Hello Work (ハローワーク) — what you can actually do there
The public employment office is free, open to foreign residents, and does far more than list jobs: interpreters, training, Japanese classes and unemployment benefit all sit in the same building.
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Just arrived and job hunting — register as a job seeker
Registration is free for anyone whose residence card permits work. You get a seeker number and access to postings that never reach the commercial job sites.
What to say at the counter
仕事を探しています。求職の登録をしたいです。 Shigoto o sagashite imasu. Kyūshoku no tōroku o shitai desu. I am looking for work — I want to register as a job seeker. 在留カードを持ってきました。外国人でも利用できますか。 Zairyū kādo o motte kimashita. Gaikokujin demo riyō dekimasu ka. I brought my residence card. Can foreigners use this service? -
Language help — the counter for foreign residents
Larger offices have dedicated foreign-worker counters with interpreters on set days. Ask for one instead of struggling through — it is a service, not a favour.
What to say at the counter
外国人向けの相談窓口はありますか。 Gaikokujin muke no sōdan madoguchi wa arimasu ka. Is there a counter for foreign job seekers? 通訳をお願いできますか。 Tsūyaku o onegai dekimasu ka. Could I have an interpreter? -
Checking a job actually matches your visa
A posting that fits your skills may still fall outside what your status of residence permits. Staff here check that before you apply, which saves a refused application at immigration later.
What to say at the counter
この求人は外国人も応募できますか。 Kono kyūjin wa gaikokujin mo ōbo dekimasu ka. Can foreigners apply for this job posting? 私の在留資格でできる仕事を探しています。 Watashi no zairyū shikaku de dekiru shigoto o sagashite imasu. I am looking for work allowed under my status of residence. -
Training courses and Japanese classes
Vocational training is often free or heavily subsidised, and some courses include workplace Japanese. What is on offer varies by office, so ask what starts next.
What to say at the counter
職業訓練を受けたいです。 Shokugyō kunren o uketai desu. I want to take vocational training. 日本語の講座はありますか。 Nihongo no kōza wa arimasu ka. Are there Japanese language courses? -
You left or lost a job — unemployment benefit
If you paid employment insurance long enough, benefit is possible while you keep looking. Bring the separation certificate from your employer; without it nothing can start.
What to say at the counter
会社を辞めました。失業給付を受けたいです。 Kaisha o yamemashita. Shitsugyō kyūfu o uketai desu. I left my job — I want to claim unemployment benefit. 離職票を持ってきました。 Rishokuhyō o motte kimashita. I brought my separation certificate. 受給の条件を教えてください。 Jukyū no jōken o oshiete kudasai. Please tell me the conditions for receiving benefit. -
While receiving benefit — certification days
Payment continues only if you attend on your assigned certification day and can show real job-seeking activity. Miss it and the money stops, so put the date where you will see it.
What to say at the counter
次の認定日はいつですか。 Tsugi no nintei-bi wa itsu desu ka. When is my next certification day?
The half nobody prepares for. These come at you in Japanese — recognise them and the visit is easy.
What the clerk will ask you
| 在留カードを見せてください。 Zairyū kādo o misete kudasai. Please show me your residence card. | |
| 在留資格は何ですか。 Zairyū shikaku wa nan desu ka. What is your status of residence? | |
| 離職票はお持ちですか。 Rishokuhyō wa omochi desu ka. Do you have your separation certificate? | |
| どのようなお仕事をお探しですか。 Dono yō na oshigoto o osagashi desu ka. What kind of work are you looking for? | |
| 日本語はどのくらい話せますか。 Nihongo wa dono kurai hanasemasu ka. How much Japanese can you speak? |
Audio synthesized with VOICEVOX:Meimei Himari at standard pace for shadowing; real conversations run faster and carry accents.
Finding your branch
Your office is assigned by where you live. Look yours up on the official list rather than walking into the nearest one.