JAPAN

OVERVIEW ..........
PHYSIO OVERVIEW
LICENSING AND REGISTRATION
WORK PERMIT
COST OF LIVING
LIVED EXPERIENCE

Overview 

Japan is an island country off the North East coast of Asia. It’s is known for its unique blend of ancient traditions, and cutting edge technology. Japan has a rich cultural heritage, from samurai to sushi to sumo wrestling. Japan is enjoyable all year round. Experience world class skiing in winter, cherry blossom season in spring and beautiful beaches in summer.  (Japan National Tourism Organization, 2024). 

 

Physiotherapy Overview

Employment 

The number of Physiotherapists in Japan currently exceeds demand with supply expected to increase to 1.5 times demand by 2040 (Kota et al., 2021). 

Income 

A junior physiotherapist with 1-3 years of experience will earn of average ¥5,527,949, whereas, a  senior physiotherapist with over 8 years of experience will earn on average ¥9,687,831 (ERI Economic Research Institute, 2025). 

 Licensing and Registration

Regulator: Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare

Languages: Japanese

Process: 1.  Apply to complete National Examination for Physical Therapists → 2.  Application is Screened → 3. Complete National Examination for Physiotherapists 

        1. Apply for National Examination for Physical Therapists

Participants who completed their physiotherapy degree in a country other than Japan are welcome to apply. 

Applicants must supply:

        • Physical Therapist National Examination Qualification Request
        • Resume
        • Copy of passport
        • Copy of physical therapist License obtained in foreign country 
        • Graduation certificate
        • Documents that clarify the curriculum and number of hours taken at the graduated foreign physical therapist training school
        • Copy of Japanese Language Proficiency Test N1 certification 
        • Other documents may be required
      1. Complete National Examination for Physical Therapists 

The exam consists of 160 general questions and 40 practical questions all of which are multiple choice. 

Subjects covered include anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, pathology and clinical knowledge. 

  For more information about licensing and registration in Japan, click the link . 

(Japanese Physical Therapy Association, 2025)


Work Permit/ Visa

Long Term Stay or Working Visa – $0

A work visa is required if you will be paid by a Japanese company in Japan or stay for longer than three months.

1. Certificate of Eligibility – $0

A Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is an official document issued by the Ministry of Justice confirming that a foreign national meets the requirements for a long-term stay or work visa. Generally takes up to three months to process and requires an employer to act as a sponsor 

2. Apply for visa

To apply for a visa, candidates will need to provide the following to the Embassy of Japan in Australia

            • Valid Australian Passport
            • Visa Application
            • One passport size photo taken within 6 months 
            • Certificate of Eligibility 

 

Working Holiday visa – $0

For applicants between 18 and 30 whos primary purpose of an applicant’s stay should be to holiday and not to work. 

        • Valid Australian passport
        • Visa application form 
        • Resume 
        • Outline of planned activities 
        • Letter explaining purpose of visit 
        • Proof of sufficient funds – $2500 for an individual with proof of paid flights, or $4000 if only confirmed booking 
        • Copy of work or contract offer – If you have a work agreement in Japan. 

Click the icon to find out more about Work Visas in Japan

(Embassy of Japan in Australia, 2025)

Cost Of Living

Cost of Living Index: Japan- 48.93     Australia – 63.0

The average lifestyle in Japan is 14.07% cheaper than the same lifestyle in Australia.

(Numbeo, 2025)

 

Lived Experience

Read about Jocelyn’s experience working as a physiotherapist at Physio Asia in Niseko and Okinawa in Japan.  

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Home

 

References 

Careers – Asia Physio. (2025). Asiaphysio.com. https://www.asiaphysio.com/careers/#careersForm

Consulted-General of Japan. (2025). Long term stay or working visa | Consulate-General of Japan, Melbourne. Emb-Japan.go.jp. https://www.melbourne.au.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/visa-l.html

Embassy of Japan in Australia. (2025). Embassy of Japan in Australia. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. https://www.au.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_en/index.html

ERI Economic Research Institute. (2025). Physiotherapist Salary in Japan (2025). Salary Expert. https://www.salaryexpert.com/salary/job/physiotherapist/japan

Japan National Tourism Organization. (2024). Japan national tourism | visit japan – japan national tourism organization. Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). https://www.japan.travel/en/au/

Japanese Physical Therapy Association. (2025). Work in Japan?｜ENGLISH｜Japanese Physical Therapy Association. 日本理学療法士協会. https://www.japanpt.or.jp/english/workinjapan/

Kota, M., Kudo, H., & Takahashi, M. (2021). Factors that affect the changes in the satisfaction of Japanese physical therapists with their profession over the years. Journal of Physical Therapy Science , 33(3), 203–208. https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.33.203

Numbeo. (2025). Cost of Living Index by Country 2025. Numbeo.com. https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/rankings_by_country.jsp

Physiobobs. (2025). Physiotherapy Jobs in Japan – Tokyo, Hokkaido. Physiobob.com. https://www.physiobob.com/japan/physiotherapy-jobs

Working visa. (2023, March 17). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/long/visa1.html

Photos courtesy of dungthuyvunguyen,minekaoru, Vectors, Sofia Terzoni, Sasin Tipchai, Couleur, Shell_ghostcage, Alexa, JamesDeMers and Katharina Michels, Pixabay

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