Is job hopping common in Japan? Do I need to change my visa status after changing jobs?

Hello! From your question, it seems you might be considering changing jobs in Japan or planning your future career path. These are indeed common concerns for many Chinese nationals living in Japan. Based on my experience and understanding, I'll break things down for you, hoping it helps.

About Job Hopping and Visas in Japan

Question 1: Is job hopping common in Japan?

The short answer is: It's much more common than before, but still relatively cautious compared to China or Western countries.

Here's how to understand it:

Traditional Mindset of Older Generations: Lifetime Employment Japan used to have a famous system called "lifetime employment," where people (especially in large companies) joined a company after graduation and hoped to stay until retirement. Frequent job changes were often seen as "lacking commitment" or "disloyal" in the past. While this mindset is gradually fading, it still holds some influence in very traditional Japanese companies or among older managers.
Current Changes: Younger Generations and Newer Industries The situation is completely different now.
1. Shift in Young People's Thinking: Young Japanese today prioritize personal career development and work-life balance over staying with one company indefinitely. Changing jobs for higher pay, better positions, or more desirable work content is now very normal.
2. Industry Differences: In fields like IT, internet, and foreign-affiliated companies, job hopping is commonplace. Talent moves quickly in these industries; people rely on skills and abilities, and changing jobs for a salary increase or to learn new technologies is common practice. However, in traditional industries like manufacturing or finance, especially in long-established companies, the atmosphere might remain more conservative.

In summary: You don't need to worry at all that changing jobs will make you seem "strange." As long as you have a reasonable rationale (like pursuing better opportunities, a poor fit with your current company, etc.) and can explain it well in interviews, people will understand. Many industries in Japan also face labor shortages, so capable professionals advancing their careers through job changes is becoming a trend.

Question 2: Do I need to change my visa procedures after switching jobs?

This is a crucial question; mishandling it can cause serious problems. The core principle is: Your visa (Status of Residence) is tied to your "type of work," not your "company."

Therefore, we need to look at two scenarios:

Scenario 1: The "Type" of New Job is the Same as the Old Job

For example, you previously worked as a programmer at Company A (under an "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" visa) and are now moving to Company B, still as a programmer.

What do you need to do? You do NOT need to apply for a "Change of Status of Residence" because your work activity scope hasn't changed. However, you MUST submit a report called "Notification Regarding Organization of Affiliation (Activities)" to the Immigration Services Agency (commonly called "Immigration") within 14 days of leaving your old job/starting your new job.
How to do it? This procedure is simple: you just inform Immigration that "I left Company A" and "I joined Company B." You can submit this online or download the form, fill it out, and mail it. This is a legal obligation – don't forget! Failure to do so could affect your next visa renewal or even result in a fine.
A "Strongly Recommended" Tip While legally you only need to submit the above report, I strongly recommend proactively applying to Immigration for a document called the "Certificate of Authorized Employment".
- What is this? It's an official document confirming that your new job aligns with your current visa type.
- Why get it? Having this makes your next visa renewal much smoother. The immigration officer sees that Immigration already confirmed everything was fine when you changed jobs, so the renewal becomes mostly procedural – it's faster and more secure. Without it, the officer must review your new company and job duties from scratch during renewal. If they find any potential mismatch, it can cause significant trouble. Spending a little time and money to get this certificate buys peace of mind.

Scenario 2: The "Type" of New Job is Different from the Old Job

For example, you previously worked as a teacher at a language school (under an "Instructor" visa) and are now moving to a trading company as a translator (which falls under the "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" visa).

What do you need to do? In this case, you MUST apply to Immigration for "Permission for Change of Status of Residence" BEFORE starting the new job. Essentially, you are applying to change your visa type.
Important Reminder! You ABSOLUTELY MUST wait until the new visa is approved BEFORE starting work at the new company! During the application processing period, you are NOT permitted to engage in work activities under the new visa category. Doing so would be "unauthorized work" (working outside your permitted activities), which is illegal and carries serious consequences.

Summarizing the Key Points:

Determine Job Type: Before changing jobs, clarify whether the old and new jobs fall under the same visa category.
Same Type of Work: Report the change to Immigration within 14 days (online or by mail), and strongly consider obtaining a "Certificate of Authorized Employment."
Different Type of Work: MUST apply for "Permission for Change of Status of Residence" and start the new job ONLY after receiving approval.
Unsure What to Do? If you're uncertain whether your new job is the same type, the safest approach is to apply for the "Certificate of Authorized Employment" and let Immigration make the determination. If they issue the certificate, it means it's okay. If they don't, they will inform you that you need to apply for a Change of Status of Residence.

I hope this explanation gives you a clear understanding of job hopping and visa issues in Japan. Wishing you all the best in your career development here!