Are you interested in working as a dairy farmer in Japan? The dairy farming industry is, at the moment, in great demand of labourers. In this article, we introduce the dairy farming in Japan, the requirements to become a dairy farmer in Japan, and other farm and agricultural jobs.
First Published: 2020/07/14
Updated: 2023/08/04
Table of Contents
- Dairy Farming in Japan
- High Demand for Dairy Farmers in Japan
- Dairy Farmer Salary in Japan
- How to Get a Dairy Farmer Job in Japan
- Other Farm and Agriculture Jobs in Japan
Are you having any issues with job-hunting in Japan?
Dairy Farming in Japan
Despite not being a part of the traditional Japanese diet, dairy had, since the Meiji era, grown to become part of the modern Japanese diet. During World War II, when there was a shortage of food, milk and bread which were largely donated by the Allied Forces and UNICEF to Japan became a staple part of Japanese school lunches. Even till this day, milk and bread continues to be served as part of Japanese school lunches at public schools.
Watch this short 5 minute video called “Discover JAPAN MILK” by the Japan Dairy Industry Association. This video was created to introduce Japanese milk and milk products. The full version that is 20 minutes long is available to watch here.
The Current State of Dairy Farming in Japan
Hokkaido is the region that produces the most dairy products in Japan.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ latest “Milk and Dairy Product Statistical Survey”, Japan produced a total of 7,617, 473 tons of raw milk in 2022. Most of the milk was from Hokkaido, who produced 4,309,275 tons of raw milk in Japan for the year 2022, which accounted for 56.6% of the country’s total. Kanto-Higashiyama came in next with 1, 113, 5716 tons (14.9%), followed by Kyushu with 617,496 tons (8.1%).
※ MAFF, “令和４年牛乳乳製品統計” (2023-07-26)
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High Demand for Dairy Farmers in Japan
An ageing population and the lack of successors to take over the business has put the Japanese dairy industry in a pinch. Farmers work hard to maintain production levels but there’s only so much they can do when labour shortage is the problem. This is where foreign national workers come in - to become dairy farmers in Japan, and help revive the business.
A quick browse through job sites dedicated to jobs in the agricultural sector will show countless vacancies for dairy farm staff. There is truly a huge demand for dairy farmers in Japan.
Dairy Farmer Salary in Japan
How much you can earn as a dairy farmer in Japan greatly depends on location, experience, and skill.
On average, a dairy farmer in Japan earns around 3.1 million to 3.5 million yen per year. When converted to monthly salary, this is roughly 270,000 yen per month, with an average starting salary of around 200,000 yen per month. For part time workers and dispatch workers, the average hourly wage is around 999 yen to 1,100 yen.
The average salary for dairy farmers is on the low side when compared to Japan’s national average. However, do take into account that dairy farmer jobs are usually in the countryside where the average cost of living is much lower compared to cities. The cost of living and minimum wage in the region you are working at also plays a part in how much salary will be earned.
Furthermore, many dairy farm jobs in Japan offer free housing or housing allowances, so you can save a big chunk of your salary that is usually used up on rent.
How to Get a Dairy Farmer Job in Japan
As a dairy farmer, your roles and responsibilities will include feeding cows, milking cows, cleaning and maintaining the barn and farm area, and monitoring & maintaining the health of cows. Depending on the farm, you may also be involved in producing dairy products or giving farm tours.
So, how exactly can you become a dairy farmer in Japan?
And what are the requirements to be one?
Technical Intern Training or Specified Skilled Worker Visa
To become a dairy farmer in Japan, you will need a work permit. There are 2 options for dairy farmers - ① Technical Intern Training (技能実習), or ② Specified Skilled Worker (特定技能).
The purpose of the Technical Intern Training Programme is to teach participants from developing countries technical knowledge and skills from Japanese corporations so that they can bring such knowledge and skills back home to help build a better future for their home countries. Whereas, the Specified Skilled Worker visa is meant to help certain industries in Japan overcome labour shortages.
Both work permits have their own criteria for application, so check carefully and see which applies to you. It is also possible to work as a dairy farmer on a working holiday visa.
Japanese Language Skills
There is a requirement to pass at least JLPT N4 in order to apply for Technical Intern Training I, and at least JLPT N3 to apply for Technical Intern Training II.
As for Specified Skilled Worker, you will need to have sufficient Japanese proficiency for daily life conversation and to communicate at the workplace. This will be confirmed via a unified test conducted in Japan. JLPT N4 or N3 is recommended.
Preferential Treatment for Those with Experience
There are many dairy farmer job openings that welcome people with no experience, but having experience will put you at an advantage. Being used to the job is also a good thing as dairy farming is a labour intensive job, which brings us to our next point.
Physical Fitness is Important
Since dairy farm jobs are physically demanding labour jobs, you should be physically fit and able not just to perform the job well, but for your own safety and health. Work usually starts early in the morning until evening. Before applying for jobs, check the job description carefully - an example of a regular day’s work schedule may be posted, or ask during the interview so you know what to expect.
Love for Animals, Especially Cows
As a dairy farmer, you will be in close contact with cows and will be responsible for their care and maintenance. This includes monitoring their health and caring for them when they are sick. Keeping their living area clean and comfortable is also extremely important. With so much time and attention spent on them, having a heart and mindset that cares for animals will make the job more meaningful and fun. There may also be opportunities to care for young calves and other animals on the farm!
Other Farm and Agriculture Jobs in Japan
Interested in farm and agriculture jobs in Japan? There are many job opportunities in the agriculture field, which is one of several industries suffering from severe labour shortage. This is why Japan introduced the 特定技能 (tokutei-ginou), Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa in 2019, to overcome the problem of worker shortages.
What type of farm and agricultural jobs are there in Japan?
- Agricultural Engineer
- Agricultural Researcher
- Agronomist
- Farm Manager
- Farm Manager
- Farmer (rice, vegetable, fruit, flowers)
- Food Processing Worker
- Fruit/Vegetable Harvesting Crew Member
- Irrigation Specialist
- Livestock Farmer (dairy, beef cattle, pig, poultry)
- Quality Control Inspector
- and etc.
If you are interested in finding a farm and agriculture job in Japan, Leverages Global Support specialises in Specified Skilled Workers. LGS provides full job support including interview practice, visa procedures, and follow-up support after successful hiring.
