Navigating Japan’s IT Industry: A Personal Perspective
Living in Japan for an extended period has given me a unique insight into the country’s IT industry. Initially, moving to Japan was a challenging decision, but I was determined to make it work. Even though I had studied Japanese before moving, I realized that I needed more to establish proper communication with the locals. I had to take a moment of dense study and force myself to practice as much as possible, even taking jobs out of my career path to get more practice.
I was unprepared, and it took me about six months to get a job as a developer. Despite some companies being foreign-friendly and offering all the support for settling in Japan, you still need to face processes, documents, and bureaucratic barriers. The salaries in Japan are not the highest in the world, absolutely less than in the US, and not always more than in South America. The trade-off is the country’s infrastructure and security, which makes a big difference in your everyday life.
There is still a need for more Engineers, especially Programmers, in Japan. The more you can speak Japanese, the more opportunities you get. However, finding a company willing to hire non-Japanese speakers can be challenging. You may have to search for foreign-friendly companies or improve your language skills.
The average IT companies in Japan are not innovation-oriented, as we assume, and many areas resist adopting new technologies. Most companies are resistant to renovating the code. If your field is related to web development, you can face 10 to 15-year-old source codes still being maintained. In my experience, I developed a web chat and an online notification system for a horse bet website that still had code from the early 2000s.
Recently, I have noticed some changes in the industry in Japan, and better startups have been born. Many companies are starting to adopt new programming languages and architectures. Some modern work formats are also becoming more common, and the resistance to remote work has reduced significantly. It is clear that the industry is evolving, and it’s an exciting time to be a part of it.
Suppose you want to know more about the country or consider it a place to work. In that case, you should check different media sources and visit the country before deciding. It’s important to note that there are many myths about Japan, and you should never take one person’s point of view as the absolute truth.
In conclusion, Japan’s IT industry has unique challenges. Japan’s infrastructure and security make it an attractive place to live. Although the salaries may not be the highest, the trade-off is worth considering. Still, it’s possible to succeed with hard work, dedication, and a willingness to learn. Knowing the language, adaptability, and embracing the culture are keys to making it work.
