Starting My Career Journey in Japan as an Indonesian
I’ve been working in Japan as an Indonesian expat for a little over a year now. During this time, I’ve integrated with Japan’s extremely considerate culture and found myself in an Indonesian community based in Japan that helped me acclimate. At work, I continue to learn and improve in an environment that fully accommodates my religious needs. In my dorm life, I enjoy a peaceful, company-subsidized lifestyle with diverse international dorm mates. During holidays, I explore all the beautiful, historic spots and accumulate new experiences. There’s so much I’ve experienced and still more to come that’s only possible here in Japan.
This story is about my dream come true—how it happened, and how it continues to unfold. Let me share with you not only tips on how to follow me to Japan but also, how I’m working on adjusting to the challenges of being an Indonesian expat in Japan.
From Bandung to Japan: Pursuing a Career in Automotive Engineering
The cultural gap between Japan and Indonesia is easy enough to cross—something I considered when I chose a country to work in the future. Aside from both countries being Asian, Indonesia’s proximity allowed me to have an early awareness of Japanese media, culture, and tourist spots. Despite being in Indonesia, Japanese culture has always been part of my daily life. My hobbies include watching anime, playing Japanese video games, and listening to Japanese music. Using Japanese-made vehicles also gave me personal experience of Japan’s prowess in technology and cars. All this made me interested in working in Japan’s automotive field.
How FAST OFFER International Paved My Path as an Indonesian to Work in Japan for Free
When I was doing my postgraduate studies, I discovered FAST OFFER International. A friend messaged me about a poster advertising free Japanese class collaboration with my campus. It didn’t take me long to consider applying to the free Japanese program, especially as everything was easily accessible online because of the pandemic. What piqued my interest was the opportunity to search for jobs in Japan as a bonus to taking the class, all at no cost. Thanks to them, working in Japan as an Indonesian became a viable goal.
Joining the class, I realized that it was so much different than I thought. However, my passion for the language kept the learning process enjoyable. Apart from the career path learning Japanese could unlock, it would also help my current hobbies. I would finally understand Japanese music, anime, and games in real-time.
After completing the language and interview preparation classes, I was asked to make a promotional video. Around a month after I gave the video, I received calls from several companies interested in interviewing me. ASIA to JAPAN provided a mentor to prepare me for the interview. This led me to succeed in the two rounds of interviews with the company I’m working for now. It all happened so swiftly. I was shocked but also grateful at the same time.
The reality of the offer didn’t feel real, especially since I had spent the previous six months uncertain about my post-graduation plans. Yet, here I was, presented with a life-changing opportunity to work in Japan.
How to Successfully Navigate the Japanese Work Visa Process as an Indonesian
Before I could move to Japan to start working as an Indonesian expat, I still needed to do a bunch of things.
My main source of anxiety was the Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which is essential for the visa application. The date I was joining the company was already set, so I counted the days nervously as I waited for my COE’s shipping day. It had taken longer than expected. While waiting for its arrival, I used the time to collect all the other documents needed from my side. Fortunately, everything went ahead smoothly, even the COE arrived in the nick of time, and I received my visa two weeks after submission.
If you want to apply for a visa, prepare all the documents you’ll need beforehand and set aside more time to book an appointment to apply for the visa. I suggest giving yourself at least three months before your scheduled departure so you can process your visa with peace of mind.
Working in Japan’s Automotive Industry: My Indonesian Experience
What is it like to be an Indonesian working in Japan? It starts with thorough training. The official training period in my company was three months long. The first month was on basic training and getting to know the company. The next two months were for technical training, focusing on product manufacturing and assembly. I started to learn more about my job when I was assigned to a department, but I’m still learning right now, even in my third year working.
Currently, I’m still adjusting to the job and trying my best to fulfill my responsibilities. At first, the work environment was challenging since the primary language was Japanese. However, the company was supportive and understood that I still needed to improve my speaking skills, and they did not pressure me, instead giving me goals to achieve at my own pace. Based on my experience with my Japanese company, their work style is more detail-oriented in their meticulous preparations. Though it may be hard to understand at first, once you get the hang of it, their bureaucratic workstyle allows you to move with clarity and certainty.
I feel myself gradually integrating into the culture. For example, long before I leave my house, it’s become second nature to check the weather forecast and the train or bus station schedules.
Learning Japanese is Vital for Working in Japan: Tips for Indonesians
As an Indonesian, learning Japanese can be rife with challenges. It’s very different from our native language and we don’t have the edge that Chinese and Korean expats do in terms of their familiarity with Chinese characters which are also used in Japanese Kanji. That’s why I put my all into getting better at reading and comprehension.
There is an advantage to being an Indonesian learning Japanese though! We’re very quick to adapt to new pronunciations. We are very flexible with pronunciation, and it helps a lot with speaking skills—which is arguably the most important skill you’ll need to secure a job in Japan. In your daily life in Japan, you’ll find yourself asking for help a lot and that’s easier when you can communicate well.
Here are some ways that helped me study Japanese as an Indonesian:
Find the study method that best suits you
Studying using textbooks doesn’t suit me because I get bored easily, so I use a different approach. Reading books written in Japanese or watching anime is a better approach for me. I get to study and have fun at the same time. I enjoy reading Japanese novels and using a dictionary to look up words I don’t know. Everyone has their own learning style! You can find yours by following what interests you. Even if your study style might be unusual, seeing it work is what matters.
Practice Japanese in your daily life.
Learning with FAST OFFER INTERNATIONAL’s Japanese class, I found learning Kanji challenging. Until now writing is still difficult for me, and I still need to check the dictionary often. Still, now, with Japanese incorporated into my daily life, I find myself learning Japanese organically. My reading has improved because of all the Japanese typing I do. While typing, I get Kanji suggestions that are really helpful. Working and living in Japan as an Indonesian means I’m surrounded by Japanese characters. Seeing this repeatedly around helps ingrain these characters into my head. There’s no better way to learn it than to use it. I think it also applies to speaking and listening. Since I arrived in Japan, my Japanese has improved significantly because I’ve been using it every day.
Make use of the technology and don’t be afraid for asking help.
Living in Japan, you’ll of course encounter forms you have to fill out in Japanese. These forms usually have a lot of Kanji. Each time this happens, I try my best on my own first. When I reach my limit, I use a translation application or ask a nearby friend for help.
Be confident in your learning journey.
Indonesians have a knack for learning languages I think because they’re not afraid of wrong grammar in the beginning. This means we learn faster because we’re constantly trying and practicing the language. We do our best with the language we know, not just to “sound right” but to convey our meaning effectively in whatever way we can.
Adapting to Japanese Culture: Working and Living in Japan as an Indonesian
Before coming to Japan, I told myself that life wouldn’t be like the anime and drama I’ve been watching. I wanted to set the correct expectations before I left Indonesia to work in Japan.
One part of Japanese culture that really sticks out is their abundance of rules. I adapted to that easily because instead of listing down rules, I tried to understand the culture and logic behind it. For example, instead of thinking about leaving my shoes at the doorway as a rule, I thought of it as a way to keep indoor spaces clean and be considerate.
I embraced Japanese culture by embodying this question in every situation: how can I be pro-actively considerate to others?
Currently, I’m living in a company dormitory that I can stay at until I turn 30 years old. Our dorm is diversely populated, we come from different ages, nationalities, shift hours, etc. These differences can lead to clashes, but because we all follow the same rules, we have a happy, quiet, and harmonious life. Everyone is quieter here compared to Indonesian dorms. Some rules we follow are curfews for guitar playing and opting to hang out noisily only outside of the dorm.
Understanding Japanese culture is more than this of course. It’s also about immersing yourself in it. I file leaves in advance to explore Japan’s different tourist spots. In a little over a year in Japan, I’ve gone on several holiday trips that have helped me absorb more of Japanese life. Last Golden Week, a country-wide holiday, I went to historical sites with a friend and appreciated the culture even more.
Life in Japan: An Indonesian Expat’s Perspective
I focus a lot on integrating within Japanese society through harnessing my language and respecting the rules the Japanese have set. However, it’s just as important to pay attention to my needs as an Indonesian.
The benefits of finding your Indonesian community in Japan:
- Celebrate and practice your religion together.
- A salve to homesickness as being an immigrant can be lonely.
- Get tips on how to cope with cultural differences from Indonesians with experience.
- Learn about logistical vital information such as how to get your driver’s license in Japan (This was so important to me as someone who loves traveling!)
- Have a map of authentic Indonesian restaurants and Halal ingredients.
If you’re the shy type, you’ll be surprised at how friendly and open fellow Indonesians will be in Japan. It’s easier to bond in Japan because you’ll have lots of common ground compared to the rest of Japan.
Here are places where you can easily strike up a conversation with a fellow Indonesian:
- Indonesian Mart is a treasure trove of authentic ingredients and Indonesians who can cook.
- Indonesian Restaurant is a beacon for homesick Indonesians.
- The Mosque is the perfect place to find other Muslim Indonesians. Their tips on finding Halal food can be a lifesaver.
Overcoming Challenges as an Indonesian Working in Japan
I enjoy my life in Japan, but of course, there are challenges. Here are some of them and how I deal with them.
1. Eating Halal
Diet is perhaps the only real challenge when it comes to being a Muslim in Japan. There are a lot of ways to go about it though!
- Ask a friend. As mentioned earlier, it really helps to know fellow helpful Indonesian Muslims in Japan.
- Read the labels. I read the ingredients when looking for food at the convenience store or restaurant. Allergen and ingredients are usually shown in the menu of chain restaurants and on the packaging of goods.
- Always choose fish over other meat. In general, most meat in Japan isn’t halal-friendly but fish is an easy exception. Thankfully, Japan has tons of seafood options.
- Look for halal. Some supermarkets sell halal ingredients and there are Halal-friendly restaurants.
- Look for pork symbols to avoid. At the office cafeteria, if a dish has pork, they will show it with a pork symbol on the menu. So, it’s crucial to learn the kanji for pork and to be cautious when reading it, as it is somewhat like the kanji for chicken.
2. Celebrating Muslim Holidays in Japan
Because Islam is not one of Japan’s main religions, there are no state-sanctioned Muslim holidays. You have to make some adjustments as a Muslim Indonesian working in Japan. If you want to celebrate a Muslim holiday, you can take a paid leave. I’m grateful to my company for allowing me to take paid leave to celebrate Ramadhan. This year, I went to Indonesia to celebrate Eid with my family. I informed my supervisor last October that I may go home, and this is a national holiday in Indonesia. My supervisor told me that if it didn’t hinder my work, I could take a full week off. So, as long as you inform them beforehand and explain the situation, I believe the company will understand. If you can be responsible with your work, there should be no problem.
I also believe that my Presence as a Muslim in My Company helps move the needle. Given my situation and my Japanese company continuously considerately accommodating my religious conditions, I believe the company is becoming more accommodating to foreign workers. For example, we now have a prayer room that I use two to three times a day. I adjust my break times for prayer times to weave around according to my schedule such as meetings. I need to manage my time well for that.
3. Preparing for the Four Seasons of Japan
A season you wouldn’t have to worry about is summer. We might adapt more easily to the summer in Japan because it’s hot and humid, similar to Indonesia. However, there are more seasons to look out for!
As winter transitions to spring, pollen allergies become quite common in Japan. Hay fever is a real concern in Japan around late February to mid-April. It is said that you may start experiencing them 3 or 4 years after living in Japan, though it varies from person to person. Thankfully, the moment you step into Japan, you buy health insurance so take advantage of that and stay healthy.
Another way to stay healthy is to make sure you’re dressed warmly. As someone who has never experienced winter, do not overestimate your preparedness. Winter in Japan gets very cold and dry, so the jackets and hoodies we use in Indonesia will not be enough. You need to buy the clothes before you need them.
Managing Living Expenses in Japan: Practical Tips
The difference between life in Indonesia and Japan is reflected in what I spend and save. Here are some key things for me you can expect:
- Expensive seasonal clothing. Spending on winter clothes is very new to me as an Indonesian. Because of Japan’s very different climate, it’s extremely vital. Clothing has become my biggest spending in. my list of daily essentials.
- Required health Insurance. Another big expense that was new to me was health insurance which is deducted from my salary every month. It’s something every Indonesian needs to know about working in Japan. One regret about it that maybe others can learn from. When planning your arrival date in Japan, choose the first or second week of the month. You start paying a flat rate on your monthly insurance when you arrive in Japan. When I arrived last May 28, I had to pay for the remaining 3 days of May at the cost of a full month. As someone who’d just stepped into Japan, I was shocked when I saw salary deductions. Still, I’m grateful for the insurance even if I haven’t used it on any emergency.
- Company subsidized living expenses. Although I spend more on certain things, I also save on other aspects. Living at the office dormitory allows me to save money. In comparison to apartment living, living in a dorm is more economical. Part of the company benefits when you live in the dorm is the subsidized utility bill. This also helps me save on transportation costs with my building just 15 minutes away from work. All that saved money goes into my daily living, but also, to my great delight, to travel around Japan.
Number one tip for Securing a Job in Japan as an Indonesian: Show Your Commitment
A lot of Japanese companies are looking for global employees to expand their reach beyond their shores, to bigger markets. That’s part of why Japan’s demand for foreign workers is on the rise. This is why this chance appeared for an Indonesian like me.
An important insight into these abundant opportunities though, is that most Japanese companies are highly tuned into your level of commitment. These globalizing companies choose future employees that promise a return on investment. That’s why Japanese job interviews really look into your reasons and aspirations for your career. They often ask about your long-term vision for your career with them or your 5 or 10-year plans. You can also see that as a great thing: when looking for a job in Japan, it’s almost often for a dependable, long-term job. As for me, I can easily imagine five more years and then re-evaluating my trajectory.
Choose a Japanese Company You Want to Commit To
With this in mind, choose a company you like and share a vision with. If this shows in your interview, which is easier if you’re familiar with their product, it will make it much easier for you to succeed and later adapt.
Landing a job in Japan to live in Japan is something incredibly worth all the effort from my perspective. The city I live in lets me breathe in clean and clear air every day. What they call a traffic jam here, compared to that in Jakarta, feels so negligible that it’s funny. After work, life feels so peaceful. When I itch for adventure, it’s so easy and affordable to travel from where I live between Tokyo and Osaka.
There is so much in store in Japan that you can’t find in Indonesia like snowy skip trips, new discoveries, and a cosmopolitan community of friends from different backgrounds. There are so many perks to working in Japan as an Indonesian. If I had safely stayed in Indonesia, I would have missed out on so much. It’s certainly an opportunity I hope others don’t miss out on. So, if you want to experience this success for yourself, be brave and go for it!
