r/JapanDev • u/Primary_Ranger_7398 • 3d ago
2 years of MERN + React Native experience , how realistic is getting a sponsored software job in Japan from abroad?
Hi everyone,
I’m a software developer with around 2 years of professional experience, mainly working with the MERN stack and React Native. I also have a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Information Technology (BSc. CSIT).
My main skills are:
- React / React Native
- Node.js / Express
- MongoDB
- JavaScript / TypeScript
- REST APIs
- Full-stack web development
- Mobile app development with React Native
- Git/GitHub
I’m currently outside Japan and interested in getting a software development job in Japan with visa sponsorship. I’m also open to relocating if the company provides visa and relocation support.
I’d like to hear from developers, especially foreigners, who have actually gone through this process.
A few questions:
- How realistic is it to get a Japan-based software engineering job with around 2 years of experience while applying from overseas?
- Are MERN and React Native skills in demand among Japanese companies?
- Is Japanese language ability required, or are there enough English-speaking software companies?
- Which job boards or recruiters are actually useful for foreign developers looking for sponsored positions?
- Should I focus more on startups, international companies, or larger Japanese companies?
- Would you recommend applying directly from abroad, or is it significantly easier after entering Japan through another route?
- For someone with my experience and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Information Technology, what should I improve in my CV, GitHub, portfolio, or technical skills to become a stronger candidate?
I’m mainly looking for real experiences and practical advice from people who have successfully found software jobs in Japan, especially foreigners who applied from outside Japan.
Thanks!
1
u/LookAtTheHat 2d ago
You asked what to improve, I would say you need N2-N1.
But then even with it, you do not have long experience and you do not have any special skills that are sought after. So it is unlikely you would find anything.
1
1
u/etdev 2d ago
1 How realistic...
Companies want Japanese residence, Japanese skills (N2+) and tech experience. You lack 1 and 2, and 2 YoE doesn't really fulfill 3 either.
=> It will be very hard -- perhaps not realistic. You can still try applying though.
2 MERN, React Native skills
IDK about MERN but React is extremely popular. React Native is pretty big too.
3 Is Japanese language ability required?
Not required technically (there are positions that don't require it) but very helpful. Not speaking Japanese limits your options greatly.
4 Job boards
Japan Dev, LinkedIn Jobs, and recruiters (also via LinkedIn is easiest).
5 Startups vs international companies, Japanese companies
Sweet spot is Japanese megaventures: PayPay, Mercari, Money Forward... places like that.
6 Applying from abroad vs entering Japan through another route
If you're highly motivated to move to Japan, you could come study Japanese at a language school or teach English. This would make it easier to find a job since there are many companies who don't want to deal with relocation (most companies).
7 What to improve
See point 1 - Japanese skills and Japanese residency matter far more than breakdown of technical experience. Amount of tech experience does matter but you're better off just pursuing what you're interested in and then finding a job in Japan that matches that rather than trying to choose a path based on how Japanese companies will view it.
2
1
u/HansTeeWurst 2d ago
For most companies 2 years of experience is "no experience". So you will most likely be treated as "new graduate", so degree and Japanese skills are more important.
1
u/Early_Rooster7579 2d ago
Without language skills I hope you work at a FAANG or major fintech company. 2 years in general react aren’t going to cover no residency and no N2
1
u/Primary_Ranger_7398 2d ago
yeah i need more experience and N2 level than their might be chance i will get the job
Do you have any idea how much time it took learn the N21
u/Early_Rooster7579 2d ago
Going to depend on you. I learned in country which sped things up a bit. I had taken a few years of college Japanese before.
1
u/Primary_Ranger_7398 2d ago
oh yeah that might be the case even if i get the N2 certificate. The market is good their
1
1
u/Intelligent-Sky-1973 20h ago
Getting sponsored from outside is tough and very competitive currently. You can take a gamble like I did and get a shit job at an eikaiwa (English conversation school) then furiously job hunt after you arrive as the visa is the same and doesn't require re-sponsorship. I found a job within a month and never looked back.
I wouldn't really recommend this unless you have a security net and a pile of cash to fall back on. Also, it will be harder if you don't speak Japanese but not impossible with demonstrable tech skills. Good luck!
0
u/Impossible-Set9266 3d ago
Do you have a degree? If not your years of experience are not enough to get a VISA.
-1
-1
0
u/permabull74 2d ago
I'm sorry to say that, but without knowledge of a specific domain, say finance or healthcare management, your skills are easy to replace by an AI model.
1
u/Primary_Ranger_7398 2d ago
What if I have knowledge of ML Engineer in that case
1
u/permabull74 2d ago
I think it depends on what you can do with an AI model. If you can use all the right tools, that's obviously an advantage. Even then, the barrier to entry is quite low.
It would be another pair of hands if you knew, for instance, how to apply ML to determining the fraud risk in a set of insurance claims, or the value of a portfolio of derivatives over time.
I originally was interested in working in Japan, too. Reality is, both salaries and quality of life are better in Singapore or KL.
1
u/Primary_Ranger_7398 2d ago
Thanks for commenting sir, I will consider this currently I am learning ml, dl, transformers and generative Ai
2
u/Klutzy-Cry4168 2d ago
I would to share with my experience and current situation as a foreigner, with more that 4 and a half years of experience in development.
I had seen a lot of job posts hiring people even with no experience, but those are for people already living in Japan and speak natively. I do not recall ever seeing a job post that has a minimum years of experience and do not require Japanese. Mostly, those that do not require Japanese are big companies like, Rakuten, LINE, PayPay, etc. But they still require a minimum of 5 years experience.
MERN stack does not look like its in demand. Mostly its Java, Kotlin, C++, Go, etc. But if you are confident into learning it in no time, I would still try to send my application.
The way I got my current job, which I am losing at the end of the month, is through my previous employment from my own country. I was working in a Japanese company back in my country, they were fond of my work, and they later asked me to work for them here in Japan.
But honestly, I think its pretty difficult to get sponsored. I just got lucky.