Japan has, since ancient times, welcomed highly skilled foreign talent possessing advanced expertise and intellectual assets in fields such as technology, scholarship, the arts, religion, and architecture—and has put that knowledge and skill to work in nation-building. From antiquity beginning with the Asuka and Nara periods, through the Heian, Kamakura, Sengoku, Azuchi–Momoyama, and Edo periods, and onward into the modern era—from the Meiji Restoration through Taishō and Shō

When Mao Hotta was a junior at Keio University, she panicked. Everyone around her was deep into shukatsu—talking nonstop about recruitment exams, interviews, and company rankings. But Mao had just realized that her dream of becoming a journalist wasn't what she actually wanted. "I lost my dream, my purpose for shukatsu. I was kind of panicked." So she did something unconventional: she applied everywhere. ---You applied to almost every industry. Why? Mao: I thought to myself—

The narrative around young people in Japan often skews pessimistic—articles say young people are depressed, hopeless. Mao Hotta sees it differently. "I think it's the opposite, actually. Young people are really motivated to work, and women are more empowered ever than before. Now is a huge chance for us to shine." We spoke with Mao about her experience in Japanese finance and why she's optimistic about the future. ---What was the gender balance like at Goldman Sachs Japan? Ma

Born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand, Nathan Paterson has built an adventurous and innovation-forward career in Japan. After working as a designer in London, he came to Tokyo as an English teacher with basic textbook Japanese — then worked his way through a variety of traditional and progressive companies and founded his own companies. He spent nearly 10 years at Disney across Tokyo and Los Angeles, where he led research and design of digital platforms including the precu

Are you a student or young professional curious about launching a software career in Japan? Our interview with Christian Williams , an MIT graduate who has spent nearly two years in Japan and now works at fintech startup Jamm , explores how he found his role, what work looks like day to day, visa pathways (from J-Find to HSP), and practical advice for building a fulfilling career in Japan. Jamm Inc.   —— Can you share a bit about yourself and your background? Christian : My n

Job hunting in Japan is no longer a seasonal ritual that begins in spring and peaks in early summer. While the government has maintained the official timeline of March 1 for information release , June 1 for selection , and October 1 for formal offers , it has also clarified that outcomes from certain Type 3 internships  can serve as a basis for companies to transition into the selection process before June  1 * 2 . In other words, the official rules remain, but the practical

A new wave of opportunity is breaking on Japan's shores, and for savvy global talent, the tide is high. The long-held narrative of a "cash-loving" Japan is being rapidly rewritten, not by gradual evolution, but by a seismic, government-backed shift towards a digital economy. This transformation has hit a critical tipping point. In 2024, Japan’s cashless payment ratio surged to 42.8%, decisively smashing the government's 2025 target of 40% a full year ahead of schedule *10 . T

What happens when a quietly hyper-connected economy opens its doors, underprices its cost of living, and still invents the batteries that power your phone? For top-tier graduates, it looks like the biggest career mispricing on the planet. A visa that behaves like an option contract Forget the old chicken-and-egg dilemma of needing a sponsor before you can hunt for a job. The J-Find visa  lets recent grads of two-table-top-100 universities land in Japan with a two-year runway,

You attend a world-class university, your GPA sparkles, and you’ve already ticked off several brand-name internships. Surely the job market—Japan’s included—will roll out a red carpet. Yet every year even “elite” students stumble: first-round rejections, mismatched roles, or culture shock that slows promotions. Why? Below are five recurring—and avoidable—pitfalls  we see among high-achieving Jelper Club members, plus concrete tactics to stay ahead of the curve. 1. Prestige ≠

Why this matters now Shift in attitudes  — A 2024 Nippon Life survey found that 56.4 % of workers call after-hours “nominication” unnecessary , the highest share on record *1 . New compliance pressure  — MHLW’s 2024 Healthy Drinking Guidelines  ask employers to curb alcohol-related risks and “al-hara” (alcohol harassment) *2 . For global talent, the upshot is clear: nomikai remain powerful bonding rituals, but the rules are softer, safer, and more negotiable and flexible than

Foreign companies operating in Japan often headline internship fairs with starting packages that dwarf the national average. Yet this is only half the story: pay dispersion, workload and job-security norms vary sharply by sector. Understanding those contrasts helps you choose a path that matches not just your wallet, but also your time and risk appetite. Quick snapshot — Pay premium vs. National average Sector (new-grad / junior level) Typical annual total comp % above nation

Are you looking to move to Japan to chase your dreams? Whether it’s the bustling metropolis of Tokyo, the vibrant culture of Osaka, or the more relaxed pace of smaller cities, understanding the living costs is essential for planning your new life. Japan offers a high standard of living, robust public infrastructure, and unique cultural experiences—but the price of daily life may vary depending on where you decide to settle. Below, we’ll break down monthly expenses such as ren

1. Introduction In Japanese workplace culture, employee benefits are not just a part of compensation; they play a crucial role in supporting the lives of employees and their families and maintaining a balance between work and personal life. For international students aiming to join Japanese companies, these attractive benefits often serve as a significant deciding factor. This article explains the types of benefits provided by Japanese companies, their features, and how they

1. The Advantages of Speaking Japanese At Jelper Club, we minimize language barriers and list a variety of job types suited to students from diverse backgrounds. These include positions that do not require high levels of Japanese proficiency, thereby opening paths to employment for students who have not yet advanced in their Japanese studies. However, for foreigners aiming for a career in Japan, proficiency in Japanese can often be a major obstacle, yet it simultaneously unlo

When considering a career in Japan, many students prioritize Tokyo as their top choice. As the capital, Tokyo serves as the hub of business, culture, and international exchange, offering a myriad of employment opportunities. However, Japan's regional cities possess unique charms and career potentials not found in Tokyo. A career in these cities provides the chance to build a unique and fulfilling professional life through industry-specific opportunities and cultural connectio

In Japan's labor market, the environment for women to build careers has significantly advanced in recent years. Traditionally, the domestic-centered lifestyle known as the "full-time housewife model" and traditional gender roles were emphasized within the country. However, as societal values diversify, understanding and support for working women are steadily increasing. According to data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the labor force pa

This time, we spoke with Kushal Chattopadhyay, a student at Harvard University, who recently secured an opportunity to work in Japan through Jelper Club. His journey into the world of AI and robotics led him to Reazon Human Interaction Lab, a cutting-edge company in the field. In this interview, Kushal shares how his passion for Japan developed, his thoughts on Jelper Club, and his exciting new experiences working in Japan.   ―― Could you briefly introduce yourself? Kushal: M

In recent years, as globalization advances, many countries have expanded their acceptance of foreign workers. Japan, in particular, has garnered attention for maintaining geopolitical stability. This stability is a crucial factor in providing a secure working environment for foreign workers. Japan’s stability is supported by strong international alliances, notably with the United States, and involvement in international frameworks such as the United Nations, G7, QUAD, and the

Are you an ambitious student or young professional dreaming of launching your career in Japan? Our exclusive interview with Yuou, an international talent who successfully navigated her way to working in Japan, provides insights and advice that can help you achieve your goals.   —— Can you share a bit about yourself and your background? Yuou: My name is Yuou Wang. I grew up in Shanghai, China, and moved to the United States when I was 13. I studied at Columbia University and w

1. Introduction of Remote Work in Japan Japan's work environment has a unique history, especially with systems like "lifetime employment" and "seniority-based promotion" being the norm for many years. These systems encouraged employees to stay with one company for their entire careers, and companies, in turn, valued loyalty. However, this often led to issues such as long working hours and cases of karoshi (death by overwork). In recent years, work style reforms have been unde