Advice for International Students in Japanese Universities Wishing to Work in Japan
Sahil Dwivedi Updated in September 2025

Job hunting and understanding the process of applying for jobs can seem daunting to any student, but it’s especially challenging for international students, given the significant language barrier and the differences in job-hunting practices compared to their home countries. As the CTO leading the recruiting department of a Japanese company, I’d like to share some insights and tips for students studying in Japan who are looking to work here.

The Prerequisites

The Elephant in the Room: Japanese

The most important factor, in my opinion, is the ability to understand and use Japanese in a professional setting. Having Japanese language proficiency can significantly increase your chances of landing a job in Japan. I would recommend aiming for at least an N2 proficiency level if you want to work in a Japanese company. Having official certification can help get your resume shortlisted, but even if you don't have formal certification, being able to demonstrate your Japanese skills during the interview is absolutely essential. This is especially true if you're applying to a company where most of the staff are Japanese.

What if I Don’t Speak Japanese?

If you have a highly specialized skill in a particular field, you might still land a job in an international team within a Japanese company, where Japanese may not be a strict requirement. Although the competition for these positions is fierce, even basic proficiency in Japanese could give you an edge over candidates who don't speak the language at all.

Applying to multinational companies is also a viable option if your Japanese language skills are limited. Look for companies with international teams or those originating in English-speaking countries, where you may be able to find positions that don't require Japanese fluency.

No matter your current level, learning Japanese will always positively impact your job-hunting prospects.

Experience and Internships

Internships or participation in university-level competitions and teams are excellent ways to boost your application. They demonstrate your teamwork, leadership skills, and ability to take initiative. When reviewing job applications, I often look for candidates who have been part of a university club or circle, as this is a strong indicator that the applicant is comfortable working in teams and striving toward a common goal.

Personal Projects

I really appreciate it when job applicants have personal projects they’ve worked on simply out of interest or to learn something new. These projects showcase an individual's curiosity and provide a clear indication of their skill level based on the quality of the work they’ve produced.

The Timeline

For a regular Japanese university student, the job-hunting timeline is as follows. I recommend international students follow this same schedule:

• Year 1: Focus on adjusting to university life. Join a club or circle.
• Year 2: Start researching companies you're interested in. Many students do internships during their summer and winter breaks, which is highly recommended.
• Year 3: Do an internship during the summer or winter break. Applications typically open 6 months before the internship starts and are often on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to apply early.
• Year 4: Apply for jobs by the summer. The job application process can take anywhere from 5 to 10 months, so plan accordingly. The process can be rigorous, with 1 to 3 written tests and 2 to 8 interviews, depending on the company. While this may seem overwhelming at first, if you stick to deadlines and follow the process, you should be fine.
• Joining the Company: Once you receive an offer, you’ll participate in a company joining ceremony and undergo the onboarding process.

Conclusion

As you can see, the job-hunting process in Japan can seem complicated, especially for students fresh out of university, compared to countries with campus placements. However, with a strong resume and the determination to navigate all the steps carefully, you’ll already be one step ahead of many candidates.



Brett Jordan for Unsplash