While lifelong employment was once the norm in Japan, work styles have recently diversified, and side jobs are gaining increasing attention. Starting a side job can lead to increased income and skill development for workers, while potentially helping companies secure labor and reduce labor costs. In fact, I had always wanted to try working in the beer industry, and as of this month, I’ve started working at a beer bar on weekends.
Making it Easier to Have Side Jobs
The Japanese government is promoting side jobs and has been creating guidelines regarding side jobs and concurrent work since 2018. These guidelines clarify rules for both companies and workers, encouraging workers to build diverse careers. The reasons why the government is promoting side jobs include allowing workers to gain skills from experiences they cannot get in their main job, fostering innovation, improving workers’ income, and helping to compensate for the labor shortage due to the declining birthrate and aging population.
Types of Side Jobs
Side jobs come in many varieties. Some people, like myself, work part-time. If you’ve come to Japan from overseas and want to leverage your strengths, it’s a good idea to consider becoming a language teacher or a tour guide, or even holding classes to teach about your home country’s food and culture. Other popular side jobs include web design, programming, selling handmade items, and video editing.
If you look at Japanese crowdsourcing sites, you’ll find a huge number of jobs posted. It’s quite fun just looking through them, and you might discover job types you didn’t even know existed!
Before Starting a Side Job: Check Your Work Visa and Company Rules
When considering a side job, you first need to check what procedures are necessary based on the type of your work visa. Depending on your visa status, you may not be allowed to have a side job at all, or you might need to apply for and obtain “Permission to Engage in an Activity Other Than That Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted“. It’s important to note that working without obtaining permission constitutes illegal employment.
Furthermore, it’s also essential to review your current employer’s regulations regarding side jobs. Some companies still prohibit side jobs entirely, while others ban side work in the same industry.
Finally, depending on the income you earn from your side job, you may be required to file a tax return, so please check this as well.
Give it a Try!
I love beer, and I thought it would be great if I could have a job related to it. So, I sent a message to a beer shop I frequented, and now I’m able to work there part-time! While making a sudden career change can be daunting, starting with a side job in a field you’re interested in is a great way to dip your toes in. A friend of mine loves making accessories and told me they hope to try it out as a side business in the future.
I hope reading this helps make your days even more fun and fulfilling!
