Uber Eats Japan: A Complete Guide for Foreign Delivery Partners

Welcome to the ultimate guide for foreigners looking to become Uber Eats delivery partners in Japan. Whether you’re seeking a flexible way to earn money, a chance to explore your city, or a side hustle to supplement your income, delivering with Uber Eats offers a unique opportunity. This guide will walk you through everything from eligibility and registration to mastering the app and understanding the local culture.

Is Delivering for Uber Eats in Japan Right for You?

Before diving into the sign-up process, it’s important to understand the landscape of gig work in Japan and what being an Uber Eats partner entails. Japan’s delivery market is dynamic and competitive, with Uber Eats holding a leading position.

The Gig Economy in Japan: An Overview

The concept of flexible, on-demand jobs, known locally as “sukima-beit”; (spare-time jobs), has gained significant traction. As an Uber Eats delivery partner, you operate as an independent contractor. This means you have the freedom to choose when and where you work, but you are not considered an employee of Uber. This distinction is crucial for understanding your rights and responsibilities, especially concerning taxes and benefits.

To better protect freelance workers, the Japanese government passed the “Freelancers Act,” which took effect on November 1, 2024. This law introduces new safeguards, requiring businesses to provide written contracts, ensure payment within 60 days, and prevent unjust contract alterations, offering more stability for gig workers.

Pros and Cons of Being an Uber Eats Partner

Weighing the advantages and disadvantages can help you decide if this role fits your lifestyle.

• Pros:
  • Flexibility: You are your own boss. Work for an hour, a weekend, or full-time.
  • Explore Your City: Discover new neighborhoods and restaurants while on the move.
  • Weekly Payments: Earnings are transferred to your bank account weekly, making it easy to manage finances.
  • Simple Start: The registration process is straightforward for those who meet the criteria.
• Cons:
  • Income Fluctuation: Earnings can vary based on demand, time of day, and weather.
  • No Employee Benefits: As an independent contractor, you don’t receive paid leave, health insurance, or retirement contributions from Uber.
  • Operational Costs: You are responsible for your vehicle’s maintenance, fuel, and insurance.
  • Physical Demands: The job requires navigating traffic and weather, which can be challenging.

Eligibility: Who Can Sign Up?

Meeting the eligibility criteria is the first and most important step. The requirements for foreign nationals are very specific.

Basic Requirements

All applicants, regardless of nationality, must meet these conditions:

• Age: Be at least 18 years old.
• Language: Have basic Japanese communication skills to interact with restaurant staff and customers.
• Employment Status: Government employees who are prohibited from holding a second job, such as Self-Defense Forces Personnel, cannot register.

Crucial Visa & Residence Status Requirements for Foreign Nationals

This is the most critical hurdle for foreigners. Uber Eats Japan only accepts new registrations from individuals with specific, unrestricted work rights. Your residence status (在留資格) determines your eligibility.

Eligible Statuses of Residence: According to Uber’s official guidelines, you must hold one of the following statuses to sign up:

• Permanent Resident (永住者)
• Special Permanent Resident (特別永住者)
• Spouse or Child of a Japanese National (日本人の配偶者等)
• Spouse or Child of a Permanent Resident (永住者の配偶者等)
• Long-term Resident (定住者)
• Designated Activities (Working Holiday) (特定活動・ワーキングホリデー)

Important Exclusions: Visas that carry work restrictions, such as a Student Visa (留学) or a Designated Activities visa with a 28-hour work limit, are not eligible for new sign-ups since August 25, 2021. Likewise, refugee applicants cannot register as they are only permitted to work under direct employment contracts.

Getting Started: The Step-by-Step Registration Process

Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, you can begin the registration process. It’s a mix of online steps and one crucial in-person verification for foreigners.

Step 1: Online Account Creation

The journey begins on your smartphone. Download the Uber Driver app (not the regular Uber Eats app for customers). Create an account by providing your basic information. Ensure the name you enter matches your official documents, like your passport, exactly.

Step 2: Uploading Your Documents

You will be prompted to upload photos of several required documents. Make sure your photos are clear, well-lit, and capture all four corners of the document.

• All Partners: Profile Photo, ID Document, Bank/ATM Card for payouts.
• Foreign Nationals:
  • Proof of Identity: This typically requires two items, such as the front of your Residence Card and your Passport photo page.
  • Proof of Work Permit: This is usually the back of your Residence Card. For Working Holiday visas, you’ll also need to upload your Designation Certificate.
• For Vehicle Use: Driver’s License, License Plate Photo, Liability Insurance Certificate (自賠責保険証明書), and other vehicle-specific documents.

The document review process can take up to 72 hours.

Step 3: The In-Person Compliance Check (Foreign Nationals Only)

This is a mandatory step for all foreign nationals, including permanent residents. After your online documents are submitted, you must visit an Uber Eats Compliance Center. Here, a staff member will physically verify your passport and Residence Card.

You cannot start delivering until this in-person check is complete. Japanese nationals are exempt from this step.

Step 4: Account Activation

After your documents are verified and you complete a short online road safety quiz, your account will be activated, which can take another 72 hours. You’ll receive an email and in-app notification when you’re ready to hit the road.

Choosing Your Wheels: Delivery Vehicle Options & Rules

Your choice of vehicle affects your registration requirements and delivery style.

Bicycle Delivery

The most popular choice for city deliveries. It’s low-cost and great for navigating narrow streets. You’ll need to ensure your bicycle has an anti-theft registration (防犯登録), which is standard practice in Japan.

Motorized Scooters & Motorcycles

Ideal for covering larger distances. Vehicles are categorized by engine size (under 125cc, 125-250cc, etc.), and all require a valid driver’s license, a license plate, and compulsory liability insurance (自賠責保険).

Light Vehicles (Kei-Cars)

Using a light passenger car (Kei-jidosha) for deliveries is permitted. However, this requires a significant extra step: you must register your vehicle for commercial use. This involves obtaining approval from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) and converting your standard yellow license plate to a black commercial license plate.

Prohibited Vehicles

For safety and legal reasons, Uber Eats Japan explicitly prohibits the use of certain vehicles for delivery. These include:

• Kickboards and skateboards (motorized or not).
• “Specified small motorized bicycles” (特定小型原動機付自転車), including many popular electric kickscooters.
• “All-electric bicycles” that operate without pedaling.

Using a prohibited vehicle can lead to account suspension.

Mastering the Uber Driver App: A Tutorial

The Uber Driver app is your command center. Familiarizing yourself with its features is key to efficient and stress-free deliveries.

Going Online and Accepting Orders

When you’re ready to work, simply tap the “Go” button on the app’s home screen. You’ll start receiving delivery requests. Before you accept, the app provides crucial upfront information:

• Minimum Earnings: The guaranteed amount you’ll make for the trip (excluding tips).
• Pickup & Drop-off Locations: See the restaurant and customer addresses on a map.
• Estimated Time & Distance: The total estimated duration for the delivery.

You are free to accept or decline any request. Declining a request does not negatively impact your rating.

Navigating a Delivery

Once you accept an order, the app guides you through each step. It provides suggested navigation to the restaurant for pickup and then to the customer for drop-off. You can also set your preferred navigation app (like Google Maps) in the app settings.

Managing Multiple Orders

To maximize efficiency, the app may offer you “;batched” or “;back-to-back” orders. A batched order involves picking up multiple orders from the same restaurant, while a back-to-back order is a new request you receive while completing your current delivery. You can accept or decline these additional orders.

Communicating with Customers & Restaurants

Clear communication is vital. The app has a built-in, anonymized chat and call feature to contact customers if you need to clarify directions or inform them of a delay. As of mid-2025, a new feature also allows merchants to message customers directly to resolve issues like out-of-stock items, which helps streamline the process for you.

Understanding Your Earnings and Payments

Knowing how you get paid is essential. Your earnings are a combination of several components.

How Fares Are Calculated

Each delivery fare is calculated based on a transparent structure:

• Base Amount: Calculated based on estimated delivery time and whether the trip has multiple pickup or drop-off points.
• Trip Supplement: An additional amount that may be applied during busy times, high traffic, or long waits at the restaurant.

The upfront earnings you see before accepting an order include these components. Your actual fare will never be lower than this upfront amount, even if you finish faster than estimated.

Tips, Taxes, and Payouts

Customers can add a tip through the app, and 100% of tips are yours to keep. Tips are not included in the upfront earnings estimate. Your total earnings are paid out weekly to your registered bank account. As an independent contractor, you are responsible for filing and paying your own income taxes. Uber provides an annual tax summary to help, but it’s recommended to consult a tax professional for advice.

Safety, Insurance, and Support

Uber provides several resources to ensure your safety and offer support when you need it.

On-the-Road Safety

Adhering to Japan’s traffic laws is paramount. Always drive on the left, yield to pedestrians, and obey all traffic signals and speed limits. To promote safety, Uber Japan launched the “Helmet Club,” an initiative that encourages cyclists to wear helmets by offering incentives.

Insurance Coverage

While on a delivery, you are covered by a Partner Support Program provided through a partnership with Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance. This policy includes:

• Third-Party Liability Insurance: Covers bodily injury and property damage to others in case of an accident.
• Personal Injury Coverage: Covers your own medical expenses if you are injured during a delivery.

This coverage is active from the moment you accept a delivery request until the delivery is completed.

Getting Help: In-App Support and Community

If you encounter any issues, you can access support through the “Help” section of the Driver app. For broader issues, it’s worth noting that Uber Eats delivery partners in Japan have formed a labor union to negotiate for better working conditions and advocate for partner rights.

Cultural Tips for Success in Japan

Adapting to local customs can significantly enhance your interactions with restaurants and customers, potentially leading to better ratings and tips.

Communication and “Omotenashi”

Japanese culture places a high value on politeness and exceptional service, a concept known as omotenashi. While you don’t need to be fluent, using simple Japanese phrases can go a long way:

• At pickup: “;Uber Eatsです” (Uber Eats desu) – “I’m from Uber Eats.”
• At drop-off: “お待たせしました” (Omatase shimashita) – “Thank you for waiting.”
• A simple “ありがとうございます” (Arigatou gozaimasu) – “Thank you very much” – is always appreciated.

A friendly smile and a respectful attitude are universally understood and valued.

The Tipping Question

Tipping is not a traditional custom in Japan and is generally not expected. Service charges are included in the price. However, the Uber Eats app does allow for in-app tipping. While you should never expect a tip, they are sometimes given as a sign of great appreciation for excellent service. Any tips you receive are a welcome bonus.

The Future of Delivery in Japan

The logistics landscape in Japan is rapidly evolving, partly due to challenges like an aging workforce and labor shortages, known as the “;2024 Problem” in logistics. In response, Uber Eats is pioneering new technologies. In March 2024, the company launched autonomous robot deliveries in parts of Tokyo, in partnership with Mitsubishi Electric and robotics firm Cartken. This makes Japan the first international market for Uber’s robot delivery service, signaling an exciting future for the industry.

Ready to Start? Sign Up Now!

Delivering with Uber Eats in Japan offers a unique blend of flexibility, earning potential, and adventure. If you meet the requirements and are ready for a dynamic role that puts you in the driver’s seat, it’s time to get started.

The road is waiting. Use the link below to begin your registration process and join the thousands of delivery partners across Japan.