The challenges of moving to a new country to work are many, and if you add the stress of starting a new freelance career, all those can be overwhelming.

Taking a job interview in a second language is a challenging experience that you need to be prepared for. In this article we are going to look at some common interview questions that you are likely to be asked in a Japanese job interview.

Teaching English in Japan has long been a relatively easy gateway into living and working here. Essentially, anyone whose first language is English and has a college degree has a chance of finding a job with a company that will sponsor a visa, and usually even help find a place to live.

Unlike many western countries I’m familiar with, the Japanese CV format is almost totally standardized. Naturally, some companies (particularly tech ones) may ask for additional or alternative forms more like the CV or resume you’re familiar with, but understanding the Japanese one is going to be essential for looking for work here.

If you have been offered a mensetsu (面接, interview) with a Japanese company, it is important that you prepare yourself in advance for the Japanese interview style. Interview etiquette is strictly regulated in Japan, with a set pattern of things you should and should not do. In this article, we offer tips for each stage of the interview process.

This series will look at issues with becoming a freelancer in Japan. It will focus on several points, including official procedures. We will examine general issues for people working in various fields but I will include field-specific information when possible.

Japan is well-known for its zealous workers and what often comes to mind when referring to its office workers are usually exhausted employees passed out on the train.

In many western countries people use signatures when validating documents.

However, in Japan people often use personal seals to the same effect. These seals are called はんこ hanko or 印章 insho.