No Degree? How to Work Legally in Japan

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Foreign Professional
August 03, 2025

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The Japan Work Report
Want to Move to Japan But Don’t Know Where to Start?

You don’t need a degree. You don’t need fluent Japanese.
But you do need a roadmap.

The Japan Work Report is the only newsletter that shows you real jobs you can apply for, with visa sponsorship, salary info, and no fluff.

Every Friday, you'll get:

  • Job listings for foreigners outside Japan

  • Exact visa type, Japanese level, and employer info

  • What’s working right now (and what’s not)

  • Industry snapshots across care work, logistics, tourism, and tech

  • Advice from someone who’s helped hundreds of people get hired in Japan

If you’re serious about living and working in Japan, this saves you months of guesswork.

Foreign Professional
No Degree Needed

You don’t need a degree or fluent Japanese to work in Japan.
This issue breaks down three legal routes that actually lead to jobs.

JP Brief Election Update

The July 20 Upper House election reaffirmed that, despite national debates, most local leaders affirm Japan’s need for foreign talent. Prefectures like Miyagi and Sendai continue to invest in job fairs and recruitment from abroad, proof that demand is real and policies remain supportive.

Why These Paths Matter

If you've been told you need a university degree or fluent N2/N1 Japanese to move to Japan, here’s the truth: multiple visa routes now allow people to work legally, earn comparable wages, and even settle long-term. You can begin applying from outside Japan, often in less than a month, and build your future at your current skill level.

Visa Options
Visa Options: Overview

Technical Intern Training Program (TITP)

Originally intended to transfer technical skills, TITP allows foreigners to enter Japan for on-the-job training across up to five years. It's limited in rights: you generally cannot change employers, cannot bring family, and your maximum stay is five years. That said, after completing TITP (especially in fields like care or agriculture), many people upgrade directly into the Specified Skilled Worker visa without repeating exams.

Specified Skilled Worker (SSW)

Introduced in April 2019 to fill labor shortages in industries such as tourism, food processing, logistics, and elder care. It has two types:

  • SSW (i): Requires JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic and a skills test. Maximum 5-year stay, no family accompaniment. Permits job change within the same field.

  • SSW (ii): Higher skill level, unlimited renewable stay, and can bring spouse and children. Currently available only in industries like construction and shipbuilding.

TITP can be a quicker entry route, but SSW is ideal for those aiming to stay longer, build a career, and bring family.

Route

Degree Required

Japanese Level

Job Flexibility

Family Allowed

TITP

No

Basic

No job change allowed (except rare cases)

No

SSW (i)

No

JLPT N4 / JFT

Allowed to switch within same field

No

SSW (ii)

No

Higher skill

Full flexibility in eligible sectors

Yes

Check out these employers
Real Employer Examples & Application Links

  • A Beppu onsen hotel regularly recruits seasonal staff under SSW (i), they require JLPT N4, provide relocation support, and pay about ¥150 K/month.

  • A logistics warehouse in Sendai (Miyagi Prefecture) hires full-time SSW (i) candidates and runs virtual job fairs for international applicants.

  • Construction firms across Kyushu are recruiting SSW (ii) candidates, N4 is usually enough, and some roles let you bring family after upgrading.

Visit the SSW Support Site for recruiter guidance and industry listings: https://www.ssw.go.jp/en/ and search for roles by industry and language requirement.

How to apply from abroad
How to Prepare & Apply Step by Step (From Abroad)

  1. Choose your route (TITP if you want quick entry and training experience, or SSW if you're ready for stability).

  2. Study for JLPT N4 or JFT‑Basic, and know your industry’s skills exam. Exams are available either overseas or in Japan via registered centers.

  3. Build a Japanese-style resume, many templates are available; include your language score and any prior experience.

  4. Search for visa-sponsoring listings on GaijinPot (use “visa sponsorship” filter) or prefectural job portals like Miyagi’s

  5. Apply online, interviews are often conducted via video. Be clear about your current location and language level.

  6. Receive a job offer, then your company submits a Certificate of Eligibility in Japan.

  7. Apply for your visa at your nearest Japanese embassy once COE is granted, processing time usually 1–3 months.

Tips from the Community

A Reddit user in the r/movingtojapan forum said:

“SSW in construction is one of the easier routes, training schools in Indonesia helped me prepare, and the process is transparent and well-supported by agencies here.”

This peer insight aligns with many reader experiences: local training centers, real test prep, and company placement programs give this path structure and accessibility.

CONCLUSION
Risks & How to Avoid Them

TITP has gained reputational issues due to poor oversight in some employer contracts. Always verify your host company is authorized and fully legal. High turnover or abusive conditions are rare but documented.

Choose employers with clear recruitment materials, legal contact information, and reviews from other overseas workers. When in doubt, ask about registered support organizations or union membership.

What This Means for You Now

You can move to Japan with zero fluency and no degree, legally and immediately via TITP or SSW. Most readers can begin preparation now, book their exam, build a resume, and apply to roles by the end of the week.

These routes are widely available, backed by government alignment, and offer a clear path to stability and permanent residence if you choose SSW (ii).

Resources
References & Resources

Need Help Landing a Job in Japan?
Here are a few ways I can support you:

✅Resume Writing Tutorial + Templates
Step-by-step written guide + the exact Japanese resume formats I used to get hired. Perfect if you’re not sure how to write a 履歴書 or 職務経歴書.