Considering going into investment banking in Tokyo

Hi everyone,

I’m exploring the idea of relocating to Tokyo with my fiancé, who has the opportunity to transfer there through his job. I’m currently working in M&A at a Dutch bank with 4 years of experience and am considering applying for roles in investment banking or M&A in Japan.

I’m finding it a bit challenging to identify recruitment agencies that help international professionals break into the Japanese IB market. Before diving into applications, I’d love to understand more about what the work environment in Tokyo is like compared to the Netherlands, and how critical it is to be fluent in Japanese.

If you’ve made a similar move, I’d really appreciate hearing about your experience:

• How did you approach the job search (direct applications vs. recruitment agencies)?
• What was the transition like in terms of work culture, compensation, and expectations?
• Which teams or departments might be best suited for someone with M&A experience but limited local knowledge or language skills?

Thanks so much in advance for any insights you can share!