Japan Relocation & Recruitment Advice

Japan is one of Asia’s most important financial and corporate markets, with particular strength across asset management, banking, investment, private equity, technology and professional services.

AP Executive supports organisations across Japan with executive search and senior recruitment, helping clients identify C-suite, board-level and specialist professionals across asset management, investment management, private equity, alternative investments, private wealth, family office, banking, fintech, legal, compliance, risk and wider financial services.

Tokyo remains the country’s principal financial and executive recruitment centre, with a high concentration of domestic and international financial institutions, investment firms, asset managers, professional services businesses and multinational corporations.

Through our international executive search network, AP Executive can identify and approach senior professionals within Japan, across Asia and internationally, including experienced candidates who may not be actively seeking a new appointment.

We also support executives considering relocation to Japan, providing insight into the local market and relevant senior-level opportunities.

OVERVIEW

Japan has one of the world’s largest and most sophisticated economies, with established strengths across financial services, investment, technology, advanced manufacturing, life sciences and professional services.

Tokyo is the country’s principal financial centre and hosts a broad range of domestic and international banks, asset managers, securities firms, private equity businesses, investment companies, insurers, fintech organisations and specialist advisers.

Japan is also continuing to strengthen its position as an international financial and asset-management centre. Government initiatives have focused on encouraging greater competition within asset management, attracting overseas financial institutions and supporting new and emerging investment managers.

For employers, this creates demand for senior professionals across investment, distribution, finance, legal, compliance, risk, governance, operations, technology and C-suite leadership.

Outside Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka and Sapporo are also developing their financial and investment ecosystems. Together with Tokyo, these locations have been designated as Special Zones for Financial and Asset Management Businesses, reinforcing their role in Japan’s wider financial-sector development.

WHY CHOOSE JAPAN

Japan offers organisations access to a highly developed financial market, a large institutional investment base and one of Asia’s most established corporate environments.

Asset management is a particularly important area of development. Japan continues to implement policies designed to strengthen investment management capabilities, improve asset-owner governance, encourage new asset managers and expand the range of investment opportunities available within the market.

This creates opportunities for firms seeking executives with experience across institutional asset management, alternatives, private markets, portfolio management, investment strategy, product development, distribution and operational leadership.

Private equity and alternative investments also form an important part of Japan’s evolving investment landscape, particularly as domestic companies continue to focus on capital efficiency, governance and long-term corporate value.

Japan’s private wealth market is also relevant to banks, wealth managers, family offices and investment advisers serving high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients, creating demand across advisory, investment, relationship management, governance, legal, tax and compliance functions.

For international organisations entering or expanding in Japan, recruiting senior professionals who combine local market knowledge with international experience can be particularly important. Language capability, cultural understanding, regulatory knowledge and established business relationships may all form part of the executive search requirement.

Healthcare

Japan has a universal health insurance system that provides access to medical treatment for eligible residents.

For internationally recruited executives, employers may also provide supplementary private healthcare or additional benefits as part of the wider remuneration and relocation package.

Candidates relocating to Japan should review healthcare provision, insurance arrangements and any family-related benefits alongside salary, bonus, housing and other elements of the overall executive package.

Education

Japan offers public and private schooling as well as international schools, particularly in Tokyo and other major cities.

For senior professionals relocating with families, access to international education can be an important consideration, particularly where children are already following a non-Japanese curriculum.

Employers recruiting internationally may therefore need to consider schooling, housing and relocation support as part of the overall offer when attracting senior executives to Japan.

Lifestyle and Location

Tokyo combines one of the world’s largest business environments with extensive transport infrastructure, dining, culture and international connectivity.

Executives working in Tokyo can choose from a wide range of central and suburban residential areas, with commuting times and housing costs varying significantly depending on location.

Osaka provides another major commercial centre with strong corporate, financial and professional services activity, while Fukuoka and Sapporo are increasingly being promoted as locations for financial and investment businesses.

Language, commuting, housing, schooling and cultural adjustment should all be considered when assessing relocation to Japan, particularly for professionals moving from Europe, North America or other international financial centres.

REQUIREMENTS TO SET UP A COMPANY

The requirements for establishing a business in Japan depend on the organisation’s legal structure, activities and whether it operates within a regulated sector.

International businesses may need to consider company registration, taxation, employment obligations, licences, regulatory approvals and any industry-specific requirements before commencing operations.

Financial institutions, asset managers, investment businesses, securities firms and other regulated organisations may be subject to additional registration, licensing and supervisory requirements under Japan’s financial regulatory framework.

Japan has introduced measures designed to make market entry easier for overseas financial institutions and asset managers. The Financial Services Agency operates a Financial Market Entry Office that provides English-language support for overseas financial firms entering the Japanese market.

For international organisations establishing or expanding operations in Japan, recruitment strategy should form part of the wider market-entry process. Access to executives with local regulatory knowledge, established networks and international experience can be particularly important.

Businesses should obtain appropriate legal, tax, regulatory and immigration advice before establishing operations in Japan.

REQUIREMENTS FOR EMPLOYEES WISHING TO RELOCATE

Foreign nationals intending to work in Japan generally require an appropriate status of residence that permits the proposed employment activity.

The relevant immigration route depends on factors including the nature of the role, qualifications, professional experience, employer and the circumstances of the individual.

Employment and Executive Routes

Japan operates a number of work-related residence categories covering different professional and business activities.

Senior executives, managers and specialist professionals may qualify under categories applicable to business management, intracompany transfers or professional and technical occupations depending on the nature of the appointment.

Highly qualified professionals may also be eligible for Japan’s points-based Highly Skilled Professional framework, which provides additional immigration benefits for individuals meeting the relevant criteria.

For employers recruiting internationally, immigration requirements should be considered early in the executive search process, particularly where the preferred candidate will need to relocate to Japan.

Longer-Term Residence

Professionals intending to establish a longer-term career in Japan may eventually qualify for different residence arrangements depending on their status, employment history and individual circumstances.

Certain highly skilled professionals can benefit from accelerated routes towards permanent residence where eligibility requirements are met.

Japanese immigration requirements are subject to change and depend on individual circumstances. Employers and candidates should therefore consult current official guidance and obtain specialist immigration advice where necessary.

JAPAN RECRUITMENT SPECIALISTS

Gina Le Prevost FIRP DipRP

CEO, Global