How do I get an internship in Japan?

SUMMARY

• Be aware that in Japan, “internship” can mean short work experiences of say a week or less
• Long-term internships are available if you know where to look
• Benefits include growing your networking, getting to “know” how it is to work in Japan and sometimes pay too
• If you are planning to do so it is recommended to start early
• Resources to find internships stated at the bottom

Internships in Japan

Unlike in many other countries, Japan does not have a strong culture of students doing internships. That being said though, as a foreign student studying in Japan, internships can help you not just for your career but also as a cultural experience in itself.

The first thing though is to be aware when Japanese talk about “internships”. In the typical Japanese shukatsu (job-search) schedule internships often refer to week-long work experiences often limited to 3rd year undergraduates / 1st year masters students where a student has a work experience in a Japanese company for less than a week. Understanding this is key to not getting confused when talking to Japanese about internships.

There are a growing number of long-term internships around in Japan though - and many of them are looking for foreign students. This is especially true if you have a skill such as programming, or are fluent in English as well as Japanese.

Benefits of doing an internship

Aside from being able to know more about Japan by working, internships also allow you to expand your network. If you are lucky you may be able to find your post-graduation workplace and shortcut the whole shukatsu process. Having an internship listed on your CV also makes you stand out compared to applicants who only have academic experience.

How to find an internship

The most direct way is to directly contact companies you are interested in. Many companies do not advertise internship openings publicly, but are open to hosting interns if you reach out. This works especially well for smaller companies and startups.

You can also use job-hunting platforms targeting international students. Some useful ones include:

• Wantedly - a popular Japanese platform for startups and tech companies, with many internship listings.
• LinkedIn - useful especially for positions at international or English-speaking companies.
• GaijinPot - has a job board with positions for foreigners in Japan.

When to start

It is generally recommended to start early - ideally several months before you want to begin the internship. Application processes can take time, especially if you need a work permit (see article on part-time work for details).

These guide articles are meant to be advice based on the experience of current and previous scholars. Given how situations may change depending on the school, region or year etc., we urge any scholars to approach the relevant authorities in your school if you have any doubts or concerns.