| COUNTRY |
| India |
| EDUCATION |
| Bachelor of Computer Science, University of Madras |
| COMPANY |
| A robotics manufacturing company |
| SUMMARY |
| Learning Japanese gave them hope for a brighter future during a difficult time in their life. Thanks to FAST OFFER International, their efforts bore fruit, and they were able to get a job offer from a robotics manufacturing company. Now, they’re living out their dream working at a Japanese company as a young independent foreign software engineer. |
How Learning Japanese Cheered Me Up With Its Bright Possibilities
When I was studying for my Computer Engineering degree at university, a devastating personal event happened that took quite a toll on me. During that time, I was watching a lot of anime and encountering the wonders of Japanese tech in my engineering studies. So, I thought to myself that perhaps there could be a brighter future working as a foreign software engineer in a Japanese company.
I started studying Japanese to give me something to look forward to, so I could learn about working in Japan one day. Learning Japanese earnestly helped me through that difficult time. I appreciated their culture even more with every lesson. It was lovely to see how they preserved traditions and blended them with modern innovations. More and more, my mindset was driven by desire and curiosity about how well the Japanese cared for their culture, managed their time, respected everyone, treated foreigners hospitably, and embodied patience and calmness.
Looking for Someone to Help My Journey to Japan
Learning Japanese, of course, was not enough. And thus, I tried searching online for institutions or agencies that could help me achieve my goal. However, the recruiters I signed up for at that time were no help at all. They helped me learn some Japanese but stopped there. I felt like I was pouring all of myself into a jar full of holes. Heartbroken, I was starting to feel down again, until a career advisor from FAST OFFER International messaged me on LinkedIn.
My Journey with FAST OFFER International
Right from the start, my FAST OFFER career advisor was gentle and kind. As she guided me through the process, my morale slowly rose again. She honestly felt like my savior. My journey wouldn’t have gone anywhere without her.
Soon after, I was emailed for the clearance interview with FAST OFFER, where they got to know my goals and language level. They matched me with a Japanese company soon after that. Sadly, I wasn’t able to pass my first online interview, but before I could feel sad about it, I was assured more opportunities would come.
The next month, I was selected by three Japanese companies. This qualified me for a free trip to Japan!
I set aside time with FAST OFFER mentors to study Japanese job interviews. They taught me everything I needed to know about navigating the nuances of a Japanese interview. It was because of those sessions that my worries and anxieties eased.
My free trip to Japan for Japanese job interviews
There’s nothing like the joy that comes after a bit of sacrifice, hard work, or conquering challenges.
The first time I arrived in Japan, we had to walk with our luggage from the airport to the office. It was a tiring journey, but I spent every step admiring my surroundings. That walk remains a happy memory, even as I collapsed onto the hotel bed exhausted.
On that day, I also visited a Japanese friend’s house. Their home cooking was so delicious and felt like a reward from the long trek! We also ventured Wakayama, Nagoya, and Tokyo, eating and enjoying ourselves.
Interview success: one step closer to being a foreign software engineer at a Japanese company
After that free day, FAST OFFER held an orientation familiarizing us with how the next few days would go. Soon after, interviews began. I remember being so nervous, but my trusted career advisor helped calm me. That helped me secure a second interview from one of the three companies.
When I passed the final interview, I was in a state of disbelief to the point that I was suspicious. I asked the FAST OFFER staff about ten times if it was true! It slowly sank in as we celebrated over dinner and a small party. I felt like I was dreaming.
Imagining my future working in a Japanese company as a foreign software engineer during the company tour
On my final day in Japan, I rode the shinkansen train through Japan’s vast, picturesque mountain ranges to tour the Japanese company that gave me the job offer. There, I got to know even more about the company’s technology, the software I’ll be using, and even signed my contract.
We capped off the day with a “washitsu(和室)” dinner with my future Japanese bosses and another FAST OFFER International successful computer engineer from India. Washitsu means “Japanese-style room,” which means tatami mat flooring, wood and paper sliding doors, and a low wooden table.
On the way back, the company gave us kaira manju—delicious cream-filled pastries as omiyage (お土産) or “souvenirs”. Now that I live in Japan, whenever I have to visit the Nagoya office, I make sure to buy that exact manju. I think I’ve come to associate Manju with the taste of success!
That whole experience of being hired by the company made us feel very special! It filled us with so much hope and excitement.
Moving from India to Japan
Once I was back in India, it was jarring to come down from the excitement and wait. I had to wait six months after signing my contract before I could start work in Japan. We adjusted our contracts to start two months earlier for training, but the wait still felt so long.
During our downtime, because of past experience from a different recruiter duping me, I got antsy. I remember talking to the other talent I was to join the company with, getting each other even more anxious. We assured each other that the dream-like washitsu dinner with the company VIPs wasn’t a hallucination!
Finally, a month before our flights, ASIA to JAPAN contacted us to start the visa process and give the required documents. From then on, we messaged weekly for updates.
After some delays, along with two other engineers (a Visvesvaraya Technological University alumnus and a Savitribai Phule Pune University alumnus), I finally flew to Japan together to join the Japanese company as a computer engineer.
My first day in Japan as a foreign software engineer
I encountered so many delays. Even up to the last day, I waited seven hours at the airport in India. In a way, that only compounded the joy when the FAST OFFER staff finally picked us up from the airport in Japan. Nothing could tamp down my excitement! Not even my hands and cheeks freezing in the unfamiliar Japanese cold winter as we made our way to the railway station. As I unpacked my things in my warm, spacious dorm room, I almost didn’t want to leave again, dreading how cold it was outside. But there are important things you have to finish as soon as possible when you first arrive in Japan with a work visa. Thankfully, FAST OFFER International supported me through this process.
First day in Japan checklist as a foreign software engineer work visa holder
- Bank registration – You need this to get paid, of course!
- Address registration for your residency card – You will need to always carry your residency card with you.
- MyNumber – similar to the US’s social security number, it’s a unique 12-digit number for all Japanese citizens and foreign residents. It’s used for taxation, social security, and disaster response administrative purposes.
It Was My First Time Being Independent! All The Adulting Lessons I Learned
Before working in Japan, I was a student living with my family. I wasn’t used to all the things you needed to do when you’re living alone. On top of that, I was adjusting to what it meant to be a full-time employee.
Apart from suddenly living in a foreign country, it was shocking how life was suddenly so different in so many different ways. Looking back, here are some things you may want to do before flying to Japan.
Adulting Tips Before Going to Japan
- Learn how to cook – cooking will save you a lot of money. Plus, cooking mistakes cost money!
- Learn all the maintenance chores – Getting in the habit of doing your laundry and general cleaning can ease the transition.
- Learn to budget and track expenses – knowing how to balance and plan your expenses is essential for living alone.
- Start eating with chopsticks – if you’re not used to it, you might be shocked.
Adulting Tips Once You’re in Japan
- Eat deliciously and affordably at the company cafeteria—especially if you have food subsidies! For someone with minimal cooking abilities, this is a lifesaver.
- Don’t go to Daiso and get tempted to buy tons of small, cheap things that, as a whole, are expensive. All the little trinkets will also eat up a lot of space in your home or dormitory.
- Learn the Japanese Train System and you’ll be able to travel anywhere in Japan with some planning. This used to be so confusing, but now it’s second nature!
- Research before going out. If you’re going somewhere specific, some transportation tickets need to be booked online in advance. The buses and trains also run on a very tight schedule.
- Sorting trash is the hardest challenge! Learn the rules in your specific area through your local municipality’s website or guidebook to avoid fines and set aside some money for the necessary materials.
- If you’re avoiding pork (or other meats) like me, learn the kanji, and you can generally find warnings in restaurant menus and in the ingredient lists in food packaging.
- Make the best of every weekend by exploring Japan and making meaningful, exciting memories. It’s tempting to sleep away two days, but doing something fun will be much more rewarding!
My experience working in a Japanese company as a foreign software engineer
When the three of us joined the company in February, we temporarily joined the company’s software testing department. Supervisors guided us as we learned on the job.
After two months (April), alongside 48 other new employees from Japan, we started 10 days of rigorous training on what it means to be a “Kaishain” (会社員) or company employee. On top of the things I learned, it was nice to experience how kind and friendly everyone was. After that training, the three international employees were sent off to different departments.
So much has changed since then. Before coming to Japan, I didn’t even drink alcohol. Now, as I participate in Japan’s nomikai, or drinking culture, I even have a favorite drink: umeshu or Japanese plum wine. It’s sweet, fragrant, fruity, and just delicious. During work hours, we’re all serious about work. So, going out with my officemates for a drink is quite refreshing!
My future as a computer science engineer working in a Japanese Company
My boss told me I should enjoy it while my work is light. They told me that there are seasons when work gets heavy. It’s good to have a supervisor who’s looking out for you and helping you set expectations. But to be honest, I’m looking forward to more work in my Japanese company as a foreign software engineer. I’m excited about more business trips!
I’m confident that with the training and my learning attitude, things will get even better. Eventually, I want to read Japanese without the assistance of a translator app, get a salary raise enough for a car, visit every prefecture, and attend all the Japanese festivals! In the meantime, though, there’s already so much to be grateful for.
I’m making lots of friends, my neighbors are so sweet, and my weekends are exciting because mastering the train system has given me the confidence to explore every nook and cranny of Japan. I’m already in the life I envisioned for myself.
Computer Science Engineers Looking to Work in Japan
I am so grateful to FAST OFFER International, especially my career advisor, who saved me from my downtrodden state when she messaged me on LinkedIn. She was gentle and efficient at the same time. I have them to thank for where I am and where I will be in Japan.
If you’re a Computer Science student looking for opportunities in Japan from India, there are a lot of recruiters out there —some of them are costly. FAST OFFER International, though, I can attest, was 100% free in helping me achieve my goal. I put in a lot of work, and they made sure it amounted to something. So, go! Sign up! Your bright future working in a Japanese company as a foreign software engineer awaits!
Follow FAST OFFER International for inspiring stories & opportunities!
Read More Stories About What Life in Japan is Like For Working Foreigners + Tips From Experience
Indians Working in Japan
- My First Golden Week of Many: My Story from India to Japan
- Working In Japan As An Indian Software Engineer
Chinese Working in Japan
Indonesians Working in Japan
- Overcoming Language Barriers as an Indonesian Professional
- How to Work in Japan As an Indonesian: An ITB Alumni’s Road to a Vibrant Life Working in Japan’s Automotive Industry
- Indonesian Working in Japan: This Salary Woman Thrives Through Her Passion for Languages
