Temporary or permanent work? — Before you decide, understand the reality of working in Japan

I also thought that "temporary work is enough."

"André, can I continue as a Haken without any problems?"

Every time someone asks me this, I remember my own beginnings.
When I arrived in Japan, I thought the same thing.
I had a stable income, colleagues at the factory, and a peaceful routine.
Everything seemed fine.
But after a few years, I started to realize something:

"Am I really learning anything new?"
"What if this contract ends, what will I do next?"

These doubts aren't unique to me.
Many Japanese people also face the same challenges.

The "invisible risk" of temporary work
Working as a Haken is a great way to get started.
You have the freedom to choose your location and gain stability quickly.
But there's something important: experience doesn't accumulate easily.
With each job change, you have to start over from scratch.
And after 10 years, you realize you still don't have a "career."
In Japan, the older you get, the harder it becomes to find new jobs.
Starting in your 40s or 50s, companies look for people with experience and good communication skills.

In other words — if you don't develop your skills and your Japanese, your options will diminish over time.

What companies really look for: the ability to communicate
Many people believe that the most important thing is "techniques" or "certifications."
But in practice, what companies look for first is something else:

"Can this person communicate well with the team?"
"Do they understand instructions and know how to ask for help?"

In the Japanese workplace, the most important thing is being easy to work with.
Therefore, those who can communicate in Japanese have a huge advantage.
Even if it's only a small step, learning Japanese is the key to opening the next door.

What it means to be a permanent employee
Many people think that a "permanent employee" is only for those with a lot of education or experience — but in reality, that's not the case.
Being tenured means growing alongside the company.
Most people who moved from Haken to permanent didn't start with great skills.
They simply decided to take a step forward.
And that step changes everything.
It brings financial stability, yes — but most importantly, it brings the pleasure of growing through work.

Three questions to reflect on
1⃣ Is your current job teaching you something new?
  → If every day feels the same, maybe it's a sign to change.
2⃣ Do you want to be in the same type of job in 5 years?
  → Stability is important, but it's not the same as stagnation.
3⃣ Do you expect someone to discover your potential for you?
  → The first person to believe is yourself.

My message to you
"Temporary or permanent work" — it's not about which is right.
It's about the future you want to build.

If you're feeling uncertain about your current job, don't see it as an end—it's a beginning.
Your journey is still ongoing.
And yes, there is a path to grow from Haken to tenured.

How about a free career consultation?
If you're currently wondering:

"Am I on the right path?"

Talk to us.
We want to hear your story.

We'll help you organize your experiences, strengths, and goals to discover the best next step in your career.
● Even if your Japanese isn't perfect yet, that's okay.
● Even if you want to stay in your current job, that's okay too.
● The important thing is to understand your options.

[Request a free career consultation]