The 3 Most Common (and 3 Least Common) Positions We See at Japanese Companies in the U.S.
07.29.2026 | Blog
If you're interested in working for a Japanese company in the United States, you may be wondering what types of jobs are most commonly available. As a recruiting agency that partners with Japanese companies across a variety of industries, we've noticed some clear hiring trends.
Here are the three positions we recruit for most often and three that are much less common.
The 3 Most Common Positions
1. Administrative & Office Support
Administrative and Office Support positions are some of the most common roles we recruit for. These employees help keep daily operations running smoothly by preparing documents, coordinating schedules, communicating with customers, and supporting various departments.
Most companies look for candidates with a few years of office experience and proficiency in Microsoft Excel. Some positions do not require Japanese language skills at all. However, if most of the office staff is from Japan, companies may prefer candidates with advanced Japanese proficiency.
If you're looking for a role where you can work in a Japanese office environment and practice your Japanese skills in a less stressful setting, administrative support is a great place to start.
2. Logistics / Import & Export Coordinators
Many Japanese companies in the U.S. are involved in manufacturing, trading, and distribution, making logistics one of the busiest departments.
These professionals coordinate domestic and international shipments, prepare shipping documents, communicate with freight forwarders, and ensure products move efficiently through the supply chain.
Many Japanese logistics companies are open to hiring entry-level candidates, making this a great field for recent graduates or those looking to change careers. Japanese language skills are usually not required, although an interest in Japan or the Japanese language is often viewed positively.
One thing to keep in mind is that logistics can involve frequent overtime, especially during busy shipping periods. If you enjoy a fast-paced environment and don't mind staying busy, this can be a rewarding career path.
3. Sales Positions
If you're outgoing, enjoy meeting new people, and don't want to spend all day behind a desk, a sales position may be a great fit.
Sales representatives often travel to visit customers throughout their assigned territory, and sometimes even to Japan, to build long-term relationships and develop new business opportunities. Depending on the company, travel and overtime are fairly common.
Many Japanese companies prefer candidates with advanced Japanese language skills for sales roles, especially when communicating with Japanese customers. If you're looking for a position where you can regularly use business Japanese (keigo), sales is one of the best career paths.
The 3 Least Common Positions
Based on the positions we recruit for, these are three roles we see the least often:
- Marketing
- Graphic Design & Creative Roles
- Computer Science / Software Development
While these positions do occasionally become available, they are very rare based on our recruiting experience. Because openings are limited and these roles are popular among candidates, competition can be very high.
If your main goal is to work for a Japanese company in the U.S., you may want to stay open to other positions as well.
Final Thoughts
Every Japanese company is different, and hiring needs can vary by industry and location. However, these are the trends we've observed from working with Japanese companies across the U.S.
We hope this gives you a better understanding of what types of opportunities are most commonly available and helps you plan your job search if you're interested in building a career with a Japanese company.