Is it better to get a masters degree in Japan or in other countries which is online learning in order to work in Japan afterwards?

Hello everyone,

I’m currently working in the IT field and planning to pursue a Master’s degree in Data Science. Initially, I considered enrolling in a 100% online Master’s program offered by a university in Malaysia, which takes around 2 years to complete.

At the same time, I’m planning to go to Japan in 2026 as a language school student. My idea was to start the online Master’s program during my language studies so I could avoid a gap in my IT career and be better prepared to apply for jobs in Japan after completing the language school.

However, my agents advised me that companies in Japan may not recognize degrees earned outside Japan, even if it's a Master’s. They suggested that it might be better to pursue a Master’s degree in Japan instead.

I’m a bit confused now and would really appreciate any advice. Is it true that a master's degree from outside Japan is less recognized or valued compared to one obtained within the country?

Any help at all would be greatly appreciated,
Thank you.