In Japan, international students are allowed to work part-time under certain conditions, provided they have a valid student visa and permission to engage in activities outside their designated visa status. Here’s a guide on part-time work for international students in Japan:

Key Requirements

1. Work Permit:
   • International students must obtain a “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted” (資格外活動許可). This can be applied for at the immigration office after arriving in Japan.
2. Work Hour Limits:
   • During the academic term: Students are allowed to work up to 28 hours per week.
   • During long vacations (summer or winter break): Students can work up to 40 hours per week.
3. Types of Jobs:
   • Many students work in restaurants, convenience stores, or language schools (as English tutors).
   • Some students find part-time jobs in fields like retail, hospitality, administrative support, or translation.
   • Internships related to academic fields are possible but may have more restrictions.

Popular Part-Time Jobs for International Students:

• Convenience Store Staff (Konbini): Flexible hours, and no advanced Japanese required for some locations.
• Restaurant/Kitchen Staff: Jobs in ramen shops, izakayas, and fast food chains.
• English Tutor: If you speak English fluently, teaching English to Japanese students can be lucrative.
• Supermarkets/Retail Stores: Some retail stores hire foreign students for stocking and cashier positions.
• Event Staff: Assisting with conferences, concerts, and exhibitions.

Average Pay:

• Most part-time jobs offer hourly wages between ¥900–¥1,500 depending on location (with Tokyo generally offering higher wages).

Things to Avoid:

• International students are not allowed to work in places considered “adult entertainment” or morally questionable under Japanese law (such as bars, nightclubs, pachinko parlors, etc.).

How to Find Part-Time Jobs:

• University Job Boards: Many universities have job placement services or boards for students.
• Online Job Portals:
  • Websites like GaijinPot, Townwork, or Baitoru have listings for part-time jobs.
  • Hello Work: A government-run service with listings in English.
• Networking: Connections with classmates, teachers, or other students can also help in finding part-time work.

Language Skills:

• While some jobs do not require high-level Japanese proficiency (e.g., English tutoring, some restaurant jobs), having at least basic Japanese (N4/N3 level) is beneficial for most jobs. More advanced positions or internships may require N2 or N1 level Japanese.

We would  introduce the topic of “arubaito” which mean part-time jobs, colloquially known as “baito,” one of the most important parts of student life here in Japan. Whether you need to pay for rent, daily expenses, travel, or if you want some extra pocket change to spend on something nice, part-time jobs are essential for many students. Japan offers a wide variety of part-time jobs, ranging from convenience store clerks to English tutors, but these jobs can be difficult to get if you can’t speak any Japanese or if you don’t have any connections.

Types of Part-time Jobs Available

Convenience stores

Convenience stores, or konbini, are ubiquitous in Japan and offer a popular part-time job option for students. Jobs in these stores involve a variety of tasks such as stocking shelves, cashiering, and assisting customers. The flexible hours make this an attractive choice for students, allowing them to fit shifts around their class schedules. Additionally, these positions provide a valuable opportunity to practice Japanese language skills in a real-world setting.

English Language Teacher/Tutor

Another common baito for international students is teaching English, which can be done either at a language school (eikaiwa) or as a private tutor. These jobs tend to be infrequent, and you don’t work many hours each month, but the pay per hour is high. 

1.  Private Tutoring

Becoming a private tutor is more informal and involves finding someone who wants to learn English, picking a textbook, and preparing lessons. Often, you can make upwards of 2,000 yen per hour, although you may only work an hour a week per client. The advantage of private tutoring is the control you gain by organizing the lessons and curriculum yourself. 

2.  Conversational English Teaching

There are also English “teaching” jobs that simply require you to have conversations in English. You don’t need to follow a particular syllabus; instead, you just talk with your student/client in English, offering tips and corrections as needed. The pay for this type of work is usually around 1,000 yen per hour or by session.

3. Language Schools

Many international students from English-speaking countries find opportunities to teach English part-time through language schools. These jobs often pay well compared to other part-time work and can be very flexible.

Restaurant and Café Staff

Many students find part-time work as baristas, especially at well-known chains like Starbucks. Here, you must submit a “shift request” two weeks in advance and attend the assigned shifts. If you can’t make a shift, it’s your responsibility to find a replacement. Promotions occur as you learn new skills, starting with tasks like washing dishes, then moving on to customer service roles such as handling the drive-through, mixing drinks, and working the register. 

There are also numerous other cafés and coffee shops in the local area offering part-time positions. These environments are great for practising Japanese and learning about Japanese work culture.

1. Working at a Local Izakaya

Another option is working at a local izakaya (Japanese-style bar). These jobs often pay as well or better than convenience store or fast-food positions and typically operate in the evenings, making them ideal for students with daytime classes. However, these roles require good Japanese skills for customer interaction and understanding training. Experience in food service is often preferred, making it easier to transition from a convenience store or fast-food job. Izakayas tend to be more casual workplaces where you can make friends with coworkers and bosses. 

2. Fast Food and Chain Restaurants

Working in the kitchen at chain restaurants or fast-food establishments, including kaitenzushiya (conveyor belt sushi), is a viable option for those with limited Japanese skills. While you need to understand directions and ask questions, tasks are often demonstrated visually, making them easier to replicate. These positions sometimes offer higher pay to retain staff and incentivize late-night or weekend shifts. 

Legal Requirements for Student Part-time Jobs in Japan

Work Permit

International students must obtain a work permit, known as “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted Under the Status of Residence Previously Granted.” This permit is relatively easy to obtain and allows students to work up to 28 hours per week during the school term and up to 40 hours per week during school holidays.

Restrictions

There are some restrictions on the types of jobs students can take. For example, working in the adult entertainment industry is strictly prohibited. Additionally, students must adhere to the weekly hour limits to avoid legal issues and potential impact on their student visa status.

How to find part-time jobs in Japan

Job Boards

Online job boards like Baitoru are a fast and easy way to filter, search, and find baito that you are qualified for and interested in within a specific area. While these require some level of Japanese, they allow you to search by criteria such as ‘having piercings’, ‘only working once a week’, or ‘being a foreign student’ to ensure a good match before reaching out for an interview.

Asking Businesses Directly

Another effective method is to approach businesses directly. Stores and restaurants often display signs on their windows or storefronts indicating they are looking for staff or part-timers. Look for signs with the Japanese text スタッフ・アルバイト募集中, which translates to “RECRUITING STAFF/PART-TIMERS.” These signs usually include a phone number, so you will need to call the store first rather than entering directly. 

Employment at the University

At iCLA, you can volunteer as a Language Café Assistant, helping with various events organized by the Language Café. However, this is an irregular opportunity and not a job where you can put in shifts every week. There are also other job opportunities at your school; you can approach the administration or check the bulletin boards and flyers around the campus. 

Things to consider before looking for a part-time job in Japan

 Important Considerations for Part-time Jobs in Japan:

1. Working Permit

If you are a foreign student on a visa, you must apply for approval to work part-time in Japan. This application can be submitted at the airport upon your arrival or arranged at your local immigration office. You are not legally allowed to work part-time until you obtain this approval.

2.  Working Hours

Once you have the work permit, you are allowed to work up to 28 hours per week during the school term. During school holidays, this limit increases to 48 hours per week.

3. Wage

Part-time job wages vary depending on the type of work and location. Hourly wages typically range from 900 yen to 1,500 yen or more. For example, the minimum hourly wage in Tokyo is higher than in Yamanashi. Jobs that require higher levels of Japanese proficiency often offer better pay.

4.  Payment Method

For most part-time jobs, you will need to open a Japanese bank account to receive your salary. While some informal jobs like babysitting may pay in cash, the standard method is a monthly bank transfer.

5.  Japanese Language Skill

Japanese language proficiency is a crucial asset for securing more arubaito options. Different jobs require varying levels of Japanese. Factory work usually requires minimal to no Japanese, whereas convenience store jobs require sufficient conversational, reading, and sometimes writing skills in Japanese.

6.  Resumes

A physical (usually handwritten) resume is commonly required when applying for jobs. You will need to fill out your personal details, availability, a photo, previous work history, current status (student, company worker, etc.), and sometimes your education history. These resume forms can be purchased at any convenience store or 100-yen shop.