Hiring Practices in Japan
A company’s awareness of Japanese culture and business etiquette is essential before hiring employees for a Japanese operation. So, familiarizing yourself with it before the hiring process of your team will aid in fostering positive relationships with candidates and prevent your business from placing too much emphasis on its corporate culture.
According to Statista’s data, the employment rate in Japan in 2022 reached approximately 60.9% which is slightly up from about 60.4% in the previous year.
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs
In this article learn about:
– Business culture and Etiquette in Hiring Process
– Hiring Practices in Japan
– How to hire foreign employees in Japan
– How we can assist you with the hiring process
The Japanese Business Culture
– Respectful behavior: In Japan, it is essential to demonstrate respect for others, particularly those in positions of authority. During the hiring process, this means being punctual for interviews, using appropriate titles when addressing the interviewer, and using honorific language to show respect.
– Professional appearance: Appearance is crucial in Japanese business culture, and candidates must dress conservatively and professionally for job interviews. Men should wear a dark suit, white shirt, and conservative tie, while women should dress conservatively and avoid wearing too much makeup or jewelry.
– Emphasis on group harmony: Japanese companies strongly emphasize group harmony, which extends to the hiring process. Hiring managers look for candidates they believe will fit well with the existing team and contribute to a positive work environment. Candidates who can work well with others and are willing to adapt to the company culture are highly valued.
– Focus on qualifications and experience: While personality and fit within the company culture are important, Japanese companies also strongly emphasize a candidate’s qualifications and experience. Candidates with a strong educational background and relevant work experience are often given priority.
– Respect for hierarchy: Respect for the hierarchy is also critical in Japanese corporate culture. Candidates are expected to respect those in positions of authority, including hiring managers. It is important to listen carefully and follow instructions during the interview process.
– Follow-up etiquette: After the interview, you must send a thank-you note or email to the interviewer to show appreciation for their time and to reiterate your interest in the position. This is an essential aspect of Japanese business etiquette and demonstrates your respect for the hiring process.
Employment Process in Japan
After adopting these cultural norms, companies expanding into Japan should be aware of the country’s established recruitment procedures. Western customs have some similarities, yet there are also important distinctions.
In Japan, shins otsu is commonly used by businesses to recruit and hire top talent. Candidates for specialized positions are sought after once they have earned a graduate degree from an esteemed institution. Companies generally weigh the viability of this approach depending on the required level of experience for each position.
In addition, a social media recruitment strategy for a Japanese candidate will have various repercussions. Because of the high value placed on personal privacy in Japanese society, spreading ideas via social media will have less of an impact there. Yet, posting jobs on online job boards is one effective method of attracting qualified applicants.
How to Hire Foreign Employees in Japan
Although many municipal labor standards will be enforceable for international and native Japanese workers, foreign workers still need to take extra precautions to verify their employment is under local laws. Making an offer before checking a candidate’s legal right to work is a waste of time and money.
There is no problem with hiring someone who holds a “Permanent Residency” or “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” visa. Anyone without these visas will need to apply for a work visa.
The qualifications listed for the position must match those of the individual and the visa they seek. Financial success and being the right kind of firm are two requirements from the company’s side.
For workers who already hold work visas, the new post must be commensurate with their experience and kind of visa. A foreign national can only have one visa at a time, and a work visa is the most convenient option for employers.
In theory, candidates who have a visa issued due to family status, such as a relative of a Japanese national or long-term resident, can find employment in Japan. Trainee and student visas are examples of non-work visas that allow foreigners to work in Japan. Nonetheless, a small pool of qualified applicants will hold such visas because most foreign workers would hold standard work visas. Work visas are not provided for manual labor jobs, making hiring a foreigner for construction laborers or servers impossible.
For private enterprises to hire foreign workers, they must apply for one of five different forms of work visas. Here are the five categories:
– Engineer/Specialist/International Services
– Intra-company transferee
– Skilled Labor
– Business Manager
– Highly Skilled Professional.
There are different prerequisites for each of these five visa categories. Several work visas could be employed for a given employee, but these five are the most prevalent. While applying for a work visa, businesses must determine which category their prospective worker falls under.
How We Can Assist you in the Hiring Process
Want to simplify your Japanese payroll and human resources procedures? SME Japan is the place to go. We’re a seasoned provider of HR and payroll services to companies of all sizes in Japan, and we’re ready to put our years of knowledge to work for you.
If you need assistance understanding and complying with Japanese employment legislation, our team of experts is here to help. Our human resources offerings span the gamut from recruiting and managing top people to providing perks to international workers and assisting with visa applications.
Our payroll services are made to streamline your business and guarantee that your employees are always paid on time and in full. We use cutting-edge tools and technology to simplify your team’s payroll processing and save them time and energy.
For more information on how SME Japan can improve your company’s human resources and payroll operations in Japan, please get in touch with us immediately.
"Otsumami" - a bite size snack:
Hiring practices in Japan require companies to be aware of Japanese business culture and etiquette, including respect for hierarchy, emphasis on group harmony, and focus on qualifications and experience. Additionally, foreign employees seeking work in Japan must take extra precautions to ensure their employment is under local laws.
