Japan Association for Working Holiday, Changes Seen in Consultation Content from Companies

The Japan Association for Working Holiday (JAWHM), a non-profit organization that supports and promotes the working holiday system, has observed changes in the content of consultations received from companies in recent years.

Previously, inquiries from companies primarily focused on recruitment utilizing the working holiday system, such as "We want to hire participants of the working holiday program in Japan" and "We want to know how to accept foreign working holiday personnel."

However, since the beginning of 2026, there has been an increase in consultations related to cases where employees of Japanese companies are traveling on a working holiday, marking a new trend.

Increasing Consultations

Actual consultations received include the following:

An employee plans to go on a working holiday on leave of absence rather than resignation; what points should be noted from a system perspective?

Is it possible to request work as a contractor from Japan while on a working holiday?

Is it acceptable to order work intended for domestic Japan, such as handover procedures and manual creation, while staying abroad?

Is it possible to design a system that assumes the employee will return to their position after returning to Japan?

As such, consultations are increasingly coming not only from companies wanting to understand the system as "companies sending employees abroad" but also from the perspective of "wanting to maintain relationships with employees challenging themselves overseas."

Companies Viewing Working Holidays as "Career Development" Rather Than "Reason for Resignation"

Traditionally, participation in a working holiday typically involved resignation.

However, in recent years, against the backdrop of labor shortages and difficulty in hiring, the idea of companies wanting to maintain relationships with excellent personnel has been spreading.

As a result, an increasing number of companies are exploring new ways of utilizing human resources, such as "allowing employees to challenge themselves overseas for a certain period and then return to active duty," and "requesting work within feasible limits during their stay."

Furthermore, the widespread adoption of remote work and contract work in society is also considered a background factor for this increase in consultations.

New Ways of Working, Such as Continuing Japanese Work While Abroad

While the working holiday system is strongly associated with the image of "a system for working abroad," in recent years, with the improvement of internet infrastructure and the spread of remote work, ways of working like "digital nomads," who undertake work for Japanese companies while staying abroad, are also becoming more widespread.

In practice, cases are emerging where employees continue to perform tasks for domestic Japan, such as creating handover materials, preparing manuals, producing documents, design, and writing, through contract work from Japanese companies.

Of course, sufficient prior confirmation is necessary regarding the types of work permitted under a working holiday visa, contract structures with Japanese companies, and the tax and labor laws of the host country. However, the flexible way of working, "continuing Japanese work while living abroad," is attracting attention as one of the options for future career development.

The Japan Association for Working Holiday offers consultations not only on how to utilize the working holiday system but also on working abroad and career development.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions such as "I want to try a working holiday, but what should I do about my current job?" "I want to continue my Japanese job while staying abroad," or "I want to support my employees' overseas challenges."

>>Japan Association for Working Holiday

Comment from the Japan Association for Working Holiday

The Japan Association for Working Holiday has primarily supported individuals wishing to travel abroad, but in recent years, the content of consultations from companies has also diversified.

The working holiday is not merely "studying abroad" but a system for career development while gaining living and working experience overseas.

The movement of companies supporting their employees' challenges with an eye toward their success after returning is likely to expand further in the future.

Our association will continue to provide information on the proper understanding of the working holiday system and its utilization for the benefit of both participants and companies.

What is Working Holiday?

The working holiday system is a system based on agreements between two countries or regions, whereby each country or region offers its counterpart's youth the opportunity to understand the culture and general lifestyle of the other country or region by mutually recognizing activities to spend a certain period of vacation in their own country or region and employment to supplement living expenses during that time.

It is a special visa limited to young people, distinct from tourist visas, student visas, or work visas, allowing holders to obtain a highly flexible visa that permits them to stay anywhere, travel anywhere, work, or attend language school.

Working Holiday 45th Anniversary Campaign

Japan and Australia signed a working holiday agreement, and the first working holiday visa in Japan was accepted on December 1, 1980. In this anniversary year, to enable more people to utilize the working holiday program, various projects are being launched under the theme "Making Every Working Holiday the Best Experience," and information will be disseminated through a special website and social media throughout the year.

For Working Holidays, Choose Working Holiday Association®

The Japan Association for Working Holiday is engaged in various activities to promote the working holiday system and enhance its status.

Organization Name: Japan Association for Working Holiday

Location: Link Square Shinjuku 16F, 5-27-5 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Director: IKEGUCHI, Shu

URL: http://www.jawhm.or.jp/