Job Hunting in Japan. A Guide for International Students

Job hunting in Japan can be quite different from the process in other countries. Many Japanese companies recruit new graduates in batches, and students often begin preparing well before their final year.

For international students, understanding the timeline and knowing where to find information can make the process much easier.

🗓️ When should you start?

For students graduating in March 2028, the general recruitment schedule sets:

• March 1, 2027: Company publicity and recruitment information begins
• June 1, 2027: Formal selection activities begin
• October 1, 2027: Formal job offers (naitei) can be issued

These are the standard government guidelines for the 2028 graduating cohort, but individual companies may recruit on different schedules. Some companies begin internships, company information sessions, or other recruitment activities much earlier. Certain specialized internships may also allow recruitment processes to proceed outside the standard schedule.

For this reason, it is useful to begin preparing several months before the main recruitment period.

💼 Internships

Internships can be useful for learning about an industry, experiencing a workplace, and understanding what a company actually does.

Companies offer different types of internships, ranging from short company-introduction programs to longer programs involving practical work. Some specialized internships can also be connected to later recruitment processes.

During your search, check:

• Whether international students are eligible
• Whether the program is conducted in Japanese or English
• The application deadline
• Whether selection is required
• Whether the internship is related to recruitment
• Whether the company offers positions for your graduation year

Internship recruitment can begin well before the main new-graduate recruitment season, so it is worth checking company websites and university career systems throughout the year.

🤝 Finding companies and meeting recruiters

There is no single website that contains every opportunity.

Useful places to look include:

Company websites Many companies publish their graduate recruitment and internship information directly on their careers pages.

University career services The University of Osaka Career Support System provides information on job openings, internships, career events, and other employment-related opportunities. The university also provides career consultations and support specifically for international students.

Career fairs and company sessions Job fairs and company information sessions are useful ways to learn about companies and speak directly with recruiters. JASSO also recommends international students make use of job fairs and seminars.

Recruitment platforms In addition to international-student-focused services, check the same Japanese job-search platforms used by Japanese students. JASSO recommends using both international-student employment sites and general Japanese recruitment sites.

Alumni and OB/OG visits Speaking with alumni working at companies you are interested in can help you understand the workplace and recruitment process beyond what is available on a company website.

📄 What does the application process look like?

The exact process varies by company, but new-graduate recruitment commonly includes several stages:

1. Company research Understand the company, industry, products, and positions you are applying for.

2. Entry / registration Register through the company’s website or a recruitment platform to receive information about the selection process.

3. Entry Sheet (ES) You may be asked about your motivation, experience, strengths, research, career goals, and other topics.

4. Aptitude or written tests Some companies use aptitude tests or written examinations as part of their selection process.

5. Interviews Companies may conduct several interviews, including interviews with recruiters, employees, managers, or senior management.

6. Naitei A company may give a preliminary offer (内々定, naitei/naitei in common usage) before the formal October 1 offer date.

Start preparing your CV, research summary, ES answers, and interview responses before applications open. Osaka University’s Career Center also provides support for ES and résumé preparation and interview preparation.

🇯🇵 How important is Japanese?

There is no single Japanese-language requirement for all jobs.

Requirements vary considerably depending on the company, position, industry, and role. Some positions are conducted primarily in Japanese, while others may be available in English or require less Japanese.

However, international students should be prepared for the possibility that parts of the recruitment process—including company information, entry sheets, aptitude tests, or interviews—may be conducted in Japanese. JASSO specifically recommends working on Japanese proficiency alongside industry research and other preparation.

When checking a position, look for information such as:

• Japanese level required
• English proficiency
• Language of the interview
• Language of the Entry Sheet
• Whether the position is open to international students

Don’t assume that a company requires fluent Japanese—or that English alone will be sufficient. Check the requirements for each position.

🔎 Recruitment websites

These are some of the main websites students use to search for jobs and internships in Japan. It is worth registering with several rather than relying on just one, because companies and opportunities differ between platforms.

For new graduates

• Mynavi (マイナビ) — One of the major Japanese new-graduate recruitment platforms. Search for companies, internships, recruitment events, and positions by industry or location. Mynavi also has a dedicated section for international students.
• Rikunabi (リクナビ) — Another major new-graduate recruitment platform. It is particularly useful for finding Japanese companies and their new-graduate recruitment information. JASSO lists both Mynavi and Rikunabi among the main employment information websites for new graduates.
• Career+ / キャリタス就活 — A Japanese new-graduate recruitment platform with company information, recruitment opportunities, and career events.
• Asagaku Navi (あさがくナビ) — Another platform for new-graduate recruitment and career information.

For international and bilingual students

• Mynavi International Students — A dedicated section for international students looking for employment in Japan, including companies that actively recruit international students and international-student career events.
• CareerCross — Useful for bilingual and international professionals. You can search specifically for jobs where English or other language skills are useful, including some positions where Japanese is not required.
• Daijob — A job-search platform focused on multilingual and bilingual professionals in Japan, with many positions at international and global companies.
• Mynavi Global Agent — A free recruitment support service for international students. In addition to jobs listed publicly on Mynavi, it can introduce international-student-focused job opportunities and provide support with applications and interviews.

💡 Don’t search only for “international student jobs”

If you are studying at Osaka University, don’t limit your search to positions specifically labelled for international students.

Many companies recruit international students through their normal new-graduate recruitment process, alongside Japanese students. You can therefore search both:

留学生 / 外国人向け求人 and 新卒採用 / 新卒求人

on recruitment websites and company career pages. JASSO specifically recommends international students use both international-student employment websites and the general Japanese recruitment websites.

Also check the company’s own recruitment website after finding a company you are interested in. Some companies accept applications directly and may have their own recruitment schedule.

💡 A simple way to start

If you are planning to work in Japan after graduation:

Start early → Research industries → Attend company sessions → Try internships → Prepare your ES and CV → Practice interviews → Apply

Most importantly, check the recruitment schedule of each company you are interested in. The general schedule is a useful guide, but individual companies may have their own application and selection timelines.