How digital is Japan? It depends who you ask.
Japan, after all, produced the first digital watch, pioneered video games, runs on superfast broadband, and had the first mobile internet service while the rest of the world was still fiddling with its Nokias.
At the same time, visitors to Japan are baffled by baroque technologies like Web 1.0 interfaces, fax machines, paper money and, our personal favourite, the personal seal. And yes, feature phones ARE making a comeback.
The best answer may be that Japan perfected so much technology during the pre-digital age that it’s one of the countries least ripe for digital disruption. But even that is now changing, with US tech giants Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google capturing a large share of Japan’s ecommerce, mobile and advertising markets.
The main disruption these firms bring is more open platforms for sales and marketing. This has weakened the relationship-based, Dentsu-controlled, politically-driven way of doing business in Japan. It has also created a notable surge in demand for digital talent.
Where to look for digital jobs in Japan
Digital jobs in Japan can be found in startups and tech firms, advertising agencies, gaming companies, and even in legacy industries like printing that are having to reinvent themselves for the digital age.
Digital and tech jobs are the easiest to break into if you don’t speak Japanese, though learning the language is still a huge advantage. Many of these jobs also offer attractive salaries to younger employees in a nation where entry-level salaries still tend to be modest.
Digital nomadism is not yet a way of life. Japanese workers overwhelmingly prefer the security of a full-time job, while foreigners need a full-time job in order to get a visa. The introduction of the Highly Skilled Professional visa has made it easier than ever for digital specialists to work in Japan and qualify for permanent residence in a short time.
Roles that we see continued high demand for include Digital Project Manager, UX/UI Designer, Data Analyst and Digital Content Strategist. Japan has a mainly generalist workforce – the product of regular internal transfers – so there is a biting shortage of good local search, social and data specialists.
One thing hiring managers often tell us is that they value team players who display cultural sensitivity in the Japanese workplace. Japan is a particularly unforgiving place for a ‘brilliant jerk’, as it places tremendous value on team harmony and getting things done collectively.
How to get a digital 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 difficult to land a digital marketing or tech job when applying from outside Japan. Yes, a few big tech firms do look overseas for talent, and it’s a different story if you’re a Japanese national looking to return home. Otherwise, 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 digital jobs in advertising, tech, media and design. See the latest job openings or get in touch to let us know you’re looking.
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