[Sangetsu]

There are many non-Japanese speakers working at financial institutions in Tokyo, but all of these are foreign companies. Most are traders and analysts, and are living and working in Tokyo on assignment. They tend to spend 1-3 years here, and then return to their home countries.

Working holiday visa holders work part-time as a rule, even if they are at their place of employment 40 or more hours a week. Full-time workers would have to be paid full-time benefits, and even Japanese themselves find it hard now to get full-time, permanent positions.

Your best bet to get a finance job in Japan is to apply to the large investment banks and insurance companies which have offices in Japan; JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Lloyds, AIG, etc. My GF works for one of these companies, and they are considering adding staff in 2010.

Good luck,