Hello Work Hacks: Free Government Job Support for Foreigners in Japan
If you’re a foreign resident in Japan looking for work, career advice, or dealing with labor-related issues—Hello Work might be your best ally.
You’ll be surprised by how many support services are available for foreigners—and most of them are completely free! When I visited Hello Work, I saw an Indonesian couple receiving guidance, and it reminded me how essential this resource can be for non-Japanese job seekers.
🎯 Who Can Use Hello Work’s Foreign Support Services?
These services are especially useful for people with the following visa statuses:
Student visa (looking for full-time employment, not part-time)
Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services
Instructor
Skilled Labor
Other Specialist or Technical Expert visa holders
💼 1. Job Opportunities for Foreign Residents
Hello Work provides tailored job listings and employment support for foreigners. Some locations also have English-speaking staff. Check out regional Hello Work offices here:
📍 Want to find services in your area?
Search this in Google: ハローワーク 外国人 [your prefecture]
Actual story: Kevin’s Hello Work Win: From Setback to Success
Kevin initially landed a job with a Japanese company in China. Later, he moved to Japan and accepted an operations role. In his third year, the company underwent significant headcount reductions—and unfortunately, Kevin was affected.
Wasting no time, he went straight to Hello Work to start job hunting while applying for unemployment benefits. Fortunately, with their support knowing his visa situation, he landed a new job within a month and half.
💡 Tip:
If you're a foreign national in Japan on a work visa and you resign or are laid off, your visa may be revoked if you don’t start a new job within three months.
You must also report the end of your contract to the Immigration Services Agency within 14 days of leaving your position.
If you’re unable to find new employment within three months, you’ll need to either leave Japan or apply for a change of residency status.
🛠 Other Services Available at Hello Work
Interview practice and job coaching
Resume and CV review (including 職務経歴書)
Vocational skill training: Most courses are in Japanese and geared toward Japanese job seekers, but if you speak the language, you're welcome to join
Family support: In some areas, Hello Work can introduce local organizations that support pregnancy, childcare, and nursery options
Interpreter services may be available depending on location and language
⚖️ 2. Labor Consultation for Foreign Workers
If you're experiencing workplace issues, Hello Work also offers free labor consultations, including:
Dismissal or contract termination
Harassment or discrimination
Unpaid wages
Workers’ compensation claims
📞 Consultations are available both in person and over the phone. Please make a reservation.
Example:
Kanagawa Prefecture has a multilingual support desk.
🔗 Labor Consultation for Foreign Nationals (Kanagawa)
🗂 Where to Go for Labor Issues?
If you’re facing a labor issue but feel uncomfortable raising it with HR or your boss, Japan has three major government organizations that can support you:
Hello Work (ハローワーク)
Mainly for unemployment benefits and job searching. But they can also guide you on where to go next if your case is more serious.Labor Standards Inspection Office (労働基準監督署)
This is the main body for labor rights enforcement. As a former HR, I’ve consulted them about overtime pay, workplace safety, and disputes over medical leave.
If you're seeking their support, come prepared: bring a clear timeline of events and any supporting evidence.
💡 Tip: Download the free Harassment Evidence Log (April 2, 2025) from the Freebie Shelf on this site. It’s a simple, easy-to-use template suitable for documenting any type of employee relations issue. HR has used this format when presenting cases to the labor attorneys. Acceptable evidence includes emails, audio or video recordings, and witness statements.
3. Prefectural Labor Bureau (労働局)
Oversees Labor Standards Inspection offices and acts as a bridge to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.For more complex or serious cases, they can guide resolution through formal channels.
➡️ Think of it as a tiered system:
Start with Hello Work, then go to Labor Standards Office for bigger issues, and finally the Labor Bureau if escalation is needed.
🏁 Wrap-Up
Wrap-Up
If you're living in Japan and navigating job hunting or facing work-related challenges, don’t overlook Hello Work. It’s one of the most accessible and supportive government-backed services available to foreigners—and best of all, it’s completely free.
Of course, platforms like Indeed, LinkedIn, and recruiting agents are also great tools. But Hello Work offers a much broader range of support specifically tailored for foreign residents.
For example, in Yokohama and Atsugi, you can receive confidential consultations with labor attorneys and university professors—alongside professional interpreters when needed. Whether you're job seeking or dealing with workplace issues, it's a resource worth using.
💬 Have you used Hello Work before? Drop a comment below and share your experience. It might help someone else!