Many foreigners fear that Japan doesn’t offer many career opportunities for non-citizens. Admittedly, Japan does have stringent immigration requirements. Kavan Choksi shares that you can’t easily qualify for residency if you have an unconventional source of income like vlogging, content creation, or influencer marketing—no matter how much you make.
To improve your chances, you might want to consider switching jobs. Contrary to popular belief, Japan offers foreigners several lucrative, rewarding career paths. Don’t worry—you won’t have to clean toilets. Depending on your educational attainment, you could land a high-paying white-collar job right from the get-go.
Kavan Choksi suggests exploring the following jobs:
Country Manager
If you already have years of managerial experience under your belt, consider applying as a country manager. Most companies would pay you upward of $130,000 per year. Expect the competition to be tight, but you might have the upper hand if you speak multiple languages and have extensive knowledge of foreign markets.
Software Engineer
Japan ranks as one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world. Young engineers with little work experience can make $60,000 in their first year, while seasoned professionals who have worked with multiple tech companies can triple their starting salaries.
ESL Instructor
Kavan Choksi shares that Japan has a high demand for ESL instructors. Entry-level instructors can make $30,000 in their first year, but more experienced native English speakers can easily double or triple their earnings. You could start as a freelancer, though you’d make more if you joined a widely known agency, school, or university while continuing your education.
Marketing Manager
Sales and marketing professionals can try working as marketing managers. Although the Japanese market has different demands, brands would find your domestic market experience very helpful. Emphasize all your successful international campaigns to land a high-paying position. You could make $100,000+ in your first year if you ace your application.
Building a Lucrative Career in Japan
Overall, Kavan Choksi encourages aspiring immigrants to explore their options. Again, Japan has stringent guidelines, so you might work around your career goals to improve your chances of qualifying for residency. Plenty of companies will happily work with foreigners. However, we can’t guarantee that you’ll work in your current industry—much less have the same job.
If that doesn’t seem appealing, then reconsider your goals. However, if you’re comfortable switching career paths so that you can move to Japan, Kavan Choksi encourages you to push through with your application.
Kavan Choksi Japan 
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