Sometimes it feels like there are two Japans: one inside the glass office buildings, and another when the Shinkansen is packed and the streets empty out for Golden Week, Obon, or New Year’s break. In this issue, we’ll cover a visa path many overlook, how to present yourself smoothly in a Japanese interview, what Japanese holiday culture really means for work-life harmony, and a major pending change to Japan’s naturalization rules. Think of this as your 2026 checklist, part practical guide, part cultural primer.

A lot of people think this visa category is only for engineers or hardcore specialists but in reality, it’s one of the most flexible pathways foreigners use to work in Japan.

What many candidates don’t realize is that companies frequently sponsor this status for roles like:

Here’s the real requirement:
Your background must match the job field, either because you

That’s why people with backgrounds in:

…are often far more eligible than they assume.

Another big misconception:
You don’t always need N2 Japanese.
If the company has an international client base, hybrid teams, or English-dominant functions, they can still sponsor you.

So the real strategy is:
Apply for roles where your past experience lines up with the tasks, even if they’re not “hard skills.”

Many foreigners get hired this way without realizing they qualified the whole time.

You know what’s rarer than gold? Business news that’s actually enjoyable.

That’s what Morning Brew delivers every day — stories as valuable as your time. Each edition breaks down the most relevant business, finance, and world headlines into sharp, engaging insights you’ll actually understand — and feel confident talking about.

It’s quick. It’s witty. And unlike most news, it’ll never bore you to tears. Start your mornings smarter and join over 4 million people reading Morning Brew for free.

Check it out

This question pops up constantly in Japanese interviews, but it doesn’t mean what it means in Western countries.

In Japan, the question isn’t about ambition.
It’s about stability.

Japanese hiring panels want to know:

A strong answer sounds calm, practical, and grounded in teamwork.

Example approach:

This does three things Japanese employers love:

A common mistake is saying something like:

That can be interpreted as unrealistic or unaware of how promotions usually work in Japan.

Japan likes “steady, continuous growth,” not “rocket ship career jumps.”

If you’re actively job searching:
I send out two paid editions every week, a simple list of English-friendly roles you can apply to right now (Japan Job List), and a deeper industry analysis covering the hiring trends across Japan (Japan Work Report).
You can join either of them any time if you want more structure in your search.

One thing people are often surprised by when they start working in Japan is how the long holiday blocks shape the entire work rhythm of the year. Even though Japan has a reputation for overwork, these big breaks, Golden Week, Obon, and New Year’s, are taken seriously, and most offices slow down or shut down completely.

Golden Week (late April to early May)
A cluster of national holidays happens in the span of a week. Some companies give people a few extra days so the whole period becomes a 7–10 day break. Travel prices go up, trains get crowded, and most business communication pauses until everyone comes back.

Obon (mid-August)
Although it’s not an official nationwide holiday, many companies close for 3–5 days. This is the period when people visit their hometowns, clean family graves, and spend time with relatives. Offices are noticeably quieter, and it’s one of the rare times the entire country seems to take a collective breath.

New Year (late December to early January)
This is the big one. Most companies shut down, and people treat it as the most important holiday period of the year, closer to Christmas + New Year combined in Western countries. Shops close, trains run on limited schedules, and the whole country slows down.

On top of these, Japan added newer holidays like Mountain Day, partly to encourage people to take more regular time off throughout the year. You’ll notice the calendar feels a bit like someone intentionally sprinkled “pause” buttons across the months.

For foreigners working in Japan, these breaks end up being a nice reset and a good reminder that even in a culture known for long hours, there are still moments when everyone steps away at the same time.

There’s a big shift on the horizon for foreigners hoping to become Japanese citizens. The government is reportedly considering raising the required continuous residence period from the current 5 years to 10 years or more.

Under the current law, an application for naturalization requires at least 5 consecutive years of residence and a valid visa status during that time.

If the change goes through, this would mean a significantly longer wait to qualify for citizenship, so if permanent residency or citizenship is part of your long-term plan, it might make sense to apply sooner rather than later (if you meet conditions now).

Bottom line: for many foreigners, the window for “5-year naturalization eligibility” might start closing soon. Good time to get everything in order, paperwork, language, and intent.

This week’s spotlight: SmartHR, a Tokyo-based HR tech startup that builds tools for payroll, employment administration, and labor-management documentation (growing niche especially with Japan’s shifting labor laws).

Why SmartHR stands out for foreign job-seekers:

If you’ve worked with SaaS, HR tools, or remote-friendly international companies: this could be a strong entry point in Japan’s tech scene.

Japan Work Report
Weekly insights into 5 industries, salary ranges, and hiring movement across Japan. This is the edition I write for people who want a strategic view of the job market.

Japan Job List
A straightforward weekly list of 10–20 English-friendly jobs in Japan with language tags and visa notes. Made for people who want something simple they can apply to immediately.

You can subscribe to either at any time.
Thanks for reading, I appreciate it every week.

You can join here

Want a whole breakdown on skills and information you need to find a job here? Then check out our Japan Job Search Toolkit.