There are many different types of companies in Japan, including both major corporations and venture companies, and for foreign engineers who are not familiar with Japanese business culture, this can be a point of confusion when deciding where to work. Major corporations and venture companies each have their own differences, advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to know the differences between them and work at a company that suits you. In this article, we will explain the differences between major Japanese companies and venture companies, as well as the points to keep in mind when working for either type of company. Foreign engineers who wish to find employment in Japan can use the foreign engineer-focused job change agency "G Talent" to efficiently find a company that suits them.Which should foreign engineers choose: a major company or a venture company?When foreign engineers work in Japan, they may be unsure about whether to work for a major company or a venture company. However, even though we call them all foreign engineers, their personalities and characteristics differ from person to person, so it is not possible to say which is better in general.It is important to choose a company that suits each foreign engineer, without being too fixated on major companies or venture companies.However, it is also true that there are differences and characteristics between many of the major companies and venture companies in Japan. By knowing the differences and characteristics between major companies and venture companies, you can reduce the gap for foreign engineers after joining a company. Let's use this article as a reference to understand the differences between major companies and venture companies in Japan.Reference: 私のキャリア遍歴に基づくマインドセット論〜大企業⇒ベンチャー⇒そしてフリーランスへ〜／Tech Team JournalThe differences between major and venture companies in the Japanese engineering professionIn Japan, there is a shortage of Japanese IT personnel, so both major and venture companies are focusing on hiring foreign engineers. In order to avoid any regrets for foreign engineers, it is important to understand the differences between major and venture companies. The main differences are summarized in the table below. Major companyVenture companyScale of projects involvedLarge scaleSmall scale/subcontractingWork/scope of responsibilityDesign work possible from first yearFirst year is simple programming and system constructionSense of speedSlowFastSalary level/salary increaseSalary is highSalary increases easilySalary tends to be lower than large companiesSalary increase speed depends on performanceCareer path systemDifficult to be evaluated depending on companyEasy to be evaluatedExtent of welfare benefitsExtensiveDepends on the companyHuman resources development systemExtensiveDepends on the companyEase of taking time off and holidaysDifficult to take in companies or departments with complicated labor managementDepends on the company's system and atmosphereLet's take a closer look at the differences between them.Scale of the projects involvedLarge companies often handle large-scale projects, while venture companies often take on smaller projects than large companies. Large companies often take on projects for major banks, securities companies, and government systems, and if a problem were to occur, it could have a large-scale impact.Because they are large companies with a high level of trust, they often take on large-scale projects, but because the projects themselves are large-scale, the number of people involved is also large, so it may be difficult for each individual to feel that they were involved in the system.On the other hand, venture companies develop relatively small-scale systems with a small number of people, and there are also venture companies that are contracted to take on the downstream development process from large companies.Reference: 大手企業へのエンジニア転職ってどう？中小との違いを解説！／イーデスWork/scope of responsibilityIn major companies, you can get involved in requirement definition and system design from as early as your first year. This is because some major companies outsource programming work to venture companies and only perform the upstream process of development. For foreign engineers who want to be involved in the upstream process from an early stage, it can be said that it is easier to seize opportunities at major companies.In the case of venture companies and small and medium-sized companies, if they are often subcontracted by major companies, there are many downstream processes such as programming. However, there is the advantage that there is a high possibility of being able to oversee the entire project.Reference: 【どちらが良いか】ITベンチャー企業と大手企業のメリット・デメリット比較／IT転職辞書Sense of speedIn large companies, there are communication and procedural barriers between each department within the company, so the sense of speed in work tends to be slow. However, in venture companies, the distance to management is close and the procedures for obtaining approval are simple, so the speed of decision-making tends to be fast. In venture companies with a strong spirit of challenge, it seems that some companies will immediately put forward ideas in meetings and try anything before thinking about it.Reference: 大手企業とは？　定義や中小企業との違い、メリット・デメリットを紹介／マイナビ転職Salary level/salary increaseMajor companies tend to have well-established systems such as bonuses and allowances, and annual salary increases. Therefore, compared to venture companies and small and medium-sized companies, engineers generally earn higher salaries and are more likely to see their annual income increase.Venture companies tend to be unstable, with bonuses being cut in years of poor performance, for example, while bonuses may be high in years of good performance. The salary structure differs greatly from company to company, so it is difficult to generalize, but salaries are often lower than at major companies. However, in the case of venture companies, salaries may increase in line with your abilities.Reference: 年収一挙公開！大手VSベンチャーどっちが給料多い！？／Tech総研Career path systemIn large companies, it is difficult to see an individual's performance because of the established evaluation, promotion and training systems. If your direct supervisor does not conduct the personnel evaluation, there are many cases where good performance does not lead to a good evaluation.In venture companies, the distance between the management and the employees is short, so it is easy for your performance to be reflected directly in your evaluation. It can also be said that it is an environment where you have many opportunities to demonstrate your skills and ideas.Reference: 大手とベンチャー、エンジニアの仕事内容とキャリアの違い／assign navi magazineExtent of welfare benefitsLarge companies often have well-developed welfare systems. They provide generous support, including a full range of pension and insurance programs, company housing, and rent subsidies. Some venture companies also work to create a comfortable working environment, but compared to large companies, they tend to have less generous benefits and welfare systems.Reference: スタートアップ企業に福利厚生はあるの？その他企業との違いや具体例を徹底解説／ベンチャー就活ナビHuman resources development systemLarge companies tend to have well-established training and human resources development systems. They offer support for employees who want to improve their language skills, as well as training to improve their specialist skills. Foreign engineers may also be able to find companies that offer Japanese language support.In the case of venture companies, the extent to which they have well-developed human resources training systems tends to depend greatly on the company's performance and the management's policies.Reference: ベンチャーの研修制度ってどうなってるの？研修制度のあるベンチャーの見つけ方を紹介／ベンチャー就活ナビEase of taking time off and holidaysThere are engineers who work hard even at large companies, but because many companies have strict limits on working hours, there are not many companies that exceed the prescribed overtime hours. However, many venture companies are trying out various new things, and compared to large companies, there is a tendency for working hours to be longer. However, because venture companies tend to adopt flexible working hours and discretionary labor systems, it is easier to achieve a flexible working style.In addition to working hours, major companies also tend to make it easier to take holidays. This is because major companies tend to have more staff than venture companies, so it is easier to find a replacement for them in terms of work.Reference: 大企業とベンチャーの違い、フィットしやすい人の違いとは？／notePoints to note for working in a major or venture company in Japan as a foreign engineerThere are three things to be aware of when working as a foreign engineer at a major or venture company in Japan.A work visa is requiredJapanese language skills are requiredUnderstand cultural differencesA work visa is requiredIn order to work as a foreign engineer in Japan, you will need a work visa. There are several types of work visas, but in order to work as a foreign engineer, you will need to obtain a “technology” visa under the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” residency status.In order to obtain the “Engineer” status of residence, you must either have “at least 10 years of work experience” or “have studied a subject related to the job you will be doing at university or a vocational school”, or you must have a qualification in information technology as specified by the Ministry of Justice, and you will be required to have experience, qualifications and study hours in order to obtain the visa.Even after you have submitted your application documents, it takes time to be approved, so you should prepare for your work visa in advance so that you don't make the mistake of not being able to obtain a work visa even though you have received a job offer.Reference: 外国人エンジニアに必要な在留資格や就労可能な職種の種類、注意点［グローバルエンジニア2]／FellowshipJapanese language skills are requiredIn order for foreign engineers to work in Japan without any problems, they should acquire basic Japanese language skills and business etiquette. Even foreign engineers who have been hired may need to communicate with their superiors and colleagues or participate in business negotiations with customers. By acquiring Japanese language skills, it will be possible to respond and deal with situations in a way that is not rude as a businessperson.If you learn IT jargon and words commonly used in business situations in Japanese, it will be useful for communicating with your boss and colleagues and for your work.Reference: どうする？外国人労働者の日本語教育問題｜教育方法やコミュニケーションに大切なこと／外国人採用サポネットUnderstand cultural differencesIf you are a foreign engineer working in Japan, it is important to understand that different cultures and values are emphasized in Japan and overseas. For example, in overseas countries, people are valued for their attitude of speaking up and taking on challenges without being afraid of making mistakes, but in Japan, there are still some values that place importance on following the instructions of one's superiors and carrying out one's work without expressing one's own opinions.Furthermore, there is a possibility that there are aspects of the workplace culture that foreigners may not understand, such as not being able to go home because the boss is still working even though you have finished your work, or strict control over the start and finish times of the working day. In order to avoid culture shock, it is important to understand the unique working culture that remains in Japan.Reference: 日本で働く外国人社員 ヒアリング調査結果『日本語はムズカシイ？日本語だけの問題じゃない？』～日本で働く外国人社員に聞いた、日本語コミュニケーションの課題とは～／PR TIMESLet's work as a foreign engineer at a major Japanese company or a venture company!In this article, we have explained the differences between major companies and venture companies, as well as the points to note when working as a foreign engineer in Japan. After learning about the differences between major companies and venture companies, choose the environment you want to work in. Foreign engineers should use the three points we have introduced here as a reference to start their careers in Japan.For foreign engineers looking for a company that suits them in Japan, we recommend using the job-placement agency “G Talent”, which specializes in foreign IT engineers. They support the job-hunting and career-change activities of foreign engineers who want to work in Japan, and introduce companies that match their experience and abilities. They also provide support for interview preparation and visa acquisition, so if you want to work at a major or venture company in Japan, please be sure to use "G Talent".

When foreign engineers apply for employment with Japanese companies, they need to have different qualifications and apply in a different way to when they are looking for work in their own country. In order to get hired smoothly, it is important for foreign engineers to know the qualifications and application methods they need to get hired in Japan.In this article, we will explain the types of residence status and application methods required for foreign engineers to be hired by Japanese companies, as well as the points to note and the types of foreign engineers who are hired by Japanese companies. For foreign engineers who want to be hired in Japan, your chances of being hired will increase if you make use of the job-placement agency “G Talent”, which specializes in foreign engineers.Residence status required for foreign engineers to be hired by Japanese companiesThe following four types of residence status are available to foreign engineers seeking employment at Japanese companies.Highly Skilled ProfessionalEngineer/Specialist in Humanities/International ServicesDesignated ActivitiesResidence Status Based on Status or Status of ResidenceHighly Skilled ProfessionalHighly-Skilled Professional is a residence status for hiring talented people from overseas. It is approved for a variety of occupations in Japan, and you can work as an engineer.The Highly-Skilled Professional visa application screening criteria has introduced a “Highly-Skilled Professional Points System”. Academic background, work experience, research achievements at universities, annual income, bonuses, etc. are used as screening criteria, and if you have more than 70 points, you can obtain a visa.If you meet conditions such as graduating from a famous university or graduate school, obtaining JLPT N1, or having an annual income of over 4 million yen, you have a high chance of being eligible for a Highly-Skilled Professional visa.Reference: 外国人エンジニアを採用するときに必要な在留資格の条件・申請方法／jopus bizEngineer/Specialist in Humanities/International ServicesIn the case of foreign engineers, if they meet the technical requirements, they can work as engineers under the Engineer, Specialist in Humanities/International Services status of residence. In order to obtain the Engineer status of residence, in addition to the conditions for foreign workers, there are also conditions for the company that will be accepting the foreign worker. We will explain each of these conditions in detail.Conditions for obtaining a “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” visaIn order to meet the requirements for a “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” visa, you must either have “at least 10 years of work experience” or “have majored in a subject related to the job you will be doing at university or a vocational school”.However, if you have passed an examination on information processing technology set by the Ministry of Justice, you may be exempted from the academic and work experience requirements. It is helpful to obtain an appropriate IT-related examination conducted in your home country to obtain a visa.You can check the items of the examination on information processing technology set by the Ministry of Justice on the Ministry of Justice website. For example, the following qualifications are recognized by the Ministry of Justice for Vietnamese engineers to obtain a “technology” visa status in order to be employed in Japan.The following examinations conducted by the High-Tech Incubation Training Center (HITC)(1) Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination(2) Applied Information Technology Engineer ExaminationExaminations conducted by the Vietnam Information Technology Examination and Training Support Center or the Vietnam Training and Examination Center, including the following(1) Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination(2) Software development engineer (software design and development engineer) test(3) Applied information technology engineer (applied information technology engineer) testIn addition, the company that employs the foreign engineer must meet three conditions: “specialization and relevance of job content”, “remuneration equivalent to or higher than that of Japanese employees”, and “business stability and continuity”. By fulfilling all of these conditions, it will be possible to accept foreign engineers.Reference: 入国管理及び難民認定法第七条第一項第二号の基準を定める省令の技術・人文知識・国際業務の在留資格に係る基準の特例を定める件／出入国在留管理庁Designated ActivitiesDesignated Activities is a work visa that can be obtained by foreigners who are engaged in specific activities that do not fall under any other status of residence. For example, this includes working holiday makers, students looking for work after graduating from school, students in Japan on internships, spouses of highly-skilled foreign professionals, and domestic helpers for diplomats.However, as the “special activities” visa is a short-stay visa for 6 months or 1 year, in order to work for a long period of time, it is necessary to switch to a status of residence such as “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services”.Reference: 在留資格「特定活動」／出入国在留管理庁Status of Residence Based on Status or StatusThere are four types of status of residence that have no restrictions on working: permanent resident, spouse or child of Japanese national, spouse or child of permanent resident, and long-term resident. As you can work in the same way as Japanese people, there is no need to apply for a status of residence.Reference: 「就労に制限のある在留資格」と「就労に制限のない在留資格」／行政書士・社会保険労務士永井弘行事務所How to apply for a residency status to apply for employment as a foreign engineerTo smoothly apply for a residency status to apply for employment as a foreign engineer, please familiarize yourself with the following procedures.Necessary documentsFlow of proceduresNecessary documentsIf you meet the requirements for obtaining a visa that allows you to work in Japan, you should prepare the documents you will submit to the Immigration Bureau. The foreign national themselves will need to prepare things like their graduation certificate, resume, and passport.As there are many documents that need to be prepared, it is important to do so with plenty of time to spare. If you have any worries or problems regarding work visas, you can consult with a government-certified lawyer, although there will be a fee.The company that will be accepting you will also need to prepare documents. The documents that companies prepare will differ depending on the size of the company, and the smaller the company, the more documents they will need to prepare.You can check the details of the necessary documents on the Ministry of Justice website. As the documents will differ depending on the visa you are applying for, you should check the documents required for the status of residence (such as Highly Skilled Professional, or Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services) that is likely to be approved based on your career history.Reference: 【2021年版】 図で分かる就労ビザの必須書類一式／jopus bizFlow of proceduresObtaining a visa requires a period of 2 weeks to 1 month from the preparation of documents to the application. It takes about 1 to 2 months until the results of the screening are announced.If you need to apply for a change of status of residence or visa, you should allow for the time it takes to process your application, as well as the time it takes to join the company. From receiving an offer to joining the company, you should allow approximately 2 to 3 months.Reference: 外国人採用するなら知っておくべき就労ビザ取得期間　ビザ申請が間に合わないと国外退去になってしまうの？／Guidable JobsPoints to note when foreign engineers apply for a residence statusWhen foreign engineers apply for a residence status, there are three points to note.If the actual work content differs from the residence status, it will be considered illegal employmentThere may be cases where it takes time to be approvedThere are also ways to acquire information processing technology qualifications in place of academic background and work experienceIf the actual work content differs from the residence status, it will be considered illegal employmentEven if you are hired as an engineer, if the actual work you do is different to the content of your visa status, you will be considered to be working illegally. Before you are hired, be sure to check the details of the work you will be doing.For example, if you are hired as an engineer but the actual work you do is general office work, you will be working illegally.Reference: 外国人エンジニアに必要な在留資格や就労可能な職種の種類、注意点［グローバルエンジニア2]／FellowshipThere may be cases where it takes time to be approvedFrom the time you apply for a work visa until the screening process is complete, it may take some time. To ensure that your status of residence is in order by the time you start work as an engineer, you should allow yourself plenty of time.We recommend that you allow yourself around 2 to 3 months from the time you are confirmed as an employee to the time you start work.Reference: 就労ビザの審査期間はどのくらい？／外国人雇用＆就労ビザ相談センターThere are also ways to acquire information processing technology qualifications in place of academic background and work experienceIn order to acquire a status of residence of “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services”, you must either have “at least 10 years of work experience” or “have majored in a subject related to the duties you will be engaged in at university or a vocational school”. However, even if you do not have work experience or a university major related to the job you want to do, you may be able to have the requirement waived by passing an information technology exam set by the Ministry of Justice.If you are a foreign engineer who wants to work in Japan as an engineer with no experience, you may be able to work in Japan by studying to pass a qualification exam.Reference: 技術ビザ - IT資格／TN行政書士事務所Types of jobs for foreign engineers who are hired by Japanese companiesThere are many different types of engineers. The following are some of the types of foreign engineers who have been employed by Japanese companies.ProgrammerSoftware engineerSystems engineerSecurity engineerIT consultantProject leaderProject managerProgrammerProgrammers are software and systems programmers who work based on the specifications created by engineers in upstream processes such as systems engineers, project managers and project leaders.They are required to have the ability to investigate and solve problems on their own, such as adjusting for program deficiencies and finding and fixing bugs.Reference: プログラマーとは？なり方や仕事内容、将来性を紹介／デジタルハリウッド大学Software EngineerSoftware engineers are in charge of developing a wide range of software, including PC and smartphone applications, and applications that control home appliances and public transportation. Their duties include development, design, software operation and maintenance, and testing.This is a job that requires knowledge and skills in development environments and programming, as well as communication skills with customers and team members.Reference: ソフトウェアエンジニアになるには？必要なスキルや年収を紹介／HiPro TechSystem EngineerA system engineer is a job that involves defining system development requirements, designing, testing, etc. In some cases, the system engineer only defines the requirements and creates specifications, leaving the actual programming to the programmers. This is a job that requires communication skills with the people involved.The way you work will differ depending on the company. You may work for a company that receives orders for system development, or you may work as an in-house SE, developing, designing, operating and maintaining the systems needed within the company.Reference: SE（システムエンジニア）とは？SEの仕事内容と年収／IT業界まるわかりガイドSecurity EngineerSecurity engineers are engineers who work on servers, infrastructure, and information security. They design and develop systems to protect them from cyber attacks.This is a job that requires a high level of information sensitivity, as you need to be quick to catch information about security and respond to evolving cyber attacks.IT ConsultantIT consultants are consultants who provide advice on all aspects of IT in client companies, propose system development and improvement, and provide support for implementation.They target clients who are having issues in the IT field, and propose solutions using IT technology. They are required to have the ability to think and make proposals, identifying the cause of the problem and proposing and developing appropriate solutions.Reference: 【需要増加】ITコンサルタントとは！？具体的な仕事内容や年収、有利な資格まで網羅的に解説！！／Executive LinkProject LeaderThe project leader is responsible for managing the progress of development, quality control and development team members as the leader of one section of the overall project under the management of the project manager. Working as a project leader opens the door to promotion to project manager.Reference: プロジェクトリーダーとは？仕事内容や必要なスキル、おすすめ資格を紹介／株式会社システムインテグレータProject ManagerAs the manager of the entire project, you will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including budget and schedule management, product quality control, and team member management. System engineers, programmers, and software engineers can advance to the position of project leader or project manager by gaining experience.Foreign engineers who want to work in Japan can get hired through “G Talent”In this article, we have explained the qualifications and application procedures required to apply for employment as a foreign engineer. The main types of residence status that allow you to work as an engineer in Japan are “Highly Skilled Professional” and “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services”.Check the necessary documents, the flow of procedures, and points to note, and make sure your application goes smoothly. There are various types of jobs available for foreign engineers in Japan. Get the necessary residence status and try your hand at building a career in Japan.Foreign engineers who want to get a job in Japan should use the job-placement agency “G Talent”, which specializes in foreign IT engineers. We provide strong support for foreign IT engineers who want to work in Japan, and you can also receive generous visa acquisition support.

When foreign engineers work in Japan, the higher their level of expertise, the better the conditions they can expect to find at a company. However, many people are probably wondering just how high the level of expertise required is. In this article, we will explain the level of expertise required of foreign engineers when working for a Japanese company.In addition to the level of expertise, we will also introduce the skills that are often required of foreign engineers, what foreign engineers should do in order to work at a Japanese company, and the content of their studies. There are many situations where foreign engineers with expertise can play an active role in Japan, so let's acquire high-level skills and expertise and grow into IT engineers who can play an active role in Japan.If you are looking to change jobs to a company that matches your desired conditions, we recommend using the job-change agency “G Talent”. This job-change agency specializes in high-level foreign engineers, and provides a variety of support to help you succeed in Japan.What level of IT expertise is required of foreign engineers in Japanese companies?First, we will explain the level of expertise required of foreign engineers in Japanese companies, divided into the following categories.Programming skillsIndustry knowledgeDevelopment environment software operation skillsGeneral IT skillsThe level of expertise required for each of these areas will vary depending on the company and position you work in. Please use the following as a rough guide to the level of expertise required when working for a Japanese company.Programming skillsOne of the key areas of expertise required of foreign engineers is programming skills. You will need to acquire the skills to be able to work in the development of programs, systems and applications. In terms of study hours, you will need to study for at least 1000 hours.In order to work as a programmer or systems engineer from day one, it is desirable to have around three years of work experience. Before starting work in Japan, it is possible to work for a Japanese company as an experienced worker with at least one to three years of industry experience in your home country.However, there are also moves by famous Japanese IT companies to hire foreign engineers with no experience as new graduates. By achieving results during your time at university, there is a possibility that you can find employment at a Japanese IT company even if you have no experience or a high level of expertise.Reference: プログラミングの勉強時間はどれくらい？おすすめの勉強方法についても紹介／QUREOプログラミング教室Industry knowledgeKnowledge of the IT industry is also essential as a specialist who keeps up with technology trends. As trends in the IT industry tend to change easily, many companies are looking for ideas to utilize high-profile technologies on a daily basis. In Japan, there are many companies that want to stand out from the crowd by adopting new technologies that are popular overseas, so as a foreigner working in Japan, there is a high chance that you will be appreciated if you can bring trends from your home country or the world to Japanese companies.If you have a good grasp of the information on famous IT companies in Japan and learn about the services of companies that are competitors of the company you are going to work for, it will be useful after you join the company.Reference: ITの知識とは？IT業界へ就職を目指す学生に向けて徹底解説／レバテックルーキーDevelopment environment software operation skillsSystem development technology and software development technology, as well as the operating methods for each, are also areas of expertise that are in high demand for engineers. The reason Japanese companies go to the trouble of hiring foreign engineers is because there are not many excellent engineers in Japan, and they want to employ people from overseas who can make an immediate contribution. For this reason, after joining a company, it is often the case that you will be expected to be able to operate development environment software, and you will be involved in programming and system development work.Reference: ITエンジニアに必要な基礎スキル47｜おすすめの勉強法を紹介！／.NET ColumnGeneral IT skillsNo matter what company you work for or what position you hold, as an engineer you need to have basic IT expertise and PC skills. It is a good idea to have knowledge of software and hardware, networks and security While foreign IT engineers have a high level of expertise in their own specialized fields, they may not be able to perform tasks outside of their own specialized fields or tasks related to the pre- and post-processes of their work. In Japan, you may have to perform all the processes related to your work, so there may be times when your broad knowledge of IT will be useful.Reference: 外国人の雇用やビザ申請でお困りの企業様へ／就労ビザ申請サポート池袋About the IT Skill Standard (ITSS) Level EvaluationTo prove your IT skills, we recommend using the IT Skill Standard (ITSS), a system developed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to visualize the expertise of IT personnel. ITSS quantifies the expertise and skills currently possessed by IT personnel, and clarifies which expertise and skills are lacking and which need to be strengthened in the future.Some Japanese companies use ITSS not only for skill evaluation but also for personnel assessment, so as a foreign IT engineer considering working in Japan, you should check out the existence of ITSS.ITSS has seven levels, and is linked to the IT Passport Exam (ITSS Level 1), the Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Exam (ITSS Level 2), and the Advanced Information Technology Engineer Exam (ITSS Level 3). There are 11 different job categories, ranging from marketing and sales to IT architect and IT specialist.Reference: ITスキル標準（ITSS）とは？【スキルマップ】職種・レベル一覧／kaonaviOther specializations required of foreign engineers by Japanese companiesIn addition to IT expertise, the following three specializations are also required of foreign engineers by Japanese companies.Communication skillsLanguage skillsLogical thinking skillsCommunication skillsIT engineers often have to communicate with other members of the development team and with customers. They are required to have advanced communication skills that enable them to understand the intentions of the other party and then convey their own opinions.Make sure you have mastered basic Japanese language skills and business etiquette so that you don't offend your superiors or customers. If you learn IT technical terms and words commonly used in business situations in Japanese, you will be able to carry out your work smoothly.Reference: 日本で外国人がITエンジニアになるには？必要なスキルや会社の選び方[グローバルエンジニア2]／FellowshipLanguage skillsAs a worker in Japan, it is not a bad idea to have a certain level of Japanese language ability. Depending on the position you work in, Japanese language ability may not be a priority and only IT skills may be required, but having Japanese language ability will also open up opportunities for you in the future, such as being able to take on management positions or participate in business negotiations with customers. By taking the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test), you can visualize your Japanese language level. However, there is no need to worry too much if you can't speak Japanese. At present, due to a shortage of Japanese engineers, many foreign engineers, including Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese engineers, are being employed by IT companies. In many good IT companies, bridge personnel who connect foreign engineers and Japanese engineers are employed, and they often provide support in terms of language and communication.In such companies, support for applying for a work visa may be provided by specialists. In order to work in Japan, you will need a visa for “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” or a visa for highly-skilled professionals, so if you can work for a company that provides visa support, you will receive generous support and save yourself the trouble of applying.Reference: 【外国人ITエンジニアの採用】成功させるために必要なポイントと手続きは何？／就労ビザ申請サポート池袋Logical thinkingBecause the IT industry is based on numbers and data rather than intuition, the ability to think logically is extremely important for engineers. Having a high level of logical thinking allows you to think through the causes of problems and to think about things based on evidence. What foreign engineers need to do to reach the required level of expertiseIn order to reach the level of expertise required by Japanese companies, there are three key points that foreign engineers need to focus on.Study programmingDevelop your own programs and appsStudy Japanese and EnglishStudy programmingMany Japanese companies are looking for foreign engineers who can hit the ground running, so you should study programming so that you can become an asset to the company as soon as you join. The reason Japanese companies want to hire foreign engineers is because there are not many talented IT workers in Japan. If you have a high level of expertise, your chances of being hired will increase.Even if you don't have any work experience as a programmer, there are cases where foreign engineers are hired straight out of school if they have a track record of achievements during their time as a student. For example, around 90% of the new graduates hired by the major IT company Mercari in 2019 were foreign nationals.Reference: メルカリの新卒エンジニア9割が外国人、インドの次はどの国から採る？／DIAMOND onlineDeveloping your own programs and appsAs part of your programming studies, we also recommend that you develop your own programs and apps. The experience of developing your own programs and apps can be submitted as a portfolio when you are looking for a job.By creating a portfolio that includes details of the projects you have participated in, your experience of working in teams, and the languages and environments you have used for development, you can effectively convey your skills and personality to companies.Reference: 優秀なエンジニアの採用成功に近づける６つのステップをプロが解説！／採用スマートナビStudying Japanese and EnglishIn order to work as an engineer in Japan, you should also make sure to study Japanese and English. At the very least, you will need to be able to speak Japanese in order to communicate with other engineers and customers in Japan. It will also be useful to learn IT terms and business phrases commonly used in Japanese companies. In order to promote the acceptance of foreign nationals, some Japanese IT companies have set English as the official language of the company. If English is not your native language, it is useful to study English as well as Japanese.Reference: 【外国人向け】日本で働くために覚えておきたい仕事で役立つ日本語[グローバル2]／FellowshipThere are many opportunities for foreign engineers with high-level expertise to work in JapanThere are many opportunities for foreign engineers with high-level expertise to work in Japan. In particular, the following five types of engineer are likely to be able to work in Japan.System EngineerTechnical SupportIT ConsultantProject LeaderProject ManagerSystem EngineerThere are many opportunities for foreign engineers to work as system engineers in Japan. In some cases, a business-level or higher Japanese language ability is required, but annual salaries of 6 million yen or more are standard, and depending on your skills and experience, there are also development positions that offer salaries of 10 million yen or more.There are also jobs available in regional cities and positions that allow you to work remotely or flexibly, so you can expect a workplace environment that allows you to work in a flexible way.Reference: 3倍に増えた外国人ITエンジニアの背景や採用状況を解説／G Talent BlogTechnical SupportTechnical support is a job that responds to inquiries about IT-related hardware and software. Because the same infrastructure is used worldwide, foreign engineers who can handle both Japanese and English are in high demand in global network divisions and infrastructure operation and maintenance departments.Depending on the level of technical support, there is a possibility that you can work if you have basic IT skills that allow you to operate and maintain systems. In addition to being able to communicate in Japanese and English, if the network and infrastructure are used in other countries, having local language skills such as Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, or Spanish will be highly valued.Reference: テクニカルサポートの仕事とは？ 魅力から厳しい一面まで実態を解説／PORTキャリアIT ConsultantAn IT consultant is someone who works on IT strategies for client companies. Annual income is generally between 7 and 10 million yen, and there are also jobs that offer flexible hours and remote working systems.In order to work as an IT consultant, experience in system construction and management, as well as experience working in the industry in which you will be engaged, is necessary. For this reason, experience as an IT consultant and familiarity with the IT industry are required.Reference: 【ITコンサルタントとは】激務？学歴や資格は必要？未経験OK？仕事内容や年収も解説！／CAREER KnockProject LeaderIn addition to knowledge and skills related to the IT technology needed for the project you are involved in, and work experience, the characteristic of a leader position is that high communication skills are required.Depending on the type of job, you may also have to oversee Japanese engineers or manage estimates and man-hours. For this reason, you will need not only team-building skills, but also high language skills in Japanese and English.Reference: プロジェクトリーダーとは？仕事内容や必要なスキル、おすすめ資格を紹介／株式会社システムイングレータProject managerLike project leaders, project managers are required to have knowledge and skills in development languages and development environments, as well as management and communication skills. They are responsible for listening to the customer's requests and incorporating them into the product, and so they have more experience than project leaders.There are jobs available from 7 to 10 million yen and above, and in some cases, there are environments where you can work independently with full remote work and flexible hours. If you have experience working in the industry you are interested in, a curiosity about new knowledge, and a desire to work as part of a team, why not try your hand at a project management job in Japan?Reference: 外国人エンジニアの給与とは｜相場額を把握し適切な金額設定を行おう／SunWellsFor foreign engineers with high-level expertise, use “G Talent”In this article, we have explained the level of expertise required of foreign engineers working for Japanese companies. Foreign engineers are required to have high-level IT skills as well as language and communication skills. By continuing to learn programming and actually developing apps and programs, you can gain employment opportunities in Japan. If you also remember to study Japanese and English, you will have a wide range of career development opportunities.“G Talent" is a job-placement agency specializing in foreign IT engineers. Our bilingual consultants, who have a wealth of IT knowledge, provide strong support for foreign IT engineers who want to work in Japan. If you want to work in Japan as a systems engineer, technical support, consultant, or in a management position, please consider using “G Talent”.

The salary market for foreign engineers in Japan differs depending on the type of job, such as programmer, systems engineer, or project leader. In addition to the type of job, your annual salary may also be affected by the industry you work in, the number of years you have worked, and the type of company you work for, but in this article we will explain the salary market for each type of job.In order to make a job change that you won't regret, it is also necessary to gather information on check items other than salary. Let's also look at other points you should check, such as work-life balance, welfare benefits, overtime hours, and whether or not there is support for obtaining a visa, in addition to salary.If you are a foreign engineer looking for a job with a high salary, please use “G Talent”, a job-change agency for foreign engineers. We will provide full support for your job-change, including visa acquisition support and salary negotiations.Salary market for foreign engineers in JapanLet's first take a look at the salary market for foreign IT engineers in Japan, broken down by job type. The four types of foreign engineer jobs we will be introducing are as follows.ProgrammerSystem EngineerProject LeaderProject ManagerThe salary market differs not only by job type, but also by years of experience and industry, so we will explain each in detail.ProgrammerThe average annual salary for foreign programmers in Japan is between 3 and 10 million yen. The reason for the range in the average annual salary is that there are differences depending on the development field and the number of years of experience.For foreign software engineers, the average annual salary for software engineers with more than 10 years of experience is around 6.7 million yen. For those with more than 5 years of experience, the salary is 5.8 million yen, for those with less than 5 years of experience, it is 4.5 million yen, and for those with less than 1 year of experience, it is 3.9 million yen.Reference: 外国人ITエンジニアの給与水準はどう決める？相場や給与条件を解説／GitTapSystems EngineerThe market rate for foreign systems engineers is 3 to 7 million yen per year. The average annual salary for systems engineers with more than 5 years of experience is 4.32 million yen, but for those with less than 5 years of experience, the market rate is 3.38 million yen.It is said that in Japan, systems engineers do not see a significant increase in their annual salary when they get a pay rise. The reason for this is that the IT industry in Japan is multi-tiered, with many subcontractors and sub-subcontractors, and in some cases, system engineers work in a dispatched employment format, stationed at the client's office.On the other hand, some system engineers at foreign-affiliated companies earn 10 million yen a year in starting salary, so it can be said that there is a large disparity in salaries between industries and companies.Reference: システムエンジニアの年収や給料について詳しく解説します！／平均年収.jpProject LeaderThe average annual income for foreign project leaders is around 8 million yen. In their 20s, it is around 4.68 million yen, and in their 30s, it is around 6.22 million yen.A project leader is a position that oversees a specific part of a project. Although they don't go as far as a project manager, they can expect to earn a higher salary than programmers and engineers who actually do the work.Reference【外国籍IT人材採用】ホワイトペーパー『よくある失敗から学ぶ！自社に合った採用のコツ』／GitTapProject managerThe average annual salary for foreign project managers is also around 8 million yen, the same as for project leaders. The average annual salary for project managers with more than 10 years' experience is 8.5 million yen, and for those with more than 5 years' experience, 7.2 million yen.If you are a foreign engineer with a high level of expertise and technical skills, there is a good chance that your annual salary will increase.Reference: 外国人エンジニアの給与とは｜相場額を把握し適切な金額設定を行おう／SunWells [As a side note] Does Japanese language ability affect the salary of foreign engineers?There is a possibility that the salary of foreign engineers will increase if they acquire Japanese language skills. This is because many foreign engineers are currently working in Japan, and they can be expected to play the role of a bridge engineer between foreign engineers and Japanese engineers.In order to make your Japanese language ability visible, you should acquire a Japanese language qualification. The Japanese Language Proficiency Test is one qualification that you can present when looking for a job or changing jobs.However, there is no need to worry too much if you don't speak Japanese. If you can communicate at a minimum level, you should be fine, as many solid companies hire Japanese bridge staff.Reference: 【外国人向け】日本で働くエンジニアの給料事情と高収入を得るための方法[グローバルエンジニア2]／FellowshipItems that foreign engineers should check other than salaryIn order for foreign engineers to make a job change without regrets, there are points to consider other than salary. In particular, by checking the following four points, it is possible to achieve a job change with a high level of satisfaction.Is the content of the work consistent with what you want to do?Is the amount of overtime work commensurate with the salary?Are there welfare benefits that allow you to maintain a good work-life balance?Is the communication aspect taken care of?Is the content of the work consistent with what you want to do?Make sure to check whether your career history can be put to use in the job content, and whether the job content matches the field you want to work in. Japanese companies have a long-standing culture of adopting a job rotation system, where employees perform the work they are assigned regardless of their wishes, and after a few years they move to a different department. For this reason, employees' experience and the fields they want to work in have not been taken into consideration.If you end up working for a company that still has this kind of structure, you may end up doing work that is not in the field you want to work in. It is important to always check whether the job you are applying for is one that will make use of your experience or not. There are many different types of IT engineer, so you should also take the time to think about what you are good at and what fields you like.Reference: ジョブローテーションとは？【意味を解説】メリット、何年／kaonaviIs the amount of overtime work commensurate with the salary?Even if you are paid a lot, if you work so much overtime that you don't have time for yourself or can't take part in family events, when you calculate your hourly rate, it will be below average. In Japan, there are companies that evaluate you for working a lot by doing overtime, so there are also many companies that have not made progress in streamlining their operations to reduce overtime.If you only judge a job based on salary and don't have time for yourself, you've got it all wrong, so make sure you check the overtime hours of the employees who actually work there and find out about the real working conditions.Reference: Salary Level of IT Engineer's with Salary Market Trends in Japan／G Talent BlogAre there welfare benefits that allow you to maintain a good work-life balance?As an engineer who tends to be given a lot of work, you should make sure that there is a welfare program in place that allows you to maintain a good work-life balance. If the company has a maternity leave system, a system for working shorter hours, or a system for taking paid holidays, etc., it can be predicted that they are conscious of work-life balance.It is also recommended to check things like meal provision, meal subsidies, flexible working hours, and the burden of health checks.Reference: ワークライフバランスを転職で実現しよう！企業選びのポイントや注意点をご紹介／ApexIs the communication aspect taken care of?As a foreigner working in Japan, you will almost certainly find yourself in situations where you need to communicate with Japanese people. If the company has a system in place to help you brush up on your Japanese, you can eliminate any worries you have about communicating in Japanese. Even if the company doesn't have a system in place to help you learn Japanese, if there is a bridge engineer at the company who can act as a go-between for you and the Japanese staff, you can work without any problems even if your Japanese ability is limited.Reference: 外国人労働者の日本語教育の方法とは？現状と対策について解説／ウィルオブ採用ジャーナル Example of average salary for engineers in other countriesFrom here, let's take a look at the average salary for engineers in other countries, not just Japan. Even if you are an engineer, the salary you receive will depend on which country you work in. Please use this information as a reference when choosing the country in which you want to build your career.Japan: 4.5 million yenUSA: 9 million yenAustralia, Canada, UK: 5.5 to 6 million yenSingapore: 3.7 million yenChina: 2.4 million yenThe highest salaries for engineers are in the United States, and engineers are more highly valued in Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom than in Japan. It is a feature of Asian countries such as Singapore and China that the average salary is set lower than in Japan.In particular, when comparing Japan and the US, it can be seen that salaries in Japan are lower than in the US for managerial positions and other specialist jobs. According to survey data from a joint study by engineering staffing service TechnoPro Holdings, Inc. and Doshisha University's STEM Human Resources Research Center, the salary gap between Japanese and American engineers has been widening since 2009, and the salary level for Japanese engineers is generally lower than in the US.In the US, if you have the ability, you have the potential to earn a high annual income at a young age, but if you don't have the ability, it becomes difficult to earn a high annual income. Furthermore, if you don't produce results, there is a good chance you will be fired in the worst case scenario.In Japan, there is a seniority system where salaries increase in accordance with the number of years worked, and a system of lifetime employment remains in place, so there are cases where even if you improve your technical skills and contribute to the company, this is not reflected in your salary or treatment. On the other hand, if a company is performing poorly, there is no risk of being easily laid off.For this reason, no matter how high the salary market is in the US, it is rare to be able to work there permanently, as is the case in Japan. It is important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of the employment systems in each country, and to make a choice that is right for your desired career.Reference: 「エンジニア給与の日米比較」調査　米国と比べエンジニアの給与水準が低い日本　日米格差は過去より拡大／PRWire Find out the salary market for foreign engineers in Japan and make a job change you won't regret!In this article, we have introduced the salary market for foreign engineers and IT personnel in Japan. The salary market differs depending on the type of engineer, but you can expect your annual income to increase if you work in the same position for a long time. In addition to salary, consider benefits that allow you to maintain a good work-life balance, overtime hours, and communication aspects, and make a job change you won't regret.If you are a foreign engineer who feels that the salary market in Japan is low, working outside of Japan is one option. However, in countries where you can expect high income and good treatment, if you don't achieve results you may be dismissed, so it is important to understand not only the salary but also the working style and business culture.If you are looking for a company in Japan that meets your desired conditions, it will take time and effort to search for one from scratch. In this case, we recommend using a job-placement agency. “G Talent” is a job-placement agency that specializes in foreign engineers, so it can efficiently find companies that match the desired conditions of many engineers. Bilingual consultants with extensive IT knowledge support the matching of companies and engineers, so if you want to work in a global environment in Japan, please consider using “G Talent”.

Digital transformation (DX) has altered the competitive landscape of organizations in Japan. By leveraging the right combination of technologies, companies can enhance traditional roles such as sales, marketing, and finance, and create new business processes that ease their operations.However, with the explosion of AI systems and IoT devices, challenges are bound to arise. As more companies integrate these technologies, IT consulting services are needed more than ever to improve business operations and production with digitalization. Discover their responsibilities and what makes this career so attractive to IT professionals.Role of an IT ConsultantFor IT engineers looking for more challenges and are tired of the slow-moving operations of large companies, an IT consulting career will introduce a wide range of processes and technologies that will help you grow as an IT professional.As an IT consultant, clients will be looking for your guidance. You will be exposed to various industries, technical environments, and people with high expectations from your performance. The responsibilities of an IT consultant can be divided into three.AnalystIT consultants are responsible for problem and risk analysis, which involves operation verification and conducting tests. Design, development, and task management skills are required to fulfill this role. They prioritize the problems based on the magnitude of their risks and examine the system’s issues to avoid recurrence.ConsultantExperience in system and operations maintenance is a must for IT consultants since they conduct asset evaluation during company mergers. They are also responsible for IT infrastructure decision-making, such as applying a new system or enhancing an existing technology.As a consultant, they provide DX solutions and proposals to improve business competitiveness by utilizing AI and IoT technology. With the introduction of digital technologies, designing a training framework to enhance employees’ IT skills is also part of their task.ManagerAs a manager, IT consultants monitor the projects’ progress to check for delays or problems to fix. Moreover, they are tasked with quality control, creating work plans, and scheduling coordination with other parties.IT consultants deal with high-level management support. More people will be involved as the projects grow. Therefore, management skills are required to ensure the quality and timeliness of a project.Qualifications of an IT Consultant in JapanBeing an IT consultant is a compelling choice for IT engineers willing to take the challenges involved in providing DX solutions. Moreover, this profession is among the highest paid in Japan, having an average annual income of over 9 million yen. Since IT consultants require high skills and knowledge regarding new IT technologies, they also have to undergo tests to qualify for the job.IT Strategist ExamIT consultants deal with making proposals to integrate DX in reforming business operations. To formulate the best strategies, they must possess high-level knowledge about IT and the recent technological trends. This national qualification exam will prove your skills and gain the trust of your employers.IT Project Management ExamThe IT Project Management Exam is one of the most sought after qualifications of many aspiring IT consultants and employers. The scope of technology spans across several businesses and industries. Thus, projects can be large-scale and complex. Once you have passed this exam, it proves that you are capable of managing rapid technological upgrades and version changes, and the challenges with handling tools and aligning skills to complete a project.Becoming a Successful IT Consultant in JapanThe increasing demand for DX has transformed the way organizations use technology in their business strategies and opened several opportunities for IT consultants in Japan. Here are some tips to ensure your career’s success in Japan.1. Build RelationshipsStarting as an IT consultant and getting your name and expertise recognized can be a challenge. Begin building relationships with your new clients or to whoever you will be reporting to. They can be managers, executives, or even employers with good influence in the company. Always provide the best solutions to your new clients and communicate with them properly.2. Always Pay Attention and Keep an Open MindPart of being an IT consultant is identifying the problems and points to enhance the IT infrastructure of companies. However, the proposals may not be up to the client’s ideas, or sometimes, the budget may be an issue. You may end up redrafting your plan to suit your client’s resources and needs.3. Keep a ChecklistAn IT consultant’s job handles several projects and sub-tasks that must be accomplished on a specific timeline. A newbie in this position may find it challenging to keep tabs on the progress of each project. Therefore, having a checklist or a to-do list can help you monitor the progress every day and solve issues quickly.4. Always Ask for HelpYou might get overwhelmed with the load of work you will be handling. Always remember that your consulting company is willing to help you and give you the best advice. Furthermore, know your fellow consultants. You can ask them for ideas on how to create better DX proposals.5. Learn How to Review Client ContractsProject contracts should cover costs, hours, deadlines, milestones, and more. Learning how to review a client contract and confidentiality agreements can be stressful and time-consuming for those who are unfamiliar with administrative processes. Coordinate with fellow IT consultants and reach out to the best firms that will check these contracts.6. Focus on a Few IndustriesIT consulting covers all industries in need of DX solutions. Early in the consulting career, focus on particular sectors, and gain lots of experience. Clients appreciate IT consultants with in-depth industry-specific insights you bring to the table. When you find the industry the best suits your expertise, seek out assignments to improve your current skills.7. Develop Communication SkillsAs an IT consultant, you will be interviewed by clients, depending on the business organization. As part of interviews, consultants must provide and eloquently describe the solutions they have for a company’s IT problems and inquiries. Developing your communication skill will help you clearly convey your previous experiences and skills, as well as the value that you will be bringing to the company.ConclusionShifting your career path to IT consulting requires you to upskill and be updated with the latest digital technologies and IT trends. The demand for their services in improving the business structure and operations is increasing, especially with the application of AI and IoT devices.So if you’re ready to face the challenges and career growth opportunities provided by this profession, you can start by studying for the qualification exams required by employers. Check our website for IT consulting jobs.Sources:https://www.cee-global.com/digital-transformation-dt-dx-consulting/#:~:text=DT%2FDX%20is%20the%20process,all%20aspects%20of%20an%20organization/https://www.bigdata-navi.com/aidrops/2902/https://aimconsulting.com/insights/what-to-consider-when-becoming-an-it-consultant/https://www.cio.com/article/3269852/the-7-fundamentals-of-it-consultant-success.html

When the World Health Organization officially declared the coronavirus or COVID-19 as a global pandemic on March 11, 2020, multiple countries immediately felt its impact. China, South Korea, Iran, and Italy were among the initial nations with the highest number of cases.Another country that was heavily affected by the worldwide health crisis early on was Japan. A month after COVID-19 was officially recognized as a pandemic, it already tallied close to 800 new infected cases.But amazingly, Japan managed to suppress the virus from spreading disastrously. Japan’s coronavirus peak happened on August 03, 2020, when they reached just two new cases shy of 2,000.That figure may seem worrisome when you consider that Japan is a first-world country, but it is relatively minuscule compared to their superpower counterparts. During the same period, the United States of America was fast approaching the 50,000 new active cases territory. India, another top nation, easily surpassed the 50k mark by that point.To further illustrate just how effective the Japanese government has been in managing the coronavirus ordeal, as of October 2020, the United Kingdom, which has a population of approximately 58 million people less than Japan, has 690,000 more total COVID-19 infections.The secret behind the country’s success in controlling the coronavirus is its excellent healthcare industry. Japan’s healthcare workforce, much like the rest of the world, consists of a collection of health and medical professionals, all working to improve the nation’s overall well-being and health service continuously.While these healthcare professionals undoubtedly deserve all of the praise and recognition they receive for their consistent brilliance, there are also other unsung heroes supporting the healthcare field who are worthy of acknowledgment. One of the most overlooked are IT engineers.In this article, we’ll cover the roles of IT engineers in Japan’s healthcare industry amid COVID-19.Japan’s Healthcare IndustryTo fully understand IT engineers’ and professionals’ roles in Japan’s healthcare system, we must first overview the industry itself.In terms of healthcare, Japan is considered to be among the world’s very best. For starters, healthcare is inexpensive, virtually free, and it covers everyone living within the country’s borders. This includes Japanese citizens and naturalized expats. Even foreigners can avail of free healthcare, granted that they stay for more than a year.Because their world-renowned healthcare system is affordable, the country has always maintained a high life expectancy. Japan is currently ranked 2nd in the entire world with an 85.03 years old average lifespan, only being surpassed by Hong Kong’s 85.29.Their high-quality healthcare industry also boasts over 8,300 medical facilities scattered across the island country to accommodate the 126 million population. Additionally, the government has prepared 13 hospital beds for every 1000 citizens, which is well above the global average.Although Japan is currently enjoying an excellent and organized medical system, its government administration and healthcare industry face a unique challenge, with ramifications soon to be felt.As of now, 28% of Japan are aged 65 and older. That figure is expected to skyrocket to 35% or over a third of the entire population by 2040. This means that the number of senior citizens who need medical attention will easily outnumber the healthcare workers supposed to take care of them.Japan is now trying to make up for the nation’s rapidly aging population and a potential insufficient number of healthcare workers by investing in state-of-the-art medical technology. But the types of machinery and equipment are not only expected to help in Japan’s aging dilemma; they are also meant to prevent, manage, and combat situations such as pandemics in the caliber of COVID-19.Roles of IT Engineers in HealthcareIT engineers’ mastery of artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, software, programming, etc. has made them some of the most versatile and reliable medical technology experts. Their knowledge and experience in the field have helped Japan’s healthcare industry to be leaps and bounds ahead of other first-world nations.Amid COVID-19, IT engineers have showcased how medicine can be made more convenient and accessible through AI. Artificial intelligence has helped medical professionals and experts conduct virtual checkups, treat patients, do extensive research, and control the infection’s spread.IT engineers also have their hands full in areas such as data storage. Data storage is a major strand in the fight against the pandemic. Keeping, supplying, and retrieving critical information that includes medical and travel histories, symptom monitoring, and close contact tracing can ultimately help flatten the curve.The Japanese government and its health experts also rely on IT engineers for data collection and analysis. These types of information can help the government enact the proper laws necessary for facing the current health crisis and be of much help for possible future ones. Health experts also use the data to better comprehend the virus, which will guide the process of coming up with solutions.Outside of COVID-19 management, IT engineers will also be of service to other essential healthcare technologies like medical devices and materials, clinical laboratory testing, healthcare ICT, assistive technologies, and infrastructure.Qualifications of an AI Engineer in Japan’s Healthcare IndustryEven before the coronavirus crisis, artificial intelligence had been a driving force for Japan’s healthcare industry. In 2019, Tokyo Women’s Medical University–Waseda University Joint Institute for Advanced Biomedical Sciences had successfully performed a brain surgery that treated a patient’s essential tremor with a cutting-edge robot.Smart Cyber Operating Theater or SCOT, which was part AI, part robotics, led the groundbreaking surgery. The machine instructed the surgeons on which parts of the brain should be prioritized, what types of incisions should be executed, and even conducted surgical prognosis and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the surgery was on-going.With AI gaining more traction in the healthcare field and advances being more prevalent, it is no wonder why more and more IT professionals have now taken their talents to be AI engineers in Japan’s healthcare industry. And many economic experts believe that this is the ideal career move for IT engineers, as the country’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry are in need of 120,000 AI specialists by 2030.AI engineers working in Japan will generally spearhead AI research and development in the healthcare industry. So, most medical employers will be seeking the best and most knowledgeable in C #, C ++, and Python. Moreover, they’ll also be looking for candidates who are proficient in the internet of things (IoT) and big data.Because of their artificial intelligence expertise, IT engineers have become some of the most sought-after professionals in Japan’s campaign against COVID-19.SummaryJapan’s healthcare industry is among the best in the world. Their world class healthcare amidst the COVID-19 crisis can be attributed to medical institutions fast-forwarding technological applications to their operations and diagnostics, with the help of IT engineers.IT engineers play a significant role in Japan’s medical initiatives and the overall success in the coronavirus age. The impact and value of their knowledge and expertise in medical technology could likely be one reason why this pandemic will be no more shortly.Sources:https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/coronavirus-us-cases.htmlhttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-53981828https://github.com/CSSEGISandData/COVID-19https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/japan-population/#:~:text=Japan%202020%20population%20is%20estimated,of%20the%20total%20world%20populationhttps://ccchclinic.com/importance-benefits-primary-health-care/https://opentoexport.com/article/healthcare-and-medical-sector-in-japan/https://www.eu-gateway.eu/news/healthcare-medical-technologies-japan-trends-and-opportunities-0https://www.eubusinessinjapan.eu/library/publication/report-developments-in-the-japanese-healthcare-industryhttps://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190625005862/en/The-11.9-Trillion-Global-Healthcare-Market-Key-Opportunities-Strategies-2014-2022—ResearchAndMarkets.comhttps://jintensivecare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40560-020-00452-5https://japantoday.com/category/features/health/how-artificial-intelligence-is-transforming-medicine

Digital marketing has become one of the most promising and most profitable ways of advertising in recent years. Globally, the majority of the biggest companies now pin their hopes on digital marketing to effectively reach key audiences and demographics. The digital marketing industry’s global value has reached a staggering USD 322.5 billion, showing how much brands trust online advertising.Furthermore, the reliance of brands on digital marketing can also be attributed to the consistent annual growth of internet users worldwide. The number of internet users far exceeds television viewers, radio listeners, and newspaper readers, which means a broader reach for brands with the digital marketing approach.For a nation such as Japan, where the e-commerce market comprises 92% of its 127 million population, digital marketing is the ideal approach for advertising. Add on to the fact that more people have now taken to online shopping services, as the COVID-19 crisis has prompted everyone to stay home and avoid public places such as markets, malls, grocery stores, and brick and mortar businesses in general.Some of the people behind the success of the digital marketing industry in the country are IT engineers. Companies need IT engineers, as they provide a lot of experience and expertise to the proverbial table. But what exactly do they do, and what duties do they have to fulfill? In this article, we’ll discuss the roles and responsibilities of IT engineers in Japanese digital marketing companies.Social Media MarketingSocial media marketing has become more prevalent in the last few years. Brands are aware that most of the online market dedicate much of their time to sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Line, Snapchat, Instagram, LinkedIn, Youtube, Tiktok, etc.On social media websites, IT engineers help brands advertise their products and services to users. They use attention-grabbing images, fun videos or vlogs, substantial blogs, exciting podcasts, viral memes, and even simple posts that utilize internet humor.These strategies are guaranteed ways for companies to promote their business, generate interest, increase brand awareness, and improve customer engagement. These campaigns are designed to bring in potential customers and maintain strong relationships with long-time patrons.IT engineers offer much-needed help in the social media marketing process. IT engineers are versatile enough to create strategies, publish content, engage with users, perform analytics, and advertise products and the brand’s culture.Additionally, IT engineers also ensure that all devices used in social media marketing campaigns are updated and have no issues whatsoever. These devices include personal computers, laptops, tabs, and smartphones, all used to manage social media accounts and create the content.Search Engine OptimizationSearch Engine Optimization, or SEO, is a digital marketing technique that allows websites to increase or improve their presence on search engines such as Google, Bing, Yahoo, Baidu, AOL, to name a few.IT engineers use SEO, as it is an excellent foundation for digital marketing companies to generate traffic to their websites. During the SEO process, companies will find out what users are searching for, which target keywords work best, how accessible their website is, and how successful their SEO campaign has been.For search engine optimization, IT engineers ensure that search engines can reach and index the brand’s content. They also see to it that content addresses the user/searchers’ questions. Moreover, they make sure that keywords are optimized, the user experience is top-notch, the content is worthwhile, the click-through rate is high, and the content attracts the most attention in search engine results pages.Web DevelopmentIn the web development process, IT engineers prioritize creating and maintaining websites. These tasks are mostly non-design, including writing markup and web scripts in languages like PHP, HTML, CSS, Java, JavaScript, and ASP.IT engineers also utilize content management systems (CMS) during web development, which makes content changes more convenient as it can be managed with basic technical skills.For overall web development, IT engineers’ duties include web publishing, web programming, web engineering, web content development, client liaison, e-commerce development, server-side scripting, database management, and web server configuration.Aside from these, IT engineers also have their fingerprints on web development aspects such as web design, mobile responsiveness, software testing, web usability, web accessibility, search engine optimization, information technology security, and information architecture.IT engineers also help in web content creation. They do some copywriting, copyediting, and even update blogs. They also spend a lot of time on content management systems like Drupal, WordPress, and Joomla.Web DesigningIn web design, IT engineers are involved in the creation of the website concept. IT engineers offer their expertise in deciding the website’s overall theme, layout, color schemes, fonts, shapes, spacing, images, icons, and the types of content that should be the main selling point or which ones should be primarily displayed.IT engineers also help in creating the website’s logos, making informational infographics, and creative videos. Moreover, IT engineers will help instruct where these content should be ideally placed on the website.IT engineers are also responsible for the website’s user navigation, user interaction, site structure, loading speed, and animations. They also ensure that the website will run smoothly across any device and any browser.To make the web design process more convenient for the development team, IT engineers will follow a few key steps. They will first determine the website’s purpose, study the latest web design trends, decide on the perfect branding, and analyze which aspects or areas need improvement.ConclusionThe digital marketing industry’s growth has not been a surprise, as businesses are now more geared towards focusing their advertising campaigns on the internet. The overwhelming reliance, usage, and trust of digital marketing strategies are thanks in part to hardworking IT engineers’ dedication and expertise.IT engineers are pivotal to digital marketing companies’ success, as they play a huge part in social media marketing, search engine optimization, web development, and web design. As the internet continues to evolve, so will digital marketing, and so will the roles and responsibilities of IT engineers.Sources:https://buffer.com/social-media-marketinghttps://neilpatel.com/what-is-social-media-marketing/https://moz.com/beginners-guide-to-seohttps://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2015/04/30/seo-basicshttps://techterms.com/definition/web_developmenthttps://www.bitdegree.org/tutorials/what-is-a-web-developer/https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/01/10-principles-of-effective-web-design/https://www.pagecloud.com/blog/web-design-guide

In this article, we will provide information for “Ryugakusei” international students who are looking for a job in Japan based on data on the job offer rate for international students as of July 2021. Also, we would like to introduce the impact of the new coronavirus on the job hunting activities of international students and information on employment agencies that support international students in their job hunting activities.Job Hunting Situation for International Students Graduating on 2021Due to the impact of the new coronavirus, this year (2020) has been more challenging than ever for students who are looking for a job. Many companies have reduced the number of recruits or postponed the hiring process, making it difficult to find a job.In this section, we will take a closer look at the job hunting situation for international students graduating in 2021, based on the results of a survey to international students graduating in 2021 released by DISCO Corporation on August 26, 2020.The Impact of the New Coronavirus on Getting a Job OfferLooking at the bar graphs of foreign students and domestic students as of July this year and for the past two years, it shows that although the domestic offer rate is lower than usual, 70% of the students have job offers. On the other hand, the number of international students has decreased by about 10% compared to the previous year, and about 30% of them have job offers.Compared to last year, there was a slight impact, but companies have resumed hiring new graduates since May, and web-based interviews and other recruiting activities have been conducted on a shorter schedule than usual.However, this is only the number of students who hold job offers, so it is unclear whether they are really getting job offers from the employer of their choice.Source：Disco Coporation/外国人留学生の就職活動状況Graph 1 「7月時点の内定率(経年)」: Job Offer Rate up to July (Within 3 years)Graph 2 「7月時点の内定率(分離別)」: Job Offer Rate up to July (Humanities and Science)Graph 3 「7月時点の就職活動状況」: Job Hunting Status up to JulyCurrent Job Hunting Situation for International StudentsDue to the effects of the new coronavirus, many companies have either stopped hiring new graduates or reduced the number of jobs they had planned to hire. In addition, schedules were pushed back, which is thought to have led to a decrease in the job offer rate for 2021 graduates.Also, due to the inability to get a feel for the corporate atmosphere at web briefings and interviews, and because of concerns about the deteriorating economic environment due to the effects of Covid-19, applications were attracted and gathered by large and stable companies that had an easy to understand corporate atmosphere, so it is unclear whether they were able to obtain job offers from their preferred employers.In addition, although the number of international students finding jobs in Japan is gradually increasing every year, compared to Japanese students, 70% of international students had no job offers as of July. This is probably due to the fact that even if the skills of foreign talent are the same as those of Japanese students, there are few companies that will accept them unless their Japanese language skills are at least at a business level.Of course, it is important for foreign students who want to work in Japan to improve their Japanese language skills, but Japanese companies, which make decisions based on the ability to communicate in Japanese rather than on skills, may be responsible in no small part for this.However, an increasing number of Japanese companies are creating an environment in which Japanese language communication is necessary through English education for Japanese employees and global business development. In addition, the number of companies that are introducing Business Japanese learning services for foreigners is gradually increasing, so although it may take some time, the percentage of international student job offers is likely to rise little by little every year.Employment Agencies and WebsitesEmployment Agencies and Websites for International StudentsFrom now on, we would like to introduce specialized job-hunting support services for international students who are recent graduates and want to find a job in Japan.Global Leader  www.globalleadernavi.comグローバルリーダー：外国人留学生・海外大生の就職活動をサポートhttps://www.globalleadernavi.comグローバルリーダーは、外国人留学生・留学生・海外大生・外国人のための就職情報サイト。求人情報・就活マニュアル・就職イベント・就職セミナー・就活講座などたくさんの就活情報をご用意し、あなたの就職活動をサポートします！  This is an employment agency for international students that handles a wide range of jobs from major Japanese companies to hot start-up companies.They also offer free lectures on Japanese job-hunting etiquette and job hunting schedules.Ryukatsu  www.ryugakusei.com 2 pockets【日本で働きたい留学生の就職支援】リュウカツhttps://www.ryugakusei.com   This is an employment agency for new graduates that only gathers companies that want to hire international students and it provides job information. At weekly seminars, consultants provide information on visas and job hunting tips.Agent neo  就職エージェントneo 187 tweets13 users8 pockets就職エージェントneohttps://www.s-agent.jp新卒就職相談(就活)・内定獲得支援  Neo Career is a major company in the human resources industry, is an employment agency for international students. They provide one-on-one job-hunting consultations and advice on interviews and resumes for the companies they introduce, and even if the interview fails, they provide solid feedback as a measure to prepare for the next interview.ConclusionThere are still many international students who have not yet received any job offers. Although the job hunting situation continues to be difficult for students due to the impact of Covid-19, if you conduct a thorough self-analysis and industry research, and implement a screening strategy, we believe you will eventually get a good result.If you are a foreign student thinking about finding a job in Japan and would like to work as an IT engineer, please register to G Talent, a recruitment agency specializing in foreign IT engineers. Our professional consultants will support you in your job search for free.

Developing successful software is one of the most challenging but rewarding feats to accomplish in the ever-evolving technological field. Factors such as rapid technological advancement, increasing customer demands, limited resources, and time limitations are enormous hurdles for development teams to overcome.For brand new software to be realized, the entire development staff must be knowledgeable about essential aspects such as programming, programming languages, frameworks, and APIs.The launching of successful software is also difficult without the perfect collection of individuals and programming experts dedicated to completing the same mission. A development team needs to secure the right project sponsor, product owner, project manager, subject matter experts (SMEs), software developers, technical lead, user acceptance testers, and software testers.Software testers play a pivotal role in development companies; that’s why they are in high demand in a country like Japan. High-quality products, superb services, and technological innovations and breakthroughs from companies are anticipated in the country.But what qualifications do employers in Japan require from aspiring software testers? Discover the prerequisites needed from software testers and the types of responsibilities they’ll have once they join the Japanese workforce.What is a Software Tester?Software testers are some of the essential individuals in software development, as they ensure the overall quality of the products before being introduced in the market. They will inspect the software of any errors, defects, and bugs.During the planning and preparation stages, software testers will review and contribute test plans. Aside from this, they will also handle the assessment, review, and analysis of technical requirements and design specifications.Software testers also play a hand in identifying test conditions. They are crucial in creating test designs, test cases, test procedure specifications, and test data. Plus, they also automate or help in automating the tests.Software testers also assist in development by setting up test environments or support system administration and network management staff in completing this step. They administer the tests and oversee the test environment.Testers are also responsible for documenting the tests, evaluating results, and identifying issues. Throughout the entire process, they will review everything plus write an account of defects and test outcomes.About JSTQB (Certification)Japan Software Testing Qualifications Board (JSTQB), which operates under the rules of the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB), is a qualification system that was created to examine and improve software engineers’ capabilities in testing. These qualification systems were first implemented in partnership with the Japan Science and Technology Federation. For software engineers and testers to work in Japan, they must obtain the JSTQB test engineer qualification certificates.The JSTQB certification test will only be available in Japanese. So, if foreign software testers want to take the exam in a foreign language, they are advised to take it under an “outside company” that conducts the same tests. Foreigners are reminded to check if these exams are administered by a certified company that is also a registered member of ISTQB and complies with ISTQB standards. The tests done by outside companies do not follow the regular JSTQB schedule.JSTQB has 3 types of tests: the Foundation Level, Advanced Level Test Manager, and Advanced Level Test Analyst. Applicants need to have the foundation level certificate and 3 years of work experience to take the two advanced level tests. Foundation level exams are held once every 6 months (mid-February to late August), and the advanced ones don’t have a definite schedule.Both foundation and advanced levels have a multiple-choice format questionnaire. But some items may prove to be tricky, as some questions will require examinees to choose multiple correct answers.Foundation level exams have a time limit of 60 minutes while advanced level exams end after 180 minutes. Examinees can finish the foundation level and leave the examination area for as early as 30 minutes, and advanced level takers can leave after 60. But JSTQB imposes strict guidelines and will not allow the examinees to re-enter the premises after submitting their exams.JSTQB is adamant in keeping the questions a secret, so applicants will have to rely on their overall knowledge, study approach, and work ethic to prepare for the certification exams. Luckily for software testing aspirants, ISTQB publishes the exam’s syllabus on their website.Foundation level takers can check the syllabus here: https://www.istqb.org/downloads/syllabi/foundation-level-syllabus.htmlWhile advanced level applicants can check the syllabi here:https://www.istqb.org/downloads/syllabi/advanced-level-syllabus.htmlQualifications of a Software TesterJapanese application development companies want to ensure that they are hiring the best possible candidates for the job, as they want to compete with or prevail over other development companies. Aside from the JSTQB certification, companies also require software testers to meet additional standards.Companies in Japan are looking for software testers with the necessary educational background. So, software testers who have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, mathematics, or engineering will have the upper hand during the application process.Software testers also need to have the skills to back up their credentials. As mentioned before, testers need to monitor and document test plans and procedures, execute tests, review results, and document problems.They need to understand methodologies and software testing platforms or environments and be knowledgeable about testing tools. They need to master UNIX, Linux, and Windows and be familiar with scripting and command-line tools. Testers are required to be proficient in various programming languages, such as C# or C++, PHP, Java, JavaScript, Python, SQL, and Ruby on Rails.Software testers can improve their chances of employment by having some seminars and training under their belt. But seeing as the entire world is under the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, it would be hard for software testers to attend huge gatherings such as seminars. Fortunately, there are several excellent resources available online.You can attend seminars online (webinars) through the Association for Software Testing (AST)’s Youtube channel. Microsoft Virtual Academy also offers training such as Software Testing Fundamentals course and Live Unit Testing in Visual Studio course online.ConclusionSoftware testers are sought after by companies developing innovative software, as their expertise brings a lot of value for their working and future projects. For an advanced country like Japan where technology companies are everywhere, opportunities for software testers are aplenty.You can apply for software testing jobs in Japan as soon as the COVID-19 crisis is over. Discover openings and useful tips on our website below. Good luck with your future endeavors, and we hope all of you stay safe!

In this article, we would like to briefly explain each type of job in the Japanese IT industry for foreigners who are interested in the Japanese IT industry and students who are about to start job hunting.If you want to understand the Japanese IT industry first, can check the article below explains the classification and structure of the Japanese IT Industry.Let’s Learn Easily About Japanese IT Industry Structure!Jobs Types in the Japanese IT IndustryAs is explained in the article above, in a survey conducted by Human Resociain March 2020 about the number of IT engineers around the globe, Japan was forth in it.IT engineers can be broadly divided into four categories: infrastructure engineers, system operations engineers, application engineers, and system consultants.From now we will briefly explain the occupations in each category.Infrastructure EngineerFirst of all, in the IT industry, infrastructure refers to the composite hardware, software, network resources and services required for the construction, design, operation, and management of an enterprise IT environment.An engineer who is responsible for “design,” “build,” “maintenance,” and “operation” of infrastructure is called an infrastructure engineer.An infrastructure engineer is made up of 5 types of engineers, which are server engineers, network engineers, storage engineers, database engineers, and cloud engineers.Server EngineerA server engineer is a technologist who designs and builds servers such as database server that stores information and internet server used generally internet.Network EngineerA network engineer is a technician who builds and maintains a computer network. Some specific tasks include designing network systems, building circuits and networks based on design documents, also managing and operating to maintain network systems.※Recently, server engineers and network engineers called totally as an infrastructure engineers.Storage EngineerStorage engineer is literally an engineer who manages storage.With the advancement that IT technology has made in these days, data maintenance becomes a very important task. Depending on how the data is handled, it can be probably lead to serious troubles. One of the roles of a storage engineer is to prevent these cases. Also, when a company handles a large amount of data, it is the job of the storage engineer to make the data available in an efficient way.DataBase EngineerDatabase engineers mainly develop and create databases using MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, based on customer needs and opinions.After developing the database, its management and operation is also part of their work.Cloud EngineerCurrently, the operation of services and data on the cloud is becoming mainstream. A cloud engineer is an engineer who develops a system for designing, building, operating and maintenance all on the cloud.Since most web applications started using cloud computing systems, the demand for cloud engineers will increase further in the future.System Operations EnigennerThere are two types of system operations engineers, one is called DevOps engineer and the other one is SRE engineer.DevOps EngineerFirst of all, DevOps is a technical term created based on the idea that developers and operators work together to develop faster.Being a DevOps engineer means creat and operate infrastructure environments like the cloud or modifying applications to improve development and operations. Unlike the infrastructure engineer, the DevOps engineer has the feature that when something goes wrong, he or she can take actions such as modifying the application by himself.Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)The SRE is an engineer who aims to improve the performance, availability, expandability, security to secure the reliability of the IT system.Some works carried out by a SRE Engineer are:Design and Construction of an Infrastructure (Server or Network)Monitoring and alert designationTroubleshootingOperations AutomationApplication EngineerApplication engineer is involved in the development of the system and applications on the PC that we normally use. When people generally talk about IT engineers, what people tend to imagine is an application engineer. However, the skills required for application engineers differ depending on the purpose, so this time we would like to introduce four types of application engineers.Embedded EngineerAn embedded engineer is an engineer who creates programs used for familiar products such as automobiles and home appliances.Packaging EngineerA package software is a software developed by a software company for use by many customers. Engineers who are responsible for the additional development and maintenance of such packages (antivirus software, etc.) are called packaging engineers.Front-end EngineerBefore we start talking about front-end engineers, let us explain what’s front-end means.The front-end is the part that operates on the client-side (where the user can interact with the product directly).Front-end engineers are engineers who design and implement front-end parts with using HTML, CSS, JavaScript (jQuery) according to the design created by web designer.Back-end EngineerFirstly, back-end means the part that operates on the server-side (where the client can not interact with the product directly).A back-end engineer is an engineer who performs coding of server-side in the building of Web services, EC sites, and also the construction of a database system on the back-end side. Furthermore, a back-end engineer is responsible for defining, designing, and constructing requirements for server-side processing such as Web services and EC sites.IT ConsaltantIT consultant is someone who proposes a system to solve the problems that a company has after understanding the current situation of the client and carrying out an analysis on it.ConclusionWe hope that this article will give international students and new graduates who are starting job hunting in Japan a better understanding of the types of jobs in the IT industry in Japan.