Working Holiday Programmes are designed to foster young people with global perspective and enhance friendly relationship between Japan and partner countries by providing opportunities for the young people to deepen their understanding about partner countries. Participants may reside in partner countries for a maximum of up to 1 year. Although participants are allowed to engage in part-time or full-time work to supplement their funds, traveling, sightseeing, and learning to appreciate a foreign culture are usually the main goals.

Japan first initiated its Working Holiday Programme with Australia in 1980, then with New Zealand in 1985, and with Canada in 1986. The Republic of Korea and France joined the three preceding countries in 1999, followed by Germany in 2000, and the U.K. in 2001. You should also keep in mind that visas and particiation are limited, so not everyone who applies will be accepted on to the programme. For complete details and participation requirements, please contact the respective embassies, or designated organizations, of partner countries.

Although there will be some variation according to destination, the applicant:

• must be a citizen/national of Japan currently residing in Japan
• must intend primarily to holiday in the destination country
• must be between 18 and 25 years of age at the time of application
  (up to 30 years of age in some countries)
• cannot have child(ren) accommodate him/her
• must possess a valid passport and a return ticket or sufficient funds to purchase a return ticket
• must possess reasonable funds for living expenses, including medical expenses, during the initial period of stay.
• must be in good health and not have a criminal record
• must be participating in the programme for the first time

In many cases, participants enroll in a language school from 1-3 months in order to improve their English language skills. Staying with a host-family (or in some countries, participating in a farm stay) may further improve your language skills during the short-period of time that you have.

Although some people may start off in a hotel, most Working Holiday Programme participants usually stay in a Youth Hostel to save money before finding an apartment or sharing a flat. Although you need to become a member of the Youth Hostel Association (or Hostelling International) to use their facilities, separate accommodations are available for men and women, and you can make reservations before leaving Japan. You can choose to stay for a few days while you gather useful information regarding the surroundings and shared accommodation. Moreover, staying at a hostel will allow you to meet interesting people and make friends with around the world. For more information contact the Youth Hostel Center nearest you.

In most cases, participants work for travel/tourist companies, or as sales clerks, hotel staff, and restaurant/bar staff. Other popular jobs include sports instructors, teaching Japanese, and working on farms. Naturally, the type of jobs available will vary greatly according to the destination, time of year, and your language abilities.

Information regarding employment opportunities can be found in newspapers, magazines, and websites frequented by local Japanese people, bulletin boards at language schools, Youth Hostels, and local supermarkets. If the city that you go to has a strong tourist industry, there is likely to be a Japanese employment agency as well. However, since you will be in a different country and culture, try to make the most of the opportunity and use your foreign language skills as much as possible.