Part-time Work

Approximately 70.4% of privately financed international students in Japan are working part-time. They earn about JPY 57,000 (USD518) per month on average.
By solely depending on part-time work, it is impossible to cover all school expenses and cost of living. Be sure to make an appropriate financial plan so that you do not have to depend too much on income from part-time work.

When engaging in part-time work in Japan, you must abide by the conditions stated below. Failure to do so many result in punishment and even deportation.
1. Apply for permission to engage in activities other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted at the nearest immigration services bureau.
2. The part-time work does not affect your studies.
3. The earned income is meant to supplement your academic cost and necessary expenses and not for saving or for remittance overseas.
4. The part-time work engaged in is not in adult entertainment businesses. Note: Prohibited by law.
5. Within 28 hours a week (up to eight hours a day during the long school holidays)
6. The part-time work is done while you retain student status in an educational institution.

Key points to consider when deciding on part-time work:

Do not get distracted from your purpose--studying in Japan -- or work so hard that you damage your health.

Will this job hinder to your studies?

Will you be affected the following day by working long hours or late at night?

Wages and payment method

Are your wages paid daily, weekly or monthly? Are your wages paid in cash or via bank transfer?

Is the work safe?

Is your working environment safe? Is there insurance against on-the-job accidents?
Ask the school you are enrolled in to provide you with information on good potential part-time jobs for you.

Important Point

Every year, we see international students who are forced to leave Japan as they cannot extend their period of authorized stay in the country due to their low school-attendance rates because they work part-time and neglect their studies. You have to be very careful not to let this situation happen.

Types of part-time job in which international students are employed

	Category	Ratio
1	Food and beverage	40.2%
2	Sales and marketing	33.0%
3	Teaching / Research assistant	6.3%
4	Translation / Interpretation	5.6%
5	Language instructor	5.1%
6	Hotel receptionist / Service staff	4.8%
7	General clerical work	4.5%
8	Cleaning	3.5%

Source: Lifestyle Survey of Privately Financed International Students 2019 (JASSO)

Hourly rate for part-time job

Hourly rate for part-time job	Ratio
Less than JPY 800	2.0%
JPY 800 to less than JPY 1,000	36.6%
JPY 1,000 to less than JPY 1,200	45.2%
JPY 1,200 to less than JPY 1,400	11.1%
JPY 1,400 or more	5.1%

Beware of frauds and scams promising high-paying jobs while studying in Japan

Be wary of "Study in Japan" agents who give you false or misleading information such as:

"You can earn JPY 3,000 (about USD27) per hour working part-time." ⇒ ×The average hourly wage is about JPY 900 (about USD8).

"You'll be able to earn JPY 200,000 to 300,000 a month working at a part-time job while studying in Japan; you'll be able to cover your school and living expenses and send money home." ⇒ × This is not possible. (The average is around JPY 57,000 (USD518))

Calculated at USD1=JPY110