| COUNTRY |
| India |
| EDUCATION |
| Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, Savitribai Phule Pune University |
| COMPANY |
| A Japanese manufacturing company specializing in precision processing technology for industrial components. |
| SUMMARY |
| A mechanical engineering graduate in India shares how Japanese working culture and the concept of Kaizen inspired him to work in Japan. In this story, he also shares his tips on how he learned Japanese and helpful advice for those who want to follow his path. |
What I Love About Japanese Working Culture
In engineering, precision and discipline are essential — two qualities that Japanese working culture embodies well. Working for a Japanese company in India exposed me to an environment where delivering your best is the standard.
Through that experience, I adopted three Japanese principles as my own values: Kaizen (改善), Zumen (図面), and Ishikawa (石川). Kaizen is the practice of continuous, incremental improvement — growing a little each day.
Zumen, which refers to design drawings or blueprints, reminds me of the importance of having a clear plan, not only in engineering but also in life.
Ishikawa, or the cause-and-effect diagram, teaches me to identify the root causes of problems so I can solve them effectively.
As both an engineer and an individual, I find these concepts immensely valuable. These principles are what inspired me to pursue the opportunity to work in Japan.
Why I Choose To Work In Japan As A Mechanical Engineer
Aside from Japanese working culture, I’m also inspired to work in Japan because, in my opinion as a mechanical engineer, the country is excellent in engineering and technology. I believe that working there would allow me to reach my full potential and contribute to meaningful, high-quality engineering that benefits society.
My interest in engineering began when I was 11. I was fascinated by how cars and airplanes moved, and the idea that many small parts could come together to create something powerful and functional always amazed me. That early curiosity is what led me to pursue mechanical engineering.
Another reason why I want to work in Japan is that many of my university seniors shared positive experiences about working in Japan! All of these factors together inspired me to learn Japanese to build my career in Japan.
Learning Japanese Is Key
If there’s one piece of advice I can give to anyone who wants to work in Japan, it’s this: learn Japanese. It truly is the key to finding opportunities and building a career there.
I first started studying Japanese back in university, but what helped me improve the most was real-world practice. I was practicing Japanese when speaking to my Japanese colleagues and clients. In the beginning, I was hesitant to speak because my proficiency was still low. But the more I practiced, the more confident I became.
Over time, I reached the N3 level, and I’ve continued taking classes to strengthen my business Japanese. My next goal is to achieve JLPT N1 someday!
How FAST OFFER Helped Me Land A Job In Japan
When I was already confident with my Japanese, a friend suggested that I sign up with FAST OFFER — an agency that helps overseas talent land a job in Japan. My career advisor was very helpful and gave me tips on how I can make my profile more appealing to potential employers. From then on, I made a PR video and got job online job interview invitations. When a job offer finally came, I was ecstatic! My parents were also very happy about their son going to Japan to work in a field he is passionate about.
Online Japanese Job Interview Tips
If you also want to land a job in Japan, here are my tips for online Japanese job interviews.
- Master the basics. Make sure you have a strong internet connection, sit up straight, and look directly at the camera so you maintain eye contact with your interviewer.
- Be prepared to explain your motivation. You will almost always be asked why you want to work in Japan. Your answer should focus on your career goals, not lifestyle reasons. Connect your motivation to your profession, your skills, and how Japan aligns with your growth. You’ll also likely be asked why you want to join that specific company and what challenges you anticipate when working in Japan.
- You should also be ready to talk about your Final Year Project and your software knowledge. In my case, I was asked to explain my project in detail and discuss my proficiency in design tools such as CATIA, AutoCAD, Creo, and SolidWorks.
Looking Forward To Working Culture And Life In Japan
Living alone isn’t new to me, but living in another country is a whole new adventure that I’m excited to take on. In Japan, I already have seniors and friends who have been guiding me. They’ve already shared cultural norms, budgeting tips, and other helpful advice!
I’m also looking forward to exploring Japan’s famous scenery. One of my personal goals is to climb Mt. Fuji. Coming from Pune, where mountains, shrines, and natural landscapes are part of everyday life, I’m excited to experience similar beauty and cultural sites in Japan.
FAST OFFER CAREER GUIDE: Japanese Work Culture Concepts You Need To Know
Be inspired to work in Japan with these Japanese work culture concepts!
Hourenso
Hourensou (ホウレンソウ) is an acronym for “report, inform, and consult” (報告・連絡・相談 / Hokoku, Renraku, Soudan). It’s a communication guideline widely followed in Japanese companies. It stresses promptly reporting issues, informing the right people about ongoing plans, and consulting others for guidance before finalizing decisions. This makes the work process smoother and transparent.
Kaizen
Kaizen (改善) is all about making continuous improvement each day, even if it’s little by little. Instead of a sudden, big overhaul in the system, Kaizen encourages everyone on the team to look for small tweaks that can improve how work gets done.
Wa
Wa (和) centers on maintaining harmony in the workplace and avoiding unnecessary conflict. The idea is to create an environment where people feel comfortable working and collaborating. In practice, that means addressing issues with respect, using thoughtful communication, and listening carefully so everyone feels valued and encouraged to share their views. It’s about fostering a team atmosphere where harmony supports productivity.
