Reviewed by the XROSS HOUSE team — a Tokyo-based operator of share houses and furnished apartments across 11 prefectures in Japan, with more than 50,000 residents housed to date.
- Software engineering, IT support, infrastructure, data and AI roles all hire foreign nationals. Japan has a long-running shortage of IT workers.
- Japanese is not required for every job. Some companies work in English, but many roles still ask for business-level Japanese, so check each posting.
- Most IT workers receive the "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" status. Your employer normally applies for your Certificate of Eligibility.
- Pay varies widely by company type and seniority, so compare offers rather than relying on one average.
- Plan your first address early. Registering it within 14 days of moving in is part of settling in.
Moving for a tech job? Ask about your first home
Why Japan hires foreign IT workers
Japan has more IT work than it has people to do it. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) estimated in its survey on IT personnel supply and demand that the shortfall could reach about 790,000 people by 2030 in its high-demand scenario. Lower scenarios give smaller numbers.
Source: METI, Survey on IT Personnel Supply and Demand (IT人材需給に関する調査) (published 2019; an older estimate, so read it as a sign of direction)
That gap is why many companies recruit abroad. Large Japanese firms, global tech companies with Tokyo offices, startups and consultancies all hire engineers from overseas. If you are a developer, an infrastructure or security engineer, a data scientist or an IT support specialist, you are in a field where employers already know how to hire foreign staff.
Which IT jobs in Japan hire foreigners?
The roles below are the ones most often open to people from overseas. The mix depends on the employer, and plenty of postings combine several of them.
- Software and web engineers. Backend, frontend, mobile and full-stack roles. These appear most often in English-language tech job listings.
- Infrastructure, cloud and security engineers. Common at large companies and system integrators, where the working language is often Japanese.
- Data, machine learning and AI roles. Often found at global firms and startups, with more English use on the team.
- IT support and system administration. Roles that serve foreign-owned companies or international teams can run in English; roles at Japanese clients usually need Japanese.
- QA, product and project roles. Bridge roles between Japanese and overseas teams value people who can work in two languages.
Tokyo has the largest number of openings. Osaka, Fukuoka and other cities have smaller tech scenes, and some employers there are open to foreign applicants too.
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Do you need Japanese for IT jobs in Japan?
It depends on the company, not the job title. Think of the market as two groups.
| English-based workplace | Japanese-required workplace | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical employers | Global companies, startups, foreign-owned firms with a Tokyo office | Large Japanese companies, system integrators, traditional manufacturers |
| Team language | Meetings and documents mostly in English | Meetings, specs and client contact in Japanese |
| What helps most | Strong technical portfolio, English communication | Japanese ability, often business level, plus technical skills |
| Number of openings | Smaller, and competitive | Larger |
Even in English-based teams, daily life runs in Japanese: city hall, banks, your health clinic and your neighbors. Learning basic Japanese helps your career and your daily routine. A Japanese-required job is within reach if you are studying, because some employers hire for potential and fund language classes. Read each posting closely for phrases such as "business-level Japanese" or "Japanese not required".
Language levels in postings are often written as JLPT N2 or N1. Treat them as a guide and ask the recruiter how much Japanese the team actually uses day to day.
How much do IT jobs in Japan pay?
Pay depends on seniority, employer type and language skills. Public data gives only a rough picture, so use these ranges as a starting point for your own research.
Japan Dev, a job board for English-friendly tech jobs, suggests the annual salary ranges below for software engineers in Japan. They are the author's recommended values, built from company career pages and salary sites. They are an informed guide, and no official statistic.
| Level | Annual salary range suggested by Japan Dev |
|---|---|
| New graduate or entry level | ¥5 million to ¥7 million |
| Mid-level (2 to 5 years) | ¥7 million to ¥12 million |
| Senior (6 to 10 years or more) | ¥8 million to ¥15 million |
Source: Japan Dev, Software Developer Salaries in Japan guide (as of September 2026)
The same guide notes that Japanese ability is one of the main factors that raises pay. Offers also differ by city, company size and whether the employer is Japanese or foreign-owned. Always compare the whole package: base pay, bonus, overtime rules, housing allowance and commuting costs. Remember that take-home pay is lower than the offer figure: income tax, social insurance and, from your second year, resident tax are deducted each month. For what a month in Tokyo costs, see our cost of living in Japan guide, and for deductions from your pay, see Japanese taxes for foreigners.
Planning a tech career move? Talk to our team about housing
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Can new graduates and career changers get IT jobs in Japan?
Yes. Many Japanese companies hire new graduates once a year around April, and some run separate tracks for international students and overseas graduates. A computer science or engineering degree is the easiest route. Career changers can show skills through projects, open-source work and certifications.
A degree is not the only route on paper. The Immigration Services Agency (ISA) accepts a university degree or equivalent education, documents proving relevant work experience, or, for IT engineers, a pass certificate for an information processing exam or qualification designated by the Minister of Justice. Which route applies to you is a question for your employer and the ISA.
Source: ISA, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (as of October 2026)
The visa most IT workers use
Most IT jobs fall under the "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" status, shown on your residence card. Your employer normally files the Certificate of Eligibility (COE), and the ISA gives a standard processing time of 1 to 3 months. Your duties must fit the status, and pay must be equal to or higher than a Japanese national would receive for the same work.
Source: ISA, Certificate of Eligibility application (as of October 2026)
Experienced engineers may also qualify for the Highly Skilled Professional system, which scores factors such as education, career and annual salary. A score of 70 points or more brings preferential treatment, including a 5-year period of stay. See the ISA Q&A on the points system and use the ISA points table with your employer. We cannot judge whether you qualify.
For the full process, statuses and first-week steps, read our Japan work visa guide.
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How to find and apply for IT jobs in Japan
- Start with company career pages. Many global and Japanese tech firms post English roles on their own sites. Look for "global hiring", "international" or "relocation support".
- Use tech job boards. Boards that focus on English-friendly tech roles filter by language requirement and visa sponsorship, which saves time.
- Build a LinkedIn profile. Recruiters at Japanese and global firms search it for engineers. Keep your skills, location preference and language level current.
- Talk to recruiters who specialize in tech. They often know which teams use English and which will sponsor a visa.
- Prepare for the interview rounds. Expect a resume screen, a coding or technical interview and a conversation about visa and start date. Japanese-style resumes (rirekisho) are common at Japanese firms, so ask the recruiter what format to use.
- Clarify the start date and visa support. Ask whether the employer files your COE, who pays relocation costs and whether temporary housing is offered.
Hiring from abroad can take weeks to months once you add interviews, the COE and the visa step. Ask the employer for a realistic start date before you give notice at your current job.
Where to live when you start an IT job in Japan
You need an address for your first months. Registering it at your city or ward office within 14 days of settling is the first step, and a bank account, phone contract and payroll all follow from it. A hotel makes this harder because you will soon move again. Our moving to Japan housing guide compares the housing options in more detail, and our guide to National Health Insurance covers the insurance step that comes next if your employer does not enroll you.
XROSS HOUSE furnished apartments: ready when you land
A furnished apartment is your own room with a private kitchen and bathroom, and the furniture and appliances are already inside. You can arrive with a suitcase, register your address and start work. It suits engineers who need quiet for calls, remote meetings and focused work. A desk and chair are part of the standard furniture (equipment varies by property), so you can set up a workspace on day one. You can view rooms online and sign the contract online from abroad, and the earliest move-in is 7 days after application. Stays start from 1 month.
Share houses: a lower-cost start
A share house gives you a private or shared room, with a shared kitchen, bathroom and living room. It usually costs less to start, and you meet other residents from day one. It works well for new graduates and anyone building a Tokyo network on a first-year salary.
What you pay when you move in
Initial costs for a typical Japanese rental (deposit, key money and agency fee) often reach several months' rent. XROSS HOUSE keeps them much lower. The initial cost is a registration fee: ¥30,000 for share houses, and ¥30,000 for furnished apartments during the current campaign (regularly ¥50,000). Rent for your first month is paid separately.
- You do not need a personal joint guarantor.
- For individual contracts, you normally join a guarantee company. An initial guarantee fee and monthly guarantee fees are charged separately, on top of the registration fee, and the details are confirmed at application.
- If you pay everything from the initial cost through the move-out costs in one lump sum, joining a guarantee company is not required.
If your employer wants to arrange housing for new hires, XROSS HOUSE offers corporate contracts, used by more than 650 companies. Our team supports you in English, Japanese, Chinese, Korean and more.
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FAQ: IT jobs in Japan for foreigners
Do I need to speak Japanese to get an IT job in Japan?
Not always. Global companies, startups and foreign-owned firms often work in English, while many large Japanese companies and system integrators expect business-level Japanese. Read each posting for its language requirement, and ask the recruiter how much Japanese the team really uses. Even with an English-speaking team, basic Japanese makes daily life easier.
Can I get an IT job in Japan without a degree?
It is possible but depends on your documents. The ISA accepts a degree or equivalent education, documents proving relevant work experience, or, for IT engineers, a pass certificate for a designated information processing exam or qualification. Your employer and the ISA decide how your case is assessed. See the ISA status page.
Can I work remotely from abroad for a Japanese employer on a work visa?
A work status is based on a contract with an organization in Japan, and the ISA process assumes you will live and work there. Hybrid schedules depend on each employer. Separately, Japan has a digital nomad category under Designated Activities for remote work for foreign employers or clients; see the ISA digital nomad page for its conditions.
What is a typical salary for a software engineer in Japan?
It varies by level and employer. Japan Dev suggests about ¥5 million to ¥7 million for new graduates, ¥7 million to ¥12 million for mid-level engineers and ¥8 million to ¥15 million for senior engineers. These are recommended ranges and no official statistics, so check several offers. See the Japan Dev salary guide.
How long does it take to get hired and move to Japan?
Allow several months. Interviews can take weeks, and the ISA gives a standard processing period of 1 to 3 months for a Certificate of Eligibility. After that you apply for the visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate. Ask the employer for a realistic start date. See the ISA COE page.
Can new graduates get IT jobs in Japan?
Yes. Many companies hire graduates in April and some recruit international graduates separately. A relevant degree plus projects or internships helps. Entry-level roles that need Japanese are more plentiful than English-only roles, so language study improves your options.
Can I rent a place in Japan before I start my IT job?
Yes. With XROSS HOUSE you can view rooms online and sign an online contract from abroad, and the earliest move-in is 7 days after application. You do not need a personal joint guarantor. Individual contracts normally include a guarantee company, as explained above. More answers are on our FAQ page.
Ask our English-speaking team about your move
A tech job in Japan comes with a lot of moving parts, and your first address is one you can settle early. If you want to compare furnished apartments and share houses before you fly, our team can walk you through both in English.
