For foreigners seeking employment in Japan, career fairs and job seminars can be valuable entry points into the job market. These events offer more than just a chance to submit your resume; they are opportunities to engage directly with companies, better understand expectations, and build connections that can lead to future opportunities.
Why Career Fairs Matter
Japan’s recruitment culture still heavily values in-person interaction, even as online applications become more common. Career fairs allow job seekers to make an impression beyond a paper CV. For foreigners, these events also offer a chance to assess how open a company might be to hiring non-Japanese staff.
Many job fairs in Japan are tailored toward bilingual or international talent, such as:
- Career Forum (by DISCO International) – held in Tokyo, Osaka, and online
- MyNavi Global Career Expo
- Tokyo Job Fair for International Students
- Local university job events (if you are a student or recent graduate)
Seminars, on the other hand, provide information about job-hunting processes in Japan (known as shūkatsu) and company-specific expectations. Attending these can give foreign applicants crucial insight into navigating the application timeline, interview etiquette, and documentation requirements.
What to Expect
Job fairs may feature booths for individual companies, keynote speeches, panel sessions, and on-the-spot interviews. While some require pre-registration and business attire, others are more casual or exploratory. It’s important to research in advance and have an updated resume in both English and Japanese, if possible.
You may also encounter:
- Company info sessions in Japanese
- Networking mixers or Q&A sessions
- Interview tips tailored to foreign applicants
Attending these events can also reveal what level of Japanese proficiency is expected. For instance, some companies require N2-level Japanese or higher, while others hire English speakers for global roles.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of It
- Practice your self-introduction (自己紹介) in both languages
- Prepare questions that show genuine interest in the company
- Bring multiple copies of your resume
- Dress professionally, even for online fairs
- Follow up with any recruiters you meet
Even if you’re not job hunting yet, attending early can help you prepare for the future.
Learn Japanese to Reach Your Career Goals
Understanding the language is key to making the most of these opportunities. Whether it’s participating in company briefings, navigating interviews, or making connections, strong Japanese skills can set you apart and increase your confidence. Submit our contact form here to get started on building a Japanese learning plan that supports your professional goals.