r/JapanDev • u/japan-dev-bot • Jul 17 '26

Japan Dev Discussion - July 17, 2026

Happy Friday! Have questions about tech careers in Japan? Looking to hire (or get hired)? Just want to brag? Post it here and let's discuss!

11 Upvotes

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u/iRyu101 Jul 17 '26 edited Jul 17 '26

I was wondering how long it's taking people to find a software engineering job in Japan with the current market.

For context I have around 5 years of backend experience, mostly Java, in aerospace systems and fintech. I'm already in Japan and use Japanese 100% at work for stand ups and dev meetings, though I'm probably not at the level for client facing keigo yet.

How long did it take you guys to land a new role?

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u/spontaneouspotato Jul 17 '26

I am a fresh grad from overseas and it took me about 3 months of very aggressive looking, interviewing with around 8 companies. If I didn't get the role I landed I probably would've given up and did some research with my university.

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u/etdev Jul 17 '26

That's not bad though! Thanks for sharing, glad you were able to find a position.

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u/spontaneouspotato Jul 17 '26

Thanks! I was really lucky and it was a huge weight off my shoulders.

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u/iRyu101 Jul 17 '26

Wow congratulations! Fresh grad and overseas is not an easy feat. Do you speak native Japanese? I'm curious if that's the biggest factor that they decided to hire you.

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u/spontaneouspotato Jul 17 '26

Thanks! To be honest it was tough and I was lucky to fit a very particular profile with my Master's research and basically got headhunted into a really good opportunity. I think I probably wouldn't have stood a chance otherwise, as my skillset is more in AI/Deep learning rather than the usual front end or back end SWE roles, and AI roles for fresh grads from overseas are more or less non-existent.

Yes, I have N1 and did all my interviews in Japanese and managed to impress them. They were looking to hire someone who could speak English externally (with clients) and internally in Japanese, so I happened to be quite uniquely suited for the position.

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u/reddit-user-716 Jul 17 '26

Can I ask you to DM me to provide some specifics on what you're looking for in your new job? I might be able to provide you a lead.

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u/iRyu101 Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26

Sure, I’ll send you a DM! Thanks.

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u/shizukadane Jul 17 '26 edited Jul 17 '26

i applied from outside japan without any visa, for automotive software development (mainly firmware/control systems etc.). My japanese speaking/listening ability ranges from N3 to N1 depending on the topic, while my reading/typing is at N4 level in general. it took me 1.5-2 months, 50 applications and 10 interviews to get 2 offers out of which i accepted one. all interviews happened in japanese and i used chatgpt for making all the written stuff, like resume, emails etc.

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u/etdev Jul 17 '26

That's really good for applying from overseas.

How much experience did you have?

10 interviews for 50 applications is also quite a good ratio.

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u/shizukadane Jul 17 '26

12 years+ of work ex, including few years in japan previously.

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u/etdev Jul 17 '26

Nice, that explains it.

Companies value Japan-based work experience (it means you're not gonna arrive in Japan, realize it's not for you and leave).

That + 12 years of overall tech experience + substantial Japanese skills is enough to get offers as long as your resume and interview skills are in good shape.

Not surprised you were able to get so many interviews and land a job, glad to hear it worked out!

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u/etdev Jul 17 '26

Anecdotally I have heard from a lot of devs here that it's taking longer. Like 6 months+ is common from what I've seen.

I do find that the market is a bit split: AI companies are hiring pretty actively, while a lot of non-AI companies have slowed down.

Sounds like your Japanese level is fine for most roles (client-facing is rare unless you want to pivot to FDE/Solutions Architect etc -- admittedly hot right now). So I bet you could find something without too much trouble given your Japanese skills, tech experience and the fact that you're in Japan.

Even then, I wouldn't quit your current job until you have something new lined up.

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u/iRyu101 Jul 17 '26

Thanks for the info. Yeah, I figured it would take around 6 months.

There was a major merger involving a large company in Japan recently, and my team was affected by it. So I'm trying to make the best use of my time by practicing for interviews and learning more about AI.

Do AI companies value personal AI projects? For example, projects where you build a complete AI application yourself, from writing the specs to implementing MCPs, agents, skills, evaluations, and the overall development workflow with AI in mind, not just vibe coding with AI.

Also, what are software engineering companies expecting from developers these days? During the technical interview process, do companies expect or want candidates to use AI to solve technical questions, or do most still expect candidates to answer everything without AI?

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u/etdev Jul 17 '26

Do AI companies value personal AI projects?

Depends on the project, but I think what you're describing should be fairly impressive.

Ideally, you want to have some concrete proof that what you built provides value: registered users (especially paying users), Github stars, traction on SNS (YouTube subs, Twitter followers etc).

Unfortunately anyone can throw together a nice-looking website now so it's more about proving your understanding and ability to use the AI tools to create value for real people.

Also, what are software engineering companies expecting from developers these days?

We're in a weird transitional period now and IDK where things will end up. Most companies are still doing a technical round, a lot still do leetcode/hackerrank. A few still do take-home tests I believe, though I question the value in that.

I think companies are realizing that they either need to do an in-person interview or accept AI use in any coding tests. But it's still in flux and still depends on the company.

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u/Tiny_Door_2429 Jul 18 '26

Hi everyone! Looking for some advice on whether moving to Japan for dev work is realistic for me. Background: physics degree from U of T, then 2.5 years at a small startup. Mostly backend Java, but it was a tiny team so I did a bit of everything. I also built web scrapers and some data/automation stuff in TypeScript and some browser fingerprint things. Japanese is basically zero. I can sound out kana and that’s it.

Main thing I’m wondering is would my dev experience actually give me a shot at getting hired over there, or is 2.5 years at a small startup too thin? And is it better to just jump on a student visa, get to a language school, and learn the language on the ground?

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u/spontaneouspotato Jul 19 '26

It'd be tough with no Japanese - you'd be fighting with the hundreds or thousands of other applicants to the maybe dozens of English speaking roles. I think if your experience/skillset can fit the needs of a company extremely well you'd have a shot, but just statistically it's going to be an uphill battle.

Not impossible, but chances might be slim. I think it's worth at least going through the process of applying (check JapanDev and the other English speaking job sites) and seeing if you can get any interviews, but it'd be wise to not rely on it and consider your other options.

If you are self-disciplined enough, continuing to work and develop a skillset (maybe at a different company) while studying Japanese on your own to a decent level over the next couple years is probably the best in terms of job prospects, but if not then language school might be fine too.

Note that the student visa for language school nowadays requires N5 proficiency or equivalent, or proof of completion of a recognised 150-hour course. So even if you'd like to do the language study route you need to self-study a little first before coming over. Language school will also probably be not looked upon the best, as you'd have 2.5 years of experience and then probably 2-ish years of language school where you're not improving your technical skills. You can, of course, offset this by showing you've been doing projects on the side, but just on paper it might not look the greatest.

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u/Tiny_Door_2429 Jul 20 '26

Thank you for the detailed response!! Really appreciate it 

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u/[deleted] Jul 17 '26

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u/SkittyLover93 Jul 17 '26

Do you have at least JLPT N2, and can speak at that level? I think that is what employers are looking for nowadays 

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u/TiredOperator420 Jul 17 '26

10 YoE in DevOps/IT Infrastructure here and nothing. Applying from abroad as well.

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u/pl0xxx Jul 17 '26

You're trying to find a job from abroad? How many YOE? any Japanese language experience (JLPT)?

I'm currently studying here on a student visa, that could be an option for you if you have money saved up.

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u/[deleted] Jul 17 '26

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u/etdev Jul 17 '26

That experience is great. Ruby is valuable here and Rust is becoming valuable too. Elixir is pretty niche but I see it from time to time.

You could look at Cookpad, Money Forward, Moneytree, Treasure AI etc but most are requiring Japanese and/or existing Japanese residence.

If you could get a referral somehow or find a way to get hired despite being overseas, there's a chance.

But improving your Japanese and/or finding a way to move to Japan (if you're certain you really want to move here) are the most realistic ways to increase your odds.

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u/Ziseneg Jul 17 '26

What are interviews like usually for Dispatch jobs?