You've been at your current company for a year or two. The salary is flat, the tech stack is aging, or you've hit a ceiling. You want to move. The question is: how does 転職 (tenshoku — job switching) actually work in Japan as a foreigner, and what are the landmines you need to avoid?

Job-switching in Japan has its own rules, timing norms, and unwritten expectations. For foreign engineers especially, there are visa implications, salary negotiation dynamics, and cultural nuances that don't apply in Western markets. This guide covers all of it.

The core truth: Switching jobs is the fastest way to increase your salary in Japan. Annual raises at the same company typically run 2–5%. Moving to a new employer commonly nets 15–30% — sometimes more if you're moving from a traditional SIer to a product company or startup.

Is Job-Hopping Still Taboo in Japan?

The short answer: less than it used to be, especially in IT.

Japan's corporate culture historically valued long tenure — spending your entire career at one company was seen as a sign of loyalty and reliability. Frequent job changes raised questions about character. That stigma is fading, but it hasn't disappeared uniformly across all company types.

Company Type View on Job Switching Acceptable Tenure Before Move
Traditional Japanese corp (大手) Still somewhat conservative — frequent changes raise flags 3+ years preferred
SIers (Fujitsu, NTT Data, etc.) Neutral to slightly negative on short tenures 2–3 years acceptable
Product companies (Mercari, LINE, etc.) Positive — diversity of experience valued 1.5–2 years fine
Startups Very positive — ambition and adaptability rewarded 1 year acceptable
Foreign-owned firms (Google, Amazon, etc.) No stigma — global norms apply Global standard (1–2 years)

If you're targeting startups, product companies, or international firms — which you probably should be — the old stigma is largely irrelevant. Companies in this segment actively compete for engineers with diverse employer backgrounds.

Visa Implications: What Changes When You Switch

This is the section most guides skip, and it's the one that matters most for foreign engineers.

The Engineer/Humanities/International Services visa

Most foreign IT engineers in Japan hold the 技術・人文知識・国際業務 (Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services) visa — commonly called the "Engineer visa." This visa is tied to your employment category, not a specific employer. You can switch companies freely without reapplying for a new visa, as long as your new job falls within the same broad category (software engineering, IT, etc.).

Important
You must notify the immigration bureau within 14 days of changing employers. File the notification online at the Immigration Services Agency portal or at your local immigration office. The form is called 所属機関に関する届出 (Notification Concerning the Organization to which the Applicant Belongs). Failing to notify is technically a visa violation — it's rarely enforced for IT workers, but don't skip it.

When you might need a new Certificate of Eligibility

Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) visa holders

If you hold an HSP visa, your points score was calculated partly based on your employer and salary. When you switch jobs, your points may change — positively or negatively. If the change drops you below 70 points, you could lose HSP status at renewal. Run the calculation before you move. See our IT Visa Guide for the full HSP points breakdown.

Permanent Residency applicants

If you're in the middle of building toward PR (permanent residency), job switching can affect your application timeline. Immigration looks at stable employment history. A switch isn't disqualifying, but a gap between jobs — even a short one — can complicate your PR application. Try to have your new offer letter signed before submitting your resignation. See our PR Guide for IT Engineers.

How to Time Your Move

The best months to switch jobs in Japan

Japan's hiring market has seasonal rhythms. The two peak hiring seasons are:

Avoid job searching in August (O-Bon holiday slowdown) and December (year-end, most companies pause hiring). April and October are new graduate intake months — internal attention shifts internally.

How long does the process take?

Realistically, budget 2–4 months from first application to first day at the new company. A rough breakdown:

1

Application & screening (2–3 weeks)

Resume submission, initial screening call or document review.

2

Interview rounds (2–5 weeks)

Japanese companies often run 3–5 interview rounds. Product companies and startups typically run 2–3. International firms may include technical assessments and system design interviews.

3

Offer & negotiation (1–2 weeks)

Internal approval processes in Japanese companies can be slow. Be patient here.

4

Notice period at current company (1–3 months)

This is often the longest phase. Plan accordingly.

Resignation: The Process and the Etiquette

Resigning in Japan is not just handing in a letter. There's a ritual to it — and getting it wrong can create unnecessary friction and affect your professional reputation.

Legal minimums vs. cultural expectations

Japanese labor law (労働基準法) requires a minimum of 2 weeks notice. However, most employment contracts specify 1–3 months, and Japanese workplace culture expects a full handover period. Leaving abruptly — even after giving legal notice — can damage relationships and follow you in Japan's tightly networked tech community.

For foreign engineers at English-first companies or startups, 4 weeks is usually sufficient. At traditional Japanese firms, expect to serve out 1–2 months.

Who to tell first, and how

1

Tell your direct manager first — in person

Never announce via email or in a group setting. Request a private meeting. In Japanese: 「少しお時間よろしいでしょうか」("Do you have a moment?"). This is non-negotiable etiquette.

2

Submit a written resignation letter (退職届)

After your verbal conversation, you'll typically need to submit a formal 退職届 (resignation letter). Some companies provide a template — ask HR. Keep it simple: state your intended last day and express gratitude. Do not elaborate on reasons unless asked.

3

Inform colleagues and arrange handover

Work with your manager to plan a proper handover (引継ぎ, hikitsuki). Document your work, create runbooks, and train whoever takes over. This is taken seriously in Japan — a thorough handover is a sign of professionalism.

4

Last day formalities

Return equipment, clear your desk, and say a proper farewell. A brief speech to the team (ご挨拶) is customary at larger companies. Some people bring sweets as a parting gift — optional but appreciated.

What to avoid
Don't disappear. Ghost-quitting (suddenly stopping to show up) is extremely rare in Japan and carries significant social and potentially legal consequences. Even if the company environment is toxic, resign properly and serve your notice. Don't badmouth the company in your exit interview or to colleagues — Japan's IT community in any given city is smaller than it seems.

What if the company pushes back?

Some companies — especially traditional ones — will try to retain you, delay accepting your resignation, or pressure you to stay beyond your desired last date. Legally, once you submit your 退職届 and the minimum notice period has passed, you are entitled to leave. The company cannot legally prevent you from quitting. If you face severe pushback, consult a 退職代行 (resignation agency) service — these are legitimate, inexpensive services that handle resignation communications on your behalf.

Salary Negotiation When Switching

Job-switching is a salary event. If you're not getting at least 15–20% more, you should carefully evaluate whether the move makes sense financially.

What you'll be asked

Japanese companies almost always ask two salary-related questions:

You are not legally required to disclose your current salary — and increasingly, forward-thinking companies have stopped asking. But many still ask, and declining can sometimes be awkward. If you disclose, be sure to include bonuses and allowances in the total (not just base salary).

How to anchor high

State your 希望年収 10–20% above your actual target. Offers in Japan typically come in below your stated desired salary, so anchoring high gives you room. If a company is unwilling to budge, it tells you something about how they value engineers. Research market rates using:

See our full IT Salary Guide for Japan for benchmark figures by role and experience level.

Components to negotiate beyond base salary

Component Negotiable? Notes
Base salary (基本給) Yes Primary lever — always negotiate
Annual bonus (賞与) Partially Often fixed by company policy, but ask about typical amounts
Housing allowance (住宅手当) Rarely Ask if it exists — can be ¥10,000–50,000/month
Remote work policy Yes Always negotiate — major QoL lever
Start date Yes Ask for flexibility to accommodate your notice period
Stock options / RSUs Yes (at startups/foreign firms) Understand vesting schedule before counting this as compensation
Visa sponsorship / renewal Confirm, don't negotiate Verify the company will sponsor your next visa renewal before signing

Where to Find Your Next Role

Best platforms for foreign IT engineers in Japan

English-first job boards:

Japanese-language platforms (worth using even with limited Japanese):

Recruiters (エージェント)

Using a 転職エージェント (recruitment agent) is common in Japan and free for candidates — the agency is paid by the hiring company. Good agencies can open doors to unlisted roles, coach you through Japanese-specific interview processes, and negotiate on your behalf. For foreign engineers specifically, look for agencies with bilingual consultants:

Register with 2–3 agencies simultaneously. Each agency has different relationships with different companies, so coverage multiplies without much extra effort on your part.

What to Research Before You Accept an Offer

Japan's job descriptions often undersell culture and oversell opportunity. Here's what to dig into before signing:

Practical tip
Ask to speak with a current foreign employee at the company before accepting. Most companies will facilitate this if asked. It's the single most valuable signal about whether the "English-friendly" culture is real or just a recruiting pitch.

After You Switch: The First 90 Days

Japan has a probationary period (試用期間) at most companies — typically 3–6 months. During this time, the company can terminate employment more easily, and some benefits may not vest fully. A few things to prioritize:

Frequently Asked Questions

How much notice do I need to give when quitting in Japan?

Japanese labor law requires a minimum of 2 weeks, but most contracts specify 1–3 months. Check your contract. English-first companies and startups usually accept 4 weeks. Traditional Japanese firms expect closer to 1–2 months for a proper handover.

Will switching jobs affect my visa?

If your new job falls in the same visa category (e.g., still an IT engineering role), your visa remains valid — but you must notify the immigration bureau within 14 days of the change. For HSP visa holders, recalculate your points score to ensure you don't drop below the threshold. See our Visa Guide for details.

How much salary increase should I expect when switching?

A 15–30% increase is typical when switching from a traditional Japanese company to a product company or startup. If you're moving laterally (same company type, similar stack), aim for 10–20%. If the offer is less than 10% above your current salary after factoring in all compensation, the financial case for switching is weak unless there are strong non-monetary reasons.

Is job-hopping viewed negatively in Japan?

It depends on company type. At traditional large corporations, staying less than 2 years repeatedly can raise flags. At startups, product companies, and foreign-owned firms — which are the best targets for foreign engineers — diverse experience is valued and short tenures are not stigmatized. If you're targeting the right type of company, the stigma doesn't apply to you.

Can I use a recruitment agency (エージェント) as a foreigner?

Yes, and you should. Recruitment agencies are free for candidates and are especially useful for navigating Japanese-specific processes (interview coaching, salary negotiation, handling logistics). Look for bilingual agencies like Robert Half, Michael Page, en world, or Hays Japan that specifically place foreign engineers.