| COUNTRY |
| India |
| EDUCATION |
| Bachelor’s in Pharmacy, Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, Mumbai University Japanese Language Course, Savitribai Phule Pune University |
| COMPANY |
| An IT and administrative services company based in Tokyo. |
| SUMMARY |
| In this story, a pharmaceutics graduate from India shares her journey of landing a job in Japan’s IT industry. She talks about how her soft skills played a crucial role in helping her transition to a completely different career path. She also discusses the interview questions she faced as someone without an IT background and offers a glimpse into what awaits her as she begins her new career in Japan. |
Changing Career Paths: A Risk I Took For Myself
If my career path has proven anything, it’s that you cannot predict where life takes you. Five years ago, I decided to pursue a degree in pharmacy at Mumbai University. I did everything by the book. I cleared all my exams, graduated, and was ready to pursue an MBA so I could continue working in the business side of pharmaceutics.
Everything was set; I was on the right path. But something just didn’t feel right. I’d already poured so much effort into this career path that backing out felt out of the question. But when it comes down to it, I can’t ignore that little voice in my head saying, “Wait, is this really what I want to do for the rest of my life?”
And so, I took a step back to reflect and ended up choosing something else for myself. I knew that this would lead to arguments with my parents, but I still took the risk. This is quite cliché for me to say, but I followed my heart and went to Pune to study Japanese.
Why I Chose To Study Japanese
From a young age, I was fascinated by different cultures. I would watch Thai and Korean dramas, and of course, Japanese anime like Crayon Shin Chan. From there, I got really interested in Japanese works and had so much fun exploring the culture. Some of my favorites are classics from Ghibli Studios like Spirited Away and Whisper of the Heart.
I feel genuinely happy when learning about Japanese culture. And that’s why I decided to formally study the Japanese language at Savitribai Phule Pune University. Was it a calculated, carefully planned decision? Absolutely not. It was a blind leap of faith.
I’m aware that if you’re not coming from an engineering or an IT background, finding work in Japan can be an uphill battle. But I still pursued it because deep down I know that this is really what I wanted. Initially, I planned to wait until I got my JLPT N2 certificate and see what opportunities I could get from then on. But then, I got an opportunity to compete in a Japanese Speech Contest that changed the course of my life.
How A Japanese Speech Contest Changed My Life
When I took the chance to compete in the 2025 ASIA to JAPAN Hirameki Japanese speech contest Junior Category, I didn’t really expect much but to just learn more, put my Japanese language skills to the test, and snag a free trip to Japan.
Giving my speech in front of a crowd felt surreal. But the real surprise? I actually won. I didn’t expect that my speech about wanting Crayon Shin Chan’s kotatsu would actually win! I owe a lot to my wonderful senseis who guided me through this experience.
Even after winning, I didn’t think much beyond the trip. I was just thrilled to visit Japan for free. Until one Saturday night, I got this e-mail saying that I had a job interview lined up during my trip to Tokyo. This changed everything completely. After that, I enrolled in the FAST OFFER International Program. I had my mentors assigned to me, and I worked on my PR video and prepared for my job interview.
How To Learn Japanese: Tips From A Speech Contest Winner
1. Immerse Yourself in the Culture
When it comes to learning any language, your success depends a lot on how connected you are to the culture. The more you learn about the people and their way of life, the easier it becomes to understand the language.
So, don’t just rely on textbooks or what you study in class. Take time to explore what you enjoy about Japanese culture. Watch shows, read books, listen to music, or dive into anime and movies that truly interest you. Use that as your personal study material and try to understand what you can from real content. This makes learning more natural, enjoyable, and long-lasting.
2. Practice with Fellow Learners or Native Speakers
It’s important to actively use the language, not just study it passively. I learned this while preparing for my speech contest. I improved much faster when I had to express my own thoughts in Japanese, not just memorize grammar.
If possible, talk with fellow learners or native speakers. When I visited Japan, I had no choice but to communicate in Japanese, and that experience pushed me to think and respond quickly using what I knew. Real conversations help you understand how the language actually works in everyday life. So, try to use Japanese as much as possible outside the classroom; even small daily interactions make a big difference.
3. Keep Working on Your Kanji
Kanji can feel intimidating for every learner. There are just so many of them! But consistency is key. Keep practicing regularly, even after you’ve learned the basic characters.
One of my teachers gave me the best advice: write Kanji often. Writing helps build muscle memory, which makes recalling them much easier. Reading also helps — the more you see Kanji used in different contexts (books, signs, subtitles, etc.), the faster you’ll start recognizing and remembering them. Over time, they’ll become familiar rather than frightening.
Job Hunting And Sightseeing In Japan
Visiting Asakusa and Sensoji
Going to Japan was my first time traveling alone outside India. It was so thrilling! When I landed at Haneda Airport, we were greeted by a friendly member of the ASIA to JAPAN team. She showed us around Asakusa and Sensō-ji. The streets were alive with the colors and sounds of the Natsumatsuri (Summer Festival). There were a lot of stalls lined up with mouthwatering food everywhere you looked. We got to try dango, explore konbini snacks, and sample all kinds of delicious treats.
Job hunting experience in Japan
In the days following our initial Tokyo tour, we had a proper schedule that we needed to follow. I attended ASIA to JAPAN’s orientation and prepared for the job interview.
I had minimal qualifications, and I wasn’t really sure if I was the right fit for the job. So when I showed up on the day of the interview, I did not know what to expect or what they’d ask me.
Japanese job interview questions I was asked as someone without an IT background
My mentors told me that because I do not have a technical background, what they’d primarily be focusing on is my ability to grasp things and if I am a good fit for the company personality-wise. Here are some of the things that were discussed during my Japanese job interview:
- What I did for my Final Year Project – It was a pharmaceutical project that focused on treatment for alopecia and a pain-relieving gel. Of course, it wasn’t particularly interesting for an IT company, so I made sure to showcase my transferable skills such that I could plan long-term projects.
- My Japanese skills – They liked that I had already put in a year studying Japanese and that I was fluent enough to be able to handle a job interview. More importantly, I also conveyed that I’m taking steps to improve my Japanese further.
- Software I used – I highlighted the software I used during the project, so they know that I can work with software or have the capacity to learn new software.
- My attitude and overall personality – I discussed how I work with the team members and my ability to get along with others.
Aside from these, I also assured them that I can put in work and time for their training so I can be a better fit for the role. In the end, I got the job! It was a dream come true, and I didn’t think that it would come so soon.
I’ve been given a lot of homework before I join the company next year, so I need to work on my IT training, project management, and Japanese language skills.
Continuing My Tokyo Tour
After I got the job offer, I was able to tour around Tokyo again because we had some downtime. We went to the teamLab exhibition, which featured breathtaking interactive art. We also got to visit the art exhibition of Takahata Isao-san’s work, which was a really nice experience for me as a Studio Ghibli fan! I also had the free time to get some stationery and souvenirs for my friends back home.
Future in Japan: What I’m Looking Forward To
Honestly, I can’t wait to start my career in Japan! I couldn’t have asked for a better job opportunity. When I went for the company visit, I saw that it was such a lovely working environment. I couldn’t have imagined a better place to be asked to work in. That was genuinely one of the biggest reasons I said yes to the job offer so quickly. The atmosphere of the company, the people there — everyone was just so kind. The seniors I met, and even the department heads who interviewed me, were some of the nicest people I’ve ever met.
Aside from my career, personally, I’m also looking forward to visiting the countryside. I’ve seen pictures, and it looks absolutely gorgeous — the nature, the scenery, everything about it seems so peaceful. I really want to experience what life is like there.
And of course, I want to see snow! It never snows where I’m from, so I’m really excited about the idea of seeing snowfall in winter. I’d love to visit Hokkaido someday!
Thankful for the opportunity
I’m very thankful for this opportunity. Even now, it still doesn’t feel real. Part of it is the surprise that someone with a non-engineering background could be placed in a completely IT-based company.
I didn’t expect to secure a job in Japan so soon. Right now it feels exciting, but also a little surreal. I think I need some time for it to fully sink in.
I’m so glad I listened to my gut and explored a new path for myself. This is a privilege I’ll never take for granted. I’m thrilled at the idea of experiencing life outside my own country. And my parents… they’re so happy for me. In the end, they trusted me to figure things out for myself. Instead of following the so-called “right path,” I found my own.
If there’s anything you can take from my story, it’s that it’s okay to step back and reconsider your path. Sometimes the direction you thought you were headed to may not feel right anymore, and that’s okay. Listen to your instinct, say yes to opportunities, and be willing to take risks.
