Overcoming Language Barriers as an Indonesian Professional

From J-Rock Fan to Japanese IT Professional: An Indonesian Engineer’s Journey 

It all began with my love for J-rock more than a decade ago. In 2013, when I was still a Computer Science undergraduate at Telkom University, I was a drummer for a band that loved the J-rock band Acid Black Cherry. This made me start learning Japanese casually to appreciate the music more.  

Once I began diving into Japanese culture, my appreciation grew and followed me as I graduated and became a working Engineer. I continued learning Japanese beyond my University years.  

As I got to experience more of working in the field, I began to wonder about working in Japan as an Indonesian with IT experience. Imagining this made me appreciate Japan even more. I was deeply drawn to the Japanese’s world-renowned work ethic. For example, sushi chefs would throw themselves a hundred percent into their jobs, passionately, consistently, and excellently performing for decades. I wanted to understand that mindset and wanted to embody that in my life as well. So, by 2022, I began applying to Japanese companies directly.  

Overcoming Mid-Career Job-Hunting Challenges in Japan 

Sadly, despite my extensive work experience, my independent job hunt didn’t pay off because of my limited Japanese. When applying directly with companies, bypassing agency aid, interviewers expect you to have native-level Japanese ability. The need for me to speak fluent Japanese was also amplified as a mid-career applicant. I spoke very basic Japanese so I wanted to find a company that could accommodate someone who mainly spoke in English. I was rejected by at least 3-4 companies at that time.  

How to get a job in Japan? Get Help  

Thankfully, that’s when my cousin told me about FAST OFFER International. He had signed up and encouraged me to go for it, too, knowing I was intent on coming to Japan. He sent me the link and I quickly signed up.   

Just weeks later, I got my first interview opportunity with a global company in Japan. Soon after, I interviewed them, and they were happy enough with my conversational Japanese.  It helped as well that I had a really good experience with Indonesia-based IT firms, so they were happy with my skillset. I may have been lacking in my Japanese language, but I had top-notch coding language skills that translated perfectly with what they needed. What’s great about being in the IT industry is that all the skills I got in Indonesia were directly transferrable in Japan.   

I remember preparing so intensely for the interview for 1-2 weeks that I even had these scripts I studied. I didn’t end up using that script at all because even if the interview was in Japanese, the interviewers were very kind and understanding that I was a foreigner and were blase about small mistakes. 

To be honest, I came into those interviews without expectations. I thought that this interview might just be more experience to learn from. I was just enjoying the process at that point. To my shock, soon after that final interview, I got an e-mail with a job offer. It was surreal. I was incredibly happy, but I needed time to process it, so I asked for a week before I signed up.   

Securing a Japanese Work Visa: An Indonesian Engineer’s Experience 

I knew it was going to be hard. Wrapping up my life in Indonesia, leaving my job, and living and working in a country that spoke a language I was barely fluent in—I knew it would be an uphill battle. Still: I wanted it. A week later after mulling over a life in Japan, I signed the document, and the company quickly began the process of helping me secure a Visa.  

Working with the company lawyer, my company gave me a list of requirements to compile and worked on my certificate of Eligibility. Thankfully, I had most of my requirements on hand. This was a conscious act on my part, before I was even sure of getting a job offer, I already had a lot of the required documents, so I just had to send soft copies to my company. All-in-all, because I was well-prepared, and because my company was efficient and had a trusted reputation with the government, the whole process took just a month.  

Essential Steps to Prepare for Life and Work in Japan 

It took some time for me to prepare for life in Japan and finish all the onboarding requirements though. After accepting the job, it took me about four months to move to Japan. I had to do a lot of errands to collect the required certificates and documents that I also needed to translate into Japanese.  

My Checklist Before Moving to Japan for Work:  

Before I could start my life in Japan, I needed to process documents with the Japanese embassy, all the companies I’ve worked with, worked with, and will work with, and prepare the things I needed for living in Japan in advance.   

1. Backing up my Resume. As a mid-career applicant, I cited three different companies that I worked with. As part of the company’s background check on me and my immigration document, I had to prove to my company that I worked with these companies by providing a certificate of employment from each. That means I had to contact these three different companies and wait for each of them.   
2. Finding a house in Japan.  While in Indonesia, I had to find a house to live in Japan.  That took some time but thankfully FAST OFFER International helped direct me to English-speaking agents who can help me find a house.   
3. Applying for a Japanese Bank Account. Giving my company my Japanese bank details. Once I got a Japanese address, I could then open a bank account in Japan. It took some time for the bank to respond so this took some patience.  
4. Getting a Japanese SIM card. Another reason for that Japanese address is getting your Japanese SIM card. You need to be reachable as soon as you step into Japan after all.  
5. Processing my Medical Clearance. I also had to get medical exams for clearance. This meant several medical exams and doctor’s appointments.   
6. Wrapping up work at my last Indonesian company. I also had to wrap up work in my company. Depending on the company you are working with, you will have to give your resignation in advance and possibly train someone to take your place.  
7. Moving back to my hometown. I also moved from Jakarta to my hometown which also took a lot of effort. But this was important for me as it allowed me to spend time at home with my loved ones before going to Japan.  
8. Finalizing my immigration documents. To finish your Immigration document, you need to compile your passport, visa application form, a photocopy of your KTP (Identity card), and certificate of eligibility.   

Navigating the Learning Curve: Goal as an Indonesian Expat in Japan 

My goal is simple: it’s just to survive the challenge of the first two years. Some people have lofty goals, but I feel my goal is grounded and realistic, so I don’t put myself under more pressure than necessary.   

As a mid-career applicant, I was hired as an expert in my field, so there’s pressure to meet high expectations already. Thus, I joined my company knowing that the first two years would be difficult—not because my skills in IT are lacking, but alongside adjusting to a new job, it’s another layer to adjusting to a new culture and learning a language more intimately.   

Because I’ve accepted that times will be challenging, it makes it easier for me to appreciate the bright spots. This perspective allows me to see all the perks with gratitude: getting to fully enjoy Japan’s culture, and destinations, and even eating out every day. Working in Japan at a global company is a privilege I’m grateful for.  

Adapting to New Work Environments: Training in Japan’s IT Sector 

Because I was a mid-career applicant, I only got 3 weeks of training just to understand how things worked in the company. But because of my lack of Japanese skills, it took a month before I got a project. This allowed me some time to do some self-directed studies. The company made a lot of resource materials available which was great.   

I was already expecting how hard it would to be live and work in Japan and it is so hard because there’s a totally different culture and, a totally different language. But having the right expectations can be really helpful!  

Top Tips for Indonesian Professionals Adjusting to Life in Japan 

1. The only way to access opportunities in Japan is to learn Japanese! Learn Japanese before coming. Competitive edge for opportunities. But also, you’ll need Japanese to live in Japan to navigate places, eat at restaurants, make friends, or whatever. Even English-speaking companies internally will use a lot of Japanese daily. I think it’s never going to be 100% English.  
2. Keep working on your Japanese!  This is perhaps the most obvious tip but even if you find yourself a job that promises an English-speaking workplace, you’ll still need to use Japanese one way or another. Even when it comes to navigating the city, or just living your life, Japanese is part and parcel of your life. Prepare as much as you can, but even as you step into life in Japan, you’ll have to learn more as you go as you see its use in your daily life.  
3. Accept that things will be hard at first. New adventures always come with challenges. Having the correct mindset will save you from the frustration of wrong expectations. Yes, Japan is a wonderful place to be, but it’s not a smooth-sailing paradise when you get there. You’ll face challenges adjusting to language, culture, lifestyle, religion—and more.   

The correct mindset helped prepare me for the challenges ahead without taking for granted all the perks that also came.  Amidst the challenges, I got to meet new friends and explore so much of Japan. It’s a terrific place to be, and all the hard work is worth it.  

1. Expand your network to Japanese and Indonesian friends. There are two very important communities you need to have: friends from Indonesia and friends from Japan. Japanese society can be a tad bit isolating if you’re fully relying on your work network as work relationships tend to have very clear work-life boundaries. Having friends outside of work can help you amend that.  
2. Where to find the Indonesian community. If you’re looking for Indonesian friends and you’re a Muslim, mosques are by far the easiest place to find them. What’s more, most Indonesians in Japan are a lot friendlier and eager to make new fellow Indonesian friends. It’s incredibly easy to make new Indonesian friends in Japan because you automatically have this big shared experience: being an Indonesian expat in Japan, going through the same good and bad experiences. However, as easy as it is to just embed yourself alongside other Indonesian expats, it’s important you also put some effort into making local Japanese friends.   
3. Where to find Japanese locals outside of work. A lot of local Japanese actively look for friends elsewhere hence a lot of apps you can join where you can make random Japanese friends open to talking about anything under the sun. You can join some community meetups in the fields you are interested in. Not only will you make a friend, but it will also help sharpen your Japanese language. Learning Japanese from school or books is an entirely different experience from using it in Japan. Plus, you’ll also have a better understanding of their culture and the way they think this way.   
4. Get your documents for your visa in advance. Right when you decide you want to work in Japan, work on your required documents. Once you get a job offer, the timeline will feel hectic unless you already have your documents scanned and on hand. Find out all the requirements of the visa and try to get all the documents you can as soon as you can. You’ll need at least the digital copies and their Japanese translations. Some companies need original physical copies, too.   
5. Understanding and emulating hourenso in the workplace. One of the most important things to understand and apply is  報連相 (hourenso). It’s a Japanese acronym standing for three words:  
   報告 (houkoku) which means to report. 
   連絡 (renraku) which means to communicate. 
   相談 (soudan) which means to consult.  
   In my experience working with international workmates from Italy in the past, I’ve gotten used to a certain way of working with a lot more independence and where initiative is prized. In Japan, however, the expectations are different. You must move with complete transparency from before, during, and after every move with your seniors. This is because your bosses hold more accountability for your performance. They also want to make sure you make the least number of mistakes. I had to learn this through experience.   
6. The Japanese are committed to very detail-oriented, thorough prep work. Companies I’ve worked for before tend to make one generalized decision and then work through it as we go. Pivoting, learning. But the Japanese, like to prep a lot before, predicting every possible thing before starting a project. Assessing everything, and minimizing risk, before a final decision. So, you must be careful when working.  

How FAST OFFER International Transformed My Career Path to Japan 

Signing up with FAST OFFER International made all the difference for my career journey to Japan. It effectively sped up the process and gave me access to a global company looking for international talent. I hope people see what an amazing opportunity this is.