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Additional Information for Job Applicants

The Human Resources Office in Tokyo provides recruitment services to the Embassy in Tokyo, the five Consulates in Sapporo, Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Naha, as well as the Foreign Service Institute in Yokohama.

Who May Apply

To be eligible, applicants must belong to one of seven categories of employees explained on this page.

8 Qualities of Overseas Employees

Overseas employees will demonstrate the following characteristics essential for being a successful member of the United States Embassy, Consulate, or Mission team:

  • Composure and Integrity. To stay calm, poised, and effective in stressful or difficult situations; to be fair and honest.
  • Cultural Adaptability. To work and communicate effectively and respectfully with others who are different (i.e. different gender, race, culture, sexual orientation, or religion); to recognize and respect differences.
  • Change and Initiative. To accept change in the workplace; to accept work assignments and persist in their completion to a high standard.
  • Experience and Motivation. To demonstrate knowledge and skills gained from previous experience; to express motivation for joining the United States Embassy, Consulate, or Mission.
  • Information Integration and Resourcefulness. To absorb local and United States Government rules and regulation and apply them to work situations; to resolve problems using available resources and within the rules/regulations provided.
  • Tactfulness. To speak and write respectfully as a representative of the United States Embassy, Consulate, or Mission.
  • Planning and Organizing. To prioritize and order tasks effectively to maximize efficiency.
  • Working With Others. To interact in a cooperative and harmonious way; to work effectively as a team player; to establish positive relationships.

Language Qualifications

Please check this separate page for specific information about language testing and qualifications.

Employment Conditions

The U.S. Mission offers a competitive compensation package to our Locally Employed Staff:

  • Embassy hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 – 17:30, with 1 hour lunch break. Embassy is closed on American and Japanese holidays.
  • 13 days each of Annual and Sick Leave is granted per year.
  • Employment Insurance (Koyou Hoken) and Workers’ Accident Compensation Insurance (Rousai Hoken) coverage is provided. The Mission does not provide Employee Pension Insurance (Kousei Nenkin) or Health Insurance (Kenkou Hoken), but provides coverage for National Pension Fund (Kokumin Nenkin Kikin).
  • Probationary period is six months.
  • Severance pay is provided after one year of service and if all other criteria are met.
  • Retirement age is 65.

Please note that the U.S. Mission does not withhold Japanese tax. Locally Employed Staff are responsible for filing income tax in accordance with Japanese Government law and regulations.

U.S. Citizen and U.S. legal permanent residents are subject to Federal tax and FICA withholding.

The U.S. Mission in Japan provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status or sexual orientation.