For those with an IT or tech background looking for both gainful employment and a change of scenery, Japan is a welcome destination. Japanese companies are looking for skilled IT professionals, as well as other positions in the tech industry, and they’re hiring foreigners in greater numbers than ever before.
Do you need to speak Japanese to successfully secure a career in tech in Japan? You do, but the rewards are well worth the effort. Here’s what you need to know about finding a job in tech in Japan—and the language skills that will help you secure one.
Tech careers are growing in Japan
Careers in tech are booming, around the world and especially in a fast-moving, forward-looking economy like that of Japan. The country is well-known for being among the most technologically advanced nations in the world. In fact, Japan’s famous for impressive innovation in many sectors—from consumer electronics to automobile manufacturing, programming to IT engineering—so there’s always a need for skilled tech-minded workers in Japan.
According to the most recent projections (2021), Japan’s tech industry is the third-largest in the world—behind only the United States and China. On the world’s stage, Japan’s tech sector represents about 3% of the total world GDP, which is a staggering number based on the size of the country’s economy. For example, in 2021, Japanese technology accounted for total global revenues of JPY 13 trillion!
As a global hub of technological innovation, Japanese businesses big and small are always on the hunt for skilled workers who can meet the challenges that come with a career in tech. They’re especially looking for qualified IT professionals, and these jobs are often foreigner-friendly because there are just so many that need to be filled. Moreover, technology is continually evolving, which means companies are always on the hunt for qualified employees who are on the leading edge.
Why are Japanese companies desperate for qualified IT workers?
Japan’s presence in the global technology sector isn’t without its drawbacks. The biggest is the massive talent shortage the company currently faces—one that’s only getting more dire as time goes on. Analysts predict there will be a shortage of between 160,000 and 790,000 IT employees in Japan by 2030.
As mentioned, business is booming and IT technology is evolving at a rapid pace. Companies need workers who are up to date on the latest trends and technology, so they can hit the ground running once hired. Unfortunately, Japan is also contending with a declining birthrate and an ageing population. The result? There simply isn’t a large enough labor force to fill these skilled jobs.
Faced with a dearth of talent and an increasingly competitive domestic market for IT skills, many companies are turning to the global talent pool for skilled IT workers. This includes large tech-focused employers like Mercari and Rakuten, as well as smaller startups. Companies big and small are recruiting foreigners more than ever before, which means that if you’re in the IT field and you want to live in Japan, you’re in luck—there’s plenty of work here for you.
Where to apply for tech jobs in Japan
With such a vast tech landscape in Japan, it can be difficult figuring out where to start applying for jobs—especially if you haven’t emigrated yet. The options boil down to a few broad choices for those qualified enough to secure employment:
Enterprise companies. Very large companies are often the best bet for foreigners applying for tech jobs in Japan. These companies have systems in place to hire from the global talent pool, and are more likely to have resources for English speakers and those who don’t have a strong grasp of the Japanese language. Moreover, these companies are also likely to have a global presence, which makes them more apt to hire from abroad. Examples of enterprise Japanese IT companies include Softbank, Sony, Nintendo, Hitachi, Cannon and Mitsubishi (electronic division).
Startup companies. Japanese tech startups are some of the fastest-growing in the world, which means they’re constantly on the lookout for qualified talent. Moreover, these companies are usually on the leading edge of technology, which means they’re hiring for skilled positions that require a higher caliber of skill and thus, pay more. As of 2021, there are about 10,000 tech startups in Japan—plenty of opportunities to get in on the ground floor! Examples of some of the most well-known Japanese startups include Mercari, Kudan, Cookpad, Connected Robotics and AlpacaJapan.
Freelance services. Freelancing is a great way to make your skills indispensable in Japan; however, it comes with some drawbacks. Freelancing is best left to those with niche skillsets that allow them to command a higher-than-average salary, as well as those who might have specialized knowledge of a particular industry or application. Freelancing requires you to market yourself to potential clients and manage your finances in accordance with Japanese commerce laws, which means it’s not recommended for new expats.
While the scope of work might differ from company to company and across tech positions in various industries, qualified IT professionals will usually find the career opportunities they’re looking for in Japan. The question is, what specific tech job are you looking to secure?
So, you’re ready to take your talents to Japan and become part of one of the world’s most innovative tech sectors. Great! Before you start applying, it’s a good idea to determine what kind of IT position you’re best-equipped to fill. There’s often a lot of overlap in skill within the IT sector, so you’ll want to be particular about the job titles you apply for.
Here’s a look at some of the best tech jobs in Japan for foreign workers and expats:
Software developer. Whether you’re a front-end, back-end or full-stack developer, there are more than enough companies seeking your services in Japan. Even entry-level software developers are in extremely high demand. If you can demonstrate your skills, you won’t find yourself unemployed for long. When applying for developer positions, make sure you position yourself appropriately as a junior or senior developer.
Machine learning programmer. Machine learning (ML) is one of the biggest technologies in the tech sector today and one many companies are urgently hiring for. From Japanese vehicle manufacturers to consumer electronics developers, ML is transforming tech across industries. If you have experience with neural networks or applied ML, expect to find yourself with plenty of employment options in Japan.
Artificial intelligence engineer. Like ML, artificial intelligence (AI) is now considered a “backbone” technology for most technological innovations today. That is to say, if you have experience training and applying AI models, Japan has a job for you. Some of the biggest recent advancements in AI have come out of Japan in recent years—a prestigious achievement that Japanese companies are very proud of and want to perpetuate. To do so, they need to hire high-caliber AI engineers.
IT project manager. Virtually every established company has IT operations to oversee in today’s modern digital age. These companies need someone to oversee everything from new software rollouts to depreciation of legacy software and devices. Experienced IT project managers are in high demand, and they can command better-than-average salaries in Japan.
IT consultant. A big part of Japanese business culture involves being forward-looking. This means planning for the future and everything that comes with it—namely, in a technological sense. As an IT consultant, you’ll have the opportunity to help Japanese businesses evaluate technologies that could improve business operations and gain a competitive edge in their respective markets. It’s a coveted position that experienced tech professionals can acquire in Japan.
Cybersecurity administrator. With global cyberattacks on the rise, every company is seeking to protect itself from bad actors. In Japan, cybersecurity is a foremost concern not only for companies, but for national security. Cyber admins are in high demand, with lucrative opportunities for those who understand the gravity of the position and who are capable of shoring up digital defenses.
Systems administrator. Sysadmins are the backbone of any organization’s IT infrastructure—they’re responsible for keeping everything running smoothly. With more operations moving to the cloud and companies ever-digitizing different facets of business, sysadmins face growing demand for their services. If you have the skills, Japan is a great place to prospect good-paying sysadmin positions.
The reason so many tech positions are up for grabs is simple: technology is a somewhat universal language. Learning how to program in C++ or Python is the same across borders, and companies face the same types of digitization challenges whether they’re located in the United States or Japan. As a result, the door is open for skills translation in a variety of different capacities. Language, on the other hand, requires a little bridge-building.
Speaking Japanese as an IT professional
Want to secure a lucrative position as an IT professional in Japan? IT professionals communicate all day long, discussing IT jargon with their coworkers. To participate, you’ll need to understand the Japanese language at the business level to be successful.
In general, IT professionals looking for work in Japan need to obtain the JLPT N2 level of proficiency. Reaching this level of proficiency means you’re able to understand Japanese used in everyday situations, under a wide range of circumstances. You’ll need to read general materials on a variety of topics—especially business and IT—as well as comprehend orally-presented materials. You’ll have to be prepared to hold coherent conversations with your coworkers, spoken at a natural speed in everyday situations and settings.
While you might be able to get by with JLPT N3 proficiency, the reality is that IT companies are looking for experienced professionals who won’t have any trouble communicating with their peers fluidly. In some cases, you may find companies willing to hire and train entry-level employees who have promising skillsets but who lack language proficiency. Nevertheless, a business understanding of the Japanese language is crucial, so start brushing up on your skills if you’re looking for work in a city like Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto.
How to learn business Japanese for an IT job
So, you know you need to learn business Japanese if you want to land an IT job in the country. But how do you do it when you’re starting from scratch?
Business Japanese proficiency doesn’t happen overnight—it’ll take effort to reach JLPT N2 or higher. Thankfully, there are many resources out there for beginners. You can self-study with a textbook and online materials. It also helps to watch Japanese TV shows that feature workplace settings—but remember you’re seeing an exaggerated version of reality. Even reading manga can help you get familiar with the language—give a series like Ubunchu! a try!
If you’re thinking about becoming an expat soon, you can always start your immersion into the language before you emigrate by learning Japanese at an educational facility near you. Many community colleges and universities offer introductory courses that teach you the basics. That said, in many cases, IT professionals looking to break into the business in Japan are encouraged to study the language in the country itself. There are several Japanese schools for native-English speakers. Following a rigorous course of study, many students can progress from beginner to JLPT N2 within a year.
For job seekers who might not have business-level Japanese proficiency under their belt, it’s best to approach education in the same way you would learning a programming language. Repetition, application and rigorous study will all lead to fluency.
Do you speak the right programming language?
Speaking of languages, Japanese isn’t the only language you’ll need to know if you plan on getting a lucrative tech job in Japan. Depending on your skill set and area of focus, there’s a better-than-average chance you’ll also need to know one or more programming or computational languages as well. Some of the most common include C/C++, Java, Javascript, Python, SQL and even basic HTML/CSS.
If you’re already employed in a tech position in your country of origin, you likely already have some level of mastery over the languages most relevant to your job. However, you’ll still need to prove this proficiency to a prospective employer in Japan before you interview with them. To do that requires demonstration of your abilities through different certifications or accreditations. Some of the most popular and highly desired by Japanese employers include:
(ISC)² Information Security Certifications
A+ and Linux+ Certifications (CompTIA)
AWS Certified Solutions Architect
CCA Spark and Hadoop Developer
Certified Associate in Python Programming
Cisco Certified Network Associate
Microsoft Certified IT Professional
MongoDB Certified Developer Associate
Oracle MySQL Database Administration Training and Certification
Keep in mind that not all of these certifications apply to every tech job in Japan. For example, MongoDB Certification is very valuable to a full-stack developer, whereas CCA Spark and Hadoop Certification applies more to AI and ML engineers.
Before you start applying to IT jobs in Japan, take a moment to see which credentials you have and which ones you can get to beef up your résumé. Remember: walking the walk is just as important as talking the talk!
Getting your visa for a tech job in Japan
We might be living in the age of remote work, but many Japanese companies still hold strong to traditional models of work. That generally means they’re looking for workers who are in the country and able to come to an office to work collaboratively. For foreign workers, that means getting a work visa that allows them to take up residency in Japan.
Most IT and tech jobs fall under the Engineer/Specialist designation outlined by Japan’s Humanities/International Services Visa. Applying for this visa is very straightforward and if you’ve already secured a job with a Japanese company, they’ll assist you in securing your visa.
If you’re highly skilled and already language proficient (JLPT N2 or higher), you might be able to apply for the Highly-Skilled Foreign Professional Visa instead. This visa uses a points system to determine eligibility, with more points awarded for higher levels of education, language proficiency, age, etc. Applicants need 70 points to qualify. It’s important to note that this visa is more difficult to obtain due to its requirements; however, it can distinguish IT professionals seeking gainful employment.
Talk your way into a tech job in Japan
From full-stack developers, to AI/ML engineers, to sysadmins and cybersecurity specialists—tech jobs are in high demand in Japan. If you’re looking to get a piece of the pie, learning the Japanese language is the first thing you should do. Your programming language expertise will only take you so far, and you’ll need Japanese language proficiency to carry you the rest of the way—specifically JLPT N2.
If you’ve got the technical skills to succeed, it’s time to shift your attention to language. Explore your resources and consider learning Japanese at the source—in Japan! It’s an enriching experience that reinforces your learning, and the career you can secure will make it well-worth the effort.
