Making your own way in a foreign country can be a great adventure, but also not something to do on a whim. If you want to freelance in Japan though, we have all the information you need to decide if it’s right for you. We’ll explore:

1. The pros
2. The cons
3. How to freelance in Japan: The practical side

1. The Pros

Let’s start out by having a look at the advantages of freelancing.

Freedom

Most people who are interested in freelancing are attracted by the freedom it brings. You are basically your own boss, and you work when you choose. No need to deal with commutes or office politics, just deliver the work your client requests.

Flexibility

Remember how we said that you’re more or less your own boss? That means you decide everything from when and where you work, to how much work you want to take on. This means more time with friends and family, and taking leave whenever you want.

Exciting Projects

Freelancing is many things, but monotonous isn’t one of them. You’re likely to find yourself working on a variety of different projects across numerous industries. You’ll probably not be working on any one thing for a long time, so work stays fresh, new, and exciting. This also means working with a variety of people, helping you to establish a solid professional network.

Workcations

Remote work is becoming the norm, especially for freelancers. That means you can travel while working, and what better country than Japan, one of the most desirable travel destinations in the world? Be it Kansai, Kanto, or beyond, nothing is stopping you from jumping on a shinkansen with your laptop.

2. The Cons

Of course, everything has two sides. Freelancing isn’t always sunshine and roses, and comes with its fair share of disadvantages as well.

Instability

Working on a constant rotation of different projects for different clients means saying goodbye to any sort of routine. Of course, it’s possible to set work hours for yourself, but in the end, you need to meet your customer’s needs. Freelance work also fluctuates, so sometimes you’ll have a lot of money coming in, and other times not. It’s a career path that doesn’t come with benefits or a set salary, so there’s no real safety net.

Constant Job Hunting

Job hunting can be frustrating and tiring, and if you’re a freelancer it never ends. Projects come and go and you need to make sure you always have enough work, so the search doesn’t really ever end.

No Off Switch

Freelancing can have you working odd hours. Of course, personal discipline is very important here, and it’s absolutely possible to work 9-5 as well. However, as we said, job hunting and working on projects are constant, and there’s seemingly always something that needs to be done. You might also sometimes find yourself working with people in other time zones, and you’ll have to adjust your schedule accordingly.

Cultural and Language Barriers

Freelancing while also living outside your home country can be a difficult combination. You have to adjust to a new culture, which can be overwhelming at first. No need to worry though, we can help you with Japanese job interview etiquette and understanding Japanese work culture. In addition, Japanese is a notoriously difficult language to learn. Depending on your work situation, you might not need to be completely fluent. However, knowing at least the basics will make your life a lot easier. Luckily, there are a lot of options for sharpening your skills.

How to Freelance in Japan: The Practical Side

If you do decide that freelancing in Japan is for you, the next step will be actually getting it done. Here’s some advice for doing just that.

How to Find Freelance Work

We’ve talked about how freelancers are basically always job-hunting. Having a professional network can help finding work easier – so how do you build this network?

• Join a community such as Creative Tokyo.
• Join industry-specific groups on social media.
• Connect with people on LinkedIn.
• Attend meetups that focus on your industry.
• Meet other freelancers at coworking spaces in Tokyo or Osaka.
• Make use of Japanese freelance websites.
• Talk to your friends – don’t underestimate the power of word-of-mouth recommendations.

Visa

Being a freelancer means you’re responsible for your own visa. Luckily, it’s not as complicated as it sounds. Here are some quick tips:

• You’ll need to be working regularly for at least one Japan-based company that is willing to provide you with the documents you need to renew your visa. This is because, technically, you can’t self-sponsor your visa.
• You’ll have to show proof that your taxes have been paid in full for the time you’ve already lived in Japan.
• You have to work within your visa category. For example, if you are on an instructor visa, you cannot work as an engineer or translator. However, it is possible to apply for permission to engage in other activities.
• Legally, you are allowed to have more than one job (in other words, freelance).
• The Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa category is the most flexible, making it great for freelancers.
• Our article on getting a visa as a freelance engineer in Japan is full of great advice for all types of freelancers.

Taxes

Doing your taxes as a freelancer in Japan is also up to you – keep in mind that it’ll affect your visa. No need to fret though, simply take the following documents to your local tax office between February 16^th and March 15^th:

• Your residence card (Zairyū kādo 在留カード)
• Your My Number information
• Tax withholding slip (Shiharai chōsho 支払調書) from each company that you worked for the previous year.
• All deductible receipts
• Your banking information

Paperwork

In order to register as a freelancer, you’ll also need to submit the following documents to your local ward office:

• The notification of opening a sole proprietorship (kojinjigyou no kaigyou, haigyou nado todokede sho 個人事業の開業・廃業等届出書)
• Application for approval of the blue tax return (aoiro shinkoku shounin shinsei sho 青色申告承認申請書) (Not mandatory)
• National health insurance (kokumin kenkou hoken 国民健康保険) registration
• National pension scheme (Kokumin nenkin no tetsudzuki 国民年金の手続き) registration.
• Work Permit Outside of Your Current Visa Category (Shikaku gaikatsudō kyoka shinsei 資格外活動許可申請)
• Our paperwork guide has even more information.

Still Have Questions?

Inbound Technology‘s mission is to help foreign freelancers in Japan. Get in touch with one of our friendly career advisors here or on LinkedIn.