🇯🇵 Introduction: What Foreigners Don’t Know About Shūkatsu
If you grew up outside Japan, the job-hunting system here will feel like stepping into another universe.
Unlike the U.S. or Europe—where students apply for jobs anytime—Japan has a strict, seasonal, synchronized job-hunting ritual called Shūkatsu (就活). Every year, millions of students begin job hunting at the same time, wearing the same black suit, the same white shirt, and following the same national timeline.
When I first saw it, I honestly thought it was some kind of corporate military ceremony.
As someone who has lived in Japan for over six years and experienced hiring processes at Japanese and international companies, this system shocked me at first — but once you understand the rules, it becomes predictable, almost comforting.
This guide explains everything as a foreigner actually needs to know, not the overly formal explanation found on Japanese government websites.
📅 1. The Official Shūkatsu Timeline (2025 Updated)
Japan’s recruitment schedule is extremely standardized. Here’s the 2025 version:
📌 March (Graduation Year -1): Company Info Sessions Begin
- Companies start hosting “説明会” (briefings)
- Students learn about industries, company culture
📌 June: Applications Open
Students submit:
- Entry sheets (ES)
- SPI exam registration
- Company-specific tests
📌 Summer to Autumn: Written Exams & Interviews
- SPI test is mandatory for most Japanese companies
- Group interviews
- Panel interviews
- HR interviews
- Final interview with senior management
📌 October: Job Offers Released
Students receive 内定 (naitei), the official job offer.
📌 April (Following Year): Work Begins
Everybody starts working on the same day — April 1st.
This schedule applies mainly to:
- Japanese universities
- Japanese companies
- Traditional industries (manufacturing, finance, large corporations)
Foreigners can still benefit from knowing this schedule because even international companies align loosely with these periods.
🎯 2. Do Foreigners Need to Follow Shūkatsu?
Short answer: No — but knowing the system helps a lot.
Foreigners typically fall into one of three categories:
✔ Foreign students in Japan
You’re expected to follow Shūkatsu, especially if you’re:
- A university student
- A senmon school student
- Applying to Japanese corporations
✔ Foreigners outside Japan
You can apply anytime, but companies still recruit more aggressively during Shūkatsu season.
✔ Experienced foreign professionals
You bypass Shūkatsu entirely and apply via mid-career routes (中途採用), which is more flexible.
📝 3. What You Need to Apply (Foreigners Edition)
This is what companies actually look for — from my experience working at Japanese firms:
✔ 1. A Japanese-style resume (履歴書)
Even if you’re a foreigner, most companies will ask for one.
Use templates from:
- https://www.rirekisho.net (JP)
- https://www.canva.com (EN templates)
✔ 2. Entry Sheet (ES)
This is NOT a cover letter.
It’s a very Japan-specific, structured form with questions like:
- “Why do you want to join our company?”
- “Describe a challenge you overcame.”
- “How can you contribute to society?”
Expect to write many versions.
✔ 3. SPI Test
The infamous Japanese aptitude exam.
Covers:
- Math
- Logic
- Reading
- Personality assessment
Foreigners often struggle with the language-heavy parts.
A great prep site:
https://www.spi-webtest.com (JP)
✔ 4. Interview etiquette
You’re judged on:
- Politeness
- The way you bow
- How you sit (seiza NOT required, don’t worry)
- Tone of voice
- “Motivation to contribute to society”
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💼 4. What Japanese Companies REALLY Look For (Not What They Say)
After talking with dozens of HR managers in Kyoto and Osaka, this is the truth:
✔ 1. Long-term commitment
Loyalty is still important.
Companies prefer foreigners who plan to stay 3+ years.
✔ 2. Communication style
Not “perfect Japanese,” but:
- Being polite
- Being calm
- Not interrupting
- Being team-oriented
✔ 3. “Cultural fit”
This usually means:
- You work well with groups
- You’re not confrontational
- You don’t “rock the boat”
✔ 4. Language level
JLPT N2 is the minimum for office jobs.
N1 gives you a big advantage.
✔ 5. Strong motivation
The most important phrase you’ll ever say:
「御社で成長したいです。」
(“I want to grow within your company.”)
🗣️ 5. What Interviews Are Actually Like (My Experience)
My first Japanese job interview was in Kyoto, and I still remember sweating in the tiny room with three managers staring at me.
They didn’t ask about my skills.
They didn’t ask about my degree.
They asked things like:
- “Why Japan?”
- “Why Kyoto?”
- “Do you plan to stay long-term?”
- “How do you handle mistakes?”
- “Can you work with seniority-based hierarchy?”
The cultural questions mattered more than the technical ones.
When I applied later to a more international company in Osaka, the tone was totally different:
- Salary discussion
- Remote work options
- Project experience
It felt more Western, more modern.
This is why I always tell foreigners:
👉 Your experience depends 100% on what kind of company you choose.
🚧 6. Common Mistakes Foreigners Make (And How to Avoid Them)
❌ 1. Applying only in English
Most Japanese companies expect Japanese materials.
❌ 2. Ignoring the SPI test
It filters out thousands of applicants.
❌ 3. Not understanding business Japanese (keigo)
Even basic keigo helps massively.
❌ 4. Not asking about overtime
This one mistake can destroy your work-life balance.
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❌ 5. Accepting the first offer
Unlike Japanese students, foreigners can negotiate.
🧲 7. Best Websites for Foreigners Job-Hunting in Japan (2025)
🌏 English-friendly
🇯🇵 Japanese companies (for high-paying roles)
These platforms follow Shūkatsu cycles closely.
💬 Is Shūkatsu Worth It for Foreigners?
Honestly?
Yes — if you plan to build a long-term career in Japan.
No other system gives you access to:
- Japan’s largest companies
- Stable contracts
- Long-term visas
- Career growth
- High job security
But it also requires:
- Patience
- Cultural adaptation
- Japanese language ability
- Understanding the system’s quirks
After six years in Japan, here’s my honest opinion:
👉 Shūkatsu is stressful and sometimes exhausting, but it opens doors that mid-career recruiting never will.
If your goal is to fully integrate into Japan’s workforce, learning Shūkatsu is a powerful advantage.
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