If you’re a civil engineer considering a career in Japan, now is the ideal time to make your move. Japan is currently facing a labor shortage in the civil engineering sector due to an aging workforce. As a result, skilled foreign civil engineers are needed to help fill the gap.[1]
Ready to start your journey to working in Japan? Start here! In this story, you’ll find expert advice from FAST OFFER Career Advisor and Kigyo Experts. Plus, tips and messages from successful candidates who’ve secured civil engineering jobs in Japan.
What do Japanese companies look for when hiring foreign civil engineers?
Being Open To Both Onsite And Offsite Positions
Japan’s civil engineering sector is actively seeking foreign professionals for both on-site and off-site roles. On-site opportunities include positions such as Construction Manager (施工管理), Site Engineer, Surveyor, and Quality Control Engineer. Off-site roles are also available, such as Client Coordinator and Project Manager, which involve responsibilities like progress documentation, financial oversight, and coordination of on-site personnel.
Having the flexibility to do both can increase your chances of securing a job offer as a civil engineer in Japan.
💡Career Advisor Radwa-san: Flexibility is key
Being open to positions like a site engineer or construction manager can boost your chances of landing a job offer.
Your Final Year Project Matters A Lot
If you’re a fresh graduate without work experience, your Final Year Project can be your greatest asset. Japanese companies often use it to assess how well you’ve applied your academic knowledge to real-world problems.
To stand out, make sure your project clearly reflects your chosen niche within computer science engineering. A focused, well-executed project not only demonstrates your technical skills but also helps companies see how your expertise aligns with their work and needs.
💡 Career Advisor Radwa-san: Cultivate a niche
Instead of trying to learn everything, develop at least one area of strong specialization. You have to have the ability to clearly identify how you can contribute to the company. Additionally, you should have a clear and logical reason for your interest in a specific position or department.
Find The Right Work Experience & Extracurriculars
Aside from your Final Year Project, the right internship will give your resume an edge when applying for civil engineering jobs in Japan. Find an internship that aligns with the specialization you want to pursue. This way, you can get hands-on experience and develop familiarity with how the field works.
Work experience is highly valued for civil engineers seeking opportunities in Japan. Gaining relevant experience in your home country can significantly strengthen your application. Ideally, securing an intership with a Japanese company in your home country is a major advantage, as it allows you to become familiar with Japanese work culture, standards, and processes — making the transition smoother and more effective.
💡Career Advisor Kawai-san: Join clubs and get internships
I think it is beneficial for students to have teamwork experience not only through research projects at university but also through club activities or internships. As mentioned earlier, teamwork is often highly valued in Japanese companies. It is also important to be able to share specific episodes about your role within a team, what you thought, how you acted, and how you overcame challenges or difficulties.
💡 Tip from Kigyo Expert Kohei-san: Have side projects
It’s good to have something you can work hard at during your university years. For example, a part-time job, an internship, or extracurricular activities. It’s important to be able to clearly explain why you chose that and why you worked hard at it.
Show Your Ability To Work In a Team
In Japan, there is a strong emphasis on group harmony, or 和 (wa). That’s why it’s important to show during interviews that you can work well in a team. Although computer science engineers can work alone, it’s a role that often involves coordinating with various departments, so it’s beneficial to show that you’re capable of being collaborative and team-oriented.
💡Career Advisor Kawai-san: Explain your process when working in a team
Interviews at Japanese companies tend to place more emphasis on the process — how you acted to achieve those results. By understanding the process of how a student thinks and acts, Japanese companies imagine the kind of performance they would deliver after joining the company and decide whether to hire them accordingly.
💡 Tip from Kigyo Expert Kohei-san: Share your experience of working in a team
Share your experience of what it’s like working together as a team to accomplish something. Companies take notes on whether you can work in a team.
Do you need to speak fluent Japanese to get a job in Japan as a Civil Engineer?
Civil engineers aiming to work in Japan must possess a high level of Japanese language proficiency. This is essential for understanding technical documents, building codes, reports, and other industry-specific materials. Strong communication skills are also crucial, as you’ll be required to coordinate closely with engineers and other professionals both on-site and off-site. [1]
Additionally, civil engineers need to pass the local examinations and certifications, which are conducted in Japanese.
Another thing that you have to learn is Keigo (honorific speech) to address your potential employers, future colleagues, and clients
Sign up for our free Japanese classes here!
💡 Tip from Kigyo Expert Kohei-san: Learning Japanese is a must
You need a certain level of Japanese language ability and the mental strength and patience to endure the on-site work.
What software do you need to know to get a job in Japan as a Civil Engineer?
As a computer science engineering graduate, gaining familiarity with the right software and tools is essential. Based on the observation of FAST OFFER Career Advisors, Japanese companies expect a certain amount of proficiency, or at least a willingness to learn, in the following when hiring for computer science engineering roles:
- BIM (Building Information Modeling)
- Revit
- AutoCAD Civil 3D
- STAAD Pro
- Microsoft Excel
How should a Civil Engineer prepare before interviewing with a Japanese company?
Be Ready to Explain Your Personal Story as a Civil Engineer
Aside from your technical skills and experience, Japanese companies look at a candidate’s personal story and values. It’s crucial to be able to explain why you chose to be a civil engineer in Japan, your goals, and how you can contribute to making the world a better place using your skills.
💡Career Advisor Radwa-san: Explain your reason for wanting to work in Japan
You must be able to explain why you want to work in Japan, why you want to start your career here, why you chose this field, why you want to apply to this company, and this particular department. Understand that “working in Japan” is not the same as “living in Japan.” You must provide a convincing reason why you want to build your career here, not just your life.
Do Company Research to Prepare for an Interview
When it comes to applying for jobs in Japan, company research isn’t just about simply looking at the company’s description on their website. It includes taking time to understand their mission, vision, and goals — and most importantly — how you can contribute to achieving them and how it aligns with your personal values.
Here’s a guide on how to do thorough company research.
💡 Career Advisor Radwa-san: Share why you want to join the company
Know their business areas and products. Prepare a clear, specific reason for wanting to join the company, supported by personal experiences or episodes in your life.
Message and Tips from Some of Our Successful Civil Engineering Candidates
Are there opportunities for women to work as civil engineers in Japan?
“It was always my dream to work in Japan, but for some time, I lost my confidence and thought it was unrealistic. I thought it was a big hurdle for women to work abroad. Plus, I was affected by the discriminatory experience of being told my appearance and voice couldn’t work for a civil engineer. But here I am now, proving those discouragements wrong.”
How can you grow your career as a foreign civil engineer in Japan?
“My goal upon joining the company is to utilize my expertise in river engineering to contribute to the projects. I will also use my civil engineering knowledge to benefit the company.
In the future, I aim to pass the engineering exam within the next three to five years. By gaining diverse experiences within the company and further enhancing my skills, I believe I can successfully pass the exam. Ultimately, I hope to become an asset to the company and make a valuable contribution. Like the anime heroes who inspire me, I am determined to meet my personal goals while making significant contributions wherever I go.”
How can a foreign civil engineer be flexible with on-site and off-site jobs?
“I am more interested in designing than working in the field. However, at the company where I have been offered a job, I will be able to work in the field first and learn a lot of things. To realize my dream of working as a designer in the future, I would like to learn at various workplaces through the company I have been offered a position at first, and then I would like to consider my future career.”
Take your first step toward a career in Japan! Sign up with the FAST OFFER International Program to get free mentorship from top career advisors.
Meet our Experts: the FAST OFFER Career Advisors & Kigyo Advisors
Much like the rest of the FAST OFFER International program, our career guides also seek to offer a bird’s-eye view of the Japanese job market. We want to give you advice that encompasses insights from the Japanese companies we’ve partnered with and the successful applicants we’ve helped. Helping out the FAST OFFER Editorial Team, below are Career Advisors and Kigyo (Japanese Company) Experts who helped write this story.
Career Advisors
When you apply with FAST OFFER International, your casual screening interview is handled by a career advisor. Your assigned career advisor will eventually guide you through the process until you succeed.
Career Advisor Radwa Hussein
Originally from Egypt, Radwa is a Career Advisor at ASIA to JAPAN’s FAST OFFER International Program, where she specializes in preparing engineering and IT students for job interviews.
With a strong passion for helping young professionals build meaningful careers, she supports foreign talent in their transition to working and living in Japan. Radwa speaks five languages and, in her free time, enjoys cooking and belly dancing.
Kigyo Expert
Our Kigyo Advisors mainly deal with the Japanese companies we work with. They have inside information on the company mindsets, interview process, and what the companies prioritize.
Kigyo Expert Mayu Kawai
For the past six years, Mayu has worked as a Recruiting Advisor, helping Japanese companies connect with international talent. Her passion for cross-cultural work began during university, when she completed a long-term internship in India as the only foreigner at the company.
This formative experience gave her a deep understanding of the challenges involved in working abroad and inspired a commitment to supporting both Japanese employers and international professionals. With empathy and care, she helps foreign talents adjust to life and work in Japan.
Kigyo Expert Kohei Oguni
Kohei Oguni has been with ASIA to JAPAN’s FAST OFFER program for about two years, primarily supporting companies in hiring students from overseas. Prior to this role, he worked in human resources and sales at a steel manufacturing company.
Outside of work, Kohei enjoys swimming and relaxing in saunas and hot springs.
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