Hope you’ve had a good start to your week so far. I’ve been speaking with a lot of readers recently, and one theme keeps coming up: there’s a lot of confusing information out there about visas, interviews, and how hiring in Japan actually works. So in this week’s edition, I wanted to break things down in a way that clears up some common misunderstandings and gives you a realistic picture of the opportunities available right now.

If you’re planning your move or shifting your career into Japan, these topics should help you understand what’s changing and what possibilities you might not have considered before.

One of the biggest misconceptions I see is the idea that you must have a university degree to get a work visa in Japan. It’s true that the “Specialist in Humanities / International Services” visa usually requires one, but that’s only half the rule.

Japan actually allows you to qualify with 10+ years of professional experience in the field, even if you never completed a degree.

But almost nobody talks about it.

If you’ve spent a decade in:

…you may be just as eligible as someone with a bachelor’s. The experience must be relevant to the role, but the standard is fairly flexible as long as you can prove your work history through contracts, certificates, or employment letters.

This pathway matters because many foreigners assume Japan is closed off unless you have the “right” academic background. In reality, Japan’s immigration system is designed to accept people with real-world skillsets, not just paper qualifications.

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Japanese interviews often look simple on the surface, but the questions are designed to reveal your mindset, your self-awareness, and whether you’d blend well with the team. Here are two common ones, plus one you’ll almost never hear outside Japan.

In Japan, this isn’t a trick question. They genuinely want to know if you understand yourself and can grow without drama.

A strong answer sounds like:
Strength: Something practical you’ve demonstrated (communication, calmness, structure, cross-team coordination).
Weakness: Something real but not fatal, followed by how you manage it.
Example:

They’re checking for humility, self-control, and emotional stability.

Yes, this is a real question used by real hiring managers in Japan.
And no, the correct answer is not, “Sometimes.”

When a Japanese manager asks this, they aren’t checking your horoscope.
They want to know if you approach challenges with optimism, resilience, and a sense of possibility. People who believe they’re “unlucky” often blame external factors and struggle to work harmoniously in teams.

A good answer is simple:

You’re not claiming magical powers, you’re showing positivity and adaptability, two traits valued heavily in Japanese workplaces.

If a question feels unusual or philosophical, that’s normal.
Japanese interviewers love questions that reveal your attitude, not just your skills.
Prepare examples that show your work style, your approach to uncertainty, and your ability to stay level-headed, those qualities often matter just as much as technical experience.

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.

An interesting trend in 2025: companies across Japan are increasing hiring for project coordinators, project support roles, and operations-focused positions.

Here’s why:

Many teams work with overseas branches now, and someone needs to translate goals into actions. That “bridge” role has never been more important.

Japanese offices were traditionally built around in-person communication, and hybrid setups can get messy fast. Coordinators help keep projects moving without endless meetings.

A lot of these teams use English da, especially in tech, design, and global operations.

If you’ve ever scheduled across time zones, set up project frameworks, documented workflows, or kept teams aligned across departments, you’re already bringing skills Japanese companies actively look for right now.

Japan is in the middle of its first major immigration fee hike in decades. Starting from around April 1st of 2026, the cost of several common procedures is going up:

Short-term “special re-entry permits” (the one you use when you leave Japan for less than a year) are still free for now, and the government is also looking at moving payments away from revenue stamps toward more modern online options.

There’s also talk of tourist visa fees and the departure tax increasing around 2026, mainly to bring Japan closer to other G7 countries and fund infrastructure and tourism-related costs.

What this means for you:
If you’re close to renewing or changing your status, it’s worth checking your timeline. A small shift in when you apply could mean paying the old fee instead of the new one, especially if you act before a changeover date.

MUFG might sound like a traditional Japanese megabank, but its international operations are much more modern and global than most people expect. With offices in over 50 countries, they run cross-border teams focused on global payments, digital transformation, risk management, and international corporate banking.

Why this matters for foreign applicants:

Roles that often fit foreign candidates include global operations, IT coordination, analytics, and cross-border compliance support.

Application Tip: Highlight any experience you have coordinating across borders, working with international clients, or operating in structured environments. MUFG values candidates who can communicate clearly and handle detail-heavy work without getting overwhelmed.

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.

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You can also check out our Japan Job Search Toolkit below: