Thinking of working as a developer in Japan? Then you've probably asked yourself: What technologies do companies in Japan actually use?
While Japan has a reputation for lagging behind in software modernization, that's no longer the whole picture. Many startups and even larger firms are now embracing global best practices and modern stacks—though legacy tech still exists in plenty of corners.
In this article, we break down what's really being used in Japan today, across backend, frontend, infrastructure, and mobile, based on:
- Dozens of job listings from JapanTechCareers, JapanDev, and Wantedly
- Developer interviews and company tech blogs
- 2024–25 hiring trends in the Japanese tech market
Backend: Rails Still Rules, but Go and Java Gaining Ground
| Language / Framework | Usage Level | Typical Company Types |
|---|---|---|
| Ruby on Rails | 🔹🔹🔹 High | Startups, B2C platforms, SaaS |
| Go (Golang) | 🔹🔹 Medium | Infra startups, Web3, fintech |
| Java / Spring | 🔹🔹 Medium | Enterprise, banks, HR systems |
| Python (Django/FastAPI) | 🔹 Medium | AI/ML firms, data-centric teams |
| Node.js | 🔹🔹 Medium | Product-led startups, event apps |
| PHP / Laravel | 🔹 Low | Legacy systems, CMS |
Takeaway: Ruby on Rails is still Japan's de facto standard for web startups. But Go is fast becoming the go-to for performance-heavy or modern microservices.
Frontend: React Dominates, Vue Is Holding Ground
| Framework / Tech | Usage Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| React | 🔹🔹🔹 High | Most common for web frontend |
| Vue.js | 🔹🔹 Medium | Popular with internal tools or legacy migration |
| TypeScript | 🔹🔹🔹 High | Almost default for new frontends |
| Next.js / Nuxt | 🔹 Medium | Often used in greenfield projects |
| Angular | 🔹 Low | Rare outside legacy enterprise |
Takeaway: TypeScript + React is the current standard. Vue still persists, especially with teams that started pre-2019.
Mobile: Kotlin for Android, Swift for iOS, Flutter on the Rise
| Mobile Stack | Usage Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kotlin | 🔹🔹 High | Android standard |
| Swift | 🔹🔹 High | iOS standard |
| Flutter | 🔹 Medium | Increasingly popular for startups |
| React Native | 🔹 Medium | Still used, but less loved |
Takeaway: Native is still dominant, but Flutter is getting real traction, especially in cost-conscious teams.
Infrastructure: AWS Still Leads, Kubernetes Everywhere
| Infra Tech | Usage Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AWS | 🔹🔹🔹 High | Default choice |
| GCP / Azure | 🔹 Medium | GCP gaining in AI firms |
| Docker | 🔹🔹🔹 High | Industry standard |
| Kubernetes | 🔹🔹🔹 High | Everywhere, even if just managed services |
| Terraform | 🔹 Medium | Common in infra-heavy teams |
Takeaway: AWS + Docker + K8s is the base infra stack, even for relatively small companies now.
Honorable Mentions
- Rust: Loved by devs, but used in only a handful of production systems
- Elixir/Phoenix: Small but loyal niche in chat or realtime systems
- Scala: Still seen in fintech, but less common in new startups
- GraphQL: Adoption increasing, especially in mobile/backend comms
TL;DR: If You Want to Work in Japan...
If you want to break into the Japan tech market as a developer in 2025, here are good bets:
- Frontend: React + TypeScript
- Backend: Ruby on Rails (for startups) or Go (for performance-oriented teams)
- Mobile: Kotlin / Swift (native) or Flutter (cross-platform)
- Infra: AWS + Docker + Kubernetes is the default
Even if you don't know Japanese, mastering these stacks will help you match 80%+ of foreigner-friendly job listings.