Skip ahead or click here to find out What it takes to land a Humanities Job in Japan
Childhood Dream to Live and Work in Japan
Growing up in Hong Kong, a former British colony, I was always exposed to a melting pot of cultures. This built my excitement toward a future of living and working elsewhere. That dream was directed to Japan when I began watching anime as a child. In high school, I began studying Japanese. When my family and I went on a holiday in Japan, I was even more sure that Japan was where I wanted to be. Working on this dream, I majored in Japanese and German Studies at The University of Hong Kong. When the chance to study abroad came up, though I considered Germany as well, I ultimately chose Japan where I felt more confident, I could acclimate better as a fellow Asian. I also knew how helpful this would be to my future hunt for a humanities job in Japan.
Falling in Love with Japan Over and Over Again
Several times throughout my life, I fell in love with Japan.
During our family trip to Japan, I saw firsthand how Japan wove together its traditional historical culture and its modern bustling city. I was so impressed with how old temples coexisted beautifully with the cityscape. In Hong Kong, you’d have to exit the city center to even have a glimpse of temples.
When it was time to choose my degree at Hong Kong University, of course, I chose Japanese studies. This led to the exchange program where I got to experience the joy of being part of an international community in Japan. I lived in a dorm where I got to interact with students from all over the world. We had one thing in common: we all spoke Japanese. At times our Japanese faltered, but it was also nice that even native Japanese students could speak English. On top of that, I got to experience their sheer kindness and also their delightful obsession with Karaoke. Back in Hong Kong, I picked up the habit of karaoke.
All my experiences in Japan have made me committed to living and working there in the future. Since then, I’ve visited Japan around eight more times, each time, making me even more determined.

My Journey Looking for a humanities job in Japan during my final year at the university
During my fifth year, I learned of my university’s partnership with FAST OFFER International. I signed up and got on a call to discuss my goals with them. During the call, I told them that for me, a harmonious work environment is non-negotiable. I hope to find a company with a good, friendly work culture.
During that conversation, FAST OFFER International tried to manage my expectations as a humanities graduate looking for a job in Japan. Compared to Engineering students, there are fewer job opportunities in Japan for humanities graduates. Despite their disclaimer though, they were still able to deliver a lot. FAST OFFER International’s expertise in finding jobs in Japan for Hongkongers really paid off for me. In total, I got to interview six different Japanese companies I couldn’t have possibly found on my own.
Tips for Graduates Looking for a Humanities Job in Japan
- Listen to your mentor. FAST OFFER International partners their talents with well-experienced mentors. It’s essential to listen to the valuable, personalized advice you get. Throughout your journey, they will tell you where you went wrong and suggest actionable ways for improvement.
- Take online math mock exams. I passed the second round with the third company I interviewed with. I was so happy but in the end, they were unable to finalize a job offer due to scoring dismally on the math web test. My mentor told me that most Japanese companies do have math exams all talents are required to take. Thankfully, you can prepare by taking online mock exams. Luckily though, I did land a job with the rare company that didn’t have a standard online math web test.
- Practice your Japanese listening. During interviews, it’s incredibly important to be fully present and to comprehend their questions. Practice your Japanese listening through watching anime, or other Japanese shows.
- N1 Japanese is not a requirement. For a humanities graduate, your Japanese is extremely important. However, it’s not about having a level of Japanese. Those exams measure your vocabulary and Japanese writing skills. The most important part of your Japanese is your conversation and listening skills.
- Understanding where you fit in with the company. Researching the specific Japanese company you are interviewing for is the most important preparation you can do. You need to be able to imagine exactly how you can fit with the company. That means researching their mission vision, understanding their goals and philosophies, and how your own personal strengths and weaknesses can play into that tapestry.
- Be patient. By the fifth company I was interviewing with, I was running out of steam. I did my best with every opportunity, knowing the value of each humanities job opportunity in Japan. Still, I was starting to question the process. I was wondering if I should try to find work in Hong Kong or another avenue to find a way into Japan. I’d wanted this for so long, and I was starting to get impatient. You have to be able to trust in yourself and the process. Failures will teach you how to do better next time! It might hurt at the moment, but every rejection brought me a step closer to success.
Succeeding on my Sixth Try
After the second interview round with the sixth company, I didn’t hear from them immediately. I’d forgotten about it a few weeks later when I opened an email to find a job offer! I felt so relieved. This was a big accomplishment for a humanities graduate hunting for a job in Japan.
Goals in the future: Becoming an Independent Woman in Japan
I’m bubbling with excitement about my life in Japan. In Hong Kong, sharing a house with my parents, there’s no room to decorate or express myself in our limited shared space. In Japan, I’d be living alone to curate the life I’ve been yearning for.
It’s not just about the space of course! It’s about getting that chance to fully explore my independence and freedom. I’ll get to travel around Japan with my friends and enjoy everything that Japan has to offer. As an Asian woman submerged in the typical somewhat protective Asian culture, I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy that in my home country Hong Kong. I’m so eager for the life ahead of me!
FAST OFFER CAREER GUIDE: What it Takes to Land a Humanities Job in Japan
Is it possible to work in Japan without an engineering degree? Yes, but with a few caveats. The opportunities are there, specifically in the business, sales, and marketing industries. However, relative to engineering jobs, the demand for international talent in this field is not as great. Because there are a lot of international with a humanities degree who want to go to Japan and Japanese natives also looking for a humanities job, the competition around these openings is amplified.
At FAST OFFER International, our basic requirements for humanities-degree holders are the following:
- You are currently studying or studied arts or humanities in university (Architecture not included)
- You are under 26 years old
- You have JLPT N2 or its equivalent
Because of the importance of Japanese fluency for humanities degree holders, Plenty of our successful talents with a non-engineering degree opted for Japanese studies or foreign language studies as their course. You can also check out our page on other majors that have succeeded through FAST OFFER International.
To help you on your journey, here are some tips to help you land a humanities job in Japan:
- Partner with an agency you can trust like FAST OFFER International.
- Be fluent in Japanese conversations. You will be competing with other local Japanese talents after all. You will be tested for this skill during the interviews.
- Know other languages. Your mother tongue, on top of Japanese and English, can make a big difference. Most of these openings are connected to the company’s desire to reach international markets.
- Take Math mock exams online. Most Japanese companies ask applicants to take web tests that include math. If Math is not your forte, make sure you prepare for this well.
Some success stories of folks with humanities jobs in Japan to inspire you:
- Indonesian Working in Japan: This Salary Woman Thrives Through Her Passion for Languages – This story will run you through their experience of working in Japan.
- Jilin University Alumni’s Transition into the IT Sector in Japan – Although she didn’t graduate with an Engineering degree, she found a way to penetrate Japan’s IT sector.
- Chinese Graduate in Japan: Mastering Japanese to Land A Humanities Job in Japan – Acquiring JLPT N1 was a huge help for her.