Companies hiring foreigners with visa sponsorship, relocation support, and English-friendly workplaces
Across Japan's employer landscape in 2026, two signals matter most for overseas applicants: (1) an explicit willingness to handle immigration (visa sponsorship or clear visa/relocation support) and (2) strong evidence that English can be your day-to-day working language - or at least that "English-first" roles exist at scale. The companies in this report fall into three practical clusters.
High-Confidence English-Forward: Sony, HENNGE, PayPay, Mercari, Mujin. These employers explicitly discuss visa sponsorship AND English as a working language on their own careers pages. Sony and HENNGE are the most unambiguous - Sony plainly states Japanese is not required because work is conducted in English, while HENNGE's mid-career page states English is the official company language.
Visa Yes, Language Role-Dependent: Bandai Namco Studios, SAFEHOUSE, Rapyuta Robotics. These firms do sponsor visas but English sufficiency depends on the specific position. Bandai Namco provides interpretation support but also offers Japanese courses "to help members conduct their work," indicating language demands vary by team.
Visa Ambiguous or Japanese-Heavy: Polygon Pictures, Shibunkaku, DeNA. Visa support is either ambiguous or the language bar is notably higher. Polygon's application form requires N1/native-level Japanese for many tracks and explicitly states they are not hiring remotely from overseas. DeNA's sampled postings require smooth Japanese communication.
| Company | Sector | Visa | English OK? | Relocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony | Electronics / Entertainment | ✔ | ✔ Explicit | Flights + moving + JP courses |
| HENNGE | SaaS / Cloud Security | ✔ | ✔ Explicit | Flights + JP lessons |
| PayPay | Fintech / Payments | ✔ Role-dep. | ✔ Many roles | Apt (6wk) + flight + allowance |
| Mercari | E-Commerce / Marketplace | ✔ | △ Role-dep. | Flight + shipping + temp housing |
| Rapyuta Robotics | Cloud Robotics | ✔ Role-dep. | ✔ Official lang. | Visa + relocation (per posting) |
| Mujin | Industrial Robotics | ✔ | ✔ Most roles | Flight + shipping + temp housing |
| Bandai Namco | Game Development | ✔ | △ Mixed teams | Flight + temp housing + bank help |
| Wizcorp | Game Development | ✔ | △ JP often req. | Language tutoring |
| Polygon Pictures | CG Animation | ✔ Role-dep. | ✘ N1 for many | Not specified |
| DeNA | Internet / Gaming | ✔ Role-dep. | △ JP expected | Not specified |
| SAFEHOUSE | Animation / Creative | ✔ | ✘ N2+ required | JP lessons (workload-dep.) |
| Digital Hearts | Game Localization / QA | ✔ | △ Role/pair dep. | Not specified |
| Shibunkaku | Art Dealer / Auctions | ✔ | ✘ N1 required | Not specified |
If you want the clearest English-first signal, Sony and HENNGE are the most unambiguous. Sony plainly states Japanese is not required because work is conducted in English and covers visa expenses plus relocation fees; it also offers fully subsidized Japanese courses before you start. HENNGE's mid-career site states English is the official company language, and a representative posting describes "Smooth Japan Relocation" with flights, visa sponsorship, and Japanese lessons - turning "international-friendly" into a concrete logistics commitment.
If your priority is a detailed relocation checklist (visa + housing + flight), PayPay and Mercari stand out because they publish itemized relocation support pages. PayPay lists visa sponsorship, temporary apartment, flight ticket, relocation allowance, and interpretation support (with the caveat that eligibility is position-specific). Mercari's "Work in Japan" page similarly lists visa sponsorship, airfare, temporary housing, shipping, and settlement support including post-arrival help with resident registration, bank account, and phone setup.
In robotics/automation, Mujin presents one of the most actionable combinations: a relocation package covering visa sponsorship, flight, shipping, temporary housing, and housing help - plus an application flow that explicitly says Japanese is not mandatory on most openings. Rapyuta Robotics has a strong English signal (official company language), but visa sponsorship is best treated as role-dependent since the most explicit "visa and relocation support" language appears at the individual posting level rather than as a company-wide policy.
These companies explicitly state English is sufficient for many roles. The strongest "apply from abroad + visa sponsorship + English-forward" signals in Japan's 2026 market.
Multinational electronics and entertainment group. Unusually explicit on their careers page: "Japanese language skills are NOT required, as your work will be conducted in English" and "covers expenses associated with obtaining a Japanese working visa, plus relocation fees" including flights and moving services. Sony also offers fully subsidized Japanese language courses before you begin work in Japan (for incoming full-time hires). One of the clearest single-source statements in Japan's 2026 hiring market. Roles emphasize STEM or STEM-related degrees.
B2B cloud security SaaS company. Job postings are direct: "Fluency in English (Japanese is not required)" for software engineer roles. Relocation support explicitly includes flight tickets, visa sponsorship, and Japanese lessons. HENNGE also values cover letters as part of their hiring process -they've published content on crafting strong applications for international candidates.
Japan's largest mobile payment platform (60M+ users). One of the most structured relocation packages in Japan's startup scene. Publicly lists visa sponsorship, temporary housing, flights, relocation allowance, and translation/interpretation support on their careers site. Also publishes specific role lists where "Japanese is not required" for many engineering openings. Note: relocation support applies to specific positions -confirm with recruiter.
Japan's biggest marketplace app. Their dedicated "Work in Japan" relocation page explicitly includes visa sponsorship and support, a one-way flight ticket, shipping of belongings from overseas, and temporary accommodation for your first month. They also provide a settling-in service covering bank account setup, phone, and ward registration. Language policy is role-dependent -Japanese and English are both used internally, but some roles are published with English-only job descriptions.
Cloud robotics platform for warehouse automation. Their own culture content explicitly states "the official language in the company is English." TokyoDev listings confirm: roles flagged as "No Japanese required." Visa sponsorship is best treated as role-dependent - the most explicit "visa and relocation support" language appears at the individual posting level (Workable links) rather than as a universally visible policy on the main careers page. Shortlist roles that explicitly list visa/relocation support in the posting, then confirm scope (COE/visa fees, flights, housing) during recruiter screens.
Industrial robotics and autonomous warehouse automation. Their application form explicitly states "Japanese language is not mandatory on most openings," which is a strong English-forward signal. One of the most actionable relocation packages in robotics: visa sponsorship, flight ticket, relocation/shipping support, temporary housing support, and housing help in Japan. Their own blog describes relocation support covering flights (including families) and relocation expenses (limits apply). Also offers internship registration for future opportunities.
These companies sponsor visas and have international teams, but language requirements vary by role. Check each posting carefully.
Major game development studio with a globally-oriented career site and detailed FAQ for overseas applicants. Will sponsor your visa and provides a comprehensive relocation package: flight, temporary accommodation, help finding long-term housing, and bank account setup assistance. Also provides interpretation and translation support between Japanese and English, which implies mixed-language teams where English can work day-to-day. Japanese lessons are offered as an ongoing benefit.
Game development studio described as remote-first with a no-crunch policy. Visa sponsorship is mentioned in benefits, and TokyoDev confirms legal support for visa applications. However, current listed roles show "Conversational Japanese" as a requirement -English alone may not be sufficient for most positions. Also offers language tutoring in both Japanese and English as an ongoing benefit.
Renowned digital animation studio (Transformers, Star Wars: Visions) with creators from across the world. Their application form collects visa-related information for "working visa procedures," implying involvement in the visa process -but they do not clearly promise sponsorship on the same pages. Important caveats: they explicitly state they are not hiring remotely from overseas (you must already be in Japan or able to relocate), and many roles require JLPT N1/native-level Japanese.
Major internet company spanning games, entertainment, healthcare, and automotive. External job-board tagging (Japan Dev) claims visa support, but this is labeled "unverified" by the board itself -always confirm directly with the recruiter. Some postings emphasize English as a preferred skill, but the majority of job content is published in Japanese, and their benefits/welfare pages are Japanese-only. Approach with cautious optimism if you have some Japanese ability.
These companies explicitly sponsor visas, but Japanese language ability is required for most roles. English alone is usually not enough.
"Visa sponsorship available" is explicitly stated on their careers page. However, multiple roles list business Japanese (JLPT N2+) as a requirement, and some specify native-level Japanese. English is used within the team, but Japanese is the primary working language. Japanese lessons are offered as a benefit, but subject to workload availability.
Game-industry multilingual services: translation, linguistic QA, and customer support. Their recruiting site explicitly states "Assistance for visa applications... full support... for applicants... coming to Japan." However, whether English alone is sufficient depends heavily on the role and language pair -many positions involve Japanese-to-English or Japanese-to-other-language workflows where strong Japanese is a baseline requirement.
Art dealer and auction house based in Kyoto -a unique non-tech option for bilingual candidates in the cultural sector. "VISA sponsorship" is explicitly listed in their benefits. However, the bar is high: requires both Japanese and English at "high standard (equivalent to JLPT N1)." Applications must include a CV in both Japanese and English.
Practical workflow for landing a job in Japan as a foreigner.
| # | Step | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Verify visa eligibility per role | Some employers state sponsorship is position-specific (e.g., PayPay). Confirm the role you're targeting is eligible for visa support before investing heavily in the process |
| 2 | Build a Japan-ready resume set | Concise English CV for tech/global roles, but be prepared for bilingual submission where requested (e.g., Shibunkaku asks for CV in Japanese and English) |
| 3 | Write for ATS | Use the JD's keywords, quantify outcomes, highlight shipped work (metrics, scale, users) |
| 4 | Strategic cover letter | Some employers explicitly value a strong cover letter, especially when hiring internationally (HENNGE publishes content on crafting strong applications) |
| 5 | Treat COE as the critical path | Japan's MOFA explains that presenting a COE makes visa and landing procedures smoother. Without COE, processing can take "several months" due to heavier documentation requirements. COE issuance commonly takes 1-3 months |
| 6 | Embassy visa stamp | After receiving COE, visa processing at a Japanese consulate is typically about 5 working days from the day after application is received |
| 7 | Apply through primary channels | Use the employer's own ATS first: Greenhouse (PayPay), Workable (Mercari, Rapyuta), Lever (Mujin), HERP (DeNA), or in-house portals (Bandai Namco Studios) |
| 8 | Prepare for assessments | Structured selection steps are common in English-forward tech roles. Sony outlines application, eligibility verification, then interview. Other firms publish multi-step interview flows in postings |
| 9 | Budget for "arrival admin" | Even when companies help, expect effort on post-arrival setup. Mercari explicitly lists settlement support items: resident registration, bank account, and phone setup. Ask what's covered and what's not |
| 10 | Use language learning as leverage | Several employers provide Japanese lessons (HENNGE, Bandai Namco, Sony, PayPay) or reimburse instruction - this reduces role risk after you land and shows long-term commitment |
| 11 | Use authoritative references | Plan using official sources (MOFA, JETRO, Immigration Services Agency) not social media summaries. See the COE section below for direct links |
Curated tech jobs from companies that sponsor visas. Best for developers.
Tech-focused board with salary data and company reviews.
Broader range: teaching, hospitality, marketing, and tech roles.
Filter by Japan location. Many international companies post here.
| When | Stage |
|---|---|
| Weeks 1-8 | Application and interviews (2-4 rounds typical) |
| Weeks 8-9 | Offer negotiation and acceptance |
| Weeks 9-12 | COE preparation by employer |
| Months 3-5 | COE issuance from Immigration (~1-3 months) |
| Month 5 | Visa stamp at Japanese consulate (~5 working days) |
| Months 5-6 | Travel planning + relocation |
| Month 6 | Arrival in Japan + onboarding |
Once you've landed a job offer, there's still a lot to figure out: housing, banking, phone plans, ward registration, and more. Settle Japan helps you navigate all of it.
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Get Relocation HelpVisa Diagnostic: Figure out which visa fits your situation - johnofjapan.com/visa-diagnostic.html
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I put this guide together because "companies hiring foreigners in Japan" is one of the most common questions I get. Every company listed here was verified against their official career pages. If you know of others I should include, DM me on Instagram.
Good luck with your job search. Japan is worth the effort.
John of Japan
johnofjapan.com • @johnofjapan
Guide compiled February 2026. Company hiring status changes frequently.
Always verify with official career pages before applying.