Introduction
What career paths are available for software engineers working in Japan? While many engineers grow as Senior Engineers and Tech Leads by deepening their technical expertise, Japan offers various other career options as well.
This article introduces career paths for software engineers in Japan's IT industry, highlighting their characteristics and required skills.
Characteristics of Japan's IT Industry
Japan's IT industry has several unique features that differ from Western countries. First, many Japanese companies practice "potential-based hiring," emphasizing learning ability and adaptability over specialized knowledge at the time of hiring. This means it's not uncommon for liberal arts graduates to be hired as engineers.
Additionally, some companies offer opportunities to transition not only to technical roles but also to project management or business-oriented positions. While not mandatory, having such options is one characteristic of Japanese companies.
Growth as a Software Engineer
Senior Engineer / Tech Lead
This is the most common career path that many engineers aspire to. You continue honing your technical skills, lead technical decision-making for the team, and mentor junior engineers.
Companies where you can thrive:
- Major tech companies like Mercari, LINE, and Rakuten
- Foreign-affiliated companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft
- Growing SaaS companies like SmartHR, Sansan, and Freee
Required skills:
- Deep technical expertise
- Architecture design capabilities
- Code review and mentoring abilities
- Technical selection and decision-making skills
Other Career Options
While continuing in technical roles, you can also explore the following positions.
Project Manager (PM)
This role involves managing entire projects. You leverage your technical background while handling schedule management, resource allocation, and stakeholder coordination.
Companies where you can thrive:
- System integrators like NTT Data, Fujitsu, Hitachi, and Nomura Research Institute (NRI)
Additional skills needed:
- Project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall)
- Business-level Japanese (client meetings, report writing)
- Budget and risk management
Solutions Architect
This role involves designing systems to solve clients' technical challenges. With the proliferation of cloud services, demand for this position has increased.
Companies where you can thrive:
- Cloud vendors like AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure
- Consulting firms like Accenture, Deloitte Tohmatsu, and PwC
Additional skills needed:
- Broad knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)
- Technical proposal and presentation skills to clients
- Ability to design comprehensive systems
Product Manager
This role determines product direction and manages development priorities. You bridge business and engineering sides based on technical understanding.
Companies where you can thrive:
- FinTech companies like Merpay, PayPay, and LINE Pay
- Web service companies like Recruit, Yahoo! JAPAN, and ZOZO
- Japanese offices of foreign SaaS companies like Slack, Notion, and Figma
Additional skills needed:
- Market analysis and user research
- KPI setting and performance measurement
- Roadmap creation and prioritization
IT Consultant
This role involves proposing IT-based solutions to companies' business challenges. Business understanding is required in addition to technical knowledge.
Companies where you can thrive:
- Accenture, ABeam Consulting, BayCurrent Consulting
- Solution vendors like IBM, Oracle Japan, and SAP Japan
- Think tank companies like Nomura Research Institute (NRI) and Mitsubishi Research Institute (MRI)
Additional skills needed:
- Industry knowledge (finance, manufacturing, retail, etc.)
- Advanced business Japanese (proposals to executives, complex business analysis)
- Problem-solving and consulting methodologies
Advice for Foreign Engineers
Gradual Language Skill Development
When working as an engineer, you can start with technical Japanese. Begin with communication in design documents and code reviews, and learn business Japanese as needed.
If you're interested in management or consulting, be aware that more advanced Japanese proficiency will be required.
Approach to Career Choices
While Japan offers various career paths, moving into management is not mandatory. If you want to master technology, pursuing a technical career as a Senior Engineer or Architect is entirely viable. Especially in foreign-affiliated companies and startups, environments are well-established for building long-term careers as technical specialists.
Conclusion
When working as a software engineer in Japan, you can either continue in technical roles or explore management and business-oriented positions. What's important is choosing a career based on your interests and strengths.
Those who want to master technology can succeed as Senior Engineers or Tech Leads, those interested in project management as PMs, and those who want to bridge business and technology as Product Managers or Solutions Architects.
Japan's IT industry offers diverse career paths, allowing you to find the right one for you.