Posted on December 26 2025
Japan, the world’s fourth-largest economy, is experiencing a major labour shortage, with more than 800,000 job vacancies across major sectors such as information technology, engineering, healthcare, manufacturing, education, logistics, and hospitality. These vacancies are expected to rise 2 million by 2040 due to ageing population asnd a shrinking workforce.
The most in-demand jobs in Japan include software developers, AI engineers, IT specialists, mechanical and civil engineers, doctors, nurses, and caregivers. There is also strong hiring demand for English teachers and hospitality professionals due to expanding tourism and workforce gaps.
Skilled professionals earn an average annual salary of ¥4.4 million, with many employers offering job stability, long-term career growth, and family-friendly benefits. These factors make Japan a top destination for international talent seeking sustainable employment opportunities.
*Looking for jobs in Japan? Let Y-Axis help you every step of the way.
Japan continues to face workforce shortages across multiple industries, driving steady hiring demand and long-term employment stability for skilled professionals. Employers across key sectors offer competitive salaries, clear career progression, and employer-sponsored work visas.
With over 67 million people employed and a low unemployment rate of 2.5%, Japan provides strong opportunities for rewarding careers and sustained professional growth for international talent.
List of High-Demand Sectors and In-Demand Job Roles in Japan:
|
Sector |
In-Demand Job Roles |
|
Information Technology (IT) |
Software Developers, AI & Machine Learning Engineers, Cybersecurity Specialists, Cloud Engineers, Data Analysts |
|
Engineering |
Mechanical Engineers, Civil Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Robotics Engineers, Project Managers |
|
Healthcare |
Doctors, Nurses, Caregivers, Medical Technicians, Physiotherapists |
|
Education & Teaching |
English Teachers, Curriculum Designers, University Lecturers, Educational Technology Specialists |
|
Hospitality & Tourism |
Hotel Managers, Front Desk Staff, Event Coordinators, Culinary Specialists |
|
Finance & Business |
Accountants, Financial Analysts, Business Consultants, Business Development Professionals |
|
Sales & Marketing |
Sales Managers, Marketing Strategists, Digital Marketing Specialists, Brand Managers |
Japan offers strong earning potential for professionals with specialised skills and international experience. IT, finance, engineering, and sales-related roles continue to command the highest salaries due to ongoing skill shortages.
Working in Japan allows you to gain international experience, earn competitive pay, and advance your career in major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya.
|
Sector |
Average Annual Salary (¥) |
|
Information Technology (IT) |
¥8,045,000 |
|
Engineering |
¥5,219,400 |
|
Accounting and Finance |
¥6,500,000 |
|
Human Resource Management |
¥4,491,233 |
|
Hospitality |
¥2,535,000 |
|
Sales and Marketing |
¥6,619,571 |
|
Healthcare |
¥2,404,238 |
|
Education & Teaching |
¥3,480,000 |
Japan offers strong earning potential for professionals with specialised skills and international experience. Roles in IT, finance, engineering, and sales consistently command higher salaries due to ongoing skill shortages and business expansion.
Working in Japan provides opportunities to gain global experience, earn competitive pay, and build long-term careers in major employment hubs such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya.
List of Average Annual Salaries for High-Paying Jobs in Japan:
|
Sector |
Key Skills |
|
Information Technology (IT) |
Software Development, AI & Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Data Analysis |
|
Engineering |
Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Robotics, Project Management, Industrial Automation |
|
Finance & Business |
Accounting, Financial Analysis, Consulting, Strategic Planning, Business Development |
|
Healthcare |
Nursing, Caregiving, Medical Technology, Specialized Medicine, Physiotherapy |
|
Education & Teaching |
English Language Proficiency, Curriculum Design, Classroom Management, Educational Technology |
|
Hospitality & Tourism |
Customer Service, Event Planning, Hotel Management, Culinary Expertise, Tourism Coordination |
Japan is home to several leading multinational and domestic companies that actively hire skilled professionals across technology, engineering, manufacturing, finance, retail, and media. These employers regularly recruit international talent to address workforce shortages and support business expansion.
Many companies offer competitive salaries, long-term career growth, and employer-supported hiring processes, making them attractive options for professionals seeking job opportunities in Japan.
Top Hiring Companies in Japan and Visa Sponsorship Potential:
|
Sector |
Top Companies |
Chances of Visa Sponsorship |
|
Automotive & Engineering |
Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Subaru, Mazda |
High |
|
Electronics & Technology |
Sony, Panasonic, Hitachi, Toshiba, Fujitsu |
High |
|
Telecommunications & IT |
SoftBank, NTT Data, Rakuten, LINE Corporation, NEC |
High |
|
Finance & Banking |
Mitsubishi Corporation, Nomura, Mizuho Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui |
Medium-High |
|
Retail & E-commerce |
Fast Retailing (Uniqlo), Rakuten, Aeon Group, Lawson |
Medium-High |
|
Industrial & Manufacturing |
Hitachi, Mitsubishi Electric, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Komatsu |
Medium-High |
|
Entertainment & Media |
Sony, Bandai Namco, Nintendo, Toei Animation |
Medium |
Japan is actively seeking skilled professionals, creating excellent opportunities for Canadian talent in IT, Engineering, Healthcare, Education, Hospitality, and Finance. Landing a job from abroad requires careful planning, the right employer sponsorship, and a clear understanding of Japan’s visa process.
Step-by-Step Application Process for Jobs in Japan:
Step 1: Identify in-demand roles based on your skills, qualifications, and experience
Step 2: Research hiring employers that actively recruit skilled professionals
Step 3: Prepare a Japan-standard CV
Step 4: Apply through trusted platforms such as job portals and company career pages
Step 5: Attend interviews and clearly discuss your skills and experience
Step 6: Secure a job offer or employment contract from the employer
*Want to apply for a Japan work visa? Get expert guidance and end-to-end support from Y-Axis.
To apply for jobs in Japan, skilled professionals must prepare specific documents required by employers and immigration authorities. Having the right paperwork ready helps speed up hiring, verification, and work visa processing.

Key documents for skilled professionals include:
Step 1: Secure a Job Offer
Step 2: Get a Job Offer and Certificate of Eligibility (CoE)
Step 3: Create a Japan-style CV highlighting your skills, qualifications, and work experience.
Step 4: Submit Your Work Visa Application
Step 5: After approval plan for Relocation
Japan offers strong professional stability, global exposure, and a high standard of living for skilled professionals.
Key benefits for working in Japan include:
Japan’s job outlook is positive due to persistent labour shortages and demographic shifts. With a projected shortage of nearly 2 million workers by 2040 and over 800,000 current vacancies, demand continues across IT, engineering, healthcare, manufacturing, education, logistics, and hospitality.
These trends point to stable employment, competitive wages, and long-term opportunities for skilled professionals planning to build a career in Japan.
*Want to apply for jobs in Japan? Avail Y-Axis Job Search Services to find the right role faster.
The top in-demand jobs in Japan are in information technology, engineering, healthcare, manufacturing, education, logistics, and hospitality. Employers are actively hiring software developers, AI engineers, IT specialists, mechanical and civil engineers, nurses, caregivers, and English teachers. Labour shortages caused by an ageing population and a shrinking workforce have increased demand for skilled professionals across multiple industries. These in-demand jobs in Japan offer competitive salaries, long-term employment stability, and strong career growth opportunities for international professionals.
The highest job demand in Japan is found in IT, engineering, healthcare, manufacturing, education, logistics, and hospitality. Digital transformation is driving demand for software developers, data analysts, and cybersecurity professionals. Healthcare roles such as nurses and caregivers are in high demand due to an ageing population. Manufacturing and engineering roles support infrastructure and industrial growth, while hospitality and education continue to hire due to tourism recovery and globalisation. These sectors consistently offer in-demand jobs in Japan with stable employment prospects.
Yes, IT and software jobs are among the most in-demand jobs in Japan. Employers are actively recruiting software developers, AI engineers, cloud engineers, cybersecurity specialists, and data analysts. Japan’s push toward digital transformation and automation has increased reliance on skilled IT professionals. Many technology roles accept English as the working language, especially in multinational companies. IT jobs in Japan also offer some of the highest salaries, making them attractive for skilled professionals seeking long-term career opportunities.
Healthcare jobs are highly in demand in Japan, particularly nurses, caregivers, medical technicians, physiotherapists, and specialised doctors. The country’s ageing population has created sustained demand for healthcare professionals across hospitals, elderly care facilities, and rehabilitation centres. These in-demand healthcare jobs in Japan offer stable employment, long-term career security, and opportunities for permanent settlement. Healthcare remains one of the fastest-growing employment sectors due to ongoing labour shortages.
Engineering jobs are consistently in demand in Japan, especially mechanical, civil, electrical, robotics, and industrial engineers. Demand is driven by infrastructure development, manufacturing expansion, automation, and advanced technology projects. Engineering professionals with experience in design, project management, and automation have strong hiring prospects. In-demand engineering jobs in Japan often offer competitive salaries, long-term contracts, and career progression across manufacturing, construction, and technology sectors.
Yes, teaching is an in-demand profession in Japan, particularly English teaching roles. Schools, universities, international institutions, and private language centres regularly hire English teachers due to globalisation and education reforms. Teaching jobs in Japan also include roles such as curriculum specialists and education technology professionals. These roles offer stable employment, clear work schedules, and opportunities to gain international teaching experience, making education one of the most accessible in-demand job sectors.
The average salary for in-demand jobs in Japan is approximately ¥4.4 million per year. Salaries vary by sector, experience, and skill level. IT and finance roles offer higher-than-average salaries, while healthcare and education provide strong long-term stability. Engineering and sales roles also offer competitive pay packages. Many high-demand jobs in Japan include additional benefits such as bonuses, healthcare coverage, and career growth opportunities.
Many in-demand jobs in Japan offer employer-supported work visas, particularly in IT, engineering, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. Employers facing skill shortages are more open to hiring international professionals and supporting the required employment documentation. Jobs with strong demand are more likely to provide long-term contracts and stable employment conditions, making them suitable for professionals seeking overseas career opportunities.
The most in-demand skills in Japan include software development, AI and data analysis, cloud computing, engineering design, project management, healthcare expertise, English language teaching, and hospitality management. Employers value practical experience, technical proficiency, and adaptability to workplace culture. Professionals with specialised skills aligned to high-demand sectors have better job prospects and faster hiring outcomes in Japan’s competitive job market.
The job outlook for skilled professionals in Japan is strong, with labour shortages expected to reach nearly 2 million workers by 2040. Hiring demand remains high across IT, engineering, healthcare, manufacturing, education, logistics, and hospitality. These trends indicate stable employment, competitive salaries, and long-term career opportunities. Skilled professionals with relevant experience and in-demand skills are well-positioned to secure jobs in Japan.
Tags:
Jobs in Japan
In-demand jobs
Japan careers
Skilled professionals
Work in Japan
Japan job market
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