Japan hiring intelligence
Hiring guides
Updated November 5, 2026
Remote and Hybrid Work Norms for a Japan-Based Hire
How remote and hybrid expectations differ in Japan, why 'hybrid' means something more specific here than it does in many Western offices, and how to set a policy that your first Japan hire will actually trust.
Updated October 29, 2026
Reference Checks in Japan: What International Employers Need to Know
Why reference checks work differently in Japan than in many Western hiring markets, what candidates will and won't expect, and how to run a check that's useful without derailing an offer.
Updated October 20, 2026
Hiring Bilingual Talent in Japan
How to set realistic Japanese and English language requirements for a Japan hire, what 'business level' and 'native level' actually mean in practice, and how language requirements shape your candidate pool, interview process, and timeline.
Updated October 20, 2026
Counteroffers in Japan: What to Expect and How to Respond
Why counteroffers play out differently in Japan than in many Western hiring markets, how to reduce the risk of losing a candidate or new hire to one, and what to do if it happens anyway.
Updated October 18, 2026
Managing a Japan Team from Overseas HQ
Why a Japan team run from outside the country fails in predictable ways, and the structures and habits that keep a remote Japan hire or small team connected to HQ instead of quietly isolated.
Updated October 15, 2026
Interviewing and Hiring Norms in Japan vs. the West
How the interview process, pacing, and decision-making candidates expect in Japan differ from a typical Western hiring process, and what an international company should adjust to avoid losing strong candidates.
Updated October 14, 2026
Work Rules (Shugyo Kisoku) and When They're Required in Japan
What a Japanese work rules document (shugyo kisoku) actually covers, when the law requires a company to have one, and why it matters more than an employment contract for day-to-day HR decisions.
Updated October 12, 2026
Contractors vs Employees in Japan
Why the line between a contractor and an employee in Japan is drawn by how the work actually happens, not by what the contract is called, and what that means for an international company's first Japan hires.
Updated October 11, 2026
Paid Leave and Public Holidays in Japan
How annual paid leave actually accrues under Japanese labor law, the mandatory minimum-use rule most international employers miss, and how public holidays and de facto company closures shape a first-year calendar in Japan.
Updated October 10, 2026
Overtime Rules and the 36 Agreement in Japan
What the '36 agreement' actually is, why most employers need one before anyone can legally work overtime in Japan, and how the rules shape hiring and workforce planning for a first Japan team.
Updated October 9, 2026
Termination and Severance Basics in Japan
Why terminating an employee in Japan is far harder than in most countries international companies hire from, what 'at-will employment' does and doesn't mean here, and how severance is typically used in practice.
Updated October 8, 2026
Hiring a Business Development Lead in Japan
What a Business Development Lead actually does for an international company entering Japan, how the role differs from Sales and Partnerships, and what to screen for.
Updated October 7, 2026
Hiring a Partnerships Lead in Japan
What a Partnerships Lead actually does for an international company building its Japan business, how the role differs from Sales and Business Development, and what to screen for.
Updated October 6, 2026
Hiring a Customer Success Lead in Japan
What a Customer Success role actually covers when an international company builds its first Japan customer base, how it differs from Sales and Account Management, and what to screen for.
Updated October 5, 2026
Social Insurance and Payroll Basics for a First Japan Hire
What an international company needs to set up before paying its first employee in Japan: social insurance enrollment, premium sharing, residence tax, and the paperwork that comes with them.
Updated October 4, 2026
Hiring an Operations Lead in Japan
What the Operations Manager role actually covers for an international company's Japan entity, how it differs from a Country Manager or Sales hire, and what to screen for.
Updated October 4, 2026
Hiring a Marketing Lead in Japan
What a Japan marketing lead actually has to do for an international company, how the role differs from marketing at headquarters, and what to evaluate when you hire one.
Updated October 2, 2026
Employment Contracts and Probation Periods in Japan
What belongs in a Japanese employment contract, how probation periods actually work under Japanese labor law, and the mistakes international employers make when they copy a Western template.
Updated October 1, 2026
Visa Sponsorship for International Hires in Japan
What 'sponsoring a visa' actually means when you hire a foreign national in Japan, which work visa categories apply to typical Country Manager, Sales, and Operations hires, and how to plan realistic timelines.
Updated September 30, 2026
Hiring a Sales or Account Executive in Japan
What to expect when hiring your first Sales Manager or Account Executive in Japan, including how the role differs from a Western sales hire and what to screen for.
Updated September 30, 2026
Bonuses and the Annual Compensation Structure in Japan
Why Japanese pay is usually quoted and budgeted as an annual figure built from base salary plus two bonus payments, and what that means for writing a competitive, clear offer.
Updated September 29, 2026
Writing a Job Description That Works for Japanese Candidates
How to adapt a global job description so experienced candidates in Japan understand the role, trust the opportunity, and decide to apply.
Updated September 28, 2026
Notice Periods and Start Dates When Hiring in Japan
Why the time between an accepted offer and a first day in Japan is often longer than international companies expect, and how to plan start dates realistically.
Updated September 1, 2026
Working With Japan Recruitment Agencies
How recruitment agencies in Japan typically work, when they're worth using, and questions to ask before engaging one.
Updated September 1, 2026
How to Hire Employees in Japan: A Practical Overview
The main paths international companies use to hire employees in Japan, the tradeoffs between them, and the steps most first-time hires follow.
Updated September 1, 2026
How to Hire a Country Manager in Japan
What the Country Manager role typically covers for an international company entering Japan, and how to evaluate candidates for it.
Updated September 1, 2026
EOR vs Local Entity in Japan
How Employer of Record and local entity formation compare for companies hiring their first employees in Japan.