・If you’re hoping to progress a bit faster
If you’re hoping to build up a lot of experience and skill while you’re young, working in Japan may just be for you. Japanese companies put a lot of energy into building up the skills of their workforce, so not only are your Japanese language skills sure to improve, but you can look forward to even further growth at a Japanese company.
Merit 1: You can choose from a wide variety of jobs outside of your university major
Generally, when new graduates are hired in other countries, it’s typical for these students to be judged based on their current skills or grades. In Japan, however, students’ personality traits and potential tend to be given more importance. Because of this cultural tendency, Japanese students have opportunities to try to enter industries that interest them, regardless of their school major. In this way, it can be said that having a wider range of employment options and greater possibilities for your future career plan is one of the merits of finding a job in Japan.
Merit 2: An Excellent Training and Career Path System
In Japan, a lot of time and money is invested in human resources development, and many companies have generous training programs. These programs include a variety of different topics, from the company vision and explanations of the work you’ll be doing there, to development of the skills you’ll need for your work, to studies of business manners and logical thinking, and so on. On the short end, training periods can be a few weeks, and may even last a few months on the long end. Through this sort of training, you’ll be able to acquire the type of skills you’ll need for your career, one by one.
Additionally, by placing importance on employee growth, companies can also provide a career path. You should be able to use the vision you have of your future to make a mid- to long-term career plan, and continue to foster your skills and gain experience.
Merit 3: Your Japanese language skills will improve
You can further polish up the Japanese language skills you gained while studying abroad by using them at work. In Japanese work settings in particular, the ability to use business terminology is extremely important in making work proceed smoothly. Even if you decide to return to your home country some day, developing your Japanese language skills is sure to be a plus in your next career step.
・If you’re looking for a better lifestyle
According to NUMBEO’s “Quality of Life Index by Country 2021,” Japan ranks number 17 out of 83 countries. In Asia, it ranks number 1. In addition to livability, there are other factors like employment stability and generous benefits that make working in Japan very attractive.
Merit 1: Generous Benefits
Japanese companies offer generous benefit packages. In addition to each type of social insurance, it’s also common for companies to partially or completely cover commuting fees. To protect the health of employees’ minds and bodies, companies also cover the cost of an annual health check-up. On the other hand, depending on the company, mid- to large-sized companies may also offer rent subsidies, housing in company dormitories, discounts on leisure facilities, and more. This type of generous benefit package can also be considered one of the perks of working in Japan!
Merit 2: Stable Employment
When working in other countries, if your employment situation is unstable, it may affect your legal residence status. In Japan, however, worker protection laws ensure that as long as there has not been a serious legal violation, workers cannot be easily fired. Also, though things are beginning to change, many people work at a single company until retirement. This means that foreign workers can live and work in Japan with ease of mind.
Merit 3: Great Livability
As we mentioned earlier, Japan is great place to live! It’s safe, and has good infrastructure, and transportation networks and other environments are well organized. Japan is also a country with a long history, and rich cultural traditions. Living here means getting to enjoy onsen and hanami (“flower viewing” picnic parties), and other seasonal leisure activities.
Even within Japan, Kobe is an especially great place to live. According to American consulting company MERCER’s “Quality of living city ranking 2019,” Kobe was ranked first amongst Japanese cities, surpassing Tokyo. As a port city, Kobe also has an international atmosphere that you won’t find in other Japanese cities. With mountains surrounding the city and the ocean just in front of you, the scenery here is captivating. If you choose to work in Kobe, you’ll be able to enjoy this comfortable lifestyle, too.
When it comes to working in Japan, it’s a positive for your personal growth, and good for seeking a better lifestyle as well. If you’re going to come to study abroad in Japan, why not challenge yourself to work in Japan, too?