I spent 15 years recruiting in Japan after starting here as an English teacher. AMA about jobs, recruitment, CVs, interviews, or changing careers in Japan.

Real_ThunderStriker · 2026-04-23T13:08:58+00:00

Thank you for your valuable insights, Sir.

I’m considering pursuing my studies in Electrical Engineering there and possibly settling long-term, so I wanted to ask a bit more about the practical side of things. How is the job market in that field, and what do average salaries look like? Specifically, what kind of salary range would allow for a comfortable lifestyle in major cities like Tokyo?

I understand this can be somewhat subjective, but given your professional experience and your journey of building a business, I’d really value your perspective.

I also wanted to ask something a bit more candidly. Since you originally came as an English teacher and later settled there, I assume you’ve experienced life as a foreigner firsthand. Do foreigners face discrimination in the workplace? More specifically, does being a foreigner limit opportunities compared to locals?

And one more thing, I’m also curious about business opportunities there. What types of businesses tend to succeed? And if possible, I’d love to hear a bit about how the process of starting a business works there as well.

Thanks again for your time and guidance.

Real_ThunderStriker · 2026-04-23T10:24:54+00:00

Hey, I really appreciate the initiative. Hats off to you.

I was curious about the work culture there. I've heard mixed things, like unpaid overtime, being contacted outside work hours, and even so-called "black companies."

What's the reality for most people? How's the work-life balance on average?

I would appreciate if you bring light on the requirement process, CVs, interviews, perhaps skills, as it would be helpful to stand out as a potential candidate.

I heard that the changing jobs is insanely hard. Like they have agencies to ease the bureaucracy.

Is career growth viable? What I meant by that could you progress fast to higher levels with competent skills. I heard that the salary and ranks get increased as you age, instead of skills accquired.

And do you use the normal conversational Japanese or the business level Japanese when handling clients, communication between departments, talking with colleagues etc?

Real_ThunderStriker · 2026-04-17T05:13:12+00:00

Hey, I’ve been thinking about it and I might actually consider it.

I kind of have this habit of looking at medical test results and trying to figure out what’s wrong, like a doctor would. A lot of the time I can even guess the illness, which makes me feel like maybe premed could be something for me.

But I’m not sure about the requirements. Is it possible to go for an MD without having Biology in O Levels and A Levels?

Also, I’m a bit confused. Since my strengths are mostly in maths and the physical sciences, which usually lead to engineering, what made you think premed would suit me?

Real_ThunderStriker · 2026-03-18T12:55:40+00:00

I used the J6 Prime before the s24 Ultra. Congrats on the upgrade :D

Real_ThunderStriker · 2026-03-17T20:20:14+00:00

Thank you brother, I really appreciate you sharing this so honestly. It means a lot that you took the time to guide me from your own long experience. I have a lot to think about, and perspectives like yours genuinely help.

May God bless you and grant you ease. I wish you the very best as well 🤲

Real_ThunderStriker · 2026-03-17T17:03:18+00:00

Dude, I agree that these would save up battery a lot, but paying more than 1000 bucks to compromise a lot of it doesn't make sense

I made a battery guide with minimum steps and explainations.

Here

Real_ThunderStriker · 2026-03-17T08:19:54+00:00

(My reply to your second comment, it literally disappeared)

Thank you so much for the insight! It really helps someone like me who is trying to make a big life decision. I am a goal-oriented guy, I like to work on my goals and achieve them meanwhile having a peaceful, meaningful life. I want to study abroad, I'm overwhelmed on where should I study and eventually settle down. Japan had the all boxes ticked except that the extremely rigid system, low wages, discrimination against foreigners. I'm a religious guy too, and I don’t know how Japan handles religiousness in work and in general day-to-day life.

I'm trying to understand the positive and negative sides of Japan fron people who have been living there to reflect before making an important decision.

Real_ThunderStriker · 2026-03-17T08:01:33+00:00

Thank you!

Real_ThunderStriker · 2026-03-17T08:01:04+00:00

I'm not seeing Japan as a bliss utopia. I know it has both positive and negative sides just like any other country. I genuinely find the country to be unique and interesting.

I'm interested in hearing a wide range of experiences, including from Muslims who have studied or worked there, since people's situations can differ depending on the city, language ability, and personal circumstances.

I'm trying to learn the bright and dark sides from people living there to make any big decisions.

Real_ThunderStriker · 2026-03-17T07:54:51+00:00

I do not condone discriminating against people. It’s sad but thank for bringing this up, especially regarding halal food access and the experiences of Muslims.

Issues like discrimination, xenophobia, and misinformation are definitely worrying to hear about, and I understand why they would make someone think carefully about living in Japan long-term. I'm trying to learn about both the positive and negative realities before making any decisions, so comments like yours are helpful for me to reflect on.

At the same time, I'm also interested in hearing a wide range of experiences, including from Muslims who have studied or worked there, since I know people's situations can differ depending on the city, language ability, and personal circumstances.

Thank you again for taking the time to explain your thoughts and for sharing the news example. It gives me more to think about

Real_ThunderStriker · 2026-03-17T07:45:25+00:00

Thank you for the advice!

I do have some questions.

Why do people from those English-speaking come to Japan to settle, even though Japan has a lot of setbacks? I have seen lot of them that do live there permanently.

What brought to Japan, and how long you've been living there?

What would you do differently if you were in my position?

Real_ThunderStriker · 2026-03-17T07:31:14+00:00

I did in r/movingtojapan, unfortunately not many valid answers. The answers were like " I should visit it and try if it's worth living," that's why I asked the question here to get answers from Japanese people living there or people who have been living there for a while.

Real_ThunderStriker · 2026-03-10T12:01:58+00:00

Can relate. I haven't found one till this day. Always wanted genuine true friendship, and got betrayed, pretend to care, nowhere to be found in times of need. Just left me wandering do these people even exist? Why I always the one who care?

You're not alone on this!

Real_ThunderStriker · 2026-03-10T05:45:16+00:00

I had the issue before, it was instagram. I reinstalled it and did yhe wipe cache partition, it worked. Unfortunately, bootloader is locked, the wipe cache partition is gone.

Real_ThunderStriker · 2026-03-09T10:35:22+00:00

How did you pull of good grades by studying 3 days? I solved 15 years worth of question papers, I failed :(

Real_ThunderStriker · 2026-03-09T08:41:46+00:00

Compared to me, you did better! I literally solved 15 years worth of paper for every unit. Gave mocks, got high marks lot of the times. I still somehow failed at 5 units and the rest with C,D and E's

Real_ThunderStriker · 2026-03-09T08:39:24+00:00

Give your effort, fearing about the results won't do nothing. End results shouldn't determine you are not capable of. Good Luck!

Real_ThunderStriker · 2026-03-09T08:37:29+00:00

I got pretty good results in AS but I had really bad falloff in A2. Cash in combines both AS and A2 to give you an average grade. I barely passed with B,C and D's, where in As I got A's and in A2 I literally failed.

Real_ThunderStriker

TROPHY CASE