Japan Dev Podcast

Episode #12 of the Japan Dev Podcast features Naman Garg’s story!

Naman moved from a small town in India to Tokyo to work as a QA engineer 🇮🇳➡🇯🇵

In this episode, Naman talks about how he got a job at Rakuten without knowing Japanese, what it was like moving to Japan, and how the work culture helped him grow.

He also shares what it's like working remotely at PayPay, the challenges he faced as a vegetarian in Japan, and how he's now helping Indian students explore startup opportunities through his project, Youth Yatra.

If you're curious about working in Japan as a software or QA engineer, this episode has lots of useful tips and honest insights!

More from Naman:

LinkedIn - / naman-garg-119662106

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

01:20 - Moving from India to Japan

02:00 - Inspired by Japanese technology

05:50 - Deciding to relocate

07:50 - Job and relocation struggles

11:30 - Renting issues for foreigners

13:25 - Language challenges

17:00 - Indian food at Rakuten

18:40 - Hybrid work post-COVID

22:05 - QA + coding job

23:50 - Flexible work culture

28:55 - AI helping startups

32:25 - Japan’s startup ecosystem

47:50 - Building social life in Japan

54:15 - Learning Japanese early

💬 Have questions about tech jobs in Japan? Drop them in the comments — we’ll read them. And we’ll do our best to answer them!

🌟 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell 🔔 so you never miss a new video from Japan Dev!

👉 Find your dream tech job in Japan:

🔗 Website: https://japan-dev.com

📸 Instagram: / japan.dev

🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/jpn_dev

💼 LinkedIn: / japan-dev

Episode #11 of the Japan Dev Podcast features the story of Máté Kovács! He moved from the U.S. to Japan to build a life and career as a software engineer 🇯🇵💻Máté talks about why he left San Francisco, how Japan’s tech scene surprised him (in a good way!), and the real differences between working in Silicon Valley vs. Japan. He shares how he found jobs at top startups in Tokyo, what it’s like working with modern stacks in Japan, and how to thrive as a foreign developer without fluent Japanese.Curious about Japan’s tech ecosystem? Wondering what it’s actually like working there as a foreign dev? This episode is packed with honest insights and actionable tips! 🎙️More from Máté:LinkedIn:   / mate-j-kovacs  Personal Website: https://mkovaxx.net/Timestamps:00:00 – Intro ( Mate's journey )00:55 – Life in San Francisco and the Tech Grind06:15 – First Trip to Japan and Falling in Love with the Culture10:30 – Deciding to Leave the U.S. for Japan14:45 – Finding a Job in Japan Without Speaking Japanese20:10 – How Japan’s Tech Scene Compares to Silicon Valley25:50 – Busting the “Outdated Tech in Japan” Myth31:20 – Work-Life Balance and Culture in Japanese Companies36:40 – Building a Career Long-Term in Japan42:00 – Tips for Developers Looking to Move to Japan47:15 – Language, Community, and Making Friends Abroad52:40 – Final Thoughts: Is Japan Worth It for Engineers?💬 Have questions about tech jobs in Japan? Drop them in the comments — we’ll read them. And we’ll do our best to answer them!🌟 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell 🔔 so you never miss a new video from Japan Dev!👉 Find your dream tech job in Japan:🔗 Website: https://japan-dev.com📸 Instagram: / japan.dev 🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/jpn_dev💼 LinkedIn: / japan-dev

Episode #10 of the Japan Dev Podcast features Raj’s incredible journey from a remote village in Nepal to working as a software engineer in Japan 🇯🇵✨Raj shares how he switched from medicine to tech, found his first engineering job in Nepal, and eventually moved to Japan without knowing Japanese at first! He talks about living and working in Okinawa, building a career abroad, and tips for breaking into Japan’s tech industry.Thinking about working in Japan as an engineer? Wondering how to start your career abroad? This episode is packed with real-world advice and insights! 🎙️More from Raj:LinkedIn:   / raj-kumar-chaudhary-52b647149  Facebook:   / rajkumar.chaudhary.1088  Instagram:   / rajkumar.chaudhary026  Timestamps:00:00 – Intro: Raj's Journey from Nepal to Japan01:00 – Growing Up and Education in Nepal06:10 – Why Raj Switched from Medicine to Computer Science10:00 – First Job Struggles as a Software Engineer in Nepal14:20 – Deciding to Move Abroad for Better Opportunities18:00 – Moving to Japan: How He Got the Job and Visa24:15 – Real Challenges: Language Barrier and Culture Shock29:00 – Life in Okinawa vs. Tokyo for Software Engineers36:00 – Career Growth: Plans to Move to Tokyo40:00 – What Raj’s Company Does and His Current Work47:30 – Opportunities for Engineers Starting Out in Japan52:30 – Cost of Living, Work-Life Balance, and Lifestyle in Okinawa58:10 – Final Advice: Moving Abroad, Learning Japanese, and Career Growth💬 Have questions about tech jobs in Japan? Drop them in the comments — we’ll read them. And we’ll do our best to answer them!🌟 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell 🔔 so you never miss a new video from Japan Dev!👉 Find your dream tech job in Japan:🔗 Website: https://japan-dev.com📸 Instagram: / japan.dev 🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/jpn_dev💼 LinkedIn: / japan-dev

Japan Dev Podcast #9 is with Laurie Griffiths! ⛩️Laurie is a software engineer from the UK currently living in Fukuoka, and we asked him all about his 12+ year journey in Japan.Laurie shares all about freelancing and building community in Japan — and why he thinks Fukuoka is the perfect place to live as a software engineer. His unique path is filled with insights for anyone who wants to move to Japan and work as a software engineer.Takeaways:✅ Fukuoka’s Tech Scene is Growing – Startups, government support, and a tight-knit community.✅ Challenges of Freelancing in Japan – Visas, competition, and business structures matter.✅ Japanese Language Skills Open Doors.✅ Community engagement makes a difference.✅ Work Flexibility is Key – Freelancing vs. traditional jobs in Japan.✅ Japan’s Job Market is Changing – New opportunities for engineers & startups.👉 More from LaurieHomepage: https://lauriegriffiths.github.io/Fukuoka Engineer Cafe: https://engineercafe.jp/Engineer Cafe Discord:   / discord  Timestamps -00:00 - In this video00:46 - Meet Laurie ( His background & Journey )02:02 - Tech career paths & culture05:52 - Learning Japanese with community11:38 - Visa challenges for freelancers13:30 - Freelance & tech community17:15 - Startups focus on culture22:34 - Thriving startup ecosystem27:48 - Bootstrap success via networking33:06 - Business structure challenges38:05 - Freelancing vs. employment risks43:16 - Career transitions into tech48:37 - Growing English-speaking community55:11 - Struggles to attract talent1:03:56 - Fukuoka’s lifestyle for engineers💬 Have questions about tech jobs in Japan? Drop them in the comments — we’ll read them. And we’ll do our best to answer them!🌟 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell 🔔 so you never miss a new video from Japan Dev!👉 Find your dream tech job in Japan:🔗 Website: https://japan-dev.com📸 Instagram: / japan.dev 🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/jpn_dev💼 LinkedIn: / japan-dev

Presenting Japan Dev Podcast #8 ⛩️In this episode, we sit down with Terrance Reynolds — a designer, self-taught software engineer and content creator who moved to Japan from Cleveland, Ohio!Terrance shares his unconventional journey from freelancing as a teenager to building a tech career in Tokyo. He opens up about the realities of Japan’s job market, breaking into software development without a CS degree, and how storytelling helped him land a job at one of Japan’s top tech companies — Indeed — without even applying.Takeaways:✅ Communication Is a Superpower – Especially in engineering.✅ You Don’t Need a CS Degree – But you do need a good story.✅ Work-Life Balance in Japan – No karoshi here, just focused hustle.✅ Lean Into Your Background – Marketing, teaching, freelancing… it all counts.✅ Be a Generalist, But Own Your Narrative – Combine design, dev, and storytelling.👉 More from Terrance

• Personal website: https://terrance.jp/
• YouTube:    / @terrancereynolds  
• Instagram:   / terrance95_  

Timestamps-00:00 - In this video00:52 - Meet Terrance ( Background and story )02:06 - Interest in Japan from childhood 06:04 - Switching from teaching to tech 07:56 - Career flexibility in Japan 11:43 - Job applications & outreach 13:28 - Hiring values personality over tests 17:10 - Standing out in tech interviews 22:18 - Branding & storytelling for jobs 28:48 - Storytelling attracts opportunities 33:28 - Work culture varies in Japan 36:37 - Burnout & fulfillment in tech 49:03 - Communication for tech success 58:50 - Salary transparency in Japan 1:08:19 - Avoid disclosing salary 1:21:10 - US vs. Japan tech salaries 💬 Have questions about tech jobs in Japan? Drop them in the comments — we’ll read them. And we’ll do our best to answer them!🌟 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell 🔔 so you never miss a new video from Japan Dev!👉 Find your dream tech job in Japan:🔗 Website: https://japan-dev.com📸 Instagram:   / japan.dev  🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/jpn_dev💼 LinkedIn:   / japan-dev  

Presenting Japan Dev Podcast #7 ⛩️

In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Bergier, a UX designer turned software engineer who moved from San Francisco to Tokyo!

Jeff shares his journey from working in Silicon Valley to building a career in Japan. He compares the work culture, cost of living, and tech opportunities between the two cities. Jeff also talks about why he finds life in Tokyo fulfilling and how Japan’s structured yet balanced work environment shaped his career.

Takeaways:

✅ Work-Life Balance – Less stress, more structure than SF.

✅ Lower Cost of Living – Higher savings despite lower salaries.

✅ Career Stability – Secure jobs without SF’s volatility.

✅ Clean & Efficient City – Safe, convenient, and well-organized.

✅ Job Satisfaction – Engineers take pride in their work.

👉 More from Jeff

LinkedIn: / jeffreybergier

Github: https://github.com/jeffreybergier

Timestamps:

00:00 - In this video

01:08 - Meet Jeff ( His background and story )

06:56 - Retail job sparked his design passion.

09:12 - Designers’ impact in big tech.

16:05 - Tech job market struggles.

19:53 - Learning to code, career switch.

25:24 - Japan vs. US culture.

27:21 - Work culture differences.

30:57 - New York or Japan?

36:27 - Japan’s startup scene.

42:04 - Relocating with support.

47:31 - Workload management issues.

49:21 - Balancing tech debt.

53:14 - Company vs. job role.

58:44 - Tokyo vs. SF life.

1:06:05 - Japan’s service quality.

💬 Have questions about tech jobs in Japan? Drop them in the comments — we’ll read them. And we’ll do our best to answer them!

🌟 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell 🔔 so you never miss a new video from Japan Dev!

👉 Find your dream tech job in Japan:

🔗 Website: https://japan-dev.com

📸 Instagram: / japan.dev

🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/jpn_dev

💼 LinkedIn: / japan-dev

Presenting Japan Dev Podcast #6! In this episode, Eric talks with Anton, a Belgian software engineer who's spent eight years in Japan. Anton shares his journey into Japan’s tech industry, the challenges of adapting to work culture, the importance of learning Japanese, and a whole lot more!✅ Job hunting and career growth in Japan✅ Transitioning tech stacks (Ruby to Golang)✅ Passing the JLPT N1 + language learning insights✅ Consultancy vs in-house development✅ Japanese vs Gaishikei work environments✅ Work-life balance in Japan’s tech industry✅ Adapting to the corporate culture at IndeedMore from Anton:🔗 Portfolio: https://antonve.be/🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/antonve_be💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonve/🗣️ Tadoku: https://tadoku.app/Timestamps:00:00 - In this video00:50 - Meet Anton ( His journey )06:43 - Startup experience and its impact on career growth13:02 - Job expectations in Japanese vs. international companies15:05 - Job hunting in Japan: networking & language skills24:15 - Shifting tech stacks: Ruby to Go in Japan’s tech scene31:34 - JLPT N1: Challenges and the reality of fluency40:51 - Consultancy vs. in-house development in Japan46:08 - Transitioning from startups to large companies51:32 - Challenges and opportunities of working in Japan’s tech industry56:51 - Navigating job opportunities and career growth in Japan1:03:48 - Final reflections on career choices and life in Japan💬 Have questions about tech jobs in Japan? Drop them in the comments — we’ll read them. And we’ll do our best to answer them!🌟 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell 🔔 so you never miss a new video from Japan Dev!👉 Find your dream tech job in Japan:🔗 Website: https://japan-dev.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/japan.dev🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/jpn_dev💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/japan-de

Welcome to Japan Dev Podcast #5! In this episode, Eric talks with Kamil, a software engineer from Poland who's lived in Japan for over a decade.

Kamil shares how his love for Japanese culture — starting with anime — led him to study at the Polish-Japanese Academy, and ultimately move to Japan and build his career in Tokyo.

In this episode, you will learn:

✅ How Kamil transitioned from freelancing to a full-time job in Japan

✅ The challenges of adapting to life and work in Japan, including language and culture

✅ His experience starting and growing Remote Index (a remote job board) and Apply/Ads (a programmatic ads platform)

✅ How the startup scene in Tokyo is changing

✅ Visa strategies for long-term residency in Japan

✅ His thoughts on raising children with a global mindset

✅ Practical advice for expats who want to build their careers in Japan

If you're interested in working in Japan, freelancing, or starting a business here, this episode is for you.

More from Kamil 👇

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kwiecienkamil/

X: https://x.com/kamil_shman

Kamil's businesses 👇

Apply/Ads: https://applyads.com/

Remote Index: https://remoteindex.co/

Timestamps

00:00 - In this video

00:53 - Meet Kamil ( His journey and insights )

08:57 - Career journey post-graduation, intense work

15:42 - Living and working in London as an engineer

19:51 - Financial/work challenges while studying in Japan

21:51 - Secured engineering visa, partnered on projects

25:38 - Supportive companies are key in Japan

27:32 - Networking helps with housing in Japan

31:21 - Challenges of living in Japan, starting a business

33:20 - Sole proprietorship is simpler and cheaper

37:11 - Transitioning to engineering manager

43:05 - Moving to a remote job board

45:11 - From SEO to programmatic job ads

49:07 - Productizing job board services

51:05 - AI automation and small teams

54:54 - Easier business visas and PR

1:02:34 - Japan attracts digital nomads

💬 Have questions about tech jobs in Japan? Drop them in the comments — we’ll read them. And we’ll do our best to answer them!

🌟 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell 🔔 so you never miss a new video from Japan Dev!

👉 Find your dream tech job in Japan:

🔗 Website: https://japan-dev.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/japan.dev

🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/jpn_dev

💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/japan-dev

Want to work in Japan’s tech industry? In this episode, you'll learn what it’s really like. Eric talks with Kaustubh Hiware, an IIT graduate who has been working at Mercari in Tokyo for five years. Kaustubh shares his experience — working in tech in Japan, learning Japanese and his thoughts on how to maximize your career growth.You’ll get practical advice on adapting to life in Japan and what to expect as a foreign software engineer. If you’re thinking about moving to Japan for work, this episode will help you prepare!In this video, you will learn:✅ How to find software engineering jobs in Japan✅ The biggest challenges foreign engineers face in Japan’s tech industry✅ How important Japanese language skills are for career growth✅ What life in Japan is really like for expats✅ Key tips for navigating work culture and career opportunities in Japan✅ Advice on visas including the "highly-skilled professional" visa and permanent residency👉 More from Kaustubh Twitter/X: https://x.com/_ofkaus LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ofkaus/ Github: https://github.com/kaustubhhiwareTimestamps 00:00 - In this video1:10 - Meet Kaustubh02:19 - The competitiveness of computer science06:49 - Choosing a career based on cultural fit13:11 - Adapting to Japanese work culture & language barriers20:43 - How speaking Japanese opens career opportunities24:30 - Cultural differences in US vs. Japanese product development29:49 - Unexpected experiences working in Silicon Valley35:03 - Career growth through impactful projects40:06 - Adjusting to Japan’s social norms & trust levels45:19 - How the Japan Dev Podcast started50:39 - Exploring stand-up comedy in Japan55:57 - Future plans: Staying in Japan or returning to India?1:01:25 - Job opportunities in Japan despite language barriers1:07:03 - Why Japan’s media & products need a global shift1:17:50 - Japan’s permanent residency system for skilled professionals💬 Have questions about tech jobs in Japan? Drop them in the comments — we’ll read them. And we’ll do our best to answer them!🌟 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell 🔔 so you never miss a new video from Japan Dev!👉 Find your dream tech job in Japan:🔗 Website: https://japan-dev.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/japan.dev🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/jpn_dev💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/japan-de

Episode #3 of the Japan Dev Podcast is with Kei Yamashita!  He shares his inspiring journey from part time jobs in Osaka to software engineer — first in Canada and then back to Japan 🚀

Kei discusses how he overcame a challenging upbringing, learned English through part-time jobs and started his software engineering career from scratch.

Despite initial setbacks — including a disappointing language school experience — he discovered a passion for software development through self-learning and persistence.

From working at Starbucks while learning English to landing his first tech job, Kei's journey is a testament to the power of helping others, being proactive, and adapting to new environments. 

After gaining permanent residency in Canada, he worked at several North American startups, which accelerated his career growth. Eventually, he returned to Japan to work as an engineer in Tokyo, bringing valuable international experience with him.

In this episode, we dive deep into:✅ The challenges of switching careers into tech✅ How to negotiate your first salary✅ The importance of networking and leveraging opportunities✅ Cultural differences between North American and Japanese work styles✅ The evolving landscape of Japan’s IT industry

Thinking about working in tech in Japan? Or curious about how international experience can shape your career? This episode is packed with valuable insights! 🎙️

👉  More from Kei

🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/kei_english_ca

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVyBDawnEGc8SXRrMhdH-JQ

✍️ Blog: https://note.com/kei726/n/nc674049f61f8

Timestamps:

00:00 - In this video

00:55 - Meet Kei ( His story )

06:42 - Exploring work abroad through visas.

08:43 - Considering Canada for better opportunities.

13:16 - Career pivot from language struggles to software development.

19:30 - Two-year college journey into software engineering.

25:16 - First software job and early challenges.

30:59 - Hardships and growth in the industry.

37:12 - U.S. companies hiring Canadian developers.

39:16 - Salary growth and financial freedom.

43:24 - Gaining permanent residency for career flexibility.

49:48 - Job referral leads to return to Japan.

55:34 - Japan's evolving tech industry and work culture.

1:06:48 - Japan’s affordable and superior food.

1:08:47 - The value of working abroad for growth.

1:12:53 - Cross-cultural collaboration in Japan’s tech scene.

1:18:41 - Building a software career through networking.

💬 Have questions about tech jobs in Japan? Drop them in the comments — we’ll read them.  And we’ll do our best to answer them!

🌟 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell 🔔 so you never miss a new video from Japan Dev!

👉  Find your dream tech job in Japan:

🔗  Website: https://japan-dev.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/japan.dev

🐦  Twitter/X: https://x.com/jpn_dev

💼  LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/japan-dev

Tags :

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