My Uncle, a Former Expat in Japan, Inspired Me To Follow In His Footsteps Into Japan’s Automotive Industry
Studying Mechanical Engineering at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University, led me to seriously ponder my future career paths. I thought about what I can be and what I can do. I talked to my friends, classmates, professors, and family. My conversation with my uncle who worked in Japan for a decade stood out and made me wonder about entering the Japanese automotive industry.
My uncle told me that learning Japanese would open up job opportunities in Japan and be good for my personality. He said that learning a new language gives you a new lens to see the world, and expands your perspective. He then told me about his experience working and living in Japan. It was also something about the way he told the story, the twinkle in his eyes as he talked about his experience, and also within the context of my uncle’s impressive lifestyle that I was moved. I was inspired to give it a shot and follow in his footsteps.
Working Full Time While Learning Japanese to Find a Way Into the Japanese Automotive Industry
I studied N5 and N4 Japanese from a school in my local area. For N3 Level Japanese, I enrolled with Hirameki in January 2023. However, due to my job commitments, I struggled to focus on my studies, often missed classes, and subsequently failed the N3 exam June of that year.
Admittedly, my job hindered me from pursuing my dream of working in Japan. But at the same time, my job also kept my dream alive. The construction machines manufacturing company in India I was working for implemented Japanese methodologies. With “Kaizen (改善)”, they spurred for continuous improvement, with “Kanban(かんばん方式: In the Toyota Production System, when inplimenting a back-end process take-back method, a system that uses a work instruction sheet called a “Kanban” to give production instructions and transportation instructions.)” they made sure all projects were well-prepared for, with 5S they guaranteed the organization’s cleanliness, and with the Japanese Production System framework, all the departments were linked up and smoothly working together. Through this local Indian company dedicated to Japanese standards, I got to experience the work culture that my uncle had waxed poetic about years ago. I got to see firsthand how these ideas made for great results.
Working there made me wonder: if this Indian company was so productive from simply adapting Japanese work culture, how would Japanese companies, the birthplace of these ideas, fare even better? Moreover, what if this way of working was translated into a way of living? What if these rules branched out from the company and translated into a larger scale? Imagine what the Japanese automotive industry is like! What if a whole country emulated these ideas? I needed to get to Japan.
FAST OFFER International’s Free Japanese Classes Was a Game-Changer
I jumped back into learning Japanese. In 2023, I studied hard while working full-time. I kept my motivation high by listening to podcasts and watching anime. I also used apps like HelloTalk to talk to native Japanese speakers. When I looked up. The requirements to pass JLPT though, I felt lacking. It made me realize I needed formal Japanese classes.
Last January 2024, I became eligible for FAST OFFER International’s free Japanese classes. The first time I heard about FAST OFFER International was when I was still in college. A friend successfully landed a job in Japan through their program. Sadly, at that time, their free Japanese classes in India were only for Pune University students. This time, the restriction was lifted! I was so happy to join those classes and learn more Japanese for free.
I knew I needed to take this opportunity and grab on tight. This opportunity won’t slip me this time, I thought. At this point, I was failing classes as I tried to balance it with my full-time job. So, with my family behind me, even though I was very nervous about it, I made the big leap of quitting my job to focus on studying Japanese with FAST OFFER International.
Navigating Japanese Job Interviews into the Japanese Automotive Industry
After months of sharpening my Japanese, the actual job hunt process finally began around April. I was assigned a mentor from FAST OFFER International who guided me throughout the process. I sent in the needed documents including a self-introductory video used to attract Japanese companies. When I found out I got shortlisted with three Japanese companies, I was so happy and excited. My mentor helped me prepare for my interviews through mock interview sessions. This meant I qualified to fly to Japan for in-person interviews.
My flight to Japan was delayed by six hours. I felt like I was off to a rocky start. But everything changed when the plane glided above Tokyo though, and all the neon lights came to life, I felt like I was entering this whole new world that once only existed on screen. As we landed in Tokyo, it was surreal to experience the trains, metros, and night views of the city. Seeing Japan for myself amplified my enthusiasm. It was inspiring to see the beautiful, organized, clean city, an outcome of the disciplined Japanese people.
When I flew to Japan, I had a rollercoaster of emotions. I’d waited for this for so long. I was so grateful and happy about the opportunity. At the same time, I had my worries. It was daunting that this was going to be my first Japanese interview. On the way to Japan, one of the three companies pulled out from the interviews, leaving me with just two possibilities. I was also anxious about the competition. The other talents I was on this trip with at the time were all undergraduates, which I thought would give them a higher chance than me of landing a job. I also knew they could easily try again if they failed. For me, who’d quit my job to do this, everything was riding on this one shot.
Landing a Dream Job in the Japanese Automotive Industry With a Little Help from My Friends
With all that going on inside my head, my mentor, who trained me and guided me through the trip, also constantly assured me, alleviating my self-doubts. Their moral support went a really long way! They told me to relax and be confident, I was well-prepared, and I just needed to be myself.
I improved my confidence even more with the help of my peers. After orientation, we helped each other out, giving each other mock interviews. But on the day of my interview, I couldn’t fully escape that nervous feeling despite my confidence for all the prep I’d put in.
After the interviews, I was extremely anxious as I waited for the results. My mentor then congratulated me for passing with one company. I felt mixed emotions. This implied I failed the other. I asked my mentor why I was rejected by the other company. They told me that I didn’t do anything wrong, but my skill set and my passion for material mechanics did not align with what the company needed, someone who specialized in fluid mechanics. Instead of dwelling on that more, I focused on my last interview.
I was so anxious waiting for the results after the final interview. We’d bought advanced tickets to the renowned interactive TeamLab museum the day before. If I failed the interview and had to then begrudgingly go through the ethereally lit halls of that museum, I would have been such a downer. No matter how beautiful the sparkling lights were, I knew that if I failed, there was no way I could enjoy it. I felt the pressure weigh on me. My dream of working in Japan all hinged on this final interview. Imagine the relief and the joy that surged when I found out I was selected! I was speechless. I achieved what I came for. That museum trip turned into a celebration. I was officially going to work in Japan’s booming automotive industry!
My Exciting Future as an Indian Engineer in Japan’s Thriving Automotive Sector
At the end of the trip, I felt satisfied. The company’s such a perfect, sweet spot for me and my interests, skills, passions, and goals. Through it, I’ll get to be part of the industry that interests me the most: Japan’s automotive industry.
This whole process has already changed me so much for the better. Since learning Japanese, I’ve felt my personality shift as I delved into Japan’s culture. How much more will I change once I’m there?
I look forward to seeing how Japan will change me as I learn new things, explore all of Japan, and live out my uncle’s experience of Japanese work culture. I have high hopes for the person and engineer I’ll grow into as I settle in Japan for the long haul.
Tips for Indians Looking for a Job in Japan
For other Indian people who want to work in Japan, here are some things I learned from my experience. I hope it can also help you!
- Be patient with yourself and don’t give up! Failing is normal when you’re challenging yourself.
- Practice regularly. Be consistent in your studies even when experiencing difficulties.
- Go beyond books and interact with native speakers. I used HelloTalk to get in touch with locals. Come to the interviews, you will be judged more on your speaking ability rather than what you tested on for your JLPT certification
- Watch Japanese media to help pick up their tone. There’s so much content on YouTube.
- Be confident in your interviews. Trust in the preparation you do. Being confident will allow you to just be yourself and act naturally.
- Keep studying Japanese. Learning Japanese is key to getting a job in Japan. Even after securing an offer, I think it’s important to keep studying. It’s a practical skill that can make your life in Japan easier or harder.
- Show your enthusiasm in the interviews. Japanese companies are looking for good positive personalities and not just technical skills.
Believe in yourself! You can do this if you put your all into it. It’s going to be worth all the effort you put into it.
