If you are going to stay in Japan for any length of time, you are going to need to find a job, or bring a lot of money. Fortunately, the unemployment rate in Japan is very low, and anyone who really wants to find a job can usually find one.

The type of jobs you can get in Japan depend primarily on three things. First, your education, next, your Japanese-speaking ability, and finally, your age.

Most jobs which pay enough money to live decently (or scrape by, if you happen to live in a metro area) will require a university degree. The subject you studied for so long and so hard in university is generally not relevant in Japan to any particular job. A friend of mine has a degree in horticulture, but was hired by a company as a game programmer. Another friend studied French Literature, and got a job in finance. The degree is important, the subject of study is completely irrelevant in most cases.

Japanese-speaking ability is a great plus, particularly if you don’t care to fall into teaching English. Pretty much all companies are happy to have people who are competent in both Japanese and English. The official measure of Japanese skill is determined by the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test), and the higher the level you are able to pass, the better it looks on your resume. Some Japanese companies have begun English-only environments, which means that all communication in the company is done in English. Obviously, your odds of finding employment in such a company would be better than in others where all business is done in Japanese.

Unlike America and other countries, age discrimination exists in Japan. Most established companies prefer to hire people in their 20’s, preferably just out of university. Japanese universities are about as challenging as falling down the stairs while drunk. Just show up a couple times a week and occasionally show your face at a lecture, and you will graduate. Formal education begins once you join a company, and companies prefer fresher material to work with.

The most popular job for foreigners who come to Japan is teaching English. The job is about as challenging as falling down the stairs while drunk, but perhaps a little less fun. The pay is quite good for the amount of actual work you do, it averages about $2500 per month. This may sound good, but if you live in Tokyo or Osaka, you may find it doesn’t go very far. But out in the countryside, $2500 a month is a princely income.

The next most popular job is IT. IT includes design, programming, engineering, pretty much anything computer-related. Pay is the same as teaching, at least to start. Opportunities for advancement are rare; like any other salaryman, you put in your time, and your pay and responsibility increase gradually.

Other jobs include entertainment, food service, or common services. Talented or skilled musicians can find work at hotels, restaurants, and clubs, and even shops and department stores. There is also some demand for chefs or good cooks; Italian, Spanish, and French are the preferred types.

As for myself, I began my professional career in Japan teaching English. It was the easiest way in. The school provided the paperwork and sponsorship, and got me settled into an apartment. The work schedule was easy, less than 30 hours a week, and the pay was enough that I could save a bit of it each month.

But once I had enough money, I found an opportunity to go into business for myself, so now I am self-employed. I am not alone in choosing to be an entrepreneur, there is a serious lack of entrepreneurship in Japan, and those who look carefully can usually find opportunities.

If you are planning only to spend a year or two in Japan, I recommend teaching English. If you plan to stay in Japan for the long term, do something else.