International students entering Japanese universities in 2026 can protect their personal safety and legal status by following official campus guidelines, local police advice, and employment regulations. Institutions offer structured crime prevention seminars, counseling support, and strict part-time work authorization procedures to help newcomers settle smoothly into life in Tokyo. By understanding traffic regulations and remaining compliant with visa activity limits, students can ensure a secure and successful academic experience in Japan.
How do traffic safety and crime prevention guidelines protect international students in Japan?
Educational institutions such as the Tokyo Japanese Language Education Center under JASSO conduct mandatory traffic safety and crime prevention seminars for new students each year. These programs utilize specialized educational screening DVDs to teach practical steps that keep students from becoming involved in or causing traffic accidents or unlawful acts. Additionally, officers from local police departments, such as the Shinjuku Police Station, present lectures featuring real-world examples. These sessions emphasize essential Japanese road rules, such as remaining attentive to pedestrians and surrounding vehicles when riding a bicycle. Continuous institutional guidance helps international students maintain constant awareness regarding daily personal safety, crime prevention, and community standards.
What daily support and counseling services can international students access?
To help newcomers navigate the transition of living in Tokyo, institutions offer structured support networks and extracurricular activities. Current students can access weekly counseling sessions to resolve personal, psychological, or academic concerns that arise during their studies abroad. Additionally, campus club activities are held after school on center facilities, encouraging students to participate in sports and cultural experiences that build peer relationships. Support programs managed by JASSO also include disaster subventions to assist international students facing emergencies, ensuring a comprehensive safety net during their stay in Japan.
What are the rules and hourly limits for student part-time work?
While international students in preparatory courses are generally restricted from immediate employment, part-time work may be permitted under economic necessity provided specific administrative requirements are fulfilled. Students in the April intake (a one-year course) may begin working in July, whereas students in the October intake (a one-and-a-half-year course) become eligible in January of the following year. However, students with poor academic performance or low class attendance are barred from applying.
When authorized, employment hours are strictly capped based on the academic calendar:
- During active school terms: Up to 28 hours per week.
- During official seasonal vacations (spring, summer, or winter break): Up to 8 hours per day, capped at 40 hours per week.
How do students apply for part-time work permission in Tokyo?
International students must follow a strict step-by-step procedure before taking on any job:
- Consult with the homeroom teacher and submit an internal application at the center.
- Obtain formal endorsement from the center director.
- Receive the approved application document from the student affairs division.
- Submit the application form, passport, residence card, and student ID in person to the Tokyo Immigration Bureau.
- Wait approximately two weeks for immigration processing to receive the "Permission for Activities Outside the Scope of Status".
- Submit a copy of the official immigration permit to the school's student affairs division.
- After securing employment, submit an activity notification form detailing workplace information to the school.
Which jobs and venues are prohibited for international students?
Working without permission, exceeding hourly limitations, or engaging in forbidden industries constitutes illegal employment, which carries severe legal penalties and risks ending a student's stay in Japan. Students must completely avoid any adult entertainment or related businesses, even for non-customer roles such as cleaning, dishwashing, or distributing promotional tissues on public roads. Prohibited venues include:
- Cabarets, bars, nightclubs, and snack bars.
- Mahjong parlors, pachinko halls, and game centers.
- Love hotels.
- Cafes or restaurants where lighting is dimmed to 10 lux or lower.
Even after obtaining work permission on a residence card, students must secure school authorization and report their workplace details. Readers should always confirm their visa parameters with official immigration sources.
Finding a place to stay
When planning your arrival in Japan, setting up housing should be arranged after your visa or Certificate of Eligibility is issued, before arriving in Tokyo. Many newcomers stay in a furnished monthly apartment first to ensure a smooth transition while attending school orientations and safety seminars. OHAYO Stay offers furnished monthly apartments and rooms in Tokyo. The monthly price includes electricity, gas, water and Wi-Fi. No guarantor, no key money and no agency fee; booking is online with a passport or ID and a credit card. Securing your housing early allows international students to focus on their studies and settle safely into life in Japan.
FAQ
How many hours per week can international students work during term time?
Students with official permission can work up to 28 hours per week during class terms, and up to 8 hours per day (40 hours per week) during official spring, summer, or winter vacations.
How long does it take to process the immigration permission for part-time work?
After submitting the required documents to the Tokyo Immigration Bureau, processing takes approximately two weeks to receive the Permission for Activities Outside the Scope of Status.
What types of businesses are off-limits for student part-time jobs?
Students cannot work at adult entertainment businesses including cabarets, nightclubs, pachinko parlors, game centers, love hotels, or dimly lit cafes (10 lux or lower), even for cleaning or tissue distribution.
Sources
- 日本学生支援機構(JASSO)「Life in Japan | JASSO」(checked 2026-11-01)
This article was created by OHAYO Stay based on the sources above (edited, reorganized and translated). It is not an official publication.
Rules and dates can change. Always confirm with the official source before you apply.