| COUNTRY |
| India |
| EDUCATION |
| Bachelor in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, Savitribai Phule Pune University |
| COMPANY |
| Japanese manufacturer of material handling dealing with logistics systems, automated warehouses, etc. |
| SUMMARY |
| Captivated by the seamless execution of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, this aspiring engineer from India found inspiration in Japan’s technological advancements. Determined to be part of such innovation, she embarked on a six-year journey mastering Japanese, covering their walls with kanji and competing in language contests to stay motivated. Their perseverance paid off when she landed a job in Japan through FAST OFFER International. Seeing Mount Fuji from the plane, stepping into the world of her favorite Japanese dramas, and finally hearing “You passed!” marked the realization of her dream—one that began with a simple moment of awe. |
The Tokyo Olympics’ Technology Enabled Hope in Hopeless Times
I have been interested in Japanese culture and language since middle school. However, the moment I truly wanted to work in Japan was when I watched the Tokyo Olympics on TV. Despite the confusion caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the event was carried out smoothly. I learned that this was partly thanks to Japanese technology—from its medical devices to its robots—it all made a difference. Inspired, I began the first step to working in Japan: studying Japanese.
How I Kept Myself Motivated Learning Japanese for My Goal to Work in Japan
Studying Japanese has not been an easy or quick journey. I had to put in a lot of effort steadily over time! Here’s what helped me stay on track:
Practicing My Kanji Through Visual Cues
When I started at the N5 level, I focused on studying Japanese grammar. The grammar of Japanese is similar to that of Marathi, my native language, so I found it surprisingly easy to learn. However, practicing kanji was very challenging. To get used to Japanese, I wrote kanji with their kana (their Japanese pronunciation in hiragana or katakana) and posted it all over my walls. I made it a daily habit to write five new kanji to post on my walls. Before I knew it, the walls of my room were completely covered in kanji! These visual reminders not only helped me memorize new kanji characters, but they also served as physical reminders of the work I’m putting in towards my goal.
Being Grateful for the Opportunities Others Put into My Journey
Although a big chunk of learning Japanese was on my shoulders, remembering and being grateful for the steady support I received kept me going.
My family was always amazed at my kanji-filled room—which at first glance may have looked overwhelming to the outsider—but they have consistently supported my Japanese studies.
I was also able to continue learning Japanese thanks to Hirameki Japanese Language Classes, which had partnered with Pune University and FAST OFFER International. I knew this opportunity wasn’t in every university!
Joining Japanese Language Contests
As I progressed to N4 and N3 levels, I took part in Hirameki Japanese Language Classes’ presentation contests and the West Zone Japanese Language Speech Contest to practice using Japanese. These contests were nerve-wracking and needed plenty of memorization, but the event momentum and the incited competitive spirit motivated my Japanese studies.
Reading Success Stories and Imagining Working in Japan
Because the Japanese classes I attended at my university were connected to FAST OFFER International, I signed up with the program once I was ready to start building my career in Japan.
At that time, I read the Success Stories of my seniors who received job offers from Japanese companies and how they studied Japanese. These stories provided me with a wealth of knowledge.
Reading these stories enabled me to picture myself working in Japan, which boosted my morale. Now that I’ve received a job offer, I’m thrilled to be part of the Success Story interviews myself.
Remembering My Inspiration: The 2020 Tokyo Olympics
In times of difficulty, it’s immensely helpful to remember the purpose of your hard work. It helped me to remember that moment of catharsis in my first year majoring in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, sitting in front of the television. Amidst the pandemic, the world was a mess then—everyone was mostly locked up in their house, uncertain of the future. While everyone else in the world was frozen by the pandemic, Japan soldiered on thanks to their innovations. In an era that felt bleak for humanity, Japan captivated me with their celebration of human peak performance with a helping hand from robots. I was forever changed in that moment. I was driven to work in Japan, and I became decided to study Japanese.
Stepping Into the World I Saw in My Favorite Japanese Dramas
After completing interviews with my Japanese teacher, ASIA to JAPAN‘s career advisors, and others, I was selected for on-site interview sessions in Japan. When I was notified about the interview opportunities, I realized it also meant flying to Japan. I was both surprised and excited.
It finally sunk in that I was in Japan when I saw Mount Fuji from the plane window. The Japan I had dreamed of since I started learning the language felt like stepping into the world of my favorite Japanese dramas. The airport, train stations, and streets of Tokyo were just as I had seen on TV dramas.
After arriving in Japan, thanks to my mentors, career advisors, and the staff at ASIA to JAPAN, I got to prepare for the interviews without feeling overly nervous.
My Dream Came True in Japan
I can still vividly remember my first Japanese interview. At first, I was a little nervous, but the HR representatives were all kind and made me feel at ease. I talked about my hobbies and what inspired me to work in Japan. There were also questions about the projects I had worked on. The interviewers were friendly, which made it easier to talk. The interview allowed me to showcase everything I had learned during my Japanese studies and interview practice.
After all the interviews were completed, I spoke to my FAST OFFER International mentor at the ASIA to JAPAN headquarters. It was then my career advisor broke the news: I passed! It felt like my dream had come true! All the hard work I put in culminated in that joyous moment. My family was also overjoyed when I told them. It was an unforgettable day!
What Will Be My Version of the Tokyo Olympics? Looking Forward to a New Life in Japan
When I start working in Japan, I want to contribute to fields like computer vision, automation, machinery, and AI. I also want to climb Mount Fuji, visit Akihabara, try Japanese food, and have many new experiences.
Until I start my job, I plan to continue studying Japanese and practicing cooking not only Indian dishes but also Japanese ones. I’m still writing my bucket list of things I want to do in Japan!
I hope, that during my time at the Japanese company that hired me, I get to work on a project that inspires others the same way the 2020 Tokyo Olympics transformed me.
To everyone currently studying Japanese to work in Japan, believe in what you’ve learned and the efforts you’ve made! Keep moving forward! Be true to yourself and keep giving it your best!
FAST OFFER CAREER GUIDE: The Inspiring Technology That Powered the Tokyo Olympics 2020
“We hoped that this year’s Games would be more than just a showcase for technology. Our aim was to show how useful robots can be.”
-HIRUKAWA Hirohisa, robotics specialist of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and leader of the Tokyo 2020 Robot Project [2]
Although still officially branded as “Tokyo 2020”, the 2020 Summer Olympics, technically took place from July 23–August 8, 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 11,000 participating athletes from 205 countries, for the love of country and sport, participated in the first spectator-free Olympics.[1] The event was able to push through thanks to several innovations revolutionary at that time.
- 5G Technology
- Enhanced the viewing experience with high-speed, high-capacity networks. Spectators at swimming competitions could access real-time data about contestants, making the experience more engaging[2].
- Augmented Reality (AR)
- Used in conjunction with 5G to provide real-time data to spectators wearing goggle-type devices. This allowed viewers to see the relative positions of swimmers instantly[2].
- Multi-Live Broadcasting System
- Enabled spectators at golf competitions to watch multiple players in real-time on hand-held tablets, enhancing the viewing experience[2].
- Field Support Robots (FSRs)
- Autonomous robots that retrieved and transported projectiles at events like javelin throw and shot put. They could detect obstacles and choose optimal routes[2].
- Human Support Robots (HSRs)
- Assisted physically impaired and elderly persons by distributing water bottles and collecting garbage. They were also equipped with cameras for taking commemorative photos[2].
- Power Assist Suits
- Worn by support personnel at powerlifting competitions to relieve up to 10 kg of physical burden, making it easier to change powerlifting plates on barbells[2].
These technologies that were used at the Tokyo Olympics not only enhanced the efficiency and experience of the Games but also showcased the potential of future innovations. Only a few years have passed yet many of these groundbreaking technologies are now part of our daily lives.
Do you want to be part of a team that comes up designs that impact society? You can start your journey to Japan today by signing up with FAST OFFER International.
