Dreaming of working in Japan? If you’re an electrical engineer, now is the perfect time to make that dream a reality. Japan has a strong demand for skilled foreign talent in electrical engineering, and plenty of opportunities are waiting to be filled. “In Japan, there are many job openings in the mechanical and electrical fields, but the number of Japanese students entering these industries is declining. That’s why companies are actively looking for talented international candidates,” explains Mayu Kawai, Career Advisor at the FAST OFFER International Program.
What kind of electrical engineering jobs can you find in Japan?
As a global leader in electronics and innovation, Japan offers a wide range of roles across industries. Whether you’re interested in research and development or fieldwork, you’ll find opportunities in sectors like manufacturing, telecommunications, robotics, automotive, and many more.
In this story, you’ll find expert advice from FAST OFFER Career Advisors and successful candidates who’ve secured electrical engineering jobs in Japan.
What do Japanese companies look for when hiring foreign electrical engineers?
A Final Year Project You Are Passionate About
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 electrical 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: Be specific with your career goals within the company
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.
Relevant Internship & Extracurriculars
Aside from your Final Year Project, the right internship will give your resume an edge when applying for electrical 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.
Another way you can boost your resume is by joining contests for electrical engineers, such as the Minidrone Competitions hosted by MathWorks (the company behind the software MATLAB).
💡 Kigyo Expert Kohei-san: Your extracurriculars matter
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.
💡Kigyo Expert Mayu-san: Team players are sought out
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.
What software do you need to know to get a job in Japan as an electrical engineer?
As an electrical engineer, 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 electrical engineering roles:
- Electrical Circuit Design
- Internet of Things (IoT): Experience with embedded systems, sensor integration, and communication protocols
- PLC Programming: Mitsubishi, Omron, Siemens platforms
- CAD Software: AutoCAD, SolidWorks, MATLAB
- Simulink: Control system design, simulation, and signal processing
- Programming: C and C++ for embedded development, firmware, and microcontroller programming
- Artificial Intelligence
Do you need to speak fluent Japanese to get a job in Japan as an electrical engineer?
The good news is you don’t have to have a high level of Japanese fluency in order to be hired for an electrical engineering job in Japan. In our experience, many of our successful electrical engineering candidates had a JLPT N3 or N4 level when they secured the job offer.
Just make sure to practice explaining your Final Year Project in Japanese, and that you know all the technical jargon in Japanese, so you’ll be able to explain your Final Year Project in detail.
💡 Tip from Kigyo Expert Kohei-san: Explain the connection of your research to the industry
You should be able to answer and explain how you can apply your research in electrical and electronics to Japanese manufacturing. It would be good if you could explain it well 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!
How to prepare for job interviews for electrical engineering jobs at a Japanese company?
Do Company Research
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.
💡Career Advisor Radwa-san: Personalize your attachment to 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.
Here’s a guide on how to do thorough company research.
Be Ready to Explain Your Personal Story as an Electrical Engineer
Aside from your technical skills and experience, the Japanese look at a candidate’s personal story and values. It’s crucial to be able to explain why you chose to be an electrical engineer in Japan, your goals, and how you can contribute to making the world a better place using your skills.
💡 Career Advisor Radwa-san: Examine your purpose 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.
Message and Tips from Some of Our Successful Electrical Engineering Candidates
Is there room for foreign electrical engineers to grow their careers in Japan?
“Although initially I wasn’t sure about my career path, I now aspire to grow within the company. Over the next five years, I aim to deepen my technical knowledge and become a top-tier employee. In ten years, I hope to refine my expertise further and mentor junior colleagues, helping them navigate their own careers.”
Can foreign electrical engineers get job offers in Japan?
“To everyone who wants to find a job in Japan. If you study Japanese hard and confidently, you will be able to get a job offer like I did. Please do your best.”
Are there opportunities for foreign electrical engineers in Japan?
“There is so much opportunity for Malaysians in Japan. With their talent and edge in language, there’s so much space in Japanese companies looking to globalize. I hope more Malaysians take advantage of the career opportunities in Japan. Why not? The opportunity with FAST OFFER International—the Japanese job classes, the job matching, the free trip to Japan, and the very thorough mentorship—are all free. Just be ready for the opportunity and grab it when it comes!”
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.
