Are you from India, and want to start a new life in the land of the rising sun? This article will tell you how to get an engineering job in Japan for Indians, including:

1. Necessary qualifications for finding an engineering job in Japan
2. Where to find an engineering job in Japan for Indians

1. Necessary Qualifications for Finding an Engineering Job in Japan

There are essentially two ways to prepare yourself for an engineering career in Japan – a degree or certification. Qualifications aren’t only important to employers, they’re also mandatory for getting a Japanese work visa.

Degree

As we’ve mentioned, you’ll need an undergraduate degree in engineering or a related field in order to get a work visa in Japan.

If you don’t yet have a degree, there is also the option of starting out as a student and studying Japanese, engineering, or both. Note that you are allowed to work part-time on a student visa. It’s a great way to adjust to life in the country, hone your skills and build the connections you will need for a successful future career.

Certification

If you don’t have a formal degree, you could possibly still work in Japan if you have 10 years of experience or more. Another option is taking the ITPEC exam, which is based on the Information-Technology Engineers Examination (jōhō shori gijutsusha shiken, 情報処理技術者試験, or ITEE). The ITEE is considered the standard in the Japanese IT industry.

You can also take the JLPT, although it’s not necessary to work in Japan. Many modern Japanese startups are globally-minded and operate bilingually.

2. Where to Find an Engineering Job in Japan for Indians

As we’ve mentioned, there are lots of opportunities for Indian engineers in Japan these days. Around 45% of Japanese companies have stated that they are open to hiring foreigners, especially in the IT industry. In fact, after ESL (English as a second language), it is arguably the easiest industry for foreigners with limited Japanese skill to work in. So, where exactly do you find these jobs? There are basically three ways.

Online

There are a number of online platforms you can use to connect with potential employees, like: 

• World in Pro
• The Inbound Technology job board
• Gaijinpot Jobs
• Jobs in Japan
• Daijob
• Tokyodev
• Japandev
• LinkedIn.
• Yaaay
• CareerCross
• Robert Walters
• Glassdoor

In Person

Job hunting in Japan is arguably easier if you are already in the country with a valid visa. If you prefer face-to-face interviews, you could start by entering Japan on a student or designated activities visa, and switching to the engineer/specialist in humanities/international services visa once you find a full-time job. You could technically even job hunt on a tourist visa, but you’ll probably not have enough time to complete the job-hunting process.

Another possibility is to start out by teaching English, which is covered by the same visa category as engineering, so you won’t have to change your visa when you change jobs.

Recruitment Companies

Navigating a new culture and language can be overwhelming. Luckily there are services like World in Pro that helps to connect Japanese tech companies with foreign tech talent. World in Pro serves as a bridge between you and your new employer, eliminating any confusion or misunderstanding. You can get help with job hunting, visa applications, and more. Simply sign up and start browsing open positions today.

Need Expert Advice?

Inbound Technology helps Indian tech professionals connect with Japanese tech companies. Chat with one of our friendly career advisors here or on LinkedIn.