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When working in Japan for the first time, many foreigners will want to work in a large city in the Kanto or Kansai regions, while those currently living in Japan may want to work where they currently live. Each of you may have your own preference for work location.
Of course, location is important, but you’ll find work faster if you don’t limit yourself to a specific location from the start and go wherever there are jobs.
In this lesson, you will learn how to respond when asked where you would like to work in an interview, so that you can expand your job opportunities and find a better job.
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The employment rate is high for those who can work anywhere in Japan.
If a company is located only in one region or has only a head office and no branches or subsidiaries, the work location will be that company.
In the case of a company with branches nationwide, limiting the work location may affect the job offer rate to a small degree.
Percentage of employees hired who can work (or relocate) throughout Japan, regardless of location: 75％
Employment rate of those who are restricted to their work location and cannot be transferred: 25%.
Thus, if you are particular about where you work when you change jobs, it may affect your job offer rate.
Why do companies hire people who can work (or relocate) anywhere in Japan without being tied to a specific work location?
This is because there are many different projects throughout Japan, and you may not always find a job that matches your skills and experience in a particular location.
For example, let’s say you are working as an embedded engineer and your job is located in Aichi, Japan.
This job is short-staffed and requires immediate help.
At this time, when you are asked about your desired work location during the interview, if you answer “anywhere is fine” without limiting your work location, you will receive a job offer and be able to work at Aichi Prefecture.
On the other hand, limiting your job search to the Kanto region might mean missing out on opportunities. While Aichi Prefecture is urgently seeking candidates, the Kanto region could already be fully staffed.
This means there might not be a suitable position for your experience in the Kanto area, leading to rejection.
It would be a waste if you have a high level of Japanese language ability, skills, and experience, but you are sent away because there is no work available at your desired location.
If this is the case, first give priority to coming to Japan, and then, after gaining some familiarity and understanding of the local area in Japan, inform them of your desired work location when you are ready for your next job change.
If you want to come to Japan and work as soon as possible, do not limit the place of work, but tell the interviewer that you can work anywhere.
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What kind of jobs are available?
Knowing in advance where and what kind of work is available will allow you to answer accurately when asked where you would like to work during an interview and increase your chances of receiving a job offer.
The reason for this is the companies recognized that you have researched which prefectures have the most industry and are assumed to know about the geography of Japan.
What kind of jobs are available in which prefectures, and examples of jobs popular among foreigners will be introduced.
① For mechanical design engineers
Work is concentrated in Kanagawa, Saitama, Aichi, and other prefectures where major automakers are located.
②For IT engineers
IT-related jobs are located throughout Japan, but are particularly concentrated in Tokyo, where the company’s headquarters are located.
③For factories
Work locations vary widely, including rural and suburban areas.
Of course, there are exceptions, so the above conditions do not necessarily apply.
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How to answer where you want to work
Let’s learn how to answer the questions in two cases: working in Japan for the first time and already working in Japan.
If you are working in Japan for the first time
If this is the first time for you to work in Japan, you should not limit your work location from the beginning in order to take advantage of the few opportunities that are available.
① In case there is no place of work in your desired location
② If you would like to request a work location
③ If you have a place where you would like to work
The point is, don’t say “I definitely want to work in this prefecture!” but by telling them where you want to work, but also that you are flexible and can work anywhere, you will be more likely to be hired by a company.
If you are currently living in Japan
① If a family member (spouse or partner) is working in the same area
② If you are attending a Japanese language school or driving school
③ If your child attends school
When changing jobs, you want to decide where you want to work, and if possible, you do not want to be transferred.
consider the possibility of an interview while indicating that you can work in any country in Japan and that you are willing to relocate.
The place of work will affect the future of your life, so if you have a good reason, such as a family or personal situation, you should tell the company directly.
The company representative is also a father with a wife and children.
If the place of work changes, it is necessary to move, and it is also necessary to change the children’s school, the wife’s part-time job, and everything else.
Therefore, if you have a reason, please be assured that there will be no problem at all if you transmit it as it is and it will not affect the selection process.
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