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Obayashi & Kajima Recruitment 2026 is a search many job seekers make when they want to work on large Japanese building and infrastructure projects. Obayashi Corporation and Kajima Corporation are two of Japan’s five “super general contractors”, together with Shimizu, Taisei and Takenaka. Obayashi built Tokyo Skytree, while Kajima is known for high-rise buildings, railways and nuclear facilities. Japan’s construction trades face a serious labour shortage, so this field can suit freshers with practical skills, ITI-trained workers, and experienced site workers who are ready to learn Japanese safety rules.
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It is important to understand how these big contractors hire. The general contractor plans and manages the project, and its direct staff are mainly engineers and site supervisors (施工管理). The hands-on trade work, such as scaffolding, rebar fixing, formwork, interior finishing and machine operation, is usually done by partner subcontractors (協力会社) working on Obayashi and Kajima sites across Japan. For most foreign trade workers, the realistic route is therefore a job with one of these licensed subcontractors, not a direct contract with the big brand name.
On the visa side, site trade roles may potentially fit the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) – Construction (建設) field, which covers civil engineering, building, and lifelines/facilities work, depending on the exact duties and occupational classification. Under this field, the worker must be directly employed by a licensed construction business with an MLIT-approved acceptance plan. Engineering and design posts at the contractors themselves usually need a university degree and fall under the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities status instead.
Obayashi & Kajima Recruitment 2026 – Quick Overview
| Job Title | Construction Site Worker (Scaffolder, Rebar Worker, Machine Operator, Electrician) |
| Country | Japan |
| Location | Project sites nationwide, including major cities |
| Employers | Obayashi Corporation and Kajima Corporation (projects); licensed subcontractors (trade employment) |
| Industry | Construction – building, civil engineering, infrastructure |
| Indicative Salary | ¥280,000 – ¥310,000 per month (national job-offer averages) |
| Experienced Salary | Can be higher with licences, Grade 1 trade skills and crew-leader roles |
| Education | 10th pass, 12th pass or ITI for trades; degree for engineering posts |
| Experience | Freshers may be considered; trade experience is preferred |
| Japanese | JFT-Basic or JLPT N4 for SSW(i) |
| Work Type | Full-time, monthly salary under SSW |
| Work Schedule | Mostly daytime site hours; schedule depends on the project |
| Accommodation | May be provided or arranged by the employer |
| Overtime | Possible, within legal caps of 45 hours/month and 360 hours/year |
What Does a Construction Site Worker Do?
A construction site worker carries out the physical trade tasks that turn a design into a finished building, tunnel, bridge or plant.
- Erects and dismantles scaffolding and temporary platforms.
- Cuts, bends and ties steel reinforcing bars before concrete pouring.
- Assembles formwork panels for walls, slabs and columns.
- Operates excavators and other construction machinery for earthwork.
- Signals and slings loads for crane lifting operations.
- Installs electrical wiring, conduits and lighting fixtures.
- Fits pipes for water supply, drainage and air conditioning.
- Carries out interior finishing such as drywall, flooring and wall cloth.
- Checks tools, harnesses and machines before each shift.
- Follows daily safety briefings and hazard prediction activities.
- Keeps work areas clean and removes waste materials.
- Reports progress and problems to the crew leader.
- Works to the drawings and instructions given by site supervisors.
Types of Obayashi & Kajima Construction Jobs
Engineering and Site Supervision (Obayashi and Kajima direct)
Both contractors directly recruit engineers, architects and site supervisors who manage schedules, quality, safety and cost. These posts usually need a relevant degree and strong Japanese.
Scaffolding (Tobi) Work
Scaffolders build the access structures that every high-rise and large project depends on. This trade has one of the highest job-openings ratios in Japan.
Rebar Fixing
Rebar workers prepare the steel skeleton inside concrete structures, which is common on both Obayashi building projects and Kajima infrastructure work.
Construction Machinery Operation
Machine operators handle excavators and similar equipment on earthwork, foundation and civil engineering sites, with Japanese licences or skills courses based on machine size.
Crane Operation and Slinging
Crane crews lift steel, formwork and materials into place. Larger mobile cranes require a Japanese national licence.
Electrical and Lifeline Work
Electricians and facility installers work on power, lighting and building systems, which falls under the lifelines/facilities category of construction SSW.
Obayashi & Kajima Recruitment Salary 2026
| Position | Indicative Monthly Salary |
| Scaffolder (Tobi) | ¥310,000 |
| Rebar Worker | ¥290,000 |
| Crane Operator | ¥290,000 |
| Electrician | ¥280,000 |
| Excavator Operator | ¥280,000 |
These figures are indicative national averages from Hello Work job offers for each trade, not company-specific pay at Obayashi, Kajima or their partners. Actual pay depends on the subcontractor, the region, your licences and whether the figure includes allowances, overtime or only base pay.
Obayashi & Kajima Jobs for Foreign Workers
Foreign workers usually reach these big project sites through subcontractors. Under the construction SSW rules, the employer must hold a construction business licence, have an MLIT-approved acceptance plan (建設特定技能受入計画), register itself and its workers in the Construction Career Up System (CCUS), and be a member of JAC (Japan Association for Construction Human Resources) or a member council. Dispatch through staffing agencies is not allowed in this field.
Under the current construction field policy, prime contractors such as Obayashi and Kajima are expected to check the SSW status and assigned tasks of foreign workers employed by their subcontractors. This means the big brands still play a role in compliance on their sites, even when they are not the employer on your contract.
Applicants should not assume every vacancy qualifies for SSW. The tasks must match the civil engineering, building or lifelines/facilities category, and the employer must meet all the conditions above. Always confirm the job category and employer details before you sign anything.
Japanese Language Requirement
Japanese is important on a construction site because safety instructions, signals and morning briefings are usually given in Japanese.
- SSW(i) Construction: JFT-Basic or JLPT N4 or above (around A2.2 level).
- SSW(ii) Construction: around B1 level is required.
- Learn site words for tools, materials, directions and danger warnings.
- Be able to understand numbers, measurements and simple drawings.
- Engineering posts at the contractors usually need much higher Japanese.
For SSW(i) Construction, you must also pass the Construction Field SSW(i) Evaluation Test run by JAC, or hold a Grade 3 national trade test in a listed trade.
Eligibility
- Physically fit for outdoor work, heights and lifting.
- Passed the JAC construction skills test or an eligible Grade 3 trade test.
- Passed JFT-Basic or JLPT N4 or above.
- Valid passport and no serious immigration violations.
- Willing to follow strict Japanese safety procedures.
- Able to work in a team under a crew leader.
- Willing to complete Japanese skills courses or special education for machines.
Education Qualification
Most trade jobs do not require a degree. Practical skills and the SSW skills test matter more than academic marks, although ITI training can help you learn faster.
- 10th pass or 12th pass for general site trades.
- ITI in fitter, electrician, plumber, welder or wireman trades is useful.
- Diploma in civil engineering can help for supervisory growth.
- Degree in civil, architectural or electrical engineering for engineer posts.
Daily Work of a Construction Site Worker
- Arrive at the site office and change into work clothes and safety gear.
- Join the morning assembly with stretching exercises and announcements.
- Take part in hazard prediction (KY) talk with your crew.
- Check your harness, helmet, tools and machines.
- Receive the day’s tasks from the crew leader based on the drawings.
- Start trade work such as scaffolding, rebar tying or machine operation.
- Take a short mid-morning break and stay hydrated.
- Have lunch and rest, often at the site rest area.
- Continue afternoon work and coordinate with other trades.
- Clean up the work area and store materials safely.
- Report progress and any issues before leaving the site.
Safety comes first on every Obayashi and Kajima site, and workers are expected to use fall protection and follow every instruction from supervisors.
Working Hours
- Typical site day of about 8 hours with breaks.
- Work usually starts early in the morning.
- Overtime is capped at 45 hours per month and 360 hours per year in normal cases.
- Days off depend on the project calendar and employer.
- Weather can change the daily schedule.
Exact hours and holidays are written in your employment contract, so check them before you accept.
Accommodation
- Some subcontractors provide company housing or shared apartments.
- Others help foreign workers find rental housing near the site.
- Travel between home and sites may be arranged by the company.
- Housing standards should be explained before you arrive.
Check how much will be deducted from your salary for rent, utilities and other costs.
Benefits
- Monthly salary at least equal to Japanese workers with similar skills.
- Social insurance, including health insurance and pension.
- Overtime pay for hours beyond the standard schedule.
- Pay rises linked to skills, as required under construction SSW.
- Paid holidays as per Japanese labour law.
- Training and safety courses.
Actual benefits depend on your employer and contract.
Career Growth
Site Worker → Skilled Tradesperson → Crew Leader → Supervisor
- Gain experience on large projects managed by top contractors.
- Pass higher trade tests to show your skill level.
- SSW(ii) is possible with Grade 1 trade tests and crew-leader experience.
- CCUS records your skills and experience over time.
Skills That Can Improve Your Chances
- Experience in scaffolding, rebar, formwork or machine operation.
- Ability to read basic construction drawings.
- Comfort working at heights.
- Knowledge of safety harnesses and PPE.
- Basic Japanese for site communication.
- Physical stamina for outdoor work in all seasons.
- Teamwork and punctuality.
- Willingness to complete Japanese skills courses.
- Electrical or plumbing trade skills.
- Careful attitude toward quality and safety.
Documents Required
- Valid passport.
- Updated CV with trade experience.
- Education certificates.
- JAC skills test or Grade 3 trade test result.
- JFT-Basic or JLPT certificate.
- Experience letters from previous employers.
- Passport-size photographs.
- Medical certificate if requested.
The exact list varies by employer and immigration requirements.
How to Apply Online
Step 1: Prepare Your CV
Write a clear CV that lists every construction trade you have worked in, with dates and project types.
Step 2: Describe Your Skills
Mention specific tasks such as rebar tying, scaffold erection or excavator operation instead of only writing “helper”.
Step 3: Gather Certificates
Collect your education, ITI, language and skills test certificates in one folder.
Step 4: Check the Job Category
Confirm that the job matches civil engineering, building or lifelines/facilities work under construction SSW.
Step 5: Complete Required Tests
Pass the JAC construction skills test and JFT-Basic or JLPT N4 before or during the hiring process.
Step 6: Attend the Interview
Prepare to explain your trade experience and safety knowledge, sometimes with an interpreter.
Step 7: Review the Contract
Check salary, hours, overtime, housing, deductions and the name of your actual employer.
Step 8: Complete Immigration Procedures
Your employer applies for the Certificate of Eligibility, and you then apply for the visa; for engineering posts, check the official recruit pages at obayashi.co.jp and kajima.co.jp.
Obayashi & Kajima Recruitment 2026 – FAQs
Do Obayashi and Kajima hire foreign trade workers directly?
Their direct hires are mainly engineers and site supervisors. Trade work on their sites is usually done by subcontractors, which is where most foreign SSW workers are employed.
Is this a guaranteed job offer?
No. This article explains the sector and typical roles. It is not a job offer, and a job ad is not a visa guarantee.
Which visa can fit site trade jobs?
Many site trade roles may fit SSW Construction, depending on the exact duties and the employer meeting all conditions.
Which trade pays the most in this list?
Scaffolders have the highest national job-offer average here at about ¥310,000 a month.
Can I join through a manpower dispatch agency?
No. Construction SSW requires direct employment by a licensed construction business.
Can my foreign excavator licence be used in Japan?
Japan requires its own skills course or special education depending on machine size, so plan to complete Japanese training.
What is CCUS?
The Construction Career Up System records a worker’s skills and site history, and construction SSW workers must be registered in it.
Should I pay an agent to get a job on these sites?
Never pay unlicensed agents or anyone promising a guaranteed placement. Verify every offer through official channels.
Final Words
Obayashi and Kajima manage some of Japan’s largest projects, and the trades that build them are in real demand. For most foreign workers, the route runs through a licensed subcontractor under SSW Construction, with the JAC test, basic Japanese and solid trade skills. Prepare carefully, check every employer, and never pay unlicensed agents.
Disclaimer: All salary figures mentioned in this article are indicative estimates based on published job listings and industry data and may vary by employer, location, experience, and contract terms. They do not represent a guaranteed salary, job offer, or visa approval. This website is not affiliated with Obayashi Corporation or Kajima Corporation.