Need to ramp up your creative business? These are your heroes.

The role of advertising account people is to face the client. Note how the expression ‘face the client’ conjures an image of deep shame or wrongdoing. Don’t think of it that way. Account people are the worker bees of any agency, supplying constant nectar to the hive. As they work in close proximity to creatives, planners and clients, it’s no surprise when they also turn out to be the smartest people in the room.

Account Executives are the backbone of an account team and handle most of the day-to-day interaction with the client. Account Managers look after the finer details like contracts and billings. They in turn report to an Account Director who acts as the senior-level counterpart for the client and may be the person responsible for winning the account in the first place.

Larger agencies will often employ a Client Services Director or Group Account Director to provide an extra layer of oversight. With some agencies maintaining decades-long relationships with clients, it’s impossible to overstate how important all of this is.

You’ll also find account teams in PR and tech firms, with a few small differences. In PR agencies, an account person will often handle multiple clients on an ‘on-call’ basis, while an advertising account person will typically handle just one or two. In tech firms, an Account Executive is the client lead and has a more senior role.

Where to look for advertising jobs in Japan

The account department is the most staffed in an advertising agency and offers the best chance for newcomers to break into the industry. This is true in most parts of the world, and Japan is no exception.

Account roles are not going to be automated anytime soon, least of all in Japan. For one thing, Japanese business culture places a premium on face-to-face meetings, which are critical for resolving differences long before they can turn into a source of conflict. And another thing: Softbank’s Pepper robot writes terrible creative briefs.

To thrive as an account person, you’ll need to be a bright thinker and a skilled communicator who can keep a cool head in an industry with more than its fair share of unpredictability and chaos, not least when the Creative Director loses the Bluetooth signal on his Apple Magic Mouse.

Yes, the hours can be long and the clients demanding. Foreign agencies have a better reputation than domestic agencies for respecting work-life balance. Most advertising account roles in Japan require you to speak business-level Japanese, including the dreaded keigo, though we increasingly see opportunities for those with only conversation-level Japanese.

What we often hear from hiring managers is that they want their account people to be willing problem-solvers who step in and solve an issue for a client before it can escalate. Such proactive behaviour is uncommon in Japan, so agencies value people who can bridge the cultural divide by acting independently while still respecting cultural norms in the agency-client relationship.

How to get an advertising job in Japan

Let’s start by busting a few myths. Japan has millions of open jobs, but that doesn’t mean finding one is easy. For a start, most jobs require communication in Japanese, which is why Japanese-English bilinguals are always in such high demand.

If you speak both Japanese and English to business level, then the only thing holding you back is the right connections. That’s because many open jobs in Japan are filled by recruiters or personal referrals, not by job ads. In a culture where the power of introductions goes a long way, companies in Japan are more likely to meet candidates introduced by a trusted source. So connect with a recruitment agency that specialises in your industry to unlock hidden jobs and give yourself the best possible chance of landing one.

Here’s another thing we can’t stress enough: it’s extremely difficult to land an advertising job if you’re applying from outside Japan. Unless you’re a Japanese national looking to return home, you’re more than likely wasting your time. Employers generally aren’t interested in people just starting out on their ‘Japan journey’. The vast majority will prioritise candidates already based in Japan (preferably Tokyo) who can speak some Japanese and attend an interview in person.

So if you’re not already in Japan, your best option is to base yourself here long enough to explore the job market. This can be done by visiting on a tourist visa, applying for a company transfer (if your current employer has a Japan office), taking a less-than-ideal job that sponsors a visa (changing employers later is a relatively easy task), or by enrolling on a master’s degree or language course (part-time work is permitted on a student visa). Be patient: it may take anywhere from three months to a year to find the right opportunity to progress in your career.

There are, of course, many ways to get a job in Japan, and these are just some general guidelines. Market trends and hiring activity may change from time to time, but some advice remains timeless: Be present, be humble, be patient, learn the language, and make local connections. Information correct at time of publishing. Last updated: Nov 2019

We hope you enjoyed this guide. Considering a career change in Japan? Then let’s connect. We recruit for a wide range of jobs in the creative industries, including advertising, marketing, media and design. See the latest job openings or get in touch to let us know you’re looking.

What They Say