Working in Japan

A young, Asian businesswoman at her desk pinching the bridge of her nose while looking very tired.

Death By Overwork: All About Karoshi

July 16, 2021 by Risa

Simply put, 過労死 (karoshi) is a “Japanese term for sudden death caused by overwork,” according to the Oxford dictionary. Karoshi: Societal and Cultural Background The term karoshi was first recognized by the Health Ministry in 1987, and its use has been increasing since then. Culturally, Japanese people tend to put work above all other aspects … Read more

A Japanese classroom with a view of desks and the front blackboard.

8 Things No One Told You About Teaching in Japan and How to Deal with It

January 30, 2021 by Dallen Nakamura

Teaching English is one of the most common jobs available to foreigners in Japan. Most native English speaking foreigners I know have taught English to some degree while living in Japan. It is also one of the easiest ways to move to Japan and get a visa. Teaching English in Japan may seem like a … Read more

Four women and two men dressed in business attire clenching their fists as if doing a fightint pose. They are standing in front of a desk with laptops on top of it.

Japan Workplace Culture: Communicating with Your Japanese Co-Workers

July 6, 2020November 18, 2018 by Amanda Wilmot

Communication is the backbone of any office environment. This is no different in Japan. Language is important for communicating, but it’s more than just saying the right words. It’s usually much more nuanced. Your delivery of a statement can impact its meaning. Your body language can also affect how your words are interpreted. These subtle … Read more

The fingers of someone is holding up an illustration of the Japanese flag. The person's body is blurred in the background.

Working in a Japanese Company: The Office Environment

July 6, 2020October 14, 2018 by Amanda Wilmot

Have you ever wondered what working in a Japanese office is like? Most people know that the culture in Japan is very different from most Western countries. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that working in a Japanese office environment is full of unique customs and challenges for non-native Japanese employees. However, there are industries … Read more

A large group of people standing in a group all dressed in different professional uniforms like a business suite, nurse's scrubs, doctor's coat, etc.

How to Get a Non-Teaching Job in Japan

September 30, 2021September 1, 2018 by Amanda Wilmot

If you’re wondering how to get a non-teaching job in Japan, this article will help answer any questions you may have. Searching online for jobs in Japan will quickly make you realize that there are two main types of companies hiring foreigners: tech companies and English schools. Many foreigners who move to Japan start out … Read more

A young woman dressed in business attire, holding a blue pen in her right hand and holding her glasses on her face with her left. She is in front of a whiteboard, ready to write something.

Teaching English in Japan: The JET Program vs. Interac

July 6, 2020October 30, 2016 by Louise

When it comes to teaching English in Japan, the JET Program versus Interac is the Coke versus Pepsi debate of the ALT community. JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) is a government program. Interac is a private company. Both provide Japanese public schools with Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs). While the average workday of an ALT is … Read more

A young white woman is kneeling down in between two young Asian girls. She is holding a picture of an orange., and the two Asian girls are raising their hands.

International Kindergarten Jobs in Japan: Worth It?

July 6, 2020October 10, 2016 by Celia Jenkins

A Day in the Life of an International Kindergarten Teacher in Japan Working as an ALT or at an eikaiwa (private language school) seem to be the most popular career options for foreigners in Japan. However, a field in which there are increasing employment opportunities is at international kindergartens. As learning English becomes a more … Read more