Can I still get hired at a Japanese Restaurant if I am not Japanese?

First of all, Japanese government doesn't allow any foreigners working visa to light(or simple) work such as waitress, deliveryman or house maid at the moment there. If you have spouse visa, resident visa and/or permanent visa, you can choose job whatever you like in Japan.

Otherwise, you have to manage the restaurant as owner if you work in Japanese restaurant in Japan. Or you must be international student who has student visa to work temporarily with the official permission from the regional immigration office there.

If you are from the country which has governmental mutual agreement of Working-Holiday such as Australia, you may apply it in advance if the condition is strictly covered.

http://www.jawhm.or.jp/eng/prgrm/index.html

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OK, now I know you are in USA.

When I was in LA, there are many Chinese, Korean and Vetnamese working as server in Japanese restaurants there.

The reason why owner don't hire white is I supposed because white people usually costs much higher than those immigrants. I mean there are plenty of non-Japanese working in Japanese restaurants in USA. Some Sushi restaurants backyards are almost Mexican and Chinese only.

Secondary, you have to understand that Japanese restaurants are the place customers speak and read Japanese so that servers must comprehend what's going on those Japanese.

In USA, everything may be possible if you have some compromise and quick wit in business there.

yes u can ... I work in a Thai restaurant ... but most of the time they want Japanese, thai or w.e because a group of them will travel from the other country .. to the United states... deff in PA my dad asked about it and i talk to them at my work they come and go every so many month trying to make a stable living here go back. Its mostly a see how this country life is like thing..

Best way to impress them is to use the courtesy of a Japaneses citizen when entering and exiting the conference but most likely you wont get hired .... I go a job as a dish washer I try all the foods they make... and take a perspective as if other Americans will like it.. i find it the best job :D free food fun being with a culture i love... and Understanding ones hometown.. even in more debts

Also remember if they ask what is the courtesy when you are with friends in japan... and their drink is empty...

A: You refill their glass its great disrespect to make ones self to refill their own glass..

Try: Using proper Japanese language like saying

Hello how are you...

Good

Thank you for having me

Have a good evening/ night

Thank you

Your Welcome

Learn the poses they use also.. try to pick up some of the language and best as you can.

That depends on whether you are in Japan or not, although you still stand a chance either way.

If you are in Japan - and if not your question is in the wrong place - I've seen foreigners working in Japanese restaurants. Probably students, with permission to work limited hours, and definitely with a more than passing smattering of Japanese ability. Try a famiresu rather than a small restaurant.

If you're not in Japan you still might get work, especially as you can communicate with the locals, but if it's a family run restaurant you'll find they normally give the jobs to their own relatives and friends. That's not a good enough reason to marry one of their relatives though, but if you happen to get friendly with a family member at least you could offer to help out if there's a staff shortage, then they might offer you a job when one comes up in future.

From my experience many "Japanese Restaurants" overseas including in America, aren't operated by Japanese people or Japanese decedents to begin with.

If anything they would be of other nationalities, unless you are positive they are Japanese vs Japanese American, in short, two totally different groups of thinking there.

In short, it depends on the circumstances.