To work as a cook in Japan, you must apply for a Skilled Labour visa. You must have 10 years’ experience in foreign cuisine. Your salary must be around 250,000 yen per month. The restaurant should provide a foreign menu, and the number of seats for customers should be 30 or more.
Challenges for Foreign Chefs in Japan
With the current visa system, foreign students of Japanese cuisine must leave after finishing school. The government is considering changing this to allow for paid training to improve skills.
Language Requirements for Working in Japan
Communications in the Japanese food and beverage industry are mainly in Japanese. Only 10 – 20% of restaurants in Japan have English-speaking staff. If you plan to work in a normal restaurant, you need at least daily-conversation level Japanese.
Job Opportunities in Japan
Aside from becoming a chef in Japan, there are other roles available in the food industry such as kitchen staff, sous chefs, pastry chefs, and bakers.
Visa Requirements for Chefs in Japan
To get a visa as a chef in Japan, you need over 10 years of experience in the culinary field. If you want to open your own restaurant, you also need a license.