Moving to Japan with my Japanese wife — How can I find a job with limited Japanese?

Hi everyone,

I’m planning to move to Japan with my Japanese wife, but I’m feeling a bit anxious about how to find a job once I’m there. I hope some of you might be able to give me advice or share similar experiences.

Here’s my situation:
• I’m a native Spanish speaker.
• I hold a bachelor’s degree (non-STEM field).
• My English is around B2 level.
• My Japanese is currently at JLPT N4, and I’m working hard to improve it.
• I’ll likely have a spouse visa, so I’ll have the legal right to work.

My main concern is finding a job in Japan with such limited Japanese skills. I know that language is a big barrier, especially outside of teaching or manual labor.

My questions:
• What types of jobs are accessible to someone in my position?
• Are there companies that value Spanish/English bilinguals?
• Would it be realistic to look for remote work with international companies while living in Japan?
• Should I try to get certified in something (e.g. IT, translation, teaching)?
• Any tips for improving my Japanese faster or job hunting strategies?

I’d be happy to teach Spanish or work in something international, but I’m open to ideas and willing to work my way up.

Thanks so much in advance. Any advice, encouragement, or resources are appreciated!

by Spiritual_Outcome619

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