Are you aiming to build your career as a specialist in Japan?
If so, choosing the right company is something you need to approach carefully.
The “OFP List” (List of Companies Interested in Global Talent – Open for Professionals) published by JETRO is a database of companies that are actively interested in hiring highly skilled foreign professionals.
A good starting point is to explore companies that are already open to global talent.
OFP List: https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/hrportal/company/
What is JETRO?
JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) is a government-related organization that supports Japanese companies in expanding overseas and promotes the utilization of foreign talent.
With offices both in Japan and around the world, JETRO plays a key role in connecting international professionals who want to work in Japan with Japanese companies.
They also support foreign professionals by providing job-related information and organizing events, helping them build their careers in Japan.
What is OFP List?
The OFP List (Open for Professionals) is a company database published by JETRO.
It features only companies that are interested in growing their business together with highly skilled foreign professionals.
Japan is home to many companies with advanced technologies and strong ambitions to expand globally.
JETRO gathers these companies and presents them in a way that is easy for international job seekers to explore.
What Kind of Companies Are Listed?
The OFP List includes companies with the following characteristics:
- Companies actively interested in hiring foreign professionals
- Not only large corporations, but also SMEs and startups
- Companies engaged in or aiming to expand overseas business
- Availability of internship opportunities
- Company information provided in both Japanese and English
You can also search by industry, location, and other conditions, making it easier to find companies that match your goals.
Benefits for You
Using this list offers several advantages:
- You can focus only on companies open to hiring foreign talent
- You can check key information in advance, such as English support
- It helps reduce mismatches when choosing a company
- You can also find internship opportunities
Especially for those starting their job search in Japan, this tool helps reduce the uncertainty of “Which companies are actually open to foreign professionals?”
Things to Keep in Mind
There are also a few important points to consider:
- Even if information is available in English, the workplace may not be English-based
- Japanese language skills are often required (N3 level is generally preferred)
- Being listed does not guarantee hiring
- The level of support for foreign employees varies by company
For this reason, it’s best to use the OFP List as a starting point, while carefully checking each company’s details and hiring conditions.
By Hajime Saito
X: @hajimesaitoYJC