Have you ever wondered what it would be like working in Japan as a software developer? This article is
about finding a tech, specifically an Information Technology job in Japan, including software development and other software engineering positions.
Most of us wish to travel to other countries, experience different cultures and learn about new things and people. However, we generally end up seeing what other tourists see and experiencing what other tourists experience. Really getting to know a country only comes by living there for an extended period of time – one or two years, often more.
Most foreign professionals who work in IT jobs in Japan have great experiences. It is a very interesting place to work, live and explore. For software professionals who wish to have a perfect balance of future growth prospects, job security, and remuneration with other aspects of personal life, Japan is a great place for IT professionals because jobs here can be very rewarding, considering the above-mentioned aspects.
The salaries in Japan may be lower than the US standards in some cases; however, foreigners with nice skills can find jobs with decent salaries and with a lot of prospects for the future. So, if you are considering working as an IT professional in Japan, let’s discuss how to find a job as a software engineer in Japan.
IT Jobs Opportunities in Japan
If you’re wondering what sort of salaries IT professionals can earn in Japan, you may like to read the article about the average salaries for software developers in Japan.
Of course, if your first language is not Japanese, you may also wonder: “Can I get a job in Japan without knowing the Japanese language?” Here are the good news modern tech companies in Japan have a tremendous focus on increasing workforce diversity and are very much open to only English-speaking talent.
Other good news is that among developed countries, Japan has one of the lowest unemployment rates. According to the Japanese government’s statistics for May 2022, job vacancies in Tokyo exceeded the number of job seekers by 44%!
One of the reasons is the country’s overall low birth rates and declining population, meaning companies are seeking more people – especially in ‘young’, tech-focused industries – than are available in Japan.
This means the job-openings-to-applicants ratio was 1.44 jobs for every job seeker in Tokyo, 1.18 in Osaka, and 1.24 nationwide. For more details on the differences between two of the biggest cities in Japan, you can also check out this article about Tokyo Vs. Osaka comparison.
Employers find hiring in Japan with bilingual Japanese and English-speaking proficiency particularly challenging. So, if you’re bilingual, congratulations – you’re in high demand! There are many job opportunities for talent who can speak Japanese and English.
But even if you are yet to learn Japanese, getting a job in Japan without knowing Japanese is not very difficult. These days many Japanese companies are opening up to foreigners without any Japanese language proficiency. There are also recruitment companies focused on candidates who speak English, which can be very helpful for finding the right job for you.
Finding An IT Job
While most information technology jobs in Japan require Japanese language skills, that obstacle can be easily overcome with niche IT skills like Cloud Computing, Data Science, Data Engineering, Automation, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning & Deep Learning.
What If My IT Skills Are Not Very Niche?
Even if your IT skills are more broad-based, you can still find a job in Japan for the following reasons:
● Many medium-scale progressive companies and startups in Japan wish to have more diversity by employing English-speaking candidates to help them compete globally to fulfill their vision for expansion outside Japan.
● COVID has changed many things – some for the bad and some for the good. One of the good side effects is that companies have become more flexible, and some companies are even opening up remote jobs.
Can I Find an IT Job In Japan from Abroad?
The short answer is yes. But if you’re not yet in Japan. finding an IT job in Japan can be challenging for the following reasons:
1. Face-to-face meetings have traditionally been preferred in Japan
Even for a short discussion, where a telephone call would serve the purpose, Japanese people still prefer face-to-face meetings because they are an integral part of Japanese work culture. Of course, things have changed post-COVID, but traditions are big in Japan. The same goes for job interviews. Hiring an employee is a major decision, and Japanese companies prefer to meet candidates before selecting or rejecting them.
2. Language barriers
Even for bilingual Japanese, it is always easier to communicate face-to-face with an English speaker rather than over the phone, especially with accent differences.
3. A Preference for Candidates Who Are Already in Japan
Japanese companies prefer to hire candidates already in Japan. Traditionally, large Japanese corporations have used the Shūkatsu system, hiring employees from universities before they graduate. Companies hire these students and train them, and the employees would stay with the company until their retirement.
While this system has changed significantly in recent years, it has not disappeared from the hiring practices of the mega-corporations. But these days, Japanese companies and Japanese entities of foreign multinationals also depend on recruitment agencies to find employees.
Recruitment agencies are one of the ways you can find an IT job in Japan even before you arrive in the country. But there are other ways! Let’s look at the different ways you can go about finding a job in Japan from abroad.
So How Do I Get an IT Job In Japan From Abroad?
1. Recruitment Agencies
Larger recruitment agencies have a more extensive clientele list that you might like to send your CV to, but this is a more broad-based approach that may or may not help you succeed in finding a job in Japan. Mid-sized agencies would have a relatively smaller client base, but you can assume more focus on your profile.
Some of the large recruitment companies for English-speaking candidates or bilingual English-Japanese talent with a major focus on information technology recruitment are as follows:
● Michael Page
● Robert Walters
● Robert Half
● Hays
● En World
Mid-sized, fast-growing, and IT recruitment-focused companies are as follows:
● ReachExt K.K.
● Skill House
● Specialized Consulting
● Vision Consulting
2. Job Boards
There are many general job boards in Japan such as DaiJob, CareerCross, Jobs in Japan, etc. and they have a wider reach, but their listings are not specific to IT jobs. To find IT jobs in Japan, job boards on EJable.com focus on tech recruitment in Japan (bilinguals as well as only English speaking) and all kinds of Japanese-speaking bilingual jobs worldwide. Some other good IT-focused job boards and other resources include TokyoDev, justa.io, HN Tokyo on Slack, AngelList, etc.
3. LinkedIn
LinkedIn has 2.6 million registered users in Japan, and you can find companies in Japan hiring English-speaking talent on LinkedIn. However, be warned that due to the large number of applicants, applying directly to hiring companies on LinkedIn is often ineffective – the possibility of a hiring company missing your applications is high. If you’d like to try, here’s how you can maximize your chances of success by learning how to use LinkedIn effectively.
Can I Get To Japan First With Another Job Before Finding An IT Job?
Getting your ‘foot in the door’ with other types of work and then finding an IT job in Japan is a feasible way of making your dream of living and working in Japan come true. One proven way to do this is by doing a job unrelated to your true IT superpowers. You can look for jobs in Japan that do not require much Japanese language skills. With these jobs, you can get to live in Japan and gain a better understanding of Japanese culture and possibly the Japanese language, and then switch to an IT job.
Teaching is one of the most common jobs you can get in Japan without knowing Japanese – especially English teaching. The number of international schools is growing in Japan due to the growing population of expats here. Also, many Japanese parents want their kids to study in English-medium schools, so native or near-native English speakers are much needed in these schools.
The Japanese government requires English teachers for elementary and high schools. The Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) hireS ALTs (Assistant Language Teacher) for this purpose. There are also many opportunities for native-level English Eikaiwa (English conversation) teachers all across Japan.
You can check out the different types of Japanese visas available for foreigners who wish to work and live in Japan.
Finding An IT Job After I Get to Japan
If you are in Japan and looking for information technology jobs, increasing your network and connections is essential. Networking is one of the most important ways to get or know about more career opportunities. Find networking opportunities via these Information Technology-focused links:
● Meetup Tokyo list – Developers
● Meetup Dev Japan
● Meetup – Tokyo Tech
● Doorkeeper
● Hacker’s News on Doorkeeper
● You can find more meetups and tech communities here
Conclusion
Japan is a very modern country that still very much honors its culture and traditions, which makes it a very unique place. It has one of the world’s highest standards of living, and is a very safe country to live and work in. The future of Japan bringings many changing dynamics in terms of its society, economy, and outlook, presenting many opportunities for anyone who wishes to explore Japanese social and work culture, or personal and career growth.
Japan also has a fast declining and ageing population and a huge demand-supply gap for tech job opportunities and available talent, making this country an ideal destination for tech careers. So, if you’re interested in elevating your IT career to new heights, come to Japan!
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