Living in Japan: A Guide to Working Holidays, Studying, and Working
Do you like Japanese culture? Want to work and live in Japan? This article will guide you how to make your dream come true!
Based on your purpose, here are a few ways you can live in Japan for a short or long period of time, other than tourism.
For Study Purposes:
University-organized overseas workshops:
Depending on the country, workshops usually last for 5 to 12 days. Many Japanese universities are currently actively recruiting overseas universities for cooperation opportunities. For example, Chiba University has announced that all students admitted after 2020 must have overseas study experience. Under such circumstances, Japanese universities have more frequent academic exchanges and interactions with many overseas universities. If you have the opportunity to participate in such activities, you will have the opportunity to meet the teachers and Japanese students in charge of the program. This will be of great help in applying for short-term exchange students or long-term study abroad in the future.

Short-term exchange study program:
If you are an undergraduate or graduate student, you can try to use the exchange study program to come to Japan. The advantage of exchange students is that they do not need to pay additional tuition to the school, and the credits taken in the school can also be recognized, and they have the opportunity to apply for different levels of scholarships. For related information, please consult the relevant study abroad unit of the school.

Formal international students:
Formal international students are the best way to learn Japanese language and culture. According to your degree (undergraduate, master’s, doctoral) or school (university, specialized school, junior college), the required materials and tests are also different.
The admission time in Japan is different from other countries. There are two periods: spring admission in April and autumn admission in October. Generally, Japanese students enroll in April when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and October is mostly for overseas students.
The Japanese education system is (not considering the situation of staying in school, delaying graduation, and research students):
- Undergraduate: 4 years
- Master: 2 years
- Doctorate: 3 years (depending on the school, the system of extension and leave of absence is different)
- Research student: This is a unique system in Japan, not a formal master’s student. It is a stage before entering the graduate school (research institute). Postgraduate students must be approved by the research institute instructor and pass the graduate school examination to become formal students. It usually lasts for half a year to a year. According to the difficulty of the school and the research room, the time will vary.
Japanese Language School:
The regular courses of Japanese language schools can be divided into

For Work Purposes:
Working Holiday:
If you are between the ages of 18 and 30, a working holiday is a popular way for young people to experience local culture and life in Japan. This program allows people with passports from specific countries to work in Japan for a period of one year to earn living expenses and experience local life.
Typically, working holiday makers can find work in a variety of fields, such as restaurants, cafes, ski resorts, and hotels. This way, they have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Japanese culture, language, and customs, while also providing them with the opportunity to explore this beautiful country. Whether in the bustling metropolis of Tokyo or in the rural areas of Japan, working holidays can be an unforgettable experience for people.
The Working Holiday Programmes in Japan:
Work in Japan (Employment):
Go to work for a company in Japan through the formal recruitment process. If you plan to work in Japan, you will usually need to obtain a corresponding work visa. Different types of work and occupations may require different types of visas. Your employer will usually assist you with the visa process. (If they are not willing to assist you, please do not risk going to Japan)
Job Opportunities: You can look for job opportunities in Japan through recruitment websites, job search websites, recruitment agencies or by contacting Japanese companies. The details will be organized in another article.
Japanese Language Ability: Good Japanese language ability is very important for working in Japan, especially for communicating with local colleagues and clients. Some jobs may require English proficiency, but Japanese is still an advantage.
The above is a brief introduction to several ways to live in Japan. The detailed content will be divided into other articles for introduction.
If you are considering living in Japan, you may find the information provided in this article helpful. I hope this article is beneficial to you.
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Mandarin version: