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

Mao Hotta's career path reads like a masterclass in strategic exploration. Born and raised in Tokyo, she studied journalism at Keio University, worked as an investment banking analyst at Goldman Sachs, and is now pursuing a dual MBA at Kyoto University and Master of Management in Hospitality at Cornell. Her ultimate goal? Opening her own hotel in rural Japan. We sat down with Mao to learn how she's been building her dream one unconventional step at a time. ---Tell us about yo

Aryan Khurana is a business student at Western University's Ivey Business School in Toronto, Canada. Despite speaking zero Japanese and having no Tokyo connections, he landed a role leading international expansion at a fast-growing startup through systematic cold outreach. He's now supporting a matcha export business connecting Japanese farmers with North American consumers. What you'll learn in this article: Why async communication beats scheduled calls across time zones How

Aryan Khurana is a business student at Western University's Ivey Business School in Toronto, Canada. Despite speaking zero Japanese and having no Tokyo connections, he landed a role leading international expansion at a fast-growing startup through systematic cold outreach. He's now supporting a matcha export business connecting Japanese farmers with North American consumers. What you'll learn in this article: How to systematically find and land startup roles in foreign countr

Aryan Khurana is a business student at Western University's Ivey Business School in Toronto, Canada. Despite speaking zero Japanese and having no Tokyo connections, he landed a role leading international expansion at a fast-growing startup through systematic cold outreach. He's now supporting a matcha export business connecting Japanese farmers with North American consumers. What you'll learn in this article: The specific signals that reveal true startup culture when you lack

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

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

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

In this edition we sit down with Federico Gruson , a native New Yorker whose Colombian roots, quarter-Japanese heritage, and curiosity about Japan’s “economic puzzle” have taken him from the skyscrapers of Manhattan to the heart of Tokyo’s venture ecosystem. After a year abroad at International Christian University (ICU) ignited his passion for Japan, Federico doubled down on language study, joined a fast-growing tech start-up, and now spearheads global product launches that

In an enlightening exchange with Eric Waddell, CEO of SIYA PLUS, a marketing agency in Japan, we uncover his transition from a tech-savvy professional to a pioneering entrepreneur. This interview, vital for international talents and aspirants on Jelper Club—an innovative platform that connects global top students with Japanese career paths—highlights Waddell's strategic insights and personal experiences in adapting and thriving in Japan's business environment.   —— Could you

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

Robert W. Roche (Executive Chairman and President of Oak Lawn Marketing, Inc.; Executive Chairman of Acorn International) Robert W. Roche is an American entrepreneur and philanthropist active in the U.S., China, and Japan. He is the co-founder, Executive Chairman, and President of Oak Lawn Marketing, Inc., a Japan-based company that engages in the TV home shopping business.　 The company produces the TV shopping program 'Shop Japan', known for brands such as True Sleeper, Wond

Founded in 2011 by Yuki Ishida, YCP Holdings engages in management services and principal investment businesses, focusing on Asia. We have implemented an employee interview with Hitomi Miyamoto, who works as an Associate at YCP Japan, the Japanese corporation of YCP Holdings, to learn about her job responsibilities, why she chose YCP Japan, the company's strengths, and the benefits of working there. ―― Can you please introduce a bit about yourself? Miyamoto: I'm Hitomi Miyamo

Starting a career in Japan can be an exhilarating yet challenging prospect for international students and young professionals. How to start a career in Japan?   With the right guidance and career opportunities, it can be a transformative experience that shapes your professional path in incredible ways. At Jelper Club, we connect you with exclusive career opportunities in Japan, helping you navigate the unique Japanese work culture and succeed. In this article, we had the priv

Working in Japan as a foreigner has become an increasingly attractive option for students and young professionals worldwide, offering a unique blend of career opportunities, cultural experiences, and personal growth. In this article, we sit down with Aaron, a 29-year-old American who has navigated the journey from studying at UC Berkeley, to now working in Tokyo. He shares his experiences, insights, and advice for those considering a similar path.   —— Can you tell us a bit a

Have you ever dreamed of embarking on an adventure in a new country, immersing yourself in a different culture, and growing both personally and professionally? For Oliver Greenwald, a 23-year-old from Colorado, working in Japan as an American became a reality when he decided to pursue a career in Japan after graduating from Duke University.   In this interview with Jelper Club, Oliver shares his experiences, challenges, and insights on working in Japan with the J-Find Visa.

In a compelling interview with Gary Chan, managing partner and founder of Sangyo Sosei Advisory, one of Japan’s leading financial advisory firms, we at Jelper Club explored the intricacies of building a career in Japan as a foreigner . Through Chan's seasoned perspective, we gain valuable insights into Japanese recruitment strategies and the path to professional success in the country.   —— Can you give us some background on your professional experience in Japan? Gary: After

What draws foreigners to embark on ambitious careers in Japan? Ananya Donapati, with 170K Instagram followers captivated by her Japanese fluency and passion, represents a new type of cross-cultural influencer. We explored her insights into opportunities for foreigners seeking the opportunities of working an professional fulfillment in Japan. —— Can you tell us about your current job? Ananya: I work at Woodstock club, a fintech startup in Japan. My role involves various strate