Japanese citizen raised abroad planning to move to Japan to work as a software engineer. Need advice

Hi everyone, I am in my late 20s and currently working as a backend engineer (java) with over 3 yrs of experience. I was born in Japan but raised outside Japan, so I’ve never actually lived there. Lately, I’ve been considering to work and build a life there. I feel lime my being a Japanese citizen might go to waste if I don’t take the opportunity.

Since I am already a citizen, I won’t be needing any visa, but I also don’t have any personal contact or support network in Japan. I only know basic Nihongo but I plan to enroll in formal classes to improve my Japanese skills if I decide to live there.

Also, I can’t just move to Japan and look for a job in person. That would require a lot of savings to support myself and my family while job hunting. It is not realistic for me at the moment. Ideally, I’d like to secure a job while still working in my current role abroad.

Right now, I am looking for tips of insights on the following:

  • how feasible it is to land a job related to my field from abroad before moving?

  • any companies or job boards you’d recommend for foreign-educated Japanese citizens?

  • how much does proficiency in Nihongo matter in tech roles?

  • what’s the work culture like for people in tech roles in Japan, especially for someone who did not grow up there?

  • how much should I earn monthly to be able to survive the expenses living in Japan and at least save something?

I’d appreciate any insights or shared experiences. Thanks in advance!

by No_Anteater_4468

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