Japan Operations hiring jumps 43% in a month, but Rakuten alone holds more than a quarter of it
New postings rose sharply over the last 30 days, and the week of 26 October was the busiest of the last eight. Just two companies control most of the open roles.
is what the typical role asks for. 12% ask for 10 years or more.
48% of open roles state years76 new roles in the last 30 days, against 53 the 30 days before, at the same companies.
Companies read for 60 days or moreat 110 companies hiring in Japan.
Issue of 2 November 2026This week's read
There are 277 open Operations roles in Japan right now, spread across 110 companies. New postings jumped 43% over the last 30 days, 76 new roles compared with 53 in the prior 30 days. Weekly postings have also been climbing, from 13 roles the week of 12 October to 26 the week of 26 October, the highest week of the last two months.
But this market is not evenly spread. Rakuten alone has 77 open Operations roles, and Amazon has 39. Together with six other top employers, including Accenture with 8, these eight companies hold 55% of all open roles. If you are applying broadly, a large share of your options sit with a small number of employers.
Roles stay open a median of 31 days, so there is time to prepare a strong application rather than rush one out. Experience bars are moderate: the median minimum asked is 4 years, and 12% of postings want 10 years or more. Only 48% of postings state a years requirement at all, so many listings leave room to make your case on the merits.
On skills, SQL appears in 13% of postings and AI and machine learning in 10%, both ahead of Salesforce at 8%. None of the named certifications, PMP, CFA or CAIA, show up often, so there is no single credential most employers are screening for. One number stands out for anyone hoping to work from home: just 1% of these roles are remote, so this is largely an in-person or in-office market.
Most roles sit in the middle of the ladder. 71% are tagged mid-level, while senior and principal titles each make up 11%, and lead and junior roles are smaller slices at 4% each. If you are mid-career, this is where most of the doors are open.
What this means for you
Three things you can act on this week
- Expect to work on site
Only 1% of open Operations roles in Japan are remote. If working from home matters to you, this market will mostly disappoint, so plan for an office-based role.
- Look past the biggest names
Rakuten and Amazon together hold a large share of open roles, but 110 companies are hiring. Casting a wider net beyond the top employers opens up more options.
- Years of experience are often unstated
Only 48% of postings state a minimum years requirement, and most that do ask for around 4 years. Mid-level candidates fit the bulk of these roles, which make up 71% of postings.
Momentum
New Operations roles each week
Last 30 days: 76 new roles, against 53 the 30 days before (+43%). Each week counts the same companies, and a role counts as new only in the week it was posted, so a careers site we start reading never shows up as growth.
See the numbers
| Week starting | New roles |
|---|---|
| 7 Sep | 21 |
| 14 Sep | 12 |
| 21 Sep | 3 |
| 28 Sep | 16 |
| 5 Oct | 14 |
| 12 Oct | 13 |
| 19 Oct | 22 |
| 26 Oct | 26 |
Who is hiring
The companies with the most open Operations roles
110 companies are hiring. The top eight hold 55% of the open roles.
| Company | Open roles | Change in new roles |
|---|---|---|
| Rakuten | 77 | |
| Amazon | 39 | |
| Accenture | 8 | |
| MS | 7 | |
| Salesforce | 6 | |
| Hewlett Packard Enterprise | 5 | |
| Johnson & Johnson | 5 | |
| CC | 4 |
Change compares new roles in the last 30 days with the 30 days before, shown where a company posted 25 or more in the earlier 30 days. Staffing agencies are left out. A company name links to its Ashney company page where there is one.
What they ask for
The technology Operations roles ask for most
Ask Rate is the share of roles that name a skill, from 274 postings read in full. Ways of working (methods such as Agile, tools such as Jira) are listed apart; office tools and soft skills are left out.
Ways of working
Industries named most: E-commerce 9%, Consulting 6%, Logistics 6%. Certifications named: PMP 2%, CFA 1%. 1% of open roles say they are remote.
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