Love For Japanese Light Novels To Landing Job In Japan

It All Started With A Japanese Light Novel 

I’ve always had an interest in Japanese culture since childhood, but I never thought working in Japan was even a possibility. Somehow, a single book managed to change everything. In fact, my journey to landing a job in Japan started simply because I really, really wanted to read a Japanese light novel.  

That Japanese light novel is called Ascendance of a Bookworm. It’s about a soon-to-be librarian who got reincarnated as a child in a world where books do not exist. If you haven’t read it yet, you’re definitely missing out! Speaking of missing out, it’s exactly how I felt when I discovered that some of the volumes in this light novel were only available in Japanese at the time. I had two options: wait for the English translation or learn Japanese. I’m always up for a challenge, and so instead of waiting around, I decided to learn a new language.  

Learning Japanese to finish Ascendance of a Bookworm didn’t just help me read the rest of the novels, but it also opened my eyes to cultural nuances that often get lost in translation. 

Beyond that, it gave me a deeper appreciation for Japanese music. Songs I already loved, like Hotaru by Maiko Fujita, felt different once I could understand the lyrics in their original language. 

How I learned Japanese as an anime and light novel fan  

For fellow anime and light novel fans who want to learn Japanese, here are my tips: 

1. Don’t just watch — listen for Japanese words. 
   When watching anime, instead of relying on subtitles, focus on catching words and phrases. Jot down new vocabulary and gradually build your understanding of grammar and sentence structure. 
2. Read a lot to practice Kanji. Start with beginner-level texts suited to your level (N5 or N4), like those from formal courses or fun Japanese materials. Reading a lot helps you become familiar with Kanji characters. Light novels are really good for this because the text is short and digestible. I did this, and eventually, whenever I see a Kanji character over and over, I become familiar with it. 
3. Attend Japanese-related events. Join conventions and events hosted by Japanese organizations to meet like-minded people and practice speaking. As for me, I attended events conducted by a Japanese organization in my area. I made friends there and had the chance to speak with people who have native fluency in Japanese. This is when I also learned about JLPT and where I had the idea of taking it to reach at least JLPT N3. 

More tips for anyone who wants to further their Japanese skills:

1. Self-study with The Japan Foundation courses. While watching anime kick-started my Japanese language learning journey, taking online courses elevated it. These formal courses helped me learn the Japanese alphabet (hiragana and katakana) and provided structured lessons and assignments perfect for beginners. 
2. Listen to podcasts and YouTube videos. Podcasts like the Yuyu Nihongo Podcast are excellent for improving your Japanese listening skills and picking up useful expressions. 
3. Enroll in conversation classes. There was a point when I still didn’t have confidence speaking Japanese because I was focusing on Kanji. So I enrolled in a conversation class with a Japanese organization in India. This helped improve my conversational Japanese a lot. The more you speak, the more comfortable you’ll become. 
4. Practice speaking with native Japanese speakers. When you have the opportunity, don’t shy away from practicing Japanese with natives. It helps build confidence! I had Japanese colleagues in my internship, and talking with them improved and built my confidence.

Combine these methods and keep consistent! For me, this approach helped me pass the JLPT N2 exam. Most recently, I also passed JLPT N1! It wasn’t easy, but it was definitely worth it, especially because I genuinely enjoy anime and Japanese culture!

Using Japanese for work 

I started learning Japanese just for fun. Little did I know that it would actually open doors for my career! 

As a computer science major, I was aware that Japan, as a technologically advanced country, offers plenty of opportunities. I’d also heard a lot about Japan’s work culture, and how it puts emphasis on time management and teamwork — qualities I truly admire. I felt inspired to keep going and put my Japanese skills to professional use. 

That’s when I began my job search in Japan and came across FAST OFFER. I signed up, started receiving job interview offers, and eventually got a sponsored trip to Japan through them. Before I knew it, I was on a plane to Tokyo, ready to dive into job interviews and take the next big step in my journey. 

Being in Japan for the first time, thanks to FAST OFFER 

My trip to Japan was full of firsts. It was my first time flying on an airplane, my first time visiting a foreign country, and my first time traveling alone. The flight was about 7-8 hours, and I was buzzing with excitement the whole time. When I finally landed at Haneda Airport, it felt like a dream come true. Ever since I was a child, I’ve admired Japanese culture, and now I was actually there. It was surreal! 

After settling into my hotel, the reality of why I was in Japan hit me: job hunting. Suddenly, nervousness and a bit of fear crept in. But I reminded myself that this was something I had to face for my future. The next day, I attended the orientation, which helped me understand what to expect and calmed my nerves. 

Between workshops and orientations, I made sure to explore Japan in my free time. Instead of letting fear hold me back, I decided to stroll around and get familiar with my surroundings. I visited Akihabara and the beautiful Kanda-jinja Shrine. I’ll never forget how beautiful this experience was! 

I also had the chance to interact with locals and practice my Japanese in real-life situations, like ordering at restaurants. For all six days I was there, I spoke Japanese exclusively. It was such a rewarding feeling to know my Japanese was good enough for native speakers to understand me. 

Of course, I couldn’t miss out on trying delicious Japanese food. My favorite was spicy chicken ramen! I also went shopping at Ueno Ameyoko and picked up a stylish Japanese bag decorated with sushi art, some stationery, Japanese books, snacks, and cute omiyage (souvenirs) for my friends. 

Landing a Job Offer as a Computer Science Major 

After settling in and exploring Japan, it was finally time to get down to business. I put on a clean, sharp suit, ready to impress and land those job offers. 

My experience with Japanese Job Interviews  

My journey wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. The first interview was online, and unfortunately, it didn’t go well. I had connection issues, and every five minutes, my voice would cut out. It was pretty frustrating, to say the least. 

Luckily, the second interview went much better. Having been through the first one, I was more familiar with the questions and felt more relaxed. I was able to be myself and respond comfortably. It felt more like a genuine conversation, and they even complimented my Japanese skills. 

The next day, I had my second round of interview with the second company. That very night, while I was strolling around Shinjuku, my FAST OFFER advisor called with incredible news: I got a job as an IT engineer! The role came with a good salary, solid benefits, and plenty of opportunities for growth. There was no reason to say no. 

I was over the moon. I couldn’t believe it! My parents and brother were just as thrilled, and their support made the moment even more special. 

My tips for acing Japanese job interviews 

1. Speak good Japanese. As a computer science major, you need to communicate your technical knowledge clearly in Japanese. You don’t necessarily need JLPT N2 or N1, but having at least JLPT N3 and strong conversational skills definitely helps. From my experience, candidates with better Japanese tend to get job offers faster. It really makes a difference! 
2. Research the company thoroughly. Don’t just focus on your qualifications during the interview. Make sure you understand what the company does, how it operates, and how you can contribute. Show that you’ve done your homework and that you’re genuinely interested in fitting into their team.
3. Prepare reverse questions. When the interviewer asks if you have any questions, don’t say “none.” That can come across as a lack of interest. Instead, prepare thoughtful questions about the company or the role, especially related to your field. This shows engagement and curiosity. 
4. Be ready to discuss your background in depth. This includes not only your education and experience but also your strengths, weaknesses, and values. Practicing with a FAST OFFER advisor helped me figure out what to share and what questions to ask. 
5. Smile! A genuine smile helps build rapport, shows confidence, and makes a positive impression. It goes a long way in making the interview a pleasant conversation. 

Advice For Fellow Computer Science Graduates 

Build A Side Project

Aside from taking your university studies seriously, I would recommend doing side projects that showcase your computer science skills and love for Japan.  As for me, my Final Year Project is an app called ITADAKU. It’s an app that helps people in New Delhi find authentic Japanese food. The way it works is you input what dish you’re craving for and it will show you the location of Japanese restaurants within your vicinity, their reviews, and order recommendations. It’s a simple app prototype that I could maybe launch in the future.  

Find Your Niche

This is something that I’m still working on myself. I realized I should have done this before taking the job interviews. One of the interviewers commented that it would be better if I get an idea of what specialty I could have as an IT engineer, like a system engineer, software engineer, and so on.  

Preparing for my move to Japan 

Living and moving to Japan feels like a dream I never thought would come true! I can’t believe that it all began because I was determined to read a Japanese light novel. Now, I’m thrilled to be working for a company based in Osaka, and I can’t wait to try all the amazing dishes the city has to offer. I’m also eager to explore the beautiful sights of Kyoto! 

This is my chance to live independently and stand on my own two feet. I’m excited to see where this adventure will take me! 

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