The Employment Situation in Illinois

Located in the Midwestern United States, the state of Illinois has traditionally played an extremely important role in linking the country’s western agricultural belt and its eastern industrial belt. With its huge O'Hare International Airport, the Missouri River and Mississippi River running through north and south, and a network of highways stretching in all directions, Illinois serves as a “logistical heart” from which goods are transported by air, water, and land to all parts of the United States. In recent years, Uber has established a freight headquarters in Illinois and companies including major logistics companies have also established bases in the state, which, among other developments, has bestowed Illinois with strengths in logistics and supply chain-related technologies.

Chicago is the largest city in Illinois, and is the third biggest city in the US after New York and Los Angeles. The city hosts a wide range of large-scale events that include the “IMTS” (International Manufacturing Technology Show), one of the top three machinery trade shows in the world, and the “NRA (National Restaurant Association) Show”, which is among the largest gatherings of foodservice professionals in the US. This makes Chicago a place where people, goods, and money are constantly flowing. Industries such as electronics, semiconductors, and transportation machinery have developed in suburban areas around Chicago, and the city remains one of the most important centers of commerce, finance, and distribution in the US. In recent years, Chicago has also garnered attention as a center for “innovation in manufacturing”. Situated on the banks of Lake Michigan, Chicago is also referred to as a treasure chest of modern architecture, with a skyline of modern skyscrapers that include the John Hancock Tower and the Willis Tower. The city has many points of interest, with museums and art galleries including The Art Institute of Chicago.

 Japanese Companies and the Japanese Community in Illinois

More Japanese companies have a presence in Illinois than in any other Midwestern state and there are 1,434 business location of 700 Japanese companies, employing 516,000 people.Japan is the top foreign capital in Illinois by number of locations. In 2021, mutual trade between Japan and Illinois totaled a record $2.44 billion. Industries include finance, trading, manufacturing, technology, and logistics, and the demand for bilingual human resources able to speak English and Japanese is high in this area. Furthermore, CADDi, a manufacturing supply chain technology company, and Rapyuta Robotics, a warehouse automation support company, also established a presence in Illinois in 2023.

In Chicago, there is the greater metropolitan area that centers on the city includes other areas with concentrations of Japanese companies, such as Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, and Schaumburg. These suburban areas host facilities that include Japanese restaurants, Japanese supermarkets, and Japanese schools, making them convenient and comfortable places for Japanese people to reside.

 Positions in Illinois

In industries such as manufacturing, logistics and others, bilingual personnel are needed to fill a wide range of positions including sales, mechanical and electronic engineering, IT engineering, accounting, HR, logistics, admins, and trading, as well as customer service and other positions that require strong support in both Japanese and English, and bilingual positions for persons able to speak English and Japanese and who have a thorough knowledge of Japanese culture and language. There are also many positions that do not require Japanese language skills at the wide range of Japanese companies with a well-established presence in the US.


Jobs in Illinois

Latest Job Openings in Illinois (the U.S.)

Sales & Marketing Manager – Plastics Resin, Film & Packaging Materials

A leading Japanese trading company specializing in plastics resin, plastics film, and aluminum foil for packaging applications is seeking a Sales & Marketing Manager. The role is responsible for import sales and marketing, account management, and new business development. This position requires strong communication skills, deep market insight, and the ability to create and drive new business opportunities while supporting the company’s growth in the Americas.

Detail 11/2/2025   Job No. 15672   Apply

Sales Representative

​​​​​​​As a Sales Representative in the U.S. market, you will be responsible for selling products or services. The Sales Representative will help achieve sales goals by building relationships with customers, understanding their needs, and executing sales strategies.

Detail 10/31/2025   Job No. 15731   Apply

Japanese-English Bilingual Field Application Engineer (FAE) – Semiconductor Support for Home Appliance Industry

This role involves supporting the home appliance industry in the Americas by providing technical assistance for semiconductor components, including evaluation, design-in, and troubleshooting. It includes offering expert advice on home appliances and electronic devices, conducting product demonstrations, technical presentations, and training in collaboration with the sales team. The position emphasizes market analysis, feedback-driven product development, and strategic sales planning to drive growth

Detail 10/30/2025   Job No. 14308   Apply

Sales Manager

Join a dynamic team as a Sales Manager in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. Drive client relations, develop sales strategies, and manage key accounts in the trading industry.

Detail 10/30/2025   Job No. 15737   Apply

Operations Manager

Seeking an Operations Manager in Illinois, for the food industry. Responsibilities include overseeing operations, managing supply chain, and optimizing processes.

Detail 10/30/2025   Job No. 15735   Apply

Japanese-English Bilingual Sales Representative (Entry Level) – Factory Automation (FA) Equipment

This position is responsible for proposing Factory Automation (FA) equipment solutions primarily to existing customers. By accurately identifying client needs and offering optimal solutions, you will develop long-term trust-based relationships. The role may also involve new business development and requires business travel within the U.S.

Detail 10/29/2025   Job No. 14919   Apply

[TtoH] Japanese-Bilingual Admin Assistant

​​​​​​​A Japanese manufacturing company is seeking a detail-oriented, temp-to-hire Bilingual Administrative Assistant. This position is crucial for providing comprehensive administrative, clerical, and language support to management and expatriate staff. The ideal candidate will be an organized and proactive problem-solver with strong multitasking abilities and fluent Japanese-English communication skills.​​​​​​​

Detail 10/29/2025   Job No. 15802   Apply

General Manager (Air Freight Export/Import Department Manager Level)

A Japanese logistics company specializing in air freight forwarding for major automotive suppliers is seeking an experienced and hands-on General Manager to oversee operations at its Midwest headquarters. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in air cargo (both import and export), leadership experience in a multicultural team environment, and the ability to drive operational efficiency and business growth across multiple branch locations.

Detail 10/29/2025   Job No. 15778   Apply

Import Coordinator (3-Month Temp-to-Hire)

This position is responsible for coordinating all import-related operations and customer service activities to ensure timely customs clearance and delivery to clients. Key responsibilities include data entry, documentation review, vendor coordination, billing, and compliance with U.S. Customs and other regulatory requirements. Candidates with experience in freight forwarding, warehousing, or trucking are preferred, but entry-level candidates are also welcome.

Detail 10/29/2025   Job No. 15782   Apply

Regional Sales Manager

​​​​​​​Manage sales in multiple states and provide direction regarding resources and sales strategies. Coordinate sales distribution of products or services to facilitate the sales process. Manage the sales generation in the assigned territories for all of SB Machine Tools products. Develop, forecast and monitor budget and utilize operational resources. Manage the sales generation through distribution channels and/or direct customer sales. Supervisory Role: No (Required in the future when the sales volume in the territory increases and reaches the level that requires assistant sales engineer(s) for better coverage). Sales territory covered: Regional (multiple US states and Canada). Skills/Specialties include Sales management, business development, strategic sales, account management, and contract negotiation.

Detail 10/28/2025   Job No. 14586   Apply

Regional Sales Manager

A leading provider of high-precision clamping and automation solutions Japanese Company is looking for a talented Regional Sales Manager to cover the states of MN, WI, and the Dakotas. If you are looking for a career jump and work full remote from these states its is a good opportunity.

Detail 10/28/2025   Job No. 14784   Apply

Japanese bilingual Assistant Staff

We are seeking a bilingual (Japanese/English preferred) Assistant Staff to support our Chicago office operations. This role will primarily assist the East Region Manager with administrative and analytical tasks, as well as provide sales support to an East Coast–based Sales Representative. The position requires strong organizational, communication, and analytical skills, with the ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Detail 10/28/2025   Job No. 15626   Apply

Field Service Technician

This position is with a food packaging machinery manufacturer and involves providing maintenance and troubleshooting services at client sites. Clients are located across the U.S., allowing you to travel to multiple regions on a business trip basis.

Detail 10/27/2025   Job No. 15012   Apply

Customs Broker

A global logistics company located in Elk Grove Village, IL, is seeking an experienced Customs Broker to support its import and export operations. This role plays a key part in ensuring compliance with U.S. Customs regulations and providing high-quality brokerage services for a variety of products including plastic resins, automotive materials, lubricants, waxes, and rubber products. This position is ideal for a mid-level professional with approximately 10 years of experience who can independently manage customs clearance processes and maintain strong communication with clients and government agencies.

Detail 10/21/2025   Job No. 15747   Apply

Sales Representative

​​​​​​​Sales, or sales representatives, receive specialized training on a company's products and use their skills to increase awareness of Company and increase sales. Sales duties typically involve attracting new and traditional customers, sharing product knowledge, and answering customer questions and requests.

Detail 10/21/2025   Job No. 15725   Apply

Japanese Bilingual Sales Representative – Automotive Components

A leading Japanese trading company specializing in electronic components and materials is seeking a Japanese-English bilingual Sales Representative to join its U.S. subsidiary. This position focuses on supporting and expanding business with Tier 1 automotive clients across North America. The ideal candidate will have either sales experience in automotive-related fields or purchasing experience at a Tier 1 supplier. Strong interpersonal skills, a deep understanding of supply chains, and fluency in Japanese are required.

Detail 10/21/2025   Job No. 15092   Apply

OEM Sales (Open position)

The OEM Sales Coordinator is responsible for providing sales support to the OEM Department and working with external OEM customers and vendors to develop and expand the department.

Detail 10/20/2025   Job No. 14297   Apply

Customer Service Associate

The Customer Service Associate is an entry-level position within the Inside Sales Department. This role provides a foundation in ERP operations, quoting, order processing, and customer communication, serving as an excellent starting point for those seeking to grow within the Inside Sales team.

Detail 10/16/2025   Job No. 15719   Apply

Air Export Operation Clerk

Join our Chicago branch (Itasca, IL) as an Air Export Operation Clerk. You will coordinate day-to-day air export operations—from booking and documentation to cargo hand-off—ensuring shipments move on schedule and in full compliance with U.S. export and TSA regulations. Experienced candidates are preferred, but motivated entry-level candidates with strong attention to detail are welcome.

Detail 10/15/2025   Job No. 15610   Apply

Senior Electrical Controls Engineer

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Electrical Controls Engineer to design, develop, and implement electrical control systems for our automated machinery. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in PLC programming, HMI development, servo motion control, and electrical schematic design. This role requires a hands-on approach to machine automation, troubleshooting, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure efficient, high-quality control systems.

Detail 10/6/2025   Job No. 14712   Apply

Store Manager

Japanese company is hiring Store Manager.

Detail 10/2/2025   Job No. 11452   Apply

Customer Service Representative (Property & Casualty)

We're looking for someone to handle customer interactions within the Property & Casualty division at a Japanese insurance brokerage firm. While prior experience in the insurance industry isn't required, we're seeking individuals who are eager to build a career in this field. Our company offers a clear internal career path. You'll be required to obtain an insurance license within three months of joining. Based on your performance, you can expect to be promoted to an Account Rep position, and subsequently to an Account Manager. This environment allows you to steadily advance your career based on your motivation and achievements.

Detail 9/29/2025   Job No. 15396   Apply

Outside Sales Associate

A trading company specializing in Japanese foods, alcoholic beverages, and restaurant supplies is looking for an Outside Sales Representative. They are looking for someone with knowledge of Japanese food.

Detail 9/29/2025   Job No. 14541   Apply

Entry Writer

This role functions as a Customs Broker Assistant and Operations Coordinator, managing the import documentation process, customs declaration, and communication with government agencies. The position plays a key role in ensuring compliance and timely cargo clearance, while also coordinating with internal teams and external stakeholders. Strong communication and organizational skills are essential.

Detail 9/16/2025   Job No. 15293   Apply

Bilingual Junior Electrical Controls Engineer

​​​​​​​We are seeking a highly skilled Bilingual Junior Electrical Controls Engineer to design, develop, and implement electrical control systems for our automated machinery. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in PLC programming, HMI development, servo motion control, and electrical schematic design. This role requires a hands-on approach to machine automation, troubleshooting, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure efficient, high-quality control systems.

Detail 9/10/2025   Job No. 15436   Apply

Korean-English Bilingual Sales Representative – Asian Food Trading Company

Outside Sales position within the Japanese Food trading industry.

Detail 7/22/2025   Job No. 15161   Apply

Machine Assembler

A Japanese company that manufactures food packaging assembly machines is seeking a candidate who can handle assembly, adjustment, and installation (on-site setup) of packaging machinery. The role also includes customer site service work, such as troubleshooting, maintenance, and overhauls.

Detail 6/9/2025   Job No. 15011   Apply

Account Executive or Account Manager (Exempt)

An insurance brokerage and consulting firm is in Schaumburg is looking for a Japanese-English bilingual Account Executive! P&C license is required, 5-10 years or more of corporate sales experience. We are looking for applications from people who can handle sales for large companies.

Detail 3/19/2025   Job No. 14418   Apply