Skip ahead or click here for tips on reaching JLPT N1!
COUNTRY |
Myanmar |
EDUCATION |
Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering, Thanlyin Technological University |
COMPANY |
Manufactures and sells high-grade special steel and special alloys |
SUMMARY |
A Burmese student majoring in mechanical engineering started studying Japanese since his 2nd year in university, and passed JLPT N1 last 2024. His internship experience at a joint venture between a Japanese company and the Ministry of Construction of Myanmar further fueled his desire to work in Japan. He applied for FAST OFFER International in September 2024 and got a job offer within a month. It validated his years of effort. |
6 years of Japanese language immersion to pass JLPT N1
I wanted to study a new language on top of English in my second year at the university. At that time, my cousin, who works for a Japanese IT company, suggested I study Japanese. Thus, I started studying Japanese. I first studied at a Japanese language school and passed JLPT N2 in December 2022. It took a while before I eventually reached JLPT N1.
After passing N2, I taught Japanese as a private tutor. Teaching was not only helpful for my students but also for improving my own Japanese language skills. Thinking about working hard to teach Japanese to someone motivated me.
Takayama International Education Foundation’s Japanese Language School Scholarship
After that, I received a scholarship from the Takayama International Education Foundation, which waived my tuition fees for one year of Japanese language school. There, I was able to take classes to pass N1. I took a total of five classes, including business manner and practical Japanese for Engineering, conversation, reading comprehension and JLPT N1,N2 exam practice class, twice a week, each for three months. Outside of class, I also self-studied for at least two hours daily. I was fully immersed in Japanese that year. In this way, I got to study Japanese steadily, little by little every day. This helped me pass JLPT N1 in one try last July 2024. I am very grateful for the foundation and my Japanese teachers because I’m not sure if I would have been able to pass N1 without this scholarship.
You may think that being immersed in Japanese for a year is difficult, but since studying Japanese is my hobby, it wasn’t hard at all. I felt that my life was enriched by gaining new knowledge every day. I also made new friends at the Japanese language school. Now, about half of them are currently working or studying in Japan. It was also a good opportunity to build such a network. Studying with friends with the same dream of working in Japan kept my morale up.
Internship experience at a joint venture between a Japanese company and the Ministry of Construction of Myanmar
Since I started studying Japanese, I had a desire to use my language skills to work in Japan someday. My internship experience at a joint venture between a Japanese company and the Ministry of Construction of Myanmar made that desire even stronger.
The company develops steel infrastructure (especially steel bridges), and I work in the planning and control department, managing the trial assembly process.
The company CEO is Japanese, and there are 4-5 Japanese employees in other departments. I used the Japanese I learned to talk to the Japanese employees. They were all very kind and friendly. In addition, I used the way of exchanging business cards I learned in the business etiquette class to exchange business cards with Japanese employees. At first, I had the impression that Japanese employees were serious and cold, but in reality, this was not the case. This strengthened my positive impression of working in Japan and made me want to work more in Japan.
The company that offered me a job was also a steel-related company, so I think my internship experience in this industry was very useful in my job search.

Job offer as the culmination of all my efforts
Having putting so much into my dream, including getting JLPT N1 level, I applied for FAST OFFER International with the intention of finding a job in Japan from Myanmar in September 2024. The following month, I interviewed with five companies.
I attended two mentor sessions and thoroughly practiced common interview questions and how to answer them well. I am very grateful to my mentor for his careful guidance.
I wasn’t interested in all the companies that offered me jobs, but I interviewed all of them. I think that gaining experience by interviewing with various companies was good practice.
However, I actually thought that I had failed the final interview with the company that offered me a job. The interviewer’s questions were strict, and they asked about my graduation thesis in detail. At the time, I thought, “Maybe my thesis is no good… Maybe I didn’t explain it well…”. However, I received a good result that afternoon and it really felt like a dream. I felt like all the efforts I had made since I started studying Japanese had paid off.
Goals and visions of living in Japan
When I start working in Japan, my first priority is to fulfill my responsibilities and become a trusted employee. Additionally, I want to continue teaching Japanese and English to Burmese people while inspiring my juniors. I plan to work in Japan for a long time, ideally until I retire, and I hope to get married and settle down here for the long term.
Advice for those who want to get a job offer from Japanese: Beyond JLPT N1
To be honest, JLPT N1 is not a requirement to work in Japan. It can make your hunt easier though, without much of a language barrier during the interview. So, on top of good Japanese conversation skills, there are three important things to keep in mind when interviewing with a Japanese company.
- Be able to properly explain the subjects you studied at university and the contents of your graduation thesis in Japanese.
- Think about your answers in the interview from the company’s perspective. I think you will be able to match well if you tell them what you can contribute to the company, rather than what you can learn from the company.
- The most important thing is confidence. Go into the interview with confidence, thinking, “I will definitely pass!”
FAST OFFER CAREER GUIDE: Tips on Reaching JLPT N1 Level Japanese
JLPT Certification and the Japanese Job Hunt
If you’re learning Japanese to land a job in Japan, whether you’re from India, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea, Myanmar, China, Indonesia, Egypt, or Malaysia, it’s important to note that acquiring JLPT certification is not what companies are specifically looking for.
Engineering graduates only need conversational beginner Japanese enough to navigate a Japanese job interview is crucial. If you’re highly skilled for a specific position, some Japanese companies will invest in bettering your Japanese.
Humanities graduates need JLPT N2 or its equivalent because they will be competing for positions in Japanese companies with other Japanese natives.
Again though, the certificate itself is not what companies are looking at. More important than the certificate is the underlying practical Japanese language skill. JLPT certificates don’t measure your conversation skills–which is the most important aspect tested during your job interviews with Japanese companies.
Will achieving JLPT N1 be helpful? Yes! It can improve your chances but it’s not a requirement. It will be a great help once you live in Japan as well as you navigate Japanese signages and materials that will be essential to your daily life.
Tips on Reaching JLPT N1
Achieving the JLPT N1 level in Japanese is a significant milestone for anyone aiming to master the language. The JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) is divided into five levels, with N1 being the highest and most challenging. This level signifies a deep understanding of Japanese, including advanced grammar, vocabulary, and kanji. Here are some tips to help you reach JLPT N1, drawing insights from successful candidates who have achieved this goal.
- Set Clear Goals and Stay Motivated
- One of the most important aspects of reaching JLPT N1 is setting clear, achievable goals and staying motivated throughout your journey.
- Immerse Yourself in the Language
- Immersion is key to mastering any language, and Japanese is no exception. Surround yourself with Japanese people as much as possible. This includes watching Japanese TV shows, listening to Japanese music, and reading Japanese books and newspapers. The more you expose yourself to the language, the more natural it will become.
- Practice Consistently
- Consistency is vital when learning a language. Make a study schedule and stick to it. Even if you can only dedicate a small amount of time each day, consistent practice will yield better results than sporadic, intensive study sessions.
- Use Quality Study Materials
- Invest in good study materials that are specifically designed for JLPT N1 preparation. This includes textbooks, practice tests, and online resources. There are many resources available that cater to different learning styles, so find what works best for you.
- Learn Kanji Effectively
- Kanji is one of the most challenging aspects of learning Japanese, especially at the N1 level. Focus on learning kanji in context rather than in isolation. Use flashcards, apps, and writing practice to reinforce your memory.
Remember, every step you take brings you closer to mastering Japanese and unlocking new opportunities!
Here are more success stories from talents who achieved JLPT N1 and can inspire you!
- Chinese Graduate in Japan: Mastering Japanese to Land a Humanities Job in Japan
- Chinese Mechanical Engineer in Japan: Determination Led to JLPT N1 Certification
- From Taiwan to Japan: My Journey from Computer Science Education to Working Abroad
- From J-POP Fan to IT Pro in Japan: Embracing Culture and Career
- A Tale of Persistence: How Cultural Fascination Led to Professional Opportunities in Japan
- My Japanese Job Application Journey: A Myanmar’s Tips for Success
- Japanese Corporate Culture: How This Indian Engineer Is Bound for Excellence in the Workplace