I interviewed Wei Chen about how foreigners can find a startup job in Japan with limited Japanese proficiency. Born in Taiwan and having studied abroad in the US, Wei found herself in Japan and has managed to embed herself into the Tokyo startup ecosystem despite being a foreigner. She currently works as a freelance talent sourcer, helping match startup companies to great talent.
Listen to this episode to hear Wei’s story about:
If you want to find out more, feel free to reach out to Wei on Linkedin!
Timestamps / Topics
Intro
0:00 – Introduction
0:57 – Wei’s introduction
2:25 – Why did she move to Japan?
7:25 – Why did she stay in Japan?
9:10 – Being an Asian foreigner in Japan. Pros & Cons
10:45 – Main cultural barriers in Japan
12:50 – Challenges of being a female foreigner in Japan
Finding a Job in Japan
17:40 – How Wei found her 1st job in Japan
23:10 – What does Wei do as a talent sourcer?
26:50 – Advice for foreigners finding a gig in Japan.
28:26 – Advice for foreigners who aren’t fluent in Japanese? Potential industries?
30:30 – English teaching in Japan as a starting point?
21:15 – Recruitment jobs in Japan … how does it work without Japanese proficiency?
33:40 – Applying for big Japanese corporations?
35:16 – Visa options (working holiday, freelance etc). How Wei got Permanent Residency in Japan
40:00 – Is Japan open to foreigners to get visas/jobs?
42:50 – Scholarships?
46:50 – Is doing a 2nd degree in Japan worthwhile?
48:35 – Wei’s thoughts on the startup ecosystem in Tokyo
Life in Japan
50:15 – Wei’s life in Japan.
51:50 – Raising a child in Japan
54:30 – Wei’s future plans. Final thoughts/conclusion.