| COUNTRY |
| India |
| EDUCATION |
| Bachelor in Computer Science, SNDT Women’s University |
| COMPANY |
| Japanese company that leverages its system development and technical capabilities to provide total, high-quality solutions and services, from consulting to operation. |
| SUMMARY |
| In just two years, an Indian student achieved her dream of working at a Japanese company. Inspired by a friend’s Japanese textbook, she began studying the language in high school. With the support of friends and the HelloTalk app, she passed the JLPT N2 and secured a job offer. Her journey included listening to podcasts, practicing speaking, and participating in language competitions. Her perseverance and dedication paid off, leading to a bright future in Japan. |
In two years, I was able to reach my goals! Now, I’m all set to experience the benefits of working at a Japanese company. Thanks to my fellow Indian friends studying Japanese, and online Japanese friends, I was able to pass JLPT N2 and get a job offer from a Japanese company.
I started studying Japanese when I was a high school student when a friend showed me a Japanese textbook. In the textbook, there were many kanji characters. Of course, I could not read a single one, but I was fascinated by these difficult kanji and decided to give it a try because I wanted to be able to read them too.
When I became a university student, I heard that one of my seniors used FAST OFFER and received a job offer from a company in Fukuoka. She told me how to study Japanese and the appeal of Japanese companies. That interaction powered my desire to work in Japan as an Indian engineer and motivated me to study Japanese.
Want to Get the Benefits of Working at a Japanese Company? Study Japanese! Here are my tips.
First of all, when studying Japanese, the first thing you need to learn is hiragana and katakana. Then after that, I learned a lot of vocabulary and practiced kanji. The first barrier I ran into was at the N4 level. My Japanese friends had a hard time because I could only understand 30% to 40% of their conversations.
1. Practice Listening to Japanese through Podcasts.
At that time, I started listening to podcasts. By listening to many podcasts in Japanese, I improved my listening skills and gradually began to understand what the other person was saying. Here are four podcasts that I recommend.
Recommended Japanese Podcasts For Japanese Language Learners
These podcasts not only improved my listening skills but also helped me learn about Japanese culture, current events, and way of thinking, among other things. I enjoy listening to them because I can discover new things about Japan. I make it a habit to listen to podcasts whenever I am on the move or in my spare time. Sometimes I feel like touching my phone, but by using that little bit of time to study Japanese, I am sure you will improve your Japanese.
2. Practice speaking Japanese with Hello Talk.
Speaking is the most important part of learning Japanese. Although the JLPT does not have a speaking test, you will be tested during the Japanese job interviews. So, if your goal is to land a job offer and experience the benefits of working at a Japanese company, your conversation skills should be prioritized.
But how do you learn to speak Japanese from your home country? I used a language exchange app called Hello Talk. There, I made many Japanese friends to practice speaking Japanese with. I spent at least 30 minutes every day on weekdays and 1.5 to 2 hours on weekends, talking with various native Japanese speakers every day. Their support, teaching me through my journey, was really motivational. Furthermore, I was not so nervous during my interviews at companies because I got to talk to people of different ages, including older people, on Hello Talk.
The Japanese people I met at Hello Talk were all nice. They always supported and encouraged me in my Japanese study. I think it is because of these friends that I was able to do my best in my Japanese studies!
3. Challenging various Japanese language competitions
As part of my Japanese studies, I actively participated in the Japanese Speech Competition and the Presentation Competition. It was very difficult to prepare, write, and memorize sentences in Japanese. However, with the help of my Japanese friends who corrected me and helped me practice, I won second place in the Speech Contest! By participating in such competitions, I kept my morale up during the long Japanese learning journey. Receiving awards also gradually helped me become more confident in my Japanese language skills.
In-person interviews with FAST OFFER International to experience the benefits of working a t a Japanese company
FAST OFFER International allowed me to participate in an in-person interview in Japan. Their sponsorship allowed me to travel to Japan for the first time last December 2024. I was ecstatic to finally go to Japan–somewhere I’ve always dreamed of. I felt so close to all the perks of working at a Japanese company seeing Japan.
Before coming to Japan, I was very nervous about having a face-to-face interview. To prepare for the interview, I looked at the websites of the companies I was applying to and studied the industry. I also checked job-hunting websites on commonly asked questions at Japanese job interviews. This website explained in detail the kind of questions asked in the first and second rounds of interviews, so it was a very good preparation for the interviews.
Calmed down thanks to FAST OFFER International
I flew out of India extremely nervous, but when I arrived at the ASIA to Japan office and was kindly welcomed by all the employees, I was immediately calmed. During the orientation on the first day, my assigned career advisor gave me interview tips and information about the interview process. FAST OFFER International’s generosity was key to getting me to relax.
Above all, I feel that it was incredibly helpful to meet with my mentor in Japan. Before I came to Japan, they helped me prepare for three online interviews. Seeing their familiar face, this time in person, boosted my confidence. Their words of support encouraged me and helped me to go into the interview calmly despite the pressure of knowing I could be this close to working in a Japanese company, enjoying all the benefits that entails.
The conversation practice helped me in the interview!
I remember the interviews vividly. At both of the companies I went to, the interviews proceeded in a “conversational” style. Since I was used to speaking with Japanese people in Japanese, thanks in part to Hello Talk, I conversed fluently and calmly. The interviewers were very friendly and asked questions about my background, how I studied Japanese, why I wanted to work in Japan, and my university projects.
Received a job offer from a Japanese company!
When I got the call that I had been accepted, I was so happy that I cried. I rejoiced with my mentor and career advisor and immediately called my parents. My father, who works as a mechanical engineer, also knows Japanese products very well, so he was glad about the job offer from a Japanese company. We all knew what it meant to work in a Japanese company and all the possible benefits that made my future so bright. It was such a memorable and rewarding moment that witnessing my success may have inspired my younger sister! She recently expressed her desire to study Japanese.
My Japanese friends who have been supporting me in Japanese are also delighted alongside me. All the hype has me looking forward to working in Japan more and more.
I have more than a year to go before I start working here. I’m still as motivated and determined to improve my Japanese even further and pass the N1 before I go to Japan.
Message to those who are looking to experience the benefits of working at a Japanese company
Don’t give up! No matter what happens, don’t rush, and don’t give up! To improve your Japanese, make many Japanese friends and practice Japanese conversation as much as you can.
You can do anything if you make it a habit. 1 hour a day, 3 minutes a day, even 2 minutes a day, just keep studying Japanese diligently. If you do so, good results will follow. Soon enough, you’ll be right beside me, enjoying all the benefits of working at a Japanese company.
Watch her interview on Channel Japan by Nikkei here.
FAST OFFER CAREER GUIDE: Benefits of Being a Full-Time Worker at a Japanese Company
Thanks to Japanese work culture and government efforts, workers and foreign workers alike are protected in Japan. Here are some benefits of working at a Japanese company for foreigners:
1. Job Security
Japanese companies are known for offering lifetime employment, which provides a high level of job security. Employees can expect long-term stability and career growth within the same organization. Government regulations bolster this through mandatory thorough processes for employers to prove objectively reasonable grounds for dismissal.[1]
2. Comprehensive Benefits
Full-time employees in Japan often receive a wide range of benefits, including health insurance, annual leave, maternity leave, and bonuses. These benefits contribute to a stable and supportive work environment
3. The Law Protects Work Hours, Day Offs, and Overtime Compensation
Japanese labor laws ensure employees receive fair working conditions, including a standard workweek of 40 hours (or up to 44 hours in certain industries). Employees working over six hours are entitled to a 45-minute break, which increases to one hour for shifts exceeding eight hours. Additionally, workers must receive at least one day off per week or four days off within four weeks, though the specific days off can vary based on employer-employee agreements. These regulations help maintain work-life balance and protect employee rights in Japan.[2] Some companies are even actively fighting the overtime culture.
4. Company Living Subsidies Depending On Your Contract
Depending on your contract, your company may offer ways to help you save on living costs. Some companies provide dormitories, partially subsidized rent, or a housing system that ensures your salary covers way more than rent. Some companies give transportation allowances that can include train passes that can be used outside work hours.
5. Strong Work Ethic and Teamwork
Japanese companies emphasize a strong work ethic and teamwork. Employees are encouraged to work collaboratively, fostering a sense of unity and collective responsibility. Working in a Japanese company will also give you an appreciation for their systematic working style that allows efficient, quick operations as a team.
6. Professional Development
Many Japanese companies invest in their employees’ professional development through training programs and opportunities for skill enhancement. This focus on continuous improvement helps employees grow and advance in their careers.
7. Japanese Companies Hire Employees Who Share Their Values
When interviewing with a Japanese company, a big part is seeing how much you share their values. This is in hopes of hiring employees who are not just concerned with the work to be done, but also the “why”. This also means that you’ll enjoy working for a company that aligns with your values and purpose in life.
8. Foreigners’ Multilingual Skills Can Be Put To Use
As Japanese companies expand to global markets, they need more multilingual talents. Your mother tongue can be a superpower!
9. Japan is increasingly Foreigner-Friendly
Globalizing Japanese companies are adjusting to the needs of their international talent. Some companies have prayer rooms for Muslim talents, and some arrange schedule workarounds for prayer times. It’s also worth noting that Japan is home to ethnic enclaves for the homesick expat. In Japan, you’ll find Chinatown, Little Korea, Little India, Little Manila, Little Yangon, The City of Samba, Little Vietnam, Little Bangkok, Little Indonesia, Petit Paris, and Little Nepal.
10. Cultural Experience
Working at a Japanese company offers a unique cultural experience. Employees can immerse themselves in Japanese business practices, traditions, and etiquette, which can be enriching both personally and professionally.
These are just some basic benefits of working at a Japanese company. We haven’t even started on the many benefits of living in Japan!
