RResidents in Japan

an advice to work in Japan legally directly hired by US company ?

  • September 3, 2025

Hello,

I'd like to hear an advice from the members who had experience in working legally in Japan directly hired by overseas company.

I am foreigner and have been living in Japan with a valid work visa. I am directly contacted by US company and it is supposed to be direct hire. However, probably by law in Japan, employer must have a presence in Japan and for that reason, Japanese agent company involves. When I extended my residence card, that Japanese agent company is mentioned as employer. That agent company takes a commission/service fees which is around 25% per month from my salary.

I wonder if there is a way to be directly hired and paid by US company legally? Quitting from Japanese agent company and directly paid by US company to my Japanese bank account can jeopardise my current residence status? Indeed I will pay taxes by myself through the help of accounting firm.

Any suggestion from experienced members will be much appreciated.

by Heavy_Ant_3899

1 comment

  1. no, there’s no way. your current arrangement is the only way, and yes, the middleman will take comission.

    you could become a permanent resident/switch to a spouse SoR and then you can work whatever way you want, but under a work visa, you’ll need to work for a domestic company.

    Or else tom, dick and harry would all come to japan working for companies back home getting paid in sweet USD and contribute nothing to Japan.

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