Manga comics, speeding trains and romantic cherry blossoms---not to mention their array of world-class food, their level of technological advancement and higher average salaries---make Japan one of the go-to Asian destinations for many overseas Filipino workers and migrants. In fact, based on the Philippine Statistics Authority Commission on Filipinos Overseas, Japan already has an estimate of 377,000 Filipino migrants and is the 7th most popular destination for Filipino migrants.
For those Filipinos aspiring to work or live in Japan, here are some important details to take note of before making that big leap to this first-world country:

1. Japan is not an English-speaking country.

Before accepting a job offer to work in Japan, it is required that you learn basic Japanese because only a few understand English and the speak the language. No need to worry though! Nowadays, there are lots of online sites and even mobile applications that can help you learn Japanese for free!

2. Small earthquakes can occur almost every day.

Major and minor earthquakes in Japan seem to be part of every Japanese life, so no need to panic. It is a normal thing to happen in Japan that natives have been used to for years.

3. Japan has strict laws.

Be sure that you can cope with their rules as Japan is known for being very strict with regards to the cleanliness of their environment or with the orderliness of how they attend to their daily activities (ex. queuing in line). So if you do end up working in Japan, ensure that you have the discipline to follow their laws daily.

4. Japanese are punctual.

It is advised that you always arrive on time for meetings as Japanese do not want to be late. However, aside from that, did you know that even their trains are always punctual? In fact, Japan’s trains arrive and leave exactly on time. When they encounter technical difficulties, delay certificates are given out, and these serve as an apology slip that you can present to your boss upon arriving at the office late.

5. Japan is widely praised for their honesty.

When Japan was hit by a major earthquake and tsunami in the past years, safety boxes and wallets were returned to their rightful owners. In your workplace, you might even find a food stall with a box, and it is in this box that you deposit your payment for anything you get from the stall. Aside from that, many lost items are actually surrendered to lost and found centers or police stations.
On WorkAbroad.ph there are more than 6,000 job opportunities for overseas work in Japan, with the most in-demand positions being the following:
Mechanical Engineer -1,200
Caregiver - 1,100
Domestic Helper - 800
Interior Designer - 500
Teacher - 300
Factory Worker - 300
Electronics Engineer - 250
Machine Operator Engineer - 200
Electrical Engineer - 200
Working in Japan is enjoyable and challenging at the same time. And with Tokyo hosting the Olympic Games in 2020, it wouldn’t be a surprise if more and more Filipinos romanticize living and working in Japan.
Sign-up now on WorkAbroad.ph and apply to thousands of overseas jobs from POEA-licensed agencies!