Foreign nationals are permitted to reside in Japan provided they fall within the scope of a status of residence designated by the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act. At present, there are 27 statuses of residence, and those which permit employment can be divided into the following three categories.

(1) Statuses of residence permitting work in specified activities (17 statuses of residences)
Diplomat, Official, Professor, Artist, Religious Activities, Journalist, Investor/Business Manager, Legal/Accounting Services, Medical Services, Researcher, Instructor, Engineer, Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Intracompany Transferee, Entertainer, Skilled Labor, Designated Activities(Working Holiday, Technical Intern Training Program etc.)

The following four categories will probably account for the majority of employees engaged in general office work.

Engineer: Computer engineers, automobile design engineers, etc.

Specialist in Humanities/International Services: Interpreters, language instructors, foreign exchange dealers, designers, etc.

Intracompany Transferee: Activities that may be engaged in by employees transferred for a fixed period of time to Japan from the headquarters or a branch office of a multinational corporation are limited to those covered by the "Engineer" and "Specialist in Humanities/International Services" statuses of residence.

Skilled Labor: Chinese or French chefs, etc.

(2) Statuses of residence not permitting work (6 statuses of residences
Cultural Activities, Temporary Visitor, College Student, Precollege Student, Trainee, Dependent

(3)Statuses of residence without restrictions on activities in Japan (4 statuses of residences)
Permanent Resident, Spouse or Child of Japanese National, Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, Long-term Resident

For more information:

A Guide to Japanese Visas (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)