Voices of Jelper Club Members - From New York City to Tokyo’s Startup Scene: Federico Gruson on Turning a Cross-Cultural Upbringing into a Global Business Career

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 put his bilingual skills and cultural agility center stage.

Federico Gruson

――To begin, could you tell us a bit about your background?

Federico: I was born and raised in New York City. My mom is Colombian, and I’m one-quarter Japanese through my grandmother, but I grew up speaking only English with her—so Japan always felt distant. At university I challenged myself to learn Japanese and spent a full year abroad at ICU. That immersion showed me Japan shouldn’t be just a semester-long detour; it could be home.

――What made you choose to build your career in Japan rather than in New York?

Federico: Everyone around me seemed set on consulting or banking in NYC, but I felt, “If I don’t try Tokyo now, I never will.” Tokyo and New York share that big-city energy, yet Japan’s economic stagnation and demographic challenges intrigued me. I wanted a front-row seat to understand why growth feels stuck—and to see whether fresh ideas could help. Plus, my Japanese journey felt unfinished after only three years of study; working here lets me keep leveling up.

――How are you perceived at work as someone with mixed heritage?

Federico: I’ve learned to read a room quickly because I grew up around so many cultures. Colleagues tend to see me as something in between gaikokujin and local—a “bridge.” That middle ground helps when I’m negotiating with partners; I can switch registers and mannerisms to fit the moment.

――What’s your current role?

Federico: I’m part of the Global Business Department at a venture-stage tech company. My team takes new products—right now an online-travel platform—and adapts them for overseas markets. On any given day I’m pitching in English, drafting product-spec docs in Japanese, or translating feedback from foreign partners so our engineers can iterate. Being comfortable on both sides of the cultural “switch” is the job’s biggest asset.

――Japanese communication can be tricky. How do you handle it?

Federico: Inside our small global team, English dominates, but the moment I step into a company-wide meeting it’s mostly Japanese. If I prepare slides and talking points, I’m fine; if I’m caught off-guard, even English can trip me up. My rule: over-prepare, send follow-up memos in both languages, and make myself available for clarifying chats afterwards. That openness signals respect beyond vocabulary. I learn in my workspace that communication isn’t only about language.

――Any advice for Jelper Club members who share a mixed or cross-cultural background?

Federico: Job-hunting here isn’t passive—you must be 100 % committed. My parents had reservations at first, so I needed a clear plan. And amongst my classmates in college, very few of them were willing to take a risk and place themselves in an environment that challenged them culturally and linguistically. However, looking back, taking the leap was the right call. If Japan excites you, ignore the noise, focus on language skills, and leverage platforms like Jelper Club that demystify the local hiring process. Straight out of college is the time you have the least to lose. If you do not take risks now, it will make it that much harder down the line.

――Lastly, how’s life in Japan outside of work?

Federico: Great! Work-life balance has historically been an issue in Japan, but I definitely feel that at least my company takes their employers quality of life very seriously. I also feel strongly that work–life balance hinges on enjoying your tasks. I love the tasks I’m given, the process of putting it into action, and seeing the fruit of our hard work. So I have no complaints and plenty of time to explore the country.

At Jelper Club, we love stories like Federico’s—proof that international perspective plus determination can carve out unique careers in Japan. If you’re ready to follow suit, explore our job board, tap our AI Builder to polish your profile, and join a community committed to bridging global talent with opportunities in Japan.

(Interviewer/Editor: Jelper Club Editorial Team)