Everything You Should Know About Becoming An Engineer In Japan

Japan is known for its strong work culture. However, the habits of the hard-working nation are changing as recent government policy has proposed reducing overtime and encouraging workers to take more vacation time.

One thing to keep in mind regarding salary prospects is they’re massively dependent on the type of job role, as well as your previous experience, skills and education.

If you have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline, such as mechanical and electrical system engineering, it’s likely that you can expect a starting annual salary of around ¥6 million (~US$56,900) to ¥10 million (~US$95,000).

Outside traditional engineering disciplines, entry-level pay range for engineers in IT for example, is around ¥4 million (~US$37,600) to ¥6 million (~US$56,400) a year.

As we’ve mentioned, a relevant engineering bachelor’s degree is a great starting point (and you won’t get very far without one).

In April 2020, Kyoto University of Advanced Science (KUAS) established the first multidisciplinary all-English Faculty of Engineering in Japan where students can study a wide range of engineering disciplines, and learn about the most advanced technologies through its professional and practical four-year mechanical and electrical system engineering bachelor’s degree.

Which leads us nicely onto the next point…

This may not be true all the time, but JobQ, a Japanese career-advice website, says that Japanese firms consider practical experience as the most important factor when it comes to hiring. And of course, that’s easier said than done when you’ve been studying for the last three-four years. Where (and when) are you supposed to find the time to get the experience?

Fortunately, many degree programs, such as the mechanical and electrical system engineering degree at KUAS, integrate practical learning experiences, like the capstone project.

KUAS’s strong links with over 50 companies in Japan allows students the unique opportunity to work with such organizations, and train to become in-demand street-smart global engineers, equipped with the critical problem-solving and communication skills needed to work across every industry around the world.

Before even getting a job, you will need to have a Certificate of Eligibility, issued by Japan's Ministry of Justice. Only once you have received this can you submit your visa application. To find out more about this you will need to contact your country’s Japanese embassy.

Once you have this, you’ll need to obtain a highly skilled professional working visa in order to accept an offer for such a position, whether it’s permanent or fixed-term.

If you’re serious about pursuing a career in Japan, then you should also be serious about learning the language. Some engineering jobs will require a higher level of language proficiency, whereas some Japanese organizations have started to relax stricter language requirements in order to help fill the growing gap in certain engineering roles.

International students at Kyoto University of Advanced Science can learn Japanese (at no additional cost) alongside their degree to develop their language skills, and offer a competitive advantage in their future career choices.