponsor you to come into Japan. While the Japanese you studied for the JLPT will be handy, it’s best to prepare specifically for Japanese job interviews by practicing responses to common interview questions, mastering your 自己紹介 (jikoshokai) or self-introduction, and brushing up your Japanese keigo. With practice, you will get the hang of how interviews work in Japanese, like interviews anywhere else, always be confident, and be yourself!

4. Apply & Submit the Documents for the COE

As mentioned, we are still getting updates on how the process will work with the new revisions. The current process generally goes as follows:

• Once you land a job, you will need to submit all necessary immigration documents to your employer
• Your employer will submit documents on your behalf for the COE
• Once you receive your COE, you go to the Japanese embassy of your home country to apply for the visa by submitting your COE, passport, and other documents.
• Once everything is approved, you will have to pick up your passport and visa
• Upon arriving in Japan, your passport will get the official visa page, and you will receive a residence card

Final Verdict: Will the JLPT N2 be Required for Working Visas?

Since the government will add language requirements for the gijinkoku visa, the JLPT N2 is probably the safest for proving your language abilities are equivalent to the CEFR B2. However, alternative documents can be used as proof as well. Additionally, the planned revisions only apply to roles with job descriptions specifically requiring Japanese language skills. It will not apply to people already in Japan who are planning to renew or change their visa residence status. 

The new revisions will be effective by April 15, 2026, but we recommend keeping an eye out for the news to stay up-to-date and inform any life-changing decisions.

If you are planning on getting a job in Japan that requires Japanese skills, we highly recommend taking our JLPT preparation courses at Coto Academy! The course will break down the exam piece by piece, allowing a chance to understand the test’s sections, structure, and questions inside and out. If you’re worried about getting the certificate to meet the new language requirements, sign up today to be sure you’re ready to pass!

FAQ:

Read more:

What to Know About Japan’s New Foreign Worker System Starting 2027

Tourists Can No Longer Take the JLPT Exam In Japan From 2026

The Engineer’s Guide to Breaking Into Japan’s Tech Market