| COUNTRY |
| India |
| EDUCATION |
| Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, Savitribai Phule Pune University |
| COMPANY |
| A Japanese company that specializes in the development, manufacturing and sales of fine glass, electronic components and multilayer film filters by applying thin film technology. |
| SUMMARY |
| A mechanical engineer from India sets out on a journey to find his ikigai and life’s purpose in Japan. Inspired by a lifelong fascination with Japanese cars and anime, he dedicated himself to learning the Japanese language with the goal of building a career in Japan. In May 2025, his efforts paid off: he traveled to Japan for a series of job interviews and returned home with a job offer in hand. Along the way, he shares the personal journey that brought him to this point — a story of passion, perseverance, and purpose. |
Ikigai And Life Purpose: How My Journey To Japan Started
“What is your ikigai?” I was once asked.
Although I’ve long been fascinated by this intriguing Japanese concept of how having a sense of purpose gives life meaning, I realized, in that moment, that I didn’t have a clear answer yet. I had read books about it, my favorite being Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Héctor García. Yet, despite the reading and reflection, I’m still on the journey to discovering my own ikigai.
That journey has now led me to the birthplace of ikigai: Japan — a place I’ve dreamed of not just visiting, but building a life in.
Why Japan? Japanese influence has always been a part of my life, even in my younger years. Growing up in the sprawling Indian city of Pune as a young boy, with its traffic-heavy streets, I’ve always been fascinated with cars. One thing that I’ve noticed is the dominance of Japanese cars on the roads of India. Often stuck in traffic, I’ve developed a fascination with cars and mechanics, and eventually chose Mechanical Engineering as my college degree.
When I graduated in 2022, I got a job in an automobile parts maker in India right out of college. During my first job, my fondness for Japanese automobiles deepened. I’ve come to realize just how reliable, sturdy, and efficient Japanese cars are. To work in a manufacturing Japanese company became one of my dreams.
Discovering My Love For Anime
At the same time that my fondness for cars grew, I also developed a love for anime. It all started with Naruto, a popular anime about a young boy who aspires to be a village leader. However, my favorite is One Piece — a story about a character called Monkey D. Luffy who wants to be king of all pirates and his adventures with other kooky characters. Can you believe that it started in 1999 and is still ongoing today, with now about 1,126 episodes? And guess who’s so captivated and finished them all? Me!
What I got out of it is not just a really fun story, but also I learned a lot of Japanese words, phrases, and even their way of communicating things. From that moment on, I’ve come to realize that maybe I could pursue learning Japanese and start a life in Japan.
How I Became A Polyglot Engineer
As soon as this idea of finding my ikigai and life purpose by finding a job in Japan formed in my head, I started applying for Japanese companies based in India and Japan. However, I’ve learned that a bilingual engineer is preferred — one who can speak English and Japanese proficiently. I already had a good foundation from watching anime and Japanese dramas during my free time, so I took the next step and enrolled myself in formal Japanese classes. I learned Katakana, Hiragana, and Kanji along with the proper grammar and sentence structure. To me, learning Kanji was the most challenging as it involved mastering the writing of the characters. It took two years, but eventually, I was able to learn Japanese good enough for my line of work through consistent effort.
Now I can speak Hindi, Marathi, Japanese, and English, so I’m officially a polyglot engineer!
Preparing For Job Hunting In Japan
I’ve already gained a solid foundation in Japanese and built work experience in the automobile and manufacturing industry. Now, the next step is getting back into the job hunt—but the question is: how and where do I begin?
I was in the middle of reflecting on my next steps when I got invited to a friend’s birthday party. There, I caught up with some of my college friends. During our conversation, one of them mentioned that he was taking free Japanese classes offered by FAST OFFER International—a program that connects international talent with Japanese companies looking to hire from overseas. At first, I was a bit skeptical. It sounded almost too good to be true, especially since there were no fees involved. But curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to apply.
I passed the initial screening, and a mentor was assigned to me. My FAST OFFER International mentor guided me through the interview preparations.
Some of the important things I learned about how to prepare for Japanese job interviews are:
1. How to do proper company research
Before each interview, it’s essential to thoroughly research the company and prepare tailored questions. In Japan, interviewers expect candidates to demonstrate a clear understanding of the company’s background, values, and operations. Asking thoughtful, well-informed questions not only shows genuine interest but also reflects the effort you’ve put into your preparation.
2. How to conduct myself during interviews
Politeness and humility are highly valued in Japanese interview culture. I spent time practicing keigo (敬語), or honorific language, to ensure I could speak respectfully and appropriately. I also learned to present my achievements not as self-promotion, but as meaningful experiences that contributed to my personal and professional growth.
3. Stressed the importance of being on time
In Japan, punctuality is a sign of respect. There’s even a saying: Toki wa kane nari (時は金なり), which means “time is money”. Arriving at least 15 minutes early for an interview is standard practice. It allows time to adjust, gather your thoughts, and show that you value the interviewer’s time.
Going To Tokyo For Job Interviews
To my surprise, three companies were interested in interviewing me. FAST OFFER International arranged a trip for me from India to Japan. And in May 2025, just a month after I took the leap and applied to the program, I found myself back in the game, ready to take on job interviews once again.
The journey from Pune to Tokyo was a long one — 18 hours to be exact with a layover in New Dehli. But in those 18 hours, all I could think of is how excited and nervous I am that I’m finally close to my dreams and finding my ikigai and life purpose in Japan.
Upon arrival at the airport, the other candidates and I were escorted to our hotels and given our schedule for the duration of our stay. As expected, our schedule was packed, but I was so happy that I had free time in the evening and some afternoons.
It was my first time in Tokyo, so I made the most of my free time. I visited the famous Ueno Park and wandered through the vibrant streets of Akihabara. Summer was just beginning, and the city was alive with color, energy, and a fresh scent in the air. I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of wonder, and I took it as a good omen of the journey ahead.
Day In The Life Of A Foreigner Job Hunting In Japan
Most days, I start my day early and get up between 6 and 8 AM. I’d quickly get dressed, grab a bite, and head straight to the FAST OFFER International office. The days were a blur of orientations, workshops, and interviews with multiple companies. I usually finish at 6 or 7 PM. Around that time, I’m exhausted but satisfied with my effort and still a little bit giddy with excitement.
Surprisingly, most of the interviews felt more like casual conversations. Sure, I was nervous — my Japanese wasn’t perfect, and I kept wondering if I was saying something completely off — but the truth is, the cliché advice worked: just be yourself. Say what you can, how you can. Trust me, it’s not just motivational-poster nonsense. Show up, do your best, and don’t try to be someone you’re not. Better yet—be your best self.
Now, I won’t lie—it was hectic. But it paid off in the best way: I eventually got a job offer from the company I wanted. And by “eventually”, I mean immediately. So fast that when my FAST OFFER mentor told me I got the job right after the interview, I genuinely thought he was pranking me.
I just sat there… staring. They stared back, probably wondering if I was okay or just needed a minute to reboot. After a few painfully long seconds, my brain finally caught up. I finally snapped out of it, celebrated (belatedly but enthusiastically) with my mentor, and let it sink in.
I did it. A dream that once felt far away had just happened. So fast that I almost didn’t believe it. Sometimes, the best moments don’t come with fireworks; they come with a delayed reaction and a lot of happy confusion.
Preparing To Find My Ikigai And Life Purpose In Japan
I’ve got 10 months to prep for my new job in Japan, where I’ll officially start in April 2026. During that time, I’m planning to level up my Japanese skills and aim to earn a JLPT certificate. I also need to familiarize myself with a specific CAD software that the company uses.
Logistically, I’ve also started my pre-moving shopping list, which includes clothes and other essentials. I also plan on spending some quality time with my family and breaking the news to my extended family that I’m going to start a life in Japan.
Through all this, my ikigai and life purpose are still a question mark. So here I am, traveling over 4,000 miles in search of it, because sometimes, finding meaning in life requires starting a fresh chapter and I’m more than ready for it.
FAST OFFER CAREER GUIDE: How To Find Your Career Path Through Ikigai
Finding your ikigai — a Japanese concept that roughly translates to “a reason for being” — can feel like a daunting feat. It asks you to explore the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, what you value, and what the world needs. Discovering your purpose in life takes time, reflection, and often, a journey of deep self-discovery. For some of our candidates, that journey has led them to build meaningful careers and fulfilling lives in Japan.
If you’ve been searching for your career path or thinking of pivoting into another niche and don’t know where to start, you might just uncover it through the lens of ikigai. Here are some ways you can find a fulfilling career using this powerful concept, just as many others have before you.
Step 1: Identify What You Love
One of the simplest and most joyful steps in finding your career path through ikigai is identifying what you love. Start by listing the things that genuinely bring you happiness, whether they’re related to work or not. It could be anything from collecting anime figures to having a fascination with cars. Many of our successful candidates found their path by simply following what excites and inspires them.
Step 2: Identify What You’re Good At
Next, write down the things you’re naturally good at. Since we’re looking at careers, think about the subjects you excelled in at university, or extracurricular activities where you stood out. Even seemingly quirky strengths like being able to pick up new languages just by watching anime are worth including. You might be surprised how these talents can open unexpected doors!
Step 3: Find the Overlap Between What You Love and What You’re Good At
Now look at your two lists side by side. Which items overlap? Which combinations feel exciting? This is where what the world needs begins to come into play. Research careers that align with these overlaps. Some of our candidates discovered that a love for cars and a knack for working with machines naturally led to a career in mechanical engineering. Others, who loved anime and picked up languages quickly, found themselves studying commerce and eventually working in Japan.
Finding your career path through ikigai doesn’t just help you decide what to pursue; it also gives you a meaningful way to talk about your journey in job interviews. Interviewers appreciate hearing the why behind your choices. Sharing how your path connects to who you are makes your story (and your application!) more compelling.
