Hi everyone,
I’m seriously considering moving to Japan next year.
This has been a long-term reflection over several years, not an impulsive decision.
I’m mainly looking for concrete, realistic feedback about IT / tech opportunities, especially regarding the availability of English-speaking roles in Japan.
Background (brief)
2.5 years as a Salesforce integration consultant for large Retail clients
(complex projects, enterprise environments)
3 years in a sales / pre-sales role at one of the largest software companies in the world (US-based)
Hybrid role covering:
– pre-sales / solution consulting
– RFPs, solution scoping, high-level architecture
– working with partners and enterprise customers
– Profile is tech + business, not a pure developer
Languages
– French: native, daily working language
– English: strong professional level, close to fluent
I work for a US company and use English regularly in a professional context
– Japanese: currently JLPT N5
I’ve started learning and I’m progressing, but I’m realistic about my current level
My current dilemma
I’m hesitating on how to best use the coming year:
either focus heavily on Japanese, to improve long-term local integration
or push my English to full fluency / near-bilingual, to open more international or remote opportunities
The key question for me is:
👉 Do IT roles in Japan realistically exist where English is sufficient, at least initially?
What I’m trying to understand
Are English-speaking IT roles in Japan:
rare but real?
or very limited / niche?
With a profile like mine, would it make more sense to:
prioritize English to secure an international or remote role
or invest more aggressively in Japanese now?
Which types of companies / roles are most open to English?
I’d really appreciate feedback, especially from people in IT or who have made similar choices.
Thanks in advance. 🫶🏼
by gilgamesh953