My Experience Getting a Computer Science Job in Japan

Being in Computer Science Runs in the Family 

I come from a family of computer science professionals. My mom, who is an inspiration to me, is a computer science professor, and my brother is a software engineer. Initially, I was on the biology track, but eventually switched to computer science after finding out that I like graphic design and making websites, especially working on UI and UX.  

Because of this switch, I found myself behind many of my peers who were already familiar with programming languages. However, I enjoy a good challenge. And I had the full support of my family, who encouraged me and helped me practice and improve my skills.  

I strongly believe in trusting the process. Even though I knew it would be difficult to suddenly change my field of study, I set my mind on becoming a computer science professional and remained determined to succeed in this journey. 

Why I Decided to Pursue a Software Engineering Career in Japan 

During university, I heard from seniors that Japan is a great place to work. One senior who is already working in Japan told me how Japanese companies prioritize teamwork and harmony. Hearing about this made me interested in pursuing a software engineering career in Japan.  

I knew that if I wanted to pursue a software engineering job in Japan, I would need to learn Japanese. I believed I already had a bit of an advantage because I used to watch a lot of anime, such as Doraemon and Attack on Titan. I became so fascinated with them that I started watching anime in Japanese instead of the dubbed versions. Because of this, I developed an early appreciation for Japan and gained some familiarity with the Japanese language. 

Luckily, in my third year, I came across the FAST OFFER International program and enrolled in their free Japanese classes. This is the start of my experience getting a computer science job in Japan. 

Learning Japanese Wasn’t a Linear Journey 

One of my goals is to become a polyglot. I’m really passionate about learning new languages. As such, I was very interested when I first learned about opportunities to study Japanese and pursue a JLPT certification during my freshman year. However, at the time, the classes were only offered on Sundays, and I would have had to travel far from home to attend them. Since it was during the pandemic, it was difficult for me to pursue that opportunity. But I didn’t let go of it completely. In the meantime, I learned Hiragana and Katakana on my own.  

Years later, I found out about the FAST OFFER international program’s free Japanese classes. FAST OFFER helps foreign talents land jobs in Japan. Some of my seniors got job offers through them. I applied for their program and got accepted! After signing up, I got assigned a career advisor and started taking the sponsored Japanese classes.  

What I Love About FAST OFFER’s Japanese classes 

1. It’s very convenient. The classes were done online, so it was easy for me to attend. It’s also during weekends, so I didn’t compromise my academic schedule. This arrangement helped me be consistent in my Japanese learning journey. 
2. The structured guidance. When I was studying by myself, I didn’t really know what I was doing. Through my teacher’s guidance, I was able to learn everything smoothly. My sensei was very good at breaking down the basics and was patient with beginners like me. 
3. Learning with peers. Having other people go through the same language learning journey as me created a supportive environment and made me motivated to push myself even through tough times. 

Self-Study Tips 

Learning doesn’t stop when you step out of the classroom. And so, I still complemented the Japanese classes I was attending with self-study. Here are some of the things I did to help my self-study: 

1. Listening to podcasts. When I was studying at the N5 level, I started listening to podcasts fully in Japanese. At the time, I didn’t fully understand everything, but I could get the rough idea. From there, I learned new vocabulary, and it really improved my Japanese. I love listening to Miku Real Japanese. It’s great for beginners because she explains new vocabulary in English. 
2. Practicing Kanji and Hiragana. I use Duolingo to practice Japanese for at least 10 minutes a day. There’s a Kanji and Hiragana section where you can write and practice on your phone.  
3. Went on Hello Talk. I started using the Hello Talk app when I reached a point where I could hold a conversation in Japanese. Speaking with natives helped improve my conversational skills. At first, I was a bit shy, but people encouraged me, and I became more confident in my speaking skills. 

Joining a Japanese Speech Contest 

Because I like a good challenge, I signed up to join a Japanese Speech Contest that was held by AtoJ Hirameki. I got into the top five, but wasn’t able to win. Even though I wasn’t able to win, it was a really good experience to speak in front of many people completely in Japanese. I was a bit sad that I didn’t win the contest’s prize of a trip to Japan, but little did I know that one day I would go there as a computer science professional. 

My Experience Getting a Computer Science Job in Japan 

Preparing for online interviews with my FAST OFFER career advisor 

At one point, I was told that my Japanese had improved a lot and that I was ready to take job interviews. I received two interview invitations, both of which were going to be held online. At first, I was nervous. However, my career advisor and mentor did a great job preparing me for the interviews. We held several mock interviews, and he coached me on how to present myself professionally during online interviews, such as checking my background and making sure I looked directly at the camera to establish rapport. 

My experience with job interviews as someone who wants to get a computer science job in Japan 

My interview with the first company was short, just about 20 minutes. Unfortunately, I was rejected. Meanwhile, the second interview was longer. The human resource personnel came in early and briefed me that the interview panel members are experienced seniors in the company. They also told me that they have no experience interviewing foreigners. Naturally, this made me nervous.  

The interview went better than I expected 

Fortunately, I became less anxious when the interview started. They started with basic questions: about my interest in learning Japanese, why I’d like to work in Japan, and some questions about projects I worked on. They were asking questions to see if I would fit their company’s culture, and most of them are personality-based questions. One of the interviewers even asked me about anime that I currently watch, and I said One Piece. And we talked and laughed about it, so the atmosphere loosened after that. 

After the interview ended, my mentor said that it was either another candidate or me who would be chosen. I used the interpreter’s help, so I thought I wasn’t going to be selected because they would think my Japanese wasn’t good enough. 

Getting a Computer Science Job Offer in Japan 

But surprisingly, they selected me! I could not believe it. They told my career advisor that they appreciated that even if I didn’t understand the question, I asked again, and I communicated properly. Overall, my experience getting a computer science job in Japan is quite unbelievable! 

My tips on how to ace a job interview 

Here are my personal tips from my experience getting a computer science job in Japan. 

1. Don’t skip company research. When you’re attending an interview for a particular company, they’d expect you to know something about their company. If they ask about their company, they’ll expect answers from you. 
2. Aim for the N4 level of Japanese proficiency. If you can speak well and articulate your words, you can convey whatever you want to say. But if you can’t frame a sentence or say what comes to your mind, it’ll be difficult. 

My Company Visit in Japan

Just this February, I finally had the chance to come to Japan. It was a week-long business visit where I got the opportunity to visit the company where I’ll be working. I got to meet the team members and see the workplace. I spent a day in the office looking around my workplace and the kind of work I will be doing in the future.

That evening, I also went to eat conveyor belt sushi with the team, which was a really fun experience. They were all very kind and made sure to make me feel included. The company also arranged a meeting with senior Indian employees, where we could discuss different concerns or any queries that I have about moving from India to Japan. They also gave me many insights about everyday life in Japan. It helped me get a picture of how life will be in Japan.

The next day, we went to Kamakura as a team. We explored Kamakura visiting shrines and trying local snacks and different food items. It was a really amazing experience!

And, I also got to visit Tokyo and explore different places, trying different food on my own. I also bought souvenirs and snacks back home!

Looking Forward to My Life in Japan as a Computer Science Professional 

I’m looking forward to starting my work as an agile software developer. I’m particularly glad that the role aligns closely with the work I did for my final year project.  

While I’m waiting to start my job, I’ll be attending business Japanese classes sponsored by my company. I’m hoping to improve my business Japanese and be able to get a JLPT N2 certificate. 

Apart from work, I’m also looking forward to exploring different cultural places. I’m hoping to visit more shrines and even go on a hike in the mountains. 

Message to Those Who Want to Start Their Journey of Finding a Computer Science Job in Japan 

To anyone who wants to follow a similar path, my advice is not to focus too much on the end goal. Just trust the process! At first, I wasn’t particularly focused on searching for a job.

What I really wanted was to improve my Japanese and simply keep moving forward step by step. My advice is to stay consistent with your efforts, and the opportunities will come. 

FAST OFFER CAREER GUIDE: Skills That Help You Get a Computer Science Job in Japan

Want to get a computer science job in Japan? Having a degree in computer science is a good start, but it’s not always enough. Many of our successful job candidates possess a combination of technical ability, good communication skills, and adaptability to the Japanese work environment.

Here are some of the key skills to cultivate to help you secure a computer science job in Japan.

At Least JLPT N4 Japanese Communication Skills

Many tech companies in Japan still expect job candidates to have basic Japanese communication skills. You’ll need at least an N4 level of Japanese to explain your skills and background during a job interview. While on the job, having Japanese communication skills can help you work with team members smoothly, understand technical documentation, and actively participate in meetings and discussions.

Familiarity with In-Demand Programming Languages

Knowing the right programming languages can significantly increase your job opportunities. According to our successful computer science job candidates, employers don’t usually expect mastery in programming languages. However, having familiarity with these is a plus:

1. Java – widely used in enterprise systems
2. Python – for AI, automation, and data analysis
3. JavaScript – for web development
4. C++ – common in embedded systems and gaming

Team Collaboration Skills

Many Japanese companies place a high value on having a harmonious working environment. They often look for candidates who can work well in a team. As a field, computer science in Japan is often highly collaborative. Engineers work closely with project managers, designers, and other developers. In your interview, make sure to showcase your experience as a team player. Emphasizing how you’re able to communicate ideas clearly within a group setting.