The governments of the Philippines and Japan signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) in March 2019 that provides better protection for the recruitment and deployment of Filipino workers. The labor cooperation pact was signed in Tokyo by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and Japanese Justice Minister Takashi Yamashita. Bello said that Filipino workers would take at least 30% of the 350,000 jobs that Japan will open to foreign workers starting on April 11, 2019. As of December 2021, 276,615 Filipinos are working and residing in Japan.
Also Read: Top 10 Jobs for Filipinos in Japan
Filipinos want to go to Japan mainly for work or leisure. Japan has many opportunities to offer to Filipinos who wanted to work abroad. Japan is known for its advanced technology as well as its culture. Working in Japan will be a dream come true for anime fans and Japanese culture enthusiasts. So, if you wanted to enjoy Japan while earning a living, please continue reading the information below.
Table of Contents
Requirements
To work in Japan, you must complete the requirements listed below:
- To work in Japan, you must complete the requirements listed below:
- Passport (at least six months validity from the issuance)
- Police clearance
- Barangay clearance
- Birth certificate (issued by PSA)
- Updated resume
- A Copy of the Employment Contract
- Certificate Of Good Moral Character (COGC)
- High School/College Diploma
- Two pieces of 2×2 photos
- Training Certificate (if applicable)
- Medical Certificate (if applicable)
- Duly accomplished application form
Qualifications
An applicant must be at least 18 years old, a high school graduate without a criminal record and must be physically fit to work. Having a job experience is optional.
How to Search for DMW Jobs in Japan
I. Job Search
DMW Website
https://www.dmw.gov.ph/approved-job-orders
1. Click the link above or you can search for ‘DMW’ in your browser.
2. If you searched DMW on your browser, this will appear. Select ‘Approved Job Orders’.
If you clicked the link, this will appear.
3. In the drop-down selection, the one with a red circle, choose ‘Job Site’. Type in the country of your choice. In this search, I will enter ‘Japan’.
4. Before hitting the ‘Search’ button, you may choose if you want to view the job order on a table or card. I will choose a table in this search. And hit the ‘Search’ button.
5. You will be shown job orders from Japan which are listed and approved by DMW.
Once you’ve chosen a job, contact the DMW-accredited agency for more information. Some jobs require experience and jobs that don’t.
II. Getting a Job Offer
You must prepare yourself, as with any employment, to enhance your employment chances.
- For further information about the position, contact the agency. These include questions on what papers are required, what exams you must take, what training you must complete, and what credentials the business seeks in a candidate.
- Once you have this knowledge, you should edit your resume and portfolio to showcase the abilities and experiences you have that your company values.
- Online resources may help you learn about Japanese work culture. To ace your interview, you may need to comprehend Japanese work systems and customs.
- Remember to practice listening to a Japanese English accent in case the employers conduct their interview.
After completing your homework, send your application to the agency and wait for a response.
III. Taking up a job offer
You’ll be able to acquire a job offer if you’re successful. Before you sign anything, make sure you obtain all of the job specifics in writing, including the pay, job scope, and working conditions. Before you sign, do some research to make sure it’s a decent deal.
The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) maintains a directory of enterprises that are willing to employ highly trained overseas workers. If your firm appears on the list, there’s a strong chance it’s a good fit for international employees.
This is also a good moment to consider if you truly want to do this. Calculate your net income after taxes and costs.
You may have additional reasons for working in Japan, such as obtaining training or wishing to relocate. Don’t make a hasty choice, but don’t be afraid to make one. You’ll be able to make the appropriate conclusion if you evaluate everything carefully.
IV. Applying for a work visa in Japan
Filipinos who wish to work in Japan and earn money must first get a work visa. Because the Philippines is not a member of the Working Holiday Program, only two of the three types of Japanese work visas are accessible to Filipinos. These are the two:
Visa for Highly Skilled Professionals
This program, which began in 2012, is solely open to experts in advanced academic research, specialized or technical activities, and commercial and management activities. As a result, you’ll have a hard time finding a job for this kind of visa via DMW-accredited companies. Without the help of a Japanese sponsoring organization, you won’t be able to apply for this visa. More information is available on the website of Japan’s Immigration Services Agency (ISA).
The Work Visa for Regular People
This is most likely the work visa that you will apply for with the assistance of a DMW-accredited firm. The normal work visa is available in a variety of forms depending on your occupation. Professors, artists, performers, medical services, engineers, certain specialized employees, and others all have their own work permits. The entire list is available on the website of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
Depending on the sort of regular work visa you want, the requirements may change. There are, however, several criteria that they all have in common. These are some of them:
- Eligibility Certificate Your employer will get this from ISA on your behalf.
- Application for a Work Visa in Japan (from MOFA: with QR code, without QR code)
- Photocopies of the first information page from a valid passport
- Photographs the size of a passport
- Documents relating to your job offer, including information regarding your position and pay at the firm
- Other necessary document for your visa application, such as a Japan itinerary template, may be downloaded at MOFA’s visa website.
V. Getting Ready to Work in Japan
After you’ve got your visa in order, you may start planning your relocation to Japan.
- Pack all of your paperwork safely. To enter the nation, you’ll need your passport, work visa, employment offer, and other relevant paperwork. Also, before packing your bags, check to see whether any items are forbidden or must be declared by visiting Japan’s customs website.
- Make arrangements for a place to stay ahead of time. That way, when you arrive, you may go there right away and set up a home for the next several years.
- Make sure you have adequate money in JPY or USD. Find a means to access your money in Japan through ATMs or cellphones if you can. You may have difficulty getting a bank account there if you are not enrolled in the SSW program.
- Practice speaking and listening in English and Japanese. Both languages will come in handy, particularly if you work in a multicultural environment.
VI. Upon Arrival in Japan
After you get to Japan, you’ll need to get a few items to work legally and comfortably. These are some of them:
- If you arrive in Japan by one of the main airports (Narita, Haneda, or Kansai), you will be issued landing permission as well as a resident card11. If you didn’t fly into one of these airports, you’ll need to apply for a visa at a local government office. Otherwise, you may face repercussions.
- After 14 days, you must contact a local municipal office to amend your residence card with your new address.
- It’s also a good idea to learn about the various modes of transportation available in Japan. If you don’t want to be late on your first day at work, figure out how to go from your house to your workplace. You may also want to give it a try. You could also discover great locations to purchase food, gadgets, and other needs while you’re at it.
- Do some studies about Japan’s labor laws, working culture, healthcare, and insurance systems. On each of these subjects, JETRO provides a useful resource.
- Joining local groups and organizations is not anything to be terrified of. You must be the one to seek out a spot where you will feel at ease.
- If you have a highly skilled professional visa, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residence. You should probably prepare for the requirements ahead of time.
Video: Searching for DMW Jobs in Japan
Video Title: JAPAN JOB OPENINGS FOR FILIPINOS/ MANPOWER AGENCIES ACCREDITED BY DMW/NO PLACEMENT FEE/FEB2019
YouTube Channel: OFW KATH
This video discusses the process of getting a job in Japan for Filipinos. This includes the documentary requirements, qualifications, and jobs that are available in Japan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some FAQs to help you out.
1. Can I directly apply for a job in Japan?
You may contact them directly from their website to apply for employment openings. Many additional small language schools exist, and you may locate employment openings for them by checking big foreigner recruiting websites like GaijinPot, Jobs in Japan, and Daijob.
2. Is it possible to work in Japan without experience?
Most job options are restricted by a minimum number of years of work experience. However, there are many jobs in Japan currently that recruit recent graduates or foreigners with little or no relevant experience. This is a wonderful place to start for foreigners who have just come to Japan or students who are just beginning their careers here.
3. Is it easy to get a work visa in Japan?
For jobs that don’t require special skills, it’s hard to get a work visa. Engineer/Specialist in humanities/International services qualification is the second most common type of qualification after technical training.
4. Can you get a job in Japan only speaking English?
Yes, you can get a job without knowing Japanese, but you’d be completely wrong if you thought you couldn’t teach English in Japan unless you knew the language.
5. Can I get a work visa in Japan without a degree?
If you don’t have a degree but have at least 10 years of experience in the area you want to work in Japan, you’ll need to submit a certificate of employment from each firm you’ve worked for to establish that you’ve had that much experience.
Summary
The search for jobs in Japan can take a significant amount of time and energy. Make sure to outline what you want out of a job and who you’re looking to work for before you begin searching, and have plenty of patience. In the end, though, finding your perfect job might be worth the effort. Good luck!