15 Side Jobs You Can Start with a Smartphone in Japan
Published:
Last Updated:
Category: Side Jobs
Authors: Shusaku Yosa
A side job you can apply for on a smartphone is not necessarily a job you can complete on a smartphone. Some tasks happen online, others need a computer, and others involve delivery, shipping or work at a physical location.
Use this list to compare the real work, equipment and costs. It is not an earnings ranking, and none of the options guarantees a particular monthly income.
Compare 15 smartphone-accessible side jobs
Option | Work location and equipment | Costs and payment conditions to check |
|---|---|---|
1. Reward or points services | Mainly phone-based | Eligibility, minimum redemption, expiry and any spending required |
2. Paid surveys | Short surveys may suit a phone | Screening, completion time and payment for incomplete surveys |
3. Resale marketplace listings | Photos and listings plus packing and shipping | Sales fees, postage, packaging and unsold items |
4. Receipt submissions | Phone photos after shopping | Eligible products, deadlines and point conditions |
5. Selling photographs | Photography and editing | Quality review, image rights and revenue share |
6. Data entry | Only phone-compatible assignments | File format, checking, revisions and computer requirements |
7. Writing or small content tasks | Some short assignments suit a phone | Research, revision, rights and required software |
8. Selling a skill or consultation | Depends on the service | Preparation, calls, cancellation terms and platform fees |
9. Food delivery | Outdoor work with transport and equipment | Travel, waiting, maintenance, insurance and contract type |
10. Short-term shift work | Phone application; usually on-site work | Travel costs, hours, equipment and wage payment terms |
11. App testing | Compatible device and operating system | Test scope, reporting format, retesting and confidentiality |
12. Mystery shopping | Store visits, purchases and reports | Upfront purchases, travel, approval and reimbursement timing |
13. Livestreaming | Internet, sound and camera setup | Monetization thresholds, revenue share and preparation time |
14. Video editing or social media support | A computer may be needed | Deliverables, revisions, approval process and asset rights |
15. Blogging or affiliate publishing | Phone publishing is possible; management varies | Running costs, sale approval and payout thresholds |
Read each assignment's actual terms. A platform's general description may not cover the tools or conditions of an individual job.
Options mainly performed on a phone
Surveys and receipt submissions can fit short periods of available time, but include the time spent finding eligible tasks. Keep points separate from cash: redemption fees, expiry dates and exchange options affect their value. Buying something unnecessary to earn points can leave you worse off.
App testing often requires a reproducible bug report, not just opening an app. Check whether recording, screenshots or a written report are required. For livestreaming, opening an account and earning revenue are separate milestones. Include preparation and moderation time when deciding whether the activity is sustainable.
Options that may require a computer
Data entry, writing and video work can become difficult on a small screen. Ask for the output format and software requirements before accepting. A task labeled “smartphone OK” may still require a particular file or workflow you cannot complete comfortably on your device.
For photographs and creative services, verify the rights to images, fonts, music and recognizable people. For client work, define the delivery date, revision limit and what is included. Do not offer regulated professional services without the required qualification or authorization.
A blog or affiliate page can produce no revenue even after substantial work. Make advertising relationships clear and use claims and experiences you can substantiate.
Options involving physical work
Resale listings include packing, shipping and communication with buyers. Selling your own unwanted items differs from buying stock for repeated resale; calculate costs and check the rules relevant to the activity.
Food delivery and short shifts are not home-based work simply because the booking takes place in an app. Include travel, weather, waiting and equipment costs. Clarify whether you are being hired as an employee or contracted as an independent worker.
Mystery-shopping payments may include reimbursement of purchases. Check what happens if a report is rejected and when the reimbursement is due. The displayed amount may not all be earnings.
Calculate what remains after costs and time
For contract work, subtract fees and necessary expenses, then divide by the total time spent preparing, communicating, doing the work and revising it.
Hypothetical example | Amount or result |
|---|---|
Payment for one assignment | ¥1,500 |
Fees and expenses | ¥300 |
Amount left before tax | ¥1,200 |
Total work takes 2 hours | ¥600 per hour of effort |
Total work takes 4 hours | ¥300 per hour of effort |
This illustrates a calculation, not a market rate or an observed result. It is not the same as an employee's contracted hourly wage. Unpaid time between assignments can further affect overall earnings.
Check for task-payment scams
Confirm the operator, contact details, actual work, payment conditions, fees and cancellation terms. “Anyone can earn a high income” is not evidence of a viable opportunity.
Japan's National Consumer Affairs Center warns about task scams in which small initial rewards lead to requests for larger payments. Be cautious if you must send money to unlock earnings or fix an alleged mistake. See the official warning.
Workplace rules and taxes in Japan
If you are employed, check your employer's side-work and confidentiality rules. Keep records of receipts, income, platform fees and expenses from the start.
Certain salaried workers qualify for an exception from filing an income-tax return when income other than salary and retirement income is ¥200,000 or less. This is conditional, concerns income rather than simply gross sales, and is not a universal tax-free allowance. If you file a return for another reason, such as a refund, include the relevant income. See the National Tax Agency's explanation.
A resident-tax declaration may still be required when an income-tax return is not. Check your municipality; Yokohama provides an example explanation.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make ¥50,000 a month with only a phone?
It depends on skills, available work, costs and time; it cannot be guaranteed. Start with a small task and measure how long the complete process takes.
How do I find work that stays entirely at home?
Check the working location, equipment and delivery requirements rather than the application method.
Is free registration proof that a service is safe?
No. Some operators request course fees or other payments later. Understand the work and payment mechanism before committing.
