The IT industry in Japan is providing several opportunities for foreign IT engineers. Among all the engineers working in the country, 3 percent of those are foreigners. With the country facing a deficit of engineers by 2030, Japanese IT companies are looking for more It professionals offshore.Working as an engineer in the Land of the Rising Sun can be exciting but work-life balance hinders most foreign workers from sending their applications. To shake off this reputation, many companies are easing up on the schedules of IT engineers in an effort to encourage work-life balance.Working HoursAn IT engineer typically starts working at 9:00 or 10:00 and ends the day after 8 hours of work. However, some stay at the office for an hour or two to avoid the rush hour.Flexible Working HoursSome companies still prefer engineers to work on the set working hours but more IT companies and engineering departments are adopting a flexible schedule nowadays. This is part of the efforts to reduce overtime among employees. In addition, the flexible working hours also allow engineers to avoid rush hour stress and crowds, and give them time to attend to other matters and conduct personal transactions like a doctor’s appointment.An Engineer’s Workday9:00~12:30: Start of Work, Work Assembly or updates12:30 ~ 13:00: Lunch13:00 ~ 16:00: Continue working on projects and tasks16:00 ~ 19:00: Going home, after-work partiesThis is the typical schedule of an IT engineer working in an office. For those working from home have flexible schedules, they may have different working hours and some may be shorter compared to the above sample.Day ScheduleCompanies in Japan have morning assemblies called chourei which takes about 15 minutes. The whole team comes together and shares information about work progress and their schedule or goals for the day. Sharing information provides everyone in a team an overview of their tasks to avoid delays and suggest improvements in projects.After the morning assembly, engineers also have to check on emails and answer queries from clients in the morning. This helps them know if new projects are given or if clients request for new details and functions in an ongoing project.Project HandlingIT companies and departments received a handful of projects which are then assigned to different teams. Each member has his/her own responsibilities and those will affect how an IT engineer’s schedule would go.Planning StageOn an event when a new project is given, a team starts to plan, schedule, and research as part of their morning schedule. Members are assigned to handle project management, estimate cost, and plan the working hours needed for each task.Members research about technologies related to their tasks and inform the team. In their regular meetings, the team shares their ideas on how to proceed with their project.Development StageIn the late morning, engineers start working on the actual project after schedules and estimates have been approved. When a team’s already working on a project, this part of the process is usually done first thing after the morning assembly.The team begins designing algorithms and functions in this stage. This also takes days to complete depending on how big the project is. So a workweek of an engineer may comprise project development.Though research has been done in the planning stage, the team also conducts thorough research during the development of the project. This involves solving backlogs and issues in a program as some previously searched technologies and developments might not be compatible with the current project.Project CompletionWhen everyone is done with their respective tasks in a project, team members conduct a series of tests to check for bugs and major issues. This review process can last for half a day or two depending on the size of the project. This stage also requires members to list down suggestions to improve the output.Afternoon ScheduleReviewing does not only happen when the project has been completed. Every step of the process of each member’s tasks is reviewed by themselves or by another engineer assigned.In this part of the day, engineers prepare a list of what they have accomplished within the day to report during the next day’s morning assembly. This also gives them time to organize and keep track of or set their daily, weekly, and even monthly goals.After Working HoursAs mentioned above, people tend to leave work late to avoid the rush hour so some leave the office around 19:00. Some engineers continue working to have a headstart the next day or do overtime work to finish a project within the day. Nonetheless, overtime does not happen as frequently nowadays.Just like other businesses in Japan, IT companies and departments also go for drinks to celebrate a finished project, holidays, promotions, or just hang out with colleagues. In bigger companies, engineers can join club activities such as sports or take this time to study the Japanese language. Days Off, Paid Leaves, and HolidaysA few of the questions asked by IT engineers who don’t really know much about the country are the number of days off, holidays, vacations, and breaks. Employers must give 45 minutes to an hour worth of break in a workday. Companies should also let employees have one or two days off in a week. For vacation leaves, companies should grant a minimum of 10 days paid vacation leaves to new employees after working for six months. Some companies even give additional vacation leaves.Holidays also affect workdays. Japan has 16 national holidays and most of them fall on a workday. That means more time to explore the country and find new hobbies for IT engineers working in Japan.ConclusionAs more foreign IT engineers pursue their careers in the country, the work environment continues to shape to provide more flexibility and promote great work-life balance. Though the rush hours remain, the reform efforts made by companies will relieve the stress coming from commuting and provide more opportunities for IT engineers to learn new skills and go for vacations in the country. Sources: https://blog.gaijinpot.com/working-past-the-timehttps://kimi.wiki/work/workday-japan-engineerhttps://medium.com/devjobs-jp/software-developer-in-japan-myths-work-life-balance-9a7a41315678https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/invest/setting_up/section4/page5.html

GTalent, a recruiting agency for global IT talents, summarized the market size of the Japanese IT industry based on information from various databases. It is a report based on information and data known in 2019 as of June 2020, such as the market size of the Japanese IT industry compared with the world, the number of IT engineers in Japan and the overseas, the IT field that will grow in the next three years, etc. If you are considering looking for a job in the IT industry in Japan, feel free to use it as a reference.IT Industry Market Size in JapanFirst, we would like to explain about the market size of the Japanese IT industry and the fields in which IT investment will expand in the next three years.It is estimated that the market size of the IT industry (including hardware, software, and services) of domestic private companies will increase by 2.8% year on year in 2018 to 12.493.0 billion yen. In 2019, it is calculated that the market size will be 12.918 trillion yen by 3.4% increase year on year. In 2020, it’s estimated that it will be 13.124 trillion yen by 1.6% increase year on year, and it will be 13.320 trillion yen by 1.5% increase year on year in 2021.Because the initiative on the reform of the work style remained firm in 2018, also the large-scale renewal of the system was also notable due to the increasing profitability of privates companies. There is also strong demand for replacement of Windows 10 by the end of support for Windows 7 scheduled in January 2020. These trends are expected to continue in 2019 as well.Reference: IT Investment by Domestic Companies 2019/Yano Research Institute LtdTranslated from Japanese to English by GTalent.As we can see, the market size of Japan IT industry is increasing year by year, and the market size in 2019 will be about 13 trillion yen which is about 122 billion US dollars by exchange rate as of June 2020. It’s one of the largest industry in Japanese economy.Areas where IT Investment will increase in the next 3 years in JapanIn the next 3 years, ERP will become the most invested software in the IT industry for the first time in 8 years.According to the questionnaire survey for corporates survey conducted every year, it asked what will be a software that will increase in IT investment over the next three years. According to the results of the survey released in 2019 (482 respondents, Multiple selections up to 3), “ERP” obtained 41.9%, being the highest for the first time in 8 years, equaling “Security-related software” which held the first for a long time.The background information is update of core system with the same as the change of business environment, the progress of cloud ERP packages, SAP’s ERP maintenance support deadline of 2025 and so on.Reference: IT Investment by Domestic Companies 2019/Yano Research Institute LtdTranslated from Japanese to English by GTalent.Global IT Industry Market Size and Comparison with Japanese IT marketReference: Gartner Says Global IT Spending to Reach $3.8 Trillion in 2019World IT spending forecast increased 3.2% year on year of in 2019, amounting to about 3.8 trillion dollars (about 400 trillion Japanese yen). All fields have grown from the previous years, especially corporate software increased a lot in that. It can be seen that there is a high need for investment in fields that can improve the business efficiency of companies, including changes of work styles.However, since this statistic was released in January 2019, it is thought that the market size estimation from 2020 will be significantly revised due to the spread of coronavirus infection from January 2019. However, the market size is not revised downward in all areas, and it is expected that the promotion of work style revolution will increase the growth rate in some areas.Looking at these market size data, the result is that Japan’s IT industry market size is about 3.3% of the world market. Given that Japan’s GDP share is about 5.7% of the world (2018), the percentage of the Japanese IT industry market share in the world is still lower than GDP’s. It may mean that Japanese IT industry has high growth potential in the future.Reference: Japan’s GDP was estimated the lowest “5.7%” in 2018/The Nihon Keizai ShinbunThe Number of Japanese IT Engineers Compared With the WorldAccording to the results of a survey conducted by Human Resocia in March 2020 about the number of IT engineers around the globe, the first place was the United States (4.77 million), the second was China (2.72 million), the third was India (2.12 million) and the fourth was Japan (1.09 million). Japan is among the top five of the list, but compared with India which is in third, the number of engineers doubled Japanese IT engineers.When comparing the number of engineers, there seems to be a big difference between Japan and other IT advanced countries such as the United States, China, and India. However considering the population of each country, the ratio of the number of IT engineer per population might not be so different.Reference:Human Resocia /Number of IT engineers around the world (North and South America)Human Resocia /Number of IT engineers around the world (Asia and Oceania)ConclusionConsidering that Japan’s IT industry is about 3.3% of the world, it can be said that it’s a very large market size. However, considering the GDP ratio, it can be said that the industry is expected to grow further. The IT industry is one of the few growth fields in the mature Japanese market, so if you are looking for a job in Japan in the future, why not consider the IT industry as one of your options?If you are looking for a job in the IT industry in Japan, please register with G Talent, a professional recruitment agency for global IT talents. Our professional consultants will help you with job changes and job hunting for free.

The phrases “Work from home” and “remote work” has been introduced in many Japanese companies, and the talent acquisition is not always about hiring full-time employees(Seishain). The methods of hiring labor is diversified in each company such as contracting self-employed workers, freelancers in Japan.According to this situation, the number of opportunities to hire foreigners in the form of outsourcing increases progressively. In these days, We ,GTalent, receive many questions about work visas from many self-employed workers, freelancers and the companies hiring them.At this article, We would like to explain in detail about how to apply for a work visa in the case of the outsourcing contracts as a self-employed worker and a freelancer.Work visa application with an outsourcing contractYou need to apply for a working visa even at the time of an outsourcing contract as a self-employed worker and a freelancer as well as the case of full-time employed(Seishain) .However, you should be careful when having several outsourcing contracts with several companies.If you have several outsourcing contracts with multiple companies, you must ask the company which you get the highest salary in the outsourcing contracts to apply for a working visa.Therefore, be sure to check which companies contracting with you pay the highest salary to you.Important Points when applying for a working visa with outsourcing contractIf you execute an outsourcing contract with a Japanese company, the following points are essentials to obtain a working visa.Appropriate outsourcing contract under the Labor Law of JapanLong-term contractDo paying the tax, pension and social security procedures by yourselfThese important points are followings in details.Appropriate outsourcing contract under the Labor Law of JapanTo apply for a working visa, you need to attach the outsourcing contract. If the content is inappropriate under Japan’s labor law, you may not be able to obtain a working visa application permission. Therefore, be sure to specify the appropriate remuneration and terms of the contract in the outsourcing contract.Long-term contractEven when outsourcing, you need to have a long-term contract as well as applying for a working visa under a full-time employment contract.If the contract period is only 1 to 2 months, you may not be able to get permission to apply for a working visa.However, even if the contract period is short, if the contract is automatically renewed unless there is a big problem, it may be possible to obtain a visa application permission.Do paying the tax, pension and social security proceduresIf you are a self-employed worker, you have to pay the tax, pension and social insurance by yourself as well as Japanese self-employed worker. If you don’t understand how to do so, be sure to check the website of National Tax Agency, Ministry of Finance Japan and so on.ConclusionNowadays more and more people are starting to work as freelancers, and the tendency will increase from now on so that companies can hire a various talent through flexible employee tyme.Particularly in the IT/WEB industry, many engineers are increasingly outsourcing their work as freelancers. Also, the number of foreign IT engineers is currently increasing in the IT/WEB industry, and it is thought that not only Japanese IT engineers but also foreign IT engineers will start to work like freelances more and more.IT engineers who are looking for work or change jobs for a Japanese company, please register with G Talent ,a recruitment agency specializing in IT engineers. A professional consultant will support you in changing jobs for free.

In the previous article, Common Japanese Job Interview Questions and Best Answers!」, we explained to foreigners abou how to prepare for Japanese job interviews.This time, I would like to explain more details, “Reason for changing/leaving a job” that is absolutely asked during jobs interviews at Japanese companies and how to answer it properly.From the viewpoint of a foreigner who’s changing jobs in Japan, it might seems not very important, but for Japanese companies who want to hire personnel to work with for a long term, the reason for changing jobs or leaving job would be one of the most important questions in job interviews.As understanding what Japanese companies judge based on reasons for changing jobs, make sure that you can answer successfully the questions about job changes/leaving that you will be asked during Japanese companies jobs interviews.What Japanese companies are checking through the reasons for changing/leaving jobsFirst of all, let’s understand why Japanese companies are so concerned about the reasons for changing/leaving jobs and what Japanese companies are seeing through reasons for changing jobs (leaving jobs). There are 3 main points that Japanese companies see through reasons for changing/leaving jobs.Does the applicant work with us for a long term? (Does he/she quit immediately after joining the company?)Can the applicant be highly motivated while working together?Does the applicant take serious your career and growth?We’ll explain these points in detail.1.Does the applicant work with us for a long term?For the first question, “Does the applicant work with us for a long term? (Does he/she quit immediately after joining the company?)”, most of Japanese companies want the people who they hire to work with them for a long period.By listening to the reasons why applicants change their jobs, “If the applicants face something don’t like, will they leave our company?“Will they quite our company for the same reason with their previous company?” are checked.Therefore, in the job interview, it is necessary to answer to satisfy the company that you are willing to work with them for a long period.2.Can the applicant be highly motivated while working together?For the second question, “Can the applicant be highly motivated while working together?”, Japanese companies are checking if the reason of changing/leaving jobs at the current company is firmly resolved and you can work without dissatisfaction or anxiety.Motivation is a very important factor for work performance. If you feel dissatisfied or anxious about the company you work for, you may find it difficult to increase your motivation.When you’re thinking the reasons for changing/leaving jobs, it’s important to realize if changing jobs to the Japanese company you’re applying would solve the reasons and factors that made you decided to leave your current or past job.3.Does the applicant take serious your career and growth?Regarding the third question, “Does the applicant take serious your career and growth?”, Japanese companies are checking whether you quit immediately due to a low awareness of your career and growth regardless of the company you’ve worked for.Poor awareness of careers and growth can be seen as less aggressive and willing to work. I recommend you to think seriously about your future goals and how you want to improve your carrier when you think of the reason of changing/leaving jobs.Key points to answer for reasons of “changing/leaving jobs “You could understand what Japanese companies are checking through reasons of changing/leaving jobs. Next we’ll explain the points you must consider to make a solid reason of changing/leaving jobs based on what Japanese companies are checking through.There are 4 main key points to think about changing/leaving jobs reasons.Always tell the truth!Think positively, job change is an act to improve the current situation!Thinking based on specific cases!Don’t say bad things about your current company (or your previous company)!We’ll explain these 4 key points in details.1.Always tell the truth!The purpose of looking for a new job is “Improve the current situation”. It’s not just about finding a job.If you can’t solve the reason why you want to leave the current company, there would be no reason to change it.Even if you have already quit a job, it wouldn’t mean that you should choose whatever you can work. If you don’t get a job that resolves the reason you left your ex-company, you might quit a job with the same reason.When you tell the truth to the company you apply, you might think that the reason would be negative. However, you can express positively the reason of changing job regardless of whatever reason, if you regard the purpose of changing job as what make you improve better.2.Think positively, job change is an act to improve the current situation!As we mentioned earlier, the purpose of looking for a new job is to improve your current situation. A lot of people only focus into the “occurrences” and “triggers” when they consider the reason of changing/leaving jobs.Instead, when you should think about how the occurrences and triggers for changing jobs can be “improved”.For example, if you’re thinking in change or leave your job because you don’t have a good relation with your boss and you’re not evaluated enough, the reason may be negative in job interviews.In such cases, you can think as followings first.Factor(Why it’s happening?)Improvement measures(How to improve it.)Regarding “Factor”, it would be followings in case of the example(bad relationship with your boss, not evaluated enough). The result of the job your boss wants is different from the result of the job you want(The boss evaluates the process, but you evaluate the results,etc)As I have to do everything exactly as the boss directed, actually I want to work with a certain own discretion.And so on.And then, let’s try to think improvement measures for the factors above in terms of changing job.Hope to grow myself through many chance in working environment on the result basis.Want to get many experiences and make my skills better through a working environment where I can have a certain own discretion. It would make me grow further.These improvement measures above become reasons changing/quitting job.3.Thinking based on specific cases!Using concrete examples is more persuasive when explaining something to people, not just when telling the reason for changing jobs.For example, if you’re looking for a job because of less promotion and low salary due to seniority system in your current job, if you tell as it is in a job interview, the interviewer may think that the causation is due to your low performance.Instead, by telling that even seniors who are active and highly evaluated have few opportunities to get promotion or raise their salaries, it would be more persuasive for the interviewer to understand your situation.When you think your reasons for changing/leaving jobs, Using concrete examples would be more persuasive in job interviews.4.Don’t say bad things about your current company (or your previous company)!Even if you had a bad treatment in your current company or previous company, should avoid saying badly about the company in job interviews. The complaints would make you impress negatively in the interviews.And also, the company which you have the job interview with might be concerned about that you criticize the company as well when leaving.The person who can connect anything to growth will take higher evaluation in terms of honesty and willingness to grow.A case of that you changed or leaved jobs within a short period of timeIn case you changed or leaved a job in a short period of time, there is a possibility that you will be seen as a person who will immediately quit a job anytime when you have something uncomfortable. Let’s keep the following two points in mind when giving reasons for changing jobs in order for you not to be regarded as such a person.Make decisions after considering the risk of leaving in a short period of time.Rather, it’s good for you and the company that hired you to leave in a shorter period.When you leaved a job in a short period of time, most of them are large image gaps before joining the company and after joining the company. When that happens, it’s important to think about whether the image gap can really be resolved, rather than changing jobs or leaving the company immediately.For example, you can talk with the joined company about resolving the image gap, and can think about whether there is a gap that can be resolved by continuing to work.As a result, if the image gap cannot be resolved, it is better for you and your company to change jobs in a short period of time.And if you want to change or leave a job in a short period of time, it is important to keep the above points in mind and tell the reason for changing jobs in job interviews that you will join.ConclusionEven if we look around the world, Japanese company that values reasons for changing jobs or leaving a job in job interviews would be rare. As we explained, it’s due to the Japanese company’s approach to human resources.Even if there are applicants who have great skills and careers, there are some people who will lose the interview because of the reason for changing or leaving their jobs. Therefore, be sure to consider the reasons for changing or leaving a job before going to a job interview.If you would like to learn not only about the reasons for changing jobs but also about how to generally treat Japanese job interview, please see the following articles.Common Japanese Job Interview Questions and Best Answers!If you are an IT engineer looking to change your job and want to take a job interview after taking appropriate advices about job interviews, please register with G Talent, a Japanese recruitment agency specialized in IT engineers. A professional consultant will support you in changing jobs for free.

GTalent, which supports the employment and job changes of foreigners living in Japan, has summarized the common questions and anxiety in the Q & A format when foreigners are going to work or change jobs in Japan. If you are considering to find a job in Japan, please feel free to refer to it!FAQ for Job Hunting in Japan! 14 Questions and AnxietiesQ1. How many foreigners work in Japan?A. 1,658,804 foreign workers are working in Japan as of the end of October 2019（“The employment status about foreigner in Japan” by Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare）.It has increased by about 200,000 foreign workers compared to the previous year. In Japan, there is a shortage of labor force due to issues such as population decline and aging society, so various industries are actively accepting foreign labor force.Since there are about 60 million employees in Japan (As of March 2020, “Labor Survey” by Statistics Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications), about 2.7 out of every 100 are foreign workers.Q2. What do I need to work in Japan?A. To work in Japan, you need a workable visa. Working hours will vary depending on the type of visa, so it is recommended to check the visa type in advance on the website of TOKYO EMPLOYMENT SERVICE CENTER FOR FOREIGNERS.If you are a foreigner working as a regular employee in Japan, a representative working visa is a status of residence for “ENGINEER / SPECIALIST IN HUMANITIES / INTERNATIONAL SERVICES “.You can work in Japan without obtaining a working visa, if you need some residence visas like “Permanent Resident”, “Japanese spouse”, “Permanent spouse” or “Long term residence” so on.Q3. In which fields do foreigners most work in Japan?A. As of the end of October 2019, the percentage of manufacturing industry was the highest at 29.1%. Next are the service industry at 16.1% and retail / wholesale industry at12.8%（“The employment status about foreigner in Japan” by Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare）.In recent years, as the number of foreign tourists visiting Japan has increased, the number of foreigners working for sales and tourism is increasing. also, there is a shortage of IT engineers in Japan, and the number of foreigners working as IT engineers has been increasing significantly recently.Q4. From what countries are the employees working in japan?A: As of the end of October 2019, the countries of origin of foreign workers are China 418,000 (25.2%), Vietnam 401,000 (24.2%) and Philippines 179,000 (10.8%). In recent years, the number of people from Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam has been increasing especially（“The employment status about foreigner in Japan” by Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare）.Q5. In which city of Japan are foreigners working?A: As of the end of October 2019, the percentage of cities in Japan where foreigners are working is 26.6% in Tokyo, 8.0% in Aichi, and 7.3% in Osaka（“The employment status about foreigner in Japan” by Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare）.After all, there are a lot of foreigners working in the capital, Tokyo.Q6. Are there some difference between Japanese and foreigner when working in Japan?A. First of all, Japanese law prohibits to discriminate working benefits based on nationality.If you have the same occupation and position as a Japanese worker, your salary is basically the same as a Japanese worker. And also, when applying for a working visa, it is necessary that the salary is equivalent with Japanese in the same positions except for some cases.Q7. How much Japanese language skills do I need to work in Japan?A. The Japanese language skills required vary depending on the job type, but generally, business level Japanese ability (JLPT N2 or higher) is required. However, there are foreigners who are employed as English teachers or engineers of some IT companies even if they cannot speak Japanese.Q8. When working at a Japanese company, is it difficult to take a major position unless you are Japanese, as the word “glass ceiling” means?A. Japanese companies that have a long history and old ideas tend to have such ideas. However, there are many cases in which foreigners are playing a major position in companies that are expanding globally in emerging IT companies.Removing the “glass ceiling” has become a challenge for all Japanese companies promoting global and diversity. In addition, since the number of foreign workers has increased in the past few years, it is expected that foreigners will play an important role in many companies in the future.Q9. What is the flow of hiring for Japanese companies?A: The flow of hiring Japanese companies is not much different from other countries. In general, documents screening → interview (2 to 3 times) → offer. In some cases, some companies carry out pre-employment aptitude tests.Q10. Can I find a job in Japan while I am overseas?A: It is possible to have a job interview with a Japanese company while living overseas. Especially nowdays, the number of Japanese companies that complete the selection online is increasing. However, many Japanese companies place importance on not only skills and experience but also “personality”, so there are cases where the first interview is conducted by video call, but in the end, the applicant go to Japan and have a finally job interview. It is a common case. Therefore, if you are looking for a job in Japan, it would be easier to find it if you come to Japan.Q11. Is a Japanese resume absolutely necessary when applying for a Japanese company?A: It depends on the company you applied for. For jobs offers that do not require Japanese ability, Japanese resumes are often unnecessary when applying. However, in most cases, Japanese resumes are required when applying for jobs that require Japanese ability.Q12. I often see “regular employees”(Sei Shain) and “contract employees”(Keiyaku Shain) when Japanese companies are hiring. What is the difference?A: The main difference is the employment period. Full-time employees (Sei-Shain) have a fixed-term employment style with no fixed working period, and contract employees (Keiyaku-Shain) have a fixed-term employment style with a fixed working period. If you are hired as a full-time employee, you don’t have to worry about being dismissed unless there are major problems with the company’s situation or working style.Q13.What kind of methods are available for finding a job after coming to Japan?A: If you are a foreigner looking for a job in Japan, the job advertisement site is most often used. For IT engineers and professionals with management skills, they often use recruitment agencies. If you are looking for a job in Japan, please refer to the following articles for reference. Although it is for IT engineers, it will be useful for other occupations as well.How to Search Jobs for Software Engineers in Japan!Q14. What happens to the work visa procedure if I come to Japan on a working holiday and work as a full-time employee?A: To switch from a working holiday to a workable visa, you will need to apply for a new status of residence. Therefore, it is highly possible that you will temporarily return to your home country for the procedure. (The information is at the end of May 2020).ConclusionFor those who are thinking of finding a job or changing jobs in Japan for the first time, please use the “FAQ” described above. If you are an IT engineer looking for a job in Japan, please register with GTalent, a recruitment agency specializing in foreign IT engineers. A professional consultant will support you in changing jobs for free.

Nowadays, the words “Telework”, “Zaitaku-kinmu”, and “remote work” have become popular all over Japan due to the influence of coronavirus. At GTalent, a recruitment agency for foreigners, there is an increasing need for registrants to work in telework.In this article, We would like to introduce you to what kind of work you can do　in telework or working from home in Japan. If you are a foreigner who wants to work from home or other teleowork in Japan, please use this article as a reference.What is “Telework” or “Zaitaku-kinmu” in JapanCurrently, it is a word that is often used in news and SNS, but what is “telework”? Let us explain it first. “Telework” by the Japan Telework Association is made up of a combination of two English words, “Tele” and “work”.It means working from a place other than the office such as a home, cafe, or a rental space using information and communication technology.Reference – Japan Telework Association/Meaning of TeleworkAlso, it is sometimes called “remote work” instead of “telework”, but there is no significant difference in meaning. In Japan, the word telework is the word that has been used by governments since ancient times.The word “Zaitaku-kinmu” means working from home, so it is included in “telework”.Telework situation in Japan and OverseasTelewrok situation in JapanWe will inform you of the situation of telework in Japan based on a survey by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.Reference:Survery results on the introduction and effects of teleworkIn Japan, Telework is being introduced depending on the industry, but according to the results of these surveys, the number of companies that have introduced telework in Japan from 2013 to 2019 has increased from 9.3% to 19.1%.How much has the impact of the coronavirus increased?Due to the spread of coronavirus infection, the declaration of emergency was announced in April 2020, and the number of companies whose employees stop working in an office has increased significantly since then.According to a survey conducted by the Persol Institute, the number of companies conducting telework in early April increased to 27.9%.Reference:Survey conducted by Persol InstituteTelework situation at OverseasAccording to the report from MIC of Japan, the penetration rate of telework overseas is high in North America (such as the United States and Canada) and is still in the process of developing in Asia.Reference:Telework overseas diffusion trends/MICIn the United States and other countries where telework was introduced at an early stage, working at home has become a common practice.Conditions for jobs that are suitable for telework and that are notSubtable jobs for teleworkIn recent years, the number of companies introducing telework is increasing in Japan, but not all companies can introduce telework. In general, telework can be introduced if the job meets the following conditions.Jobs that can be completed on a computerJobs that can be completed by one personSecurity background is arranged or security-safe jobsFewer opportunities to interact with external customersJobs not suitable for teleworkOn the other hand, the conditions of work that do not apply to the introduction of telework are as follows.Jobs that are done by multiple peopleJobs that requires a specific machineJobs that require face-to-face communication with customersFor example, sales, hospitality business, medical care/welfare business, etc., which have many opportunities to interact with customers, so these jobs would be difficult to introduce a telework. Also, it is considered difficult to perform telework in the manufacturing industry, which uses specialized machines.What kind of jobs can we work in telework and working from home?We would like to introduce a lot of telework jobs in Japan from now.IT related jobsTelework is the most pervasive industry for IT industry. Telework has been introduced in several jobs, but the typical jobs are as follows.System engineersMost of the work of a system engineer goes to a computer by himself, and most of the work can be managed and performed online. we can say this is a typical job proper for telework because internal meetings and client needs are completed by video conferencing.Web designerAs with system engineers, WEB designers mainly work on PCs. It is a job to build a website, etc. We can say it is proper for telework because customer requests and consultations can be handled by video conferencing.Sales related jobsWe can say that sales-related jobs are the jobs that telework is increasing most. So far, sales jobs had been a style of visiting customers, but many companies are updating the style of sales, and telework is the most common in the following two jobs.Inside salesLately, the number of cases where the sales organization is divided into outside sales and inside sales is increasing in Japanese companies. The purpose of inside sales is mainly to develop new customers by phone or email and connect them to outside sales. It is proper for telework because the basic work is to make calls, emails, inputting customer information into the system etc.Customer supportIn customer support, the job is to follow up with customers who already have a contract, and most of the time it is done through telephone or email rather than face-to-face communication. There is some customer support that need to go to the customer’s office, but in most cases, this is a work that can be done at home if you have a computer, telephone, and internet connection.Creative related JobsWhen it comes to creative-related jobs, it can be said that there are many cases where you can work from telework originally. It can be said that the style of working at home and a cafe rather than the office is major in creative related jobs such as writers, designers, and producers. It causes of that there are many outsourced jobs which not need an office.Clerical-related JobsIt can be said that most of the clerical work is suitable for telework because it is often done by one person in a computer. However, about clerical work, there are many companies have not yet introduced telework. Since uch companies may still have paper documents, you should work at office in the case. Also, since general affairs and others need to receive postal items, there are cases where they have to come to the office, so you must be careful in advance when looking for a telework job related to clerical work.OthersIn addition to the IT-related, sales-related, creative-related, and clerical-related jobs that have been introduced so far, the introduction of telework is rising for the following jobs.TeacherSpeaking of teachers, the image of teaching directly to students is strong, but since the number of online learning services such as English conversation has increased in recent years, the number of cases where people can work from home is increasing.Planning / Management OperationsTelework is also expanding in planning and management operations due to the penetration of communication tools and business-IT tools. In general image, management positions have to go to the office because they are responsible for the organization, but recently, in order to spread the telework for staffs, the number of cases in which managers take the lead in telework is increasing.ConclusionCompared to a few years ago, more and more companies have introduced telework in Japan. For companies, by introducing telework, it is possible to hire human resources who can only work at home and to improve the efficient work style and work-life balance of employees, which will reduce the turnover rate.If you are a foreigner who is interested in a company that has introduced telework at this opportunity in IT-related jobs in Japan, please register with GTalent, a recruitment agency specializing in foreign IT engineers. A professional consultant will support you in changing jobs for free.

The spread of the coronavirus has led to changes in the methods of job hunting and job changing activities. A particularly big change is the rise in the number of online interviews.In this article, We would like to explain in detail the introduction status of online interviews in Japan, their impact on job hunting activities and job changing activities, and also introduce some representative companies which already incorporate online job interviews.The Status of Online Job Interviews in JapanDo you know how many companies currently offer online job interviews in Japan?Looking at the results of a survey conducted by Recruit Career in March 2020, 29.8% of the Japanese companies have already adopted online job interviews for mid-career hires or have already decided to adopt online job interviews. Besides, including companies that are considering introducing online interviews, more than half of all Japanese companies are already involved in this new trend.Therefore, if you are going to start job bunting or job changing activities soon, we could say that more than half of your job interviews may be conducted online.Resosrces:Recruit Career / Online Recruitment ActivityThe Status of online job interviews in the USAIt is said that the USA introduce the most online job interview in the hiring process in the world. What about the status of online job interviews in the USA when comparing the status of Japan?According to a survey by Ideal, a US provider of recruiting software found that 63% of HR managers in the United States use online video tools for job interviews.Resorces: The 38 Top Recruiting Software Tools Of 2020Japan still behind in the introduction rate of online job interviews compared to advanced countries, but the influence of the coronavirus will surely accelerate online recruitment activity, and the number of online job interviews will continue increasing.Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Jobs InterviewsSince the number of online job interviews still increasing, We would like to explain the advantages and disadvantages of online job interviews.Advantages of Online Jobs InerviewsSaving time and no need movingRelaxed environmentSaving time and no need movingSince the interview is conducted by online, it’s unnecessary to go to the office of the company you’re applying to, saving you the travel time and energy.As you can save time, it will be easier to adjust the schedule and you will be able to smoothly participate in the selection process of the companiesRelaxed environmentThere are a lot of people who can be relaxed when they meet with the interviewer and others who can not. When you go to a job interview while you are nervous, you may not be able to give the answers you want or you may even lose your chances.In the case of an online job interview, the environment will be easier to have a job interview without worrying about the ambiance of the place.Disadvantages of Online Jobs InterviewsWe would like to explain the disadvantages of online recruitment for job seekers below.The interviewer’s reactions are difficult to readHard to catch the atmosphere of the officeInternet connection troublesThe interviewer’s reactions are difficult to readIt’s hard to read the interviewer’s facial expression because you don’t meet him with face to face.In the case of an actual face-to-face interview, you can easily realize how the interviewer feel if see their reactions like nodding and facial expression. However, in the case of an online interview, it’s difficult to do that. And also it can be the same from the interviewer’s view.Especially, if the interviewer doesn’t understand how to deal with online job interviews, reading the reactions would be more difficult for you.Hard to catch the atmosphere of the officeOne of the major factors when you decide to join a company is the “office atmosphere”.In common hiring activities, the atmosphere of the company could be understood with the number of times the company is visited during job interviews.To change these disadvantages, some companies have been posting videos that show the atmosphere of the office so applicants could get it.Internet connection troublesIn the case of online job interviews, the internet network environment would be trouble well. If you may not be able to connect well, you couldn’t listen the questions and the interviewer couldn’t listen your answer well. In the worst case, the interview time may end as it is.Therefore, be sure to check the internet connection before an online job interview.In the unlikely case, if you have sudden disconnection, freezing of the video and so on, you don’t panic and call the recruitment counter of the company directly and explain the situation with calm.Also, some companies use software that needs to be installed in advance, we recommended to install it in advance.Major Japanese companies that have adopted Online RecruitmentWe would like to introduce major Japanese companies that have already included online interviews and AI systems.TOYOTA: Embeds online interviews in hiring new graduatesSoftbank: Incorporating AI into job interviews, the time required in the interviews was reduced by 75%Mitsubishi Corporation：80% of recruitment activities are done from home, only the last interview is conducted face-to-faceMitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co., Ltd. ：All interviews are executed online until the official offer※All articles above are wrote in JapaneseEven major Japanese companies are actively engaging in online job interviews. Those who are looking for a job will be easier to apply for the job that are more interested than ever.ConclusionWhat did you think about the article on the state of online　job interviews in Japan this time?Although there is still a huge difference in online recruitment activities between developed countries and Japan, the spread of the coronavirus has Japan to introduce online job interviews more than before.Even if you do not live in Japan, finding a job in Japan will be easier than ever.If you are an IT engineer looking for a job in Japan, please register with G Talent, a recruitment agency specializing in foreign IT engineers. A professional consultant will support you in changing jobs for free.

There are many reasons why Japan is one of the top choices for working foreigners who want a change of scene. The country’s rich culture, historical tourist attractions, delicious cuisine, excellent working environment, terrific people, and continued acceptance of outsiders have all persuaded foreigners to see how they would fare in the country.A large part of why many foreigners are interested in moving to Japan is because of the country’s national government exerting a lot of effort to bring in gaijin to join the workforce. One of the areas that the Japanese government is looking to fill in with foreigners is the IT engineer industry. By 2030, Japan is expected to have a massive software engineering deficit of close to 800,000.Japan’s need for foreign IT engineers has increased over the years, and the nation’s demand for these technology experts have somewhat been fulfilled. In fact, according to Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, there are approximately 30,000 non-Japanese IT engineers residing in the country today, which equates to about 3% of Japan’s IT engineer population.Foreign IT engineers are scattered all over the Land of the Rising Sun, but some locations have shown to be more inviting and alluring to these in-demand professionals. Here are some of the best-recommended destinations for IT engineers in Japan.TOKYOThis comes as no surprise, but Tokyo is perhaps the most popular choice for most non-Japanese professionals. The metropolis is known for its diverse international community, as Tokyo is currently the most populated area in the world. The opportunities for IT engineers in Tokyo are endless because most of Japan’s major tech companies are located in the area. As a matter of fact, 9 out of the 10 largest Japanese tech companies positioned their headquarters in Tokyo.Tokyo is filled with some of the world’s leading tech brands such as Softbank, NTT Docomo, NTT Data Corporation, Sony, KDDI, Recruit Co., Ltd, Canon, Hitachi, Mitsubishi Electronic, and many other internationally-recognized companies.The nation’s capital is also famous for its Akihabara district, which is filled with anime, electronics, manga, and video game companies heavily relying on the talents of IT and software engineers.OSAKAOsaka is perfect for IT professionals seeking high compensation but don’t want to deal with Tokyo’s busy atmosphere, crowdedness, and high living expenses. Osaka is home to globally-known tech brands including Panasonic, Sharp, and manufacturing giants such as Suntory and Nissin Food Products.Japan’s 3rd largest city is ideal for IT engineers who want to grow with their company. Currently, the city serves as the breeding ground for tech companies with over 1,000 developing startups. The famous British newspaper, The Guardian, referred to Osaka as Japan’s own Silicon Valley.Osaka even has a mall dedicated to newly-made technology. The Grand Front Osaka hosts programs that showcase developers and their high-tech inventions and innovations. Guests can try smartphone apps as it is being coded, operate drones, and use prototypes that are years from being released to the market.Aside from this, Osaka is also experiencing a surging development and tourism sector. So, apart from the opportunities available in tech and manufacturing companies, IT engineers can even venture into new fields and enhance their skills.KYOTO Kyoto has always been admired for its incredible manufacturing industry. With more factories adapting to the ever-developing times by embracing automation techniques and artificial intelligence, IT engineers have become some of the most sought-after talents on this side of Japan.Luckily for IT engineers who are fans of iconic video games such as Pokémon, Animal Crossing, The Legend of Zelda, and Super Mario, the Nintendo main headquarters is positioned in Kyoto. This opportunity is ideal for IT engineers who want to work for a major company while embracing the inner-child in them.Kyoto is also known for its excellent educational reputation provided by the Kyoto Institute of Technology (KIT). KIT is a superb place for IT engineers who want to expand their horizons and enhance their capabilities in new technology. Aside from the Kyoto Institute of Technology, there is also the Kyoto University, which has consistently ranked among the world’s best universities.What makes Japan’s historic capital unique from other technologically advanced locations is that it is known for its continued focus on the production of hardware technology, as opposed to the rest of the world’s fascination with software technology led by tech giants such as Google, Amazon, Uber, and several others.FUKUOKA One of Japan’s most promising IT engineering spots is the city of Fukuoka. Much like Osaka, a lot of IT startup companies establish their reputations here. This city is an excellent place for IT engineers who are at the beginning of their careers. Fukuoka, which has been dubbed “Japan’s most innovative city” by major news outlet BBC, made headlines for its mission of becoming Japan’s number 1 startup destination. Mayor Sōichirō Takashima is leading the way by requesting the national government to treat Fukuoka as a “national strategic special zone,” which cuts corporate taxes for tech companies and creates a special visa for non-Japanese entrepreneurs.Additionally, Fukuoka still maintains reasonable living expenses even though it has the country’s highest population growth and is also one of its many booming and developing technological cities.CONCLUSION Japan is one of the most technologically advanced countries on the planet and home to some of the most revered tech companies. With plenty of opportunities abound, IT engineers have no reason to worry about which companies they are potentially going to represent and lend their services to. In the Land of the Rising Sun, there are multiple alluring destinations where IT engineers could sharpen their skills, practice their expertise, and successfully continue their careers.If you seek great IT engineering opportunities and more employment tips, feel free to visit our website below. Good luck with your future endeavors! Sources:https://agency-star.co.jp/column/district-engineerhttps://www.atmarkit.co.jp/ait/articles/1803/12/news008_2.html

Japan’s manufacturing technology is well known in the world, but how much do you know about the Japanese IT industry? In this article, for foreigners who are interested in the Japanese IT industry, we would like to explain the structure of the Japanese IT industry with well-known companies in each field making it easy-to-understand.Basic Information about Japanese IT IndustryBefore classifying the IT industry, we would like to explain some basic information about the Japanese IT market.Market Size of Japanese IT Industry(2019): 12,493 billion yenReference: Forecasting calculation conducted by Yano Research Institute LtdGrowth rate of Japanese IT Industry: 2018 increased 2.8%、2019 increased 3.4%、2020 increased 1.6%Reference: Forecasting calculation conducted by Yano Research Institute LtdAreas where IT Investment will increase in the next 3 years in Japan: No.1 ERP, No.2 Security-related Software, No.3 SFA (SalesForce Automation) Reference: Questionnaire survey for corporates conducted by Yano Research Institute LtdNumber of IT engineers in the World and Japan: Japan ranks 4th in the world with an approx of 1.09 million engineers※1st USA with 4.77 million, 2nd China with 2.72 million, 3rd India with 2.12 million engineers.Reference:Human Resocia/Number of IT engineers around the world (North & South America)Human Resocia/Number of IT engineers around the world (Asia & Oceania)Details are summarized in this article, so please have a look when you have some time.Japanese IT Industry Market Size Compared to the WorldJapanese IT Industry StructureFrom now on, we would like to explain the structure of the Japanese IT industry.The Japanese IT industry is generally divided into the 4 categories below.Internet/Web IndustryInformation Processing/Information and Communication Service IndustrySoftware IndustryHardware IndustryNow, we would like to explain about these four industries with their representative companies.Internet / Web IndustryThe Internet / WEB industry includes B2B companies that provide services for companies such as network construction, website production, Internet advertising, and B2C companies that provide services for individuals such as SNS, portal sites, and EC.We are going to explain below the 5 types of services in this industry.Web PortalThe web portal serves as an entrance to the Internet and is a multi-purpose website that has varied services and useful pages for users such as obtaining online information, news, auctions, and shopping.Well-known Companies GoogleYahoo！JAPAN, etcSNSSNS (Social Networking Service) is a service that allows you to build relationships and share information over the Internet. It is one of the typical services that has expanded with the spread of smartphones.Well-known Companies FacebookLINELinkedIn, etcE-CommerceE-Commerce, also known as electronic commerce or internet commerce, is a service which allows you to shop online. Some representative e-commerce services easily to recognize are the web sites we use while online shopping, but e-commerce is more than “online shopping”. In addition to business-to-consumer transactions, it also includes business-to-business transactions, customer-to-customer transactions such as auctions and flea market sites.Well-known Companies AmazonRakutenMercari, etcWeb AdsAll services that provide agencies and systems that handle advertising on the Internet belongs to the WEB advertising industry. There are many types of ads, such as “listing ads”, “ad network ads”, “SNS ads”, “article ads”, “banner ads”, etc.Well-known Companies Cyber AgentOPTAdways, etcCuration siteA curation site is a site that collects the necessary information and puts it together in an easy-to-read manner.Well-known Companies GunosySmart News, etc Information Processing / Information and Communication Service IndustryInformation Processing IndustryA company of information processing services is responsible for the development and operation of information systems in a company and services used on the cloud, which is generally called “System Integrator (SIer)”.SIer receives an order from a customer, hears the customer’s needs, considers how to realize those needs as an information system, and outsources the system development and operation to　cooperative enterprises. Also, there are cases when the SIer should advice client companies on how to use IT to do a better performance, working as a consultant too.Well-known Companies FujitsuNTTDataSCSK, etcInformation and Communication Service IndustryThis industry is divided into two categories, “fixed communication” and, “mobile communication services”.Fixed communication is a communication service in fixed environments such as fixed-line phones, IP phones, and public phones.Mobile communication means a communication service represented by mobile phones.Well-known Companies NTTKDDISoft Bank, etcSoftware IndustryThis industry is to develop ​​a software such as application software and operating system. And also engineers can also play an active role with wide range in the industry from the software package to the system construction that manages the infrastructure.Well-known Companies Oracle JapanMicrosoftCybozu, etcHardware IndustryHardware means “machine, device, equipment”. This refers to physical objects such as electronic circuits and peripheral　equipment that make up a computer, such as servers, storage, and mobile phones.Well-known Companies AppleNECSony, etcConclusionIn this article, we explained the main structure of the IT industry in Japan, but in the next article, we would like to explain the occupations in the IT industry in Japan.

When a foreigner starts working in Japan, it is important the company they will work for. Then it comes another important point, that is the place where they will live. It is common to rent an apartment in places where you can easily go to work, but there are other options as well, and some companies can reduce the burden of housing costs with their peculiar welfare system.This time, we will explain what you should know about welfare-related housing allowance at Japanese companies if you live in Japan.Japan’s Housing Subsidy System that Reduces the Burden of Housing CostsHousing costs are a major part of living expenses. Foreigners living in Japan for the first time do not know the rent market, so various concerns will arise. For reference, we will introduce the rent market price in Tokyo.Rental market price in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, ChibaAccording to the “2018 Survey of Housing and Land Statistics, Basic Tabulation on Houses and Households” (Statistics Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, September 30, 1980), “Rents / rents per month” for three prefectures in Tokyo are It is like.・ Tokyo: 81,001 yen・ Kanagawa Prefecture: 68,100 yen・ Saitama Prefecture: 59,358 yen・ Chiba: 57,421 yenThe Tokyo metropolitan area is out of the 80,000-yen range, the next highest is Kanagawa prefecture with about 68,000 yen, and the Saitama and Chiba prefectures are in a 50,000 yen range. Many companies are concentrated in Tokyo, so those who want to live close to work should be prepared for those rent expenses. Of course, there are many Japanese who live in Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba and go to work in Tokyo. For foreigners who want to reduce their rent, or who want to prioritize the size and layout of their homes, one option is to find a home in one of the three neighboring prefectures.Work with peace of mind at a company with a housing allowance!Many Japanese companies have a housing subsidy program as part of their welfare. For example, “Company A with a monthly income of 300,000 yen and no housing subsidy” or “Company B with monthly income of 270,000 yen and half of rent as housing subsidy”, which is the most attractive company? From a medium- to long-term perspective, you may be able to judge that “it is better to choose Company B”. So, when choosing a company in Japan, be sure to judge not only the salary but also the availability and content of the housing allowance system.What Kind of Housing Allowance Systems Exist?In general, Japanese companies provide a certain amount of monthly payment to employees who meet the conditions stipulated by the company, but there are several other patterns. Let’s explain about the general housing assistance system.01: Rent subsidy (Housing allowance)The most common housing assistance system is rent subsidy (housing allowance). Rent subsidy is a welfare program in which the company pays a portion of the employee’s housing expenses as an allowance. It is provided for the purpose of subsidizing rent for employees living in rental housing and subsidizing mortgages for employees living in their own homes. Even if there is a rent subsidy system, the terms and conditions of payment vary depending on the company.02: Rented company houseBorrowed company housing is a system in which employees live in houses rented by the company. It is common for a company to rent a property and collect a portion of the rent from the resident employee. The benefit is that the company pays a fixed percentage of the rent, so it can be cheaper to live in there than renting it yourself. In the past, it was common for companies to lease entire buildings and lend each house to employees, but recently employees often search for properties within the conditions and rent them under the company name.In addition, in the case of the rent subsidy described above, since it is paid on top of the monthly salary, the tax burden and insurance premium burden on employees will increase accordingly. On the other hand, rented company housing means that employees pay a fixed rent to the company, so there is no increase in tax burden or insurance burden.03: Dormitory for employeesAn employee dormitory is a building owned by the company for the residence of employees. Some dormitories are furnished and provide a telephone line, and some are equipped with meals (meals are offered cheaply). When you move in, you pay a fixed amount of rent, but you can use it for a much lower price than renting a nearby property yourself.However, employee dormitories have been declining in recent years due to the increasing number of employees who do not use dormitories even if they have dormitories, and the fact that many buildings were built during the period of high economic growth and are aging. As a result, finding a company with a dormitory could be difficult.Examples of Japanese Companies Housing SubsidiesThe housing subsidy system is a non-statutory welfare that is provided by the company, so some companies do not have this system. According to the “Comprehensive Survey on Working Conditions in 2015” (Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare), 45.8% of all companies provide some housing allowance. By industry, IT and other information and communications businesses accounted for 56.0%, indicating that more than half of companies provided housing allowances.Of course, even if you have a housing subsidy system, the details will vary from company to company. For reference, examples of the conditions and amount of payment of the housing assistance system are explained below.Payment conditions for rent subsidies (Housing allowance)There are many cases where “distance” from the company is the condition for rent subsidy, such as ” ¥¥ monthly for employees living within ◯ km from the company.” The distance from the company varies depending on the company, such as 1.5 km, 2 km, 3 km, and 5 km. Some companies use the “number of stations” as a condition, such as “within ◯ stations from the nearest station to the company” instead of the distance.In addition, some companies provide rent subsidy after 3 years of joining the company, as a condition of rent subsidy regardless of where they live.Payment of rent subsidy (Housing allowance)According to the “2015 Survey on Working Conditions” (Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare), data indicate that the average amount of housing allowance per person is 17,000 yen. By industry, the information and communications industry, including IT, was ¥ 25,312, much higher than the average.The actual amount of payment is set widely by the company, such as 15,000-yen, 30,000 yen, and 50,000 yen. In addition, there are companies that define it as “50% of rent”. However, in this case, there is often a limit.Due to the shortage of human resources in the IT industry in recent years, more companies are introducing new rent subsidy systems or increasing the amount of rent subsidies to acquire excellent human resources.Size and layout of rented company house and employee dormitoriesThe size and layout of rented company house and employee dormitories may vary from company to company. It usually depends entirely on whether the resident is single or married.The company dormitories and employee dormitories where single employees are occupied generally are one-room size, 1K, or 1DK floor plans, with rooms ranging from 6 to 8 tatami mats (10 to 14 square meters). For rented company housing and employee dormitories where married employees are occupied by 3 to 4 family members, it is common to arrange a layout of about 2DK to 3LDK. The average goes from 19.4㎡ to 23.4㎡.ConclusionForeigners working in Japan for the first time want to keep their expenses as low as possible until work is on track and life is stable. In this regard, companies that have systems such as rent subsidies (housing allowances), rented company housing and employee dormitories can help reduce the rent burden. When researching Japanese companies, be sure to check if there is a housing subsidy in the benefits.If you have a rent subsidy (housing allowance), be sure to check the payment conditions. For example, if “3 years of service” is a condition, you will not be able to receive assistance for the time being. In some cases, it is not eligible for payment. Be sure to check with your HR representative if you have any questions.