Skip ahead to find out more about Mechanical Engineering Jobs in Japan
| COUNTRY |
| India |
| EDUCATION |
| Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering, University of Mumbai |
| COMPANY |
| Japanese manufacturer of material handling dealing with logistics systems, automated warehouses, etc |
| SUMMARY |
| His fascination with railroads and Japanese technology led him to study Japanese and intern at a Japanese company. Through the FAST OFFER International program, he received intensive interview preparation and Japanese language training, which helped him secure a job as a design engineer in Japan. His journey involved creating a personal website to showcase his skills, practicing interview techniques, and learning about Japanese work culture. His dedication paid off when he received a job offer from a Japanese company known for its innovation and multicultural environment. He is excited to start his career in Japan, where he aims to further improve his Japanese language skills and explore other engineering roles in the future. |
Connection to Japan: Internships at Japanese Companies and Learning Japanese
I have been a fan of railroads since I was a child. I had a great longing for their mechanisms and grandeur. When I learned about Japan’s Shinkansen, I was even more shocked. From there, I decided to study mechanical engineering and became interested in Japanese technology and culture. Watching a Doraemon cartoon suddenly had me wonder if it would be possible for me to land a mechanical engineering job in Japan.
In the corner of my mind, I always had a desire to live and work in Japan as an Indian expat. But that day changed something for me. I started my journey to find a job in Japan by studying Japanese, diving into Japanese content on YouTube of documentaries about Japanese bullet trains, and so on.
There were Japanese language classes at the University of Mumbai in cooperation with the Japanese Embassy that I took. I also worked as an overseas business intern for a Japanese company. There, I was tasked with devising ways to market Japanese manufacturing products to the US and Europe. I mainly researched competitors in the countries to which we exported. I used my knowledge of mechanical engineering to find points of superiority for our company.
Finding my way into Japan’s job market
My dream of living and working in Japan grew as I gained more experience studying Japanese at the University of Mumbai and doing internships at Japanese companies. I learned about FAST OFFER International when a colleague from my internship landed a job offer from a Japan-based company through them. Intrigued, I applied on a whim!
FAST OFFER International soon contacted me to participate in a Japanese class to prepare for the interview. My Japanese improved rapidly as I learned the Japanese phrases and the Keigo required for interviews in that class. I was able to get an interview with a Japanese company. That marked my entry into the market for a mechanical engineering job in Japan.
Landing my mechanical engineering dream job in Japan through FAST OFFER International
I prepared for the interview by practicing with my FAST OFFER International mentors. The mentors were well-versed in the interview process, etiquette, and how to answer questions at Japanese companies. During the mock interview sessions with them, I repeatedly practiced how I would present myself at the interview for my final year face project. At first glance, my past project experience and the position at the company I was interviewing for seemed unrelated. However, through repeated sessions with them, I gradually began to understand how I could showcase the skill sets I had developed through my past projects in the interview.
I don’t think I could have accomplished this task alone. That’s why I’m so grateful to my mentor for patiently helping me practice for the interviews. I also created my own website that summarized my skill set, past project experience, and internship details. I thought this would help me effectively showcase my skills and abilities as an engineer during the interview process.
With thorough preparation and the support of FAST OFFER International, I came to Japan for the interview. And my passion and hard work paid off! I successfully obtained a job offer from a Japanese company!
I can’t wait to work in Japan! My dream Mechanical Engineering job and life in my dream country is about to begin.
I received a job offer that fits my mechanical engineering degree as a design engineer at a Japanese company. This was my dream job!
At the end of the FAST OFFER International program, we went on a tour of the company where we learned about the company’s high level of technology, commitment to R&D, and product manufacturing! The company tour experience allowed me to learn about the sophisticated logistics system and high-quality machinery.
The Japanese company where I had done my internship previously was a traditional company with mostly Japanese employees and strict rules. On the other hand, the company I will be working for is a Japanese company with a long history but is very open to hiring foreigners and innovation. They had employees from all over the world like Indonesia, India, etc. After I received the job offer, I learned that another Indian national from my hometown, would also be joining the company with me. I feel it is a perfect fit for me to have not only the essence of a Japanese company but also a multicultural culture!
Advice for those studying Japanese
Not all students of Japanese, including myself, can afford to study in Japan or connect with Japanese friends. If you are learning Japanese but don’t have any Japanese friends, I highly recommend using Gemini. I practiced Japanese conversation by using Gemini. The AI showed me my grammatical mistakes, and since Gemini is an AI, it doesn’t judge you (laughs).
And if you want to improve your Japanese writing, use the same approach as the Japanese. I used a gridded notebook and practiced by dutifully writing the kanji or characters I wanted to learn 40-50 times.
Great memories at FAST OFFER International and future career prospects
I received a lot of support from the staff at FAST OFFER International during the interviews. Various staff members supported me during the time I came to Japan for interviews. I was also able to meet and befriend candidates from China, Malaysia, India, etc. who came to Tokyo from all over the world and survived the interview event with me. It was a memorable period during which I met many people. I also remember that I went sightseeing in Japan outside of the interview time.
And above all, I am most impressed by the fact that I was able to find a job in Japan! An Indian like me was able to penetrate the mechanical engineering job market in Japan! During the interview with the company that offered me the job, I asked the interviewer questions such as “What do you like about your job? and “What do you value in your job? Their answers impressed me with the Japanese engineers’ work ethic- a strong sense of responsibility and commitment to quality. I was also impressed by how welcoming they were.
I am applying to be a design engineer, but once I get used to the job, I would like to try other positions. Planning engineer is a position I would like to try in the future, but I think it requires more proficiency in the Japanese language and skills. Therefore, I would like to improve my Japanese language skills by working as a design engineer in Japan first and then try a planning engineer position where I would listen to the client’s requests and come up with designs. From the interview, I have found my career goal, and now I cannot wait to achieve it working in Japan!
FAST OFFER CAREER GUIDE: Mechanical Engineering Jobs in Japan 101
The Journey to Finding a Mechanical Engineering Job is Worth The Effort!
Ritsumeikan University alumnus working in Japan as a mechanical engineer shared, “For those who are seeking a job in another country, I would always say to them that Japan is something that they should consider. Japan is an excellent country for everyone to search for a job in even though it may be difficult. What you can rest assured about from my experience is that foreigners can sure to find a way to fit in.”
Japan is the Perfect Place To Grow as a Mechanical Engineer
Passionate about technology, this South Korean Kumoh National University of Technology alumni pursued his mechanical engineering career in Japan. “There is no better place to fulfill that dream than in Japan.”
There Are Plenty of Mechanical Engineering Jobs in Japan If You Know Where to Look
Japan ranks in Instarem’s list of top 10 countries to be a mechanical engineer for a reason. Mechanical engineers are not only high in demand, they’re also compensated well, and become part of a globally renowned industry.
Many Mechanical Engineering Talents Land Their First Job in Japan Before They Even Graduate
FAST OFFER International has helped numerous mechanical engineering graduates land jobs in Japan. Many of these talents were able to secure their job offers before they even graduated! Japan is keen to hire fresh graduates or those with less than three years of experience as it gives them better leeway in training their future talents for long-term employment.
In this Malaysian Mechanical Engineer’s story, they compared Japanese companies with local Malaysian companies. “Upon joining a company in Japan, they provide training programs to new employees and ensure an environment where individuals can grow.
Many of the Companies Work Directly with Agencies
How do you find the opportunities? If you’re living anywhere else that’s not in Japan, it might be difficult to find mechanical engineer job opportunities on your own. Many Japanese companies, especially those keen on working with international talents, work directly with trusted agencies such as ASIA to JAPAN’s FAST OFFER International. This enables them to smoothly handle the special requirements of helping international talents transition to expat life. Thus, FAST OFFER International has direct access to company openings and requirements unavailable to the public. Best part? FAST OFFER International is a free service, as these Indonesian and Thai Mechanical Engineers share.
“I was really happy and inspired to apply as well and to my surprise, I was lined up for a company the very next day after submitting my PR video and documents.” Visvesvaraya Technological University alumni shared about how quickly job opportunities found her through FAST OFFER International.
Japanese Job Interviews are Different Than Most But There’s a Lot of Help You Can Get
Savitribai Phule Pune University alumni shared, “My mentor helped me in all ways like teaching interview manners, Do’s and don’ts during the interview. They also booked my flight ticket and informed me about weather conditions in Japan and insisted I prepare according to that which was very helpful during the trip and during the stay in Japan.”
Balancing Your Mechanical Engineering Degree While Learning Japanese Is Possible
“ Learning a language is not difficult; the key is seizing every learning opportunity and persevering. “ A Chinese alumni from East China University of Science and Technology shared.
In fact, tons of our talents have done it. A lot of them took advantage of FAST OFFER International’s free Japanese classes that are partnered with different universities from around the globe.
“Studying Japanese opened up possibilities for job opportunities!” Universities Indonesia alumni shared.
For Mechanical Engineering Fresh Grads: Your Final Year Project Matters at the Japanese Job Interview
“Be able to properly explain the subjects you studied at university and the contents of your graduation thesis in Japanese.” A Myanmar graduate from Thanlyin Technological University advised.
Because Japanese companies love hiring fresh grads, they take your final year project experience as your work experience. It’s important to do well in your project and be able to explain it in Japanese.
Find out more about looking for a job in Japan in our career guides!
