The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan breaks down work and long-term stay visas into a few distinct categories, including:

Highly-skilled professional visas for those who demonstrate advanced skills and hold experience of at least five years. Working visas covering a diversity of niche fields, including journalists, medical services, researchers, nursing and entertainment. Startup visa for entrepreneurs who are supposed to work in a specific Japanese municipality.

There are also long-term stay visas that give you the right to live and work in Japan on the basis of a familial relationship. These are referred to as “specified visas.” Spouses or children of Japanese nationals or permanent residents may qualify, for example.

Japan offers a diversity of job opportunities for foreign workers, spanning everything from tourism to international business. Of course, the type of job you pursue will depend on your skills, education and qualifications. Here are some broad categories of jobs you might consider:

• Language teaching: Teaching is a common choice among foreigners seeking work in Japan. Language-teaching jobs are available at international schools, universities, public schools, private language schools, and vocational or technical schools. The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) program is the most prominent visa program for language teaching. It is run by the Japanese government and allows native English speakers with university degrees to teach English at a Japanese public school while exploring life in Japan. The JET program starts as a one-year contract, but it is possible to renew the initial contract for up to five years. While most JET participants are English speakers, there are also positions for German, Chinese, Korean and French.
• Blue-collar jobs: It is extremely difficult to get a visa for an unskilled labor position in Japan, like cooking or cleaning. If you are pursuing work in these areas, do not count on an employer to provide a visa for you. The one exception is if you qualify for the Technical Intern Training Program for foreigners who want to acquire certain technological or other skills via hands-on training in Japan. This visa can last for up to five years and is applicable across diverse fields, including construction, agriculture, textiles, machinery, manufacturing and the food industry.
• Office work: Various office jobs are available in Japan, particularly in larger urban areas like Tokyo and Osaka. If you want to score an office job, you will have to find a way to set yourself apart from local candidates through your unique international profile. In general, the money and effort needed to find and hire internationally can make applicants from abroad unappealing to business employers — especially if they also have to handle your visa paperwork on top of it all.
• Health care: Japan’s population is rapidly aging, resulting in increased demand for health care workers. Qualified nurses or caregivers from Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia can get work in Japan through a governmental program based on the Japan-Indonesia Economic Partnership Agreement. Trainees master their skills in Japan and must then take a national exam for nurses or caregivers within three years of starting their training.
• Working holiday: Japan has entered a working holiday agreement with many countries, giving young people the chance to experience Japanese culture while working in the country. The details depend on the country-specific agreement, but usually, such opportunities are available for people up to age 30, who are then allowed to stay in Japan for up to one year. These roles often involve working at summer camps, ski resorts or similar tourism-driven venues.

Japan is an island nation with a varied landscape, from seasides to mountain ski towns. Do your research to determine what part of the country is best suited to your needs before going ahead with a job hunt. Tokyo, the country’s capital and its largest city, is home to many international and multilingual companies — and, not surprisingly, to the majority of the country’s foreign workers.

However, Tokyo isn’t your only option. For example, if you are a professional ski instructor, Sapporo may offer opportunities. Other cities of note include Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe and Hiroshima. Your professional niche will likely impact your target destination.

Japanese is the official language of Japan. If you do not speak it, you may find that your opportunities are limited. Some jobs will require a bare minimum business level of Japanese language proficiency. You can prove this by taking a test like the Japanese-Langauge Proficiency Test (JLPT). Five categories of proficiency are ranked, with N1 being the highest (native level) and N5 the lowest.

If your Japanese skills are not great, you will have to focus on roles where your foreign language skills are an asset. For example, English is useful if you plan to work as an English-speaking teacher. It is also in demand among more globally oriented companies. For example, Honda and Nissan both have announced an “English-first” approach in their business dealings, despite being headquartered in Japan.

Even if you pursue work that does not require Japanese, it can be helpful to learn some language basics. You will be more comfortable getting around the country if you can communicate and exchange some basic pleasantries. Note that the Japanese language does not rely on the Latin alphabet — meaning you may not even be able to read basic signage unless an English translation is given. Suffice to say, learning some basics can allow you to get around more easily.

As mentioned, there are a diversity of visa options for foreigners in Japan. Deciding which visa best fits your unique requirements can streamline your job application process. For example, if you apply for a highly skilled professional (HSP) visa, you’ll need a sponsoring company. However, if you apply via the JET program, you’ll simply apply via JET/the Japanese government.

You may also want to hone in on a specific location when determining the best path forward for your Japan job application process. For example, if you want to work in a rural area, a working holiday visa might be suitable, allowing you to stay in a natural area like a ski resort or national park. Alternatively, if a buzzing metropolis like Tokyo is more your speed, an office job with a multinational company can be preferable.

Japanese culture is generally governed by strict etiquette rules, and the business world is no exception. Familiarizing yourself with some basic rules can help ease the interview process. For example, business cards are an integral part of a workplace exchange. Even the way you hand over your card — with both hands, with the corners pinched between your thumb and index finger — is significant.

Your resume and cover letter should likewise be adapted to Japanese culture. For example, it is common practice to include a business photo on your business application paperwork. An immigration expert or advisor familiar with Japanese customs — such as those found on Relocate — can help you with localization and get your documentation ready for your Japan job search.