Japan is known to be one of the most promising countries in the technology department, as investments in this area are considered a priority; the high level of technological advancement is what makes it a perfect choice for IT engineers looking for a job abroad, as an experience here will provide them with opportunities few other environments can offer.
As technology is a vital part in engineers’ profession, their work would be enhanced by the more powerful and competitive tools that can be found in Japanese companies; this aspect is also motivating for the workers for sure, allowing them to take pride in their work.
This article will explore the opportunities that the country creates for IT employees, who can grow as professionals if they are able to leverage the processes available in the Nipponic islands.
Source: West Japan Railways
Growing demand of engineers
In the last few years, the country has been experiencing an increase in the demand for engineers and there are few reasons behind this phenomenon.
First of all, Japan is currently addressing the challenge of an aging population. The senior population (i.e. all citizens above the age of 65) represents 30% of the community and the fertility rate (i.e. the number of children borne by women) is 1.21. The table below shows the aging index:
Source: https://www.worldbank.org/en/home
Translating these numbers in the work environment, it means that there is a very restricted workforce, since almost a third of the residents is retired. Even though there is a high demand for engineers in all countries, there is an even higher one in Japan, as recruiters have a smaller pool in which to look for.
Then, another factor that boosts the research of IT professionals is the nation’s reputation of being a frontrunner in technological development: the country is one of the most important contributors in artificial intelligence, robotics, IoT and sustainability, therefore it needs more and more engineers to sustain development and maintenance of these technologies.
The last factor we will consider is the continuous urban development that is initiated in Japanese cities. In the streets cutting-edge technologies can be found and all infrastructures require thoughtful engineers, as they are built to resist against the several natural events that citizens have to deal with, like earthquakes and tsunamis.
The country’s focus on technology
There is one main historical reason that provides context on why Japan can be considered a force in the development of new technologies and processes.
During the Meiji Era, the country embarked on a quick journey towards modernization, to reach the level of Western countries; this was just the beginning of its leadership in the technological field.
This type of advancement is considered a priority by all parties, both in the public and private sectors.
Focusing on the public sector, there is one of the highest levels of R&D expenditure in the world. According to data showed by the Statistics Bureau of Japan regarding the fiscal year of 2022, the government expenditure in R&D resulted equal to 20.7 trillion yen.
Source: https://www.stat.go.jp/
These funds have been spent particularly in three sectors: AI and Biotechnology, which have both witnessed an increase of 55% compared to the previous year, and Quantum technology.
The government’s commitment is also highlighted by 2016’s Society 5.0, which is the plan to induce a new industrial revolution to create a new type of society, defined as “Super Smart Society”. This initiative proposes to integrate new technologies like AI and robotics in all aspects of day-to-day life; as engineers are the ones expected to help implementing this new society, we can only imagine the benefits they would gain from moving to Japan in such a crucial time.
Predictable benefits
There are many ways that IT professionals can benefit from a period of staying in Japan, both on a working and personal level.
Starting with the country’s quality of life, it is known worldwide for the fact that it can count on an efficient and high-quality infrastructure, which includes functioning public transportation, healthcare system and an overall safe environment, since there is a very low crime rate, resulting in Japan’s inclusion in the top 10 of the safest nations of the world.
Having this type of context is very important for foreign talents, as the degree of safety and efficiency should be considered.
Moving to benefits on a professional level, engineers could take advantage from Japan’s position as an international force and from exposure to cutting-edge technology. If these talents are able to land a position in some of the biggest companies, like Rakuten, Toyota or Mitsubishi, it would be a valuable and enviable experience, since these firms are widely renowned.
Rakuten Optimism event in Tokyo
Then, witnessing first hand the technology available in the country would be a great opportunity to develop new skills and engage in stimulating projects that would not be present in other countries. Experiencing these types of processes can potentially make the employee more competitive for future positions too, as just a few people are lucky enough to write down in their CV to have used the world’s most advanced tools.
Addressing more practical issues, we should also consider the case of an engineer moving here with their family. We already said the country’s one of the safest in the world, which is a good enough reason to raise a family here.
Foreign people coming to Japan can also count on high-quality education for their children, as both public and private schools offer the opportunity to integrate within the Japanese society and learn the language and culture.
Finally, the healthcare system is really efficient and well-functioning and it’s not uncommon that employers provide to foreign employees insurance that also covers the family’s needs.
What we can do to help you
My name is Luca Innocenti and I’m working for Hello World Japan, a Tokyo-based career assistant startup, currently looking for foreign professionals in the IT department.
We provide engineers with career support and programs to facilitate the learning of the Japanese language, to make sure that the employee feels comfortable within society.
If you enjoyed reading this article or you’re interested in learning more about Japan’s work environment and culture, please subscribe to our Substack and visit Hello World Japan’s website at https://helloworldjapan.com/ to know about recent job openings.
The article is also available in podcast form on Substack, Spotify, and Apple Podcast.
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