Written by Brett Huestis on May 15, 2026
As of April 2026, updated immigration guidelines for the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa (技人国) are now officially in effect.
Under these revised guidelines, applicants are generally expected to demonstrate either JLPT N2 certification or equivalent B2 level Japanese proficiency in order to qualify for the visa.
It is also important to understand that this visa category covers the vast majority of professional office work positions available to foreign residents in Japan. Roles in sales, marketing, IT, recruiting, translation, administration, international business, customer support, and many other white collar professions typically fall under the 技人国 visa category.
Naturally, this has created a lot of concern and uncertainty among foreign job seekers currently living in Japan, as well as those hoping to move here in the future. Many people are wondering:
- Does every job now require N2?
- Will companies still hire candidates below that level?
- What happens if I already have this visa and need to renew it later?
At the moment, there are still some gray areas surrounding how broadly these standards will be applied in practice. However, one important thing to understand is that these decisions are ultimately made by the Immigration Services Agency, not individual companies.
In particular, positions involving customer interaction, sales, support, internal coordination, communication heavy responsibilities, or other client facing work are expected to face stricter scrutiny regarding Japanese ability.
That said, it is also important to recognize that this change did not appear completely out of nowhere.
In reality, many companies in Japan already operated with an unofficial preference for candidates who had at least JLPT N2 level Japanese ability. For many foreign professionals, N2 has functioned as a soft requirement for years, especially for full time office roles. The major difference now is that these expectations have become more formally reflected within immigration policy itself.
What This Means For Job Seekers
At Nisshin Global, we want to be as transparent and realistic as possible with candidates about the current hiring environment.
Most of the individuals we introduce to our clients fall under this visa category, and because of these updated guidelines, it is becoming increasingly difficult for us to move forward with applicants who are not already operating at a business level of Japanese.
We understand that this may feel discouraging for some people, especially those early in their language learning journey, but it is important to view this less as a barrier and more as a long term investment in your future opportunities in Japan. The good news is that Japanese ability is something you can steadily improve over time with consistent effort and exposure.
So if your Japanese is not yet at an N2 or business level, what should you focus on?
My Personal Recommendations for Learning Japanese (and Passing N2)
Over the years, I’ve spoken with many foreign residents in Japan about language learning, career growth, and the challenges of adapting to life here. Based both on my own experience and what I’ve seen work for others, these are the recommendations I most strongly suggest:
Use WaniKani
In my opinion, WaniKani is one of the best tools available for systematically learning kanji and expanding vocabulary. Consistency matters much more than intensity, and having a structured system makes a huge difference over time.
Contact Local 英会話 Schools or 塾 (Juku)
Many English conversation schools or local cram schools have teachers who are fluent in English and may offer Japanese tutoring or private lessons. Even one lesson per week can help build confidence and speaking ability.
Check With Your City Hall
Many municipalities offer free or inexpensive Japanese classes for foreign residents through volunteer community programs. These classes are often overlooked, but they can be a fantastic resource, especially for practicing conversational Japanese in a relaxed environment.
Take the JLPT Regularly
Even if you do not feel fully ready, setting a goal to take the JLPT each year helps keep your studies focused and gives you a clear benchmark for measuring your progress.
Change Your Devices to Japanese
Switching your phone, PC, game console, and other electronics to Japanese can help you naturally absorb vocabulary and kanji in your everyday life. Since you already understand how to navigate most menus through muscle memory, it becomes a surprisingly effective passive learning tool.
Actively Seek Opportunities to Speak Japanese
One common trap for newcomers to Japan is naturally gravitating toward English speaking environments or relying too heavily on bilingual friends, partners, or coworkers. While this is completely understandable, it can also limit opportunities to develop real Japanese communication skills.
Even if conversations feel awkward or limited at first, making a consistent effort to speak Japanese as much as possible will help you improve far more quickly over time. Try to put yourself in situations where you genuinely need to communicate in Japanese whenever possible.
Among long term foreign professionals living in Japan, it is also widely understood that reaching JLPT N2, or even N1, is not really the finish line. In many ways, it is actually the starting point.
The more Japanese you learn, the more you begin to realize how much nuance, specialized vocabulary, cultural context, and communication style there still is to understand. However, achieving that level gives you the tools and foundation needed to truly begin operating independently in Japanese environments, both professionally and personally.
Once you reach that point, continuing to grow becomes much more natural through daily life and work experience.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, there is probably no single skill that will benefit your career in Japan more than Japanese fluency.
Reaching business level proficiency will not only expand your professional opportunities, but will also make daily life in Japan significantly easier, more comfortable, and more rewarding.
The process takes time, and nobody improves overnight. However, consistent effort truly does compound over time.
If you have any questions about Nisshin Global’s current job opportunities, working in Japan, or studying Japanese, please feel free to contact us using the form below.
Sincerely,
Brett Huestis
Sales Representative & Everyday Japanese Learner @
Nisshin Global Corporation
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Testimonials
Don't just take our word for it - we've gathered a few testimonials that our successful applicants have kindly written and see how we can help make a difference in your job hunting process!
Ms. K (America) - Administration, International Sales
Kanagawa
Because the hiring processes in America and Japan differ so greatly, it was difficult to know exactly where to start when I began searching for work in Tokyo. While there are job fairs for foreigners and bilinguals, they can often feel impersonal. Fortunately, I eventually applied to a job online posted by Nisshin Global. After seeing my resume, Yoneyama-san directly introduced me to a manufacturing company, based on my skills and their need for a native English speaker.
From start to finish, the hiring process was extremely smooth. Yoneyama-san accompanied me to my first interview, where he gave the company a brief explanation of my skills and experience. I have never felt so confident in an interview before, and thanks to Yoneyama-san’s coaching, I received a job offer from the company and decided to accept it.
Additionally, Nisshin Global was able to assist me in comparing job offers. For example, I was unfamiliar with the bonus system or housing reimbursement provided by many Japanese companies, and didn’t know to look for them as part of the compensation package. Thanks to Nisshin Global’s counsel, I was able to select the best offer, which was the best personality fit as well.
After I was hired, Nisshin Global’s consultation has been invaluable. Some other Americans in Japan had expressed doubts about my new job, warning me to “be careful” regarding business practices of some Japanese companies. Though I felt the company that hired me was free from these practices, Yoneyama-san completely absolved my worries, and following the meeting, my relationship with my boss and my team improved even more.
I have never felt more fulfillment in my job than I do now, and I truly believe it is due to Nisshin Global’s personal touch. I recommend Nisshin Global because, unlike other career agents who recommend job postings to you based off your resume in a rather impersonal manner, Nisshin Global Corporation takes your skills, personality, and career goals into account, and has an uncanny ability to truly understand the needs of both the job-seeker and the future employer. If you have Japanese skills and would like to work in Japan, I cannot recommend Nisshin Global’s services more highly!
Mr. Tran Quoc Toan (Vietnam) - Quality Assurance, Sales
Saitama
I am Tran Quoc Toan from Quality Assurance Department of Yamato Gokin Company Limited. I got the job offer through the reference of Yoneyama-san and Nisshin Global.
Compared to other job introduction services, I had chances explain about my education, experiences and career goal and got advice on my personal development. From that, I was referred to the right company and the right job.
As a foreigner, entering into a Japanese company, I had to adapt to the culture and discipline which is very unique and special. Nisshin Global is like a bridge which fills the gaps and differences between foreigners and Japanese companies. As a result, work and learning since entering the company has become smooth and efficient.
Mr. C - International Sales and Marketing
Tochigi
Having worked as an English teacher for more than 5 years in Japan, I decided it was time to look for a job change to advance my career growth.
The problem was that I didn’t know where to start. It was thanks to Nisshin-Global that I was finally able to make the transition from the classroom to the office. Even after finding employment, they continue to check up on my status to ensure my overall satisfaction and for this, I’m really grateful.
Mr. T - International Sales and Marketing
Tokyo
I have had several counselling sessions with Nisshin Global for more than 1 year.
Thanks to Nisshin Global, I had chance to discover more about Japanese culture, management practices and so on. Their monthly counseling and training sessions also helps me understand more about my role in my company and enables me to take practical and progressive steps to reach my goals.
I think Nisshin Global’s monthly counselling or coaching sessions are very practical for foreigners working in Japanese companies like me.
I sincerely appreciate the kind support from Nishin Global. I would highly recommend Nisshin Global’s services.
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