In Japan, it is typical for foreign students to juggle their studies with some light part-time work for extra income. In fact, 75% of international students in Japan are part-time employees or engage in some type of part-time job.

A lot of these students take up jobs in cafés, restaurants, shops, stores, and schools, with some students even doing babysitting duties. Most of them take on part-time jobs as they need the money to cover living expenses.

In this article, we’ll cover some part-time occupations that international students engage in. And as a bonus, we’ll also enumerate the types of businesses that students aren’t allowed to work in.

Teacher and Private Tutor

Being an English teacher is the most common part-time job among foreigners, as most foreigners either use English as their primary language or are fluent enough to have near-native command of the language.

Albeit a popular choice for international students, many find difficulty in balancing their two school lives as part-time teachers have to put in 28 hours a week. Consider that these students need to study, attend classes, do projects, do homework, review for quizzes and exams, and then have to do it all over again but as teachers.

But on the bright side, foreign students who are also part-time teachers earn higher than most part-time working students, as they can earn between 2000 JPY and 5000 JPY per hour.

Aside from teaching, foreign students can also do some private tutoring for Japanese students and professionals who want to improve their English. This is an ideal setup for international students as it gives them more flexibility over their schedules. Private tutors can earn up to 2000 JPY per hour.

Store Assistant and Server

Perhaps the most flexible and accessible type of work for students are part-time jobs in stores, restaurants or cafés, due to its multiple work shifts.

Convenience stores are willing to hire contractual employees so there usually are job openings at a store or two. The downside, however, is that newcomers are bound to work up until the wee hours. For those not fond of late-night shifts, they can also try clothing stores in need of personable young people to assist customers in finding the right outfit.

Restaurants and cafés are also open to the notion of hiring working students, provided they are willing to wait tables The good news for foreign students is that there has been a major resurgence of international restaurants in Japan, so they can apply and not worry about having to learn the local language extensively.

For these types of jobs, it’s best for students to learn basic Japanese as they will be interacting with people. Assisting shops and waiting tables have hourly incomes of about 800 JPY to 1000 JPY.

Babysitter

The least demanding work ideal for international students is babysitting. Over time, traditional Japanese families are being more receptive to the concept of babysitting and an increasing number of parents are more comfortable in trying this western approach to upbringing.

This is a great opportunity for foreign students to earn some extra income because the work is relatively light compared to other part-time jobs. It allows students to focus more on their studies as they won’t get battered by the workload.

Moreover, babysitter rates start at 1200 JPY. And if they have skills in music or know a foreign language that they can teach to a child, they can charge up to 2000 JPY. A sitter can also charge 500 JPY more for every additional child they have to look after.

Jobs to Avoid

Of course, there are limitations to which jobs students can apply for. Furthermore, some jobs may be unsafe, bring you into contact with shady characters, or be unable to hire you if you are under the age of twenty.

As a general rule, we would advise you avoid working in businesses involved in serving alcohol, facilitating gambling, and anything connected to adult entertainment.

Conclusion

There are numerous jobs that are suitable for international students in Japan. But in our opinion, these jobs offer the most flexibility and convenience for students whose schedules can only allow for part-time employment. If you plan to study in Japan soon, make sure to apply for jobs that suit your skillset as well.

We hope you find this article to be informative. Until next time. Too-da-loo!

Motto Japan Group

Motto Japan, the community platform to support foreigners with the foundation for life in Japan, including Japanese study, job opportunities, and housing service. Motto Japan Media will provide a wide variety of information for Japanese fans all over the world, to create a cross-cultural environment and enrich the life of foreign residents in Japan!