Will learning Japanese help me get a job? If you often think about this, then here is the article that can give you a definite answer.
There are plenty of job opportunities waiting for you if you speak Japanese fluently, whether you are in Japan or not, including the following:
- Japanese Translator/Interpreter
- Japanese Language Teacher
- Customer Service Representative
- IT and Software Specialist
- Japanese Media and Subtitle Specialist
In the post below, let’s find out how learning Japanese can help you get a job! Sugu ni hajimemashou! (Let’s start right away!)
Will learning Japanese help me get a job: The Perks
Being fluent in the Japanese language means more job opportunities. As the world gets more globalized, the ability to communicate coherently across language and cultural boundaries becomes increasingly vital. Usually, these jobs pay better than common corporate jobs. Aside from being able to elevate your professional career, you can also use your Japanese language skills to gain new friends and to understand more about the amazing culture of Japan. Here are some of the most significant perks of learning Japanese.
1. More Job Opportunities
Despite translation jobs’ freedom, only some are eager to augment their income. You could already have a full-time job or want to start one. If this is the case, consider working in Japan. Although this is a significant decision and lifestyle shift for you, it is an excellent chance to advance your profession while living in Japan. Working in Japan also is financially advantageous since professional incomes have been growing at a ten percent annual rate as the Japanese economy keeps growing.
2. You could improve your intelligence
Learning a foreign language takes mental effort. If you see your brain as a muscle, acquiring a new language is an excellent method to strengthen it. Learning a new language might boost your attention and memory. It can improve your decision-making abilities, increase your IQ, and make you less susceptible to misinformation. Furthermore, you can slow the brain’s aging by up to five years. This is because learning and mastering a second language may increase the quantity of gray matter in your brain.
3. You’ll have a much more enjoyable time in Japan rather than getting stressed out!
Because most Japanese people do not know English, learning the language can come in handy when you visit. For starters, the residents will appreciate that you made an effort to learn their language, and you’ll be accepted more freely into the nation. And, if you can communicate in the language, everything like ordering meals, asking for directions, and following instructions will be much easier. Furthermore, you will have a greater understanding of the culture. If you speak Japanese, you can view movies, read books, and listen to music without requiring subtitles or translations.
4. Translation
This could be no surprise, but if you speak Japanese well, you may use your language talents to work with translating. This is especially handy if you wish to augment your income. If you want to work as a translator, you’ll need to settle down and study hard. A translation work normally necessitates a considerable understanding of Japanese. In translating, you will engage in various projects, from corporate and academic texts to legal documents. The more technical the paper, the harder it is to translate. Aside from earning more money, translation jobs are often flexible and handy. Jobs are frequently project-based, and you may work from home and on your own time.
5. Raise your status in your workplace
In relation to number one, due to Japan’s economic supremacy, businesses from other nations form alliances with Japanese firms. If your firm requires somebody to interact with potential Japanese partners or clients, your knowledge of Japanese will make you a great option. Your job will be valuable for your organization, whether you are the person who will lead negotiations or translate for your staff. You even have a higher probability of getting promoted! They will be impressed when your coworkers learn that you speak various languages.
6. You’ll be more confident!
Japan is regarded as one of the most difficult languages for English speakers to master. This is because it is so unlike English, from the writing system to the grammatical rules. Isn’t it much more satisfying if you could complete this self-imposed challenge? Personal development may make you feel good about yourself, whether you utilize apps to learn Japanese or choose to read Japanese learning books. It enhances your confidence and prepares you for more difficult circumstances. It always feels nice to fulfill goals, regardless of why you want to learn Japanese.
7. When learning Korean or Chinese, knowing Japanese provides you an advantage.
Japan is an attractive entryway to Korean and Chinese culture due to its closeness and relationship with its East Asian neighbors. This is true for aesthetics, religious beliefs, food, and, yes, even language. Irrespective of which language you study initially, you will develop an interest in the other two. It will also be simpler because the three languages have many identifiable commonalities. A significant amount of Japanese terminology is derived from Chinese.
Japanese writing also makes heavy use of Chinese characters known as kanji. Japan’s hiragana and katakana syllable scripts are likewise developed from the more sophisticated Chinese letters. While Arabic numbers are more popular, some still use traditional Chinese numerals. Korean, in contrast, has vocabulary, sentence structure, honorifics, and marker usage in common with Japanese. Wasei-go (“made-in-Japan English”) is similar to Konglish in Korea.
8. It’s relatively easy to learn!
Why should you study Japanese? Because, well, you can! For a variety of reasons, any language might be scary. However, we frequently perceive particular languages to be difficult merely because they differ from the language(s) we are accustomed to. This is especially true for East Asian languages like Japanese. But the fact is that learning Japanese is relatively easy.
Spoken Japanese is relatively easy since the phonetic sounds are restricted, and the tone varies slightly. To be sure, written Japanese is a very different matter. Mastering kanji takes more time, but you may start with hiragana and work your way up. In summary, learning Japanese takes a lot of work. However, these difficulties are manageable.
Accurate translation is essential for improving understanding and communication. So if you’re planning to learn Japanese, you better get started and learn as much as possible if you’re planning to use this language to find yourself a job!
10 Jobs you can apply for when you are fluent in Japanese
The employment options available after learning Japanese are surely exciting. The amount of individuals that speak Japanese as a second language is small, but the number of job roles that need it is greater. As a result, you would have a lot of options. Because of the Japanese work culture and emphasis on human connections, all employment possibilities are viable. Naturally, the issue of what professional opportunities exist for individuals who have learned Japanese arises. What alternatives are there, and what might they entail?
To clear up any uncertainty, I’ve compiled a list of possible options for you. Here are some of the best jobs you can get after learning Japanese.
1. Japanese Translator
Translators are in high demand among both businesses and potential workers. Furthermore, firms and organizations across industries need translators to assist them in dealing with a worldwide audience. Because the task would involve formal topics, individuals who had acquired the conventional form as taught in textbooks would have an advantage. This is ideal for anyone who learns Japanese in a language school or through literature. Scientific, self-study, children’s academic, and literary translations are in high demand.
You may also make a living as a proofreader. Being a translator necessitates good Japanese and English writing and reading abilities. You may also experiment with combinations such as Japanese and your language.
2. Japanese Interpreters
If there were a ranking of popular language careers, this would be second only to translators.
Communication, or the absence of misunderstanding, is critical in every transaction. As a result, this is a high-demand position. Most assignments would need on-the-spot translation, interpretation, reasoning, and communication. As a result, your language abilities must be as strong as those of a native speaker. JLPT N1, NAT level 1, or masters in Japanese are examples.
Thus, working as an interpreter is ideal for keeping those linguistic weapons firing. A person who becomes a Japanese interpreter greatly expands their employment options to include working for the government or a global corporation, among other things.
3. Media and Subtitle Related Works
In this day and age of global media consumption, Japanese dramas and animation are adored and watched worldwide. J-pop, dramas, and films are big businesses, with fans from all over the world. However, because they are not fluent in Japanese, viewers frequently request subtitles or dubbed versions of these series. Media content producers are always searching for bilingual transcriptionists in English and Japanese. This is done to accommodate their multinational audiences.
The entertainment industry also sought multilingual employees. This could improve their stars’ and artists’ global popularity. Subtitle transcription will be in great demand as the content on video streaming platforms expands. This applies to people of all nationalities and ethnicities, regardless of language. This would also work in reverse, given Japan has a large number of English shows and content users. As a result, competence in Japanese is the primary need for pursuing such a career.
4. Japanese Language Teacher
In today’s world, the urge to learn a new language is growing amongst professionals and even children.
People must constantly adapt and distinguish between thriving in this age of global connectivity. As a result, tutoring centers and other language-learning institutes are springing up everywhere. This is in addition to the dozens of schools, colleges, and institutions that employ Japanese teachers. Each would seek applicants who have attained the advanced level. As a result, they can operate as trainers or teachers in various capacities. Learning the language is becoming increasingly important as more students pursue educational and employment options overseas. This is an option to consider because they require the assistance of a tutor.
5. Teach English in Japan
There are several vocations accessible in Japan, including teaching English. The most common is to work as a teacher at a public school for elementary, middle, or high school students. University ESL teaching positions are more complicated and need more education. For example, a master’s degree in English or a related field. There are also several opportunities for educators to teach English in private language institutes around the country. They are known as Eikaiwa, or conversational schools, in Japanese.
Due to the performance incentives, teaching English at Japan’s private schools is interesting, encouraging, and enjoyable. All of these roles, however, need a bachelor’s degree and TEFL certification. It is, however, a fantastic opportunity to travel to and stay in Japan and explore Japanese culture and lifestyle.
6. Operation Head in any Corporate Office
Many businesses and enterprises have many branches and offices located all over the world. As a result, businesses may hire operations managers to oversee day-to-day operations at these sites. Operations managers are responsible for various responsibilities, including project completion, coordination with other senior managers, and staff management. A Japanese-speaking operations supervisor would be essential to the success of a small branch of a global corporation in Japan. Since a Japanese company is likely to have many Japanese employees, it is critical to have an operations team that can communicate with them.
7. Marketing and Sales
Global marketing is becoming more crucial, particularly for products with a global audience. As a marketing professional, you would thus concentrate on expanding a brand’s presence in overseas nations such as Japan. If a firm or brand wishes to sell its products in Japan, the Japanese language is required for this job. To effectively manage a company’s marketing team, you may be required to live in Japan.
As a result, you must be proficient in writing and speaking Japanese. In Japan, there has lately been an increase in the demand for sales representatives and agents. If you speak the Japanese language, you have a lot of opportunities to operate as a sales associate in Japan’s import-export business.
8. Customer Service Representative
Customer service representatives manage and direct customer support teams while responding to client and customer inquiries, complaints, and conflicts. As a customer service representative, you can work for companies that meet customer needs worldwide, where possessing a second language is advantageous if you wish to work in international sales, customer service, or client account management. Then your Japanese language skills will come in handy. You would also be advantageous since they would not require interpreters to connect with local offices. It would help them enhance revenue and consumer outreach.
9. Tourism and Hospitality
Tourism has an important part in the economics of the majority of countries. This is in addition to the hospitality and administration of visitors. As a result, being bilingual might be a significant benefit in breaking into this field. You would be a highly appreciated employee in any tourism-related firm since you would be the tour guide for the tourists. Hospitality will need more comprehensive communication, giving you the perfect opportunity to demonstrate your Japanese abilities. You can work in hotels, resorts, leisure zones, and other locations associated with or attracting Japanese.
10. IT and Software
Japan is known for its cutting-edge technology and complicated software, making it an ideal location for IT and software-related employment. Because of their rapidly dwindling workforce, several Japanese firms have looked into other solutions. This includes India to obtain a skilled workforce. As a result, this is your opportunity to get the highest results in this industry. You might work in either India or Japan. In any case, the Japanese IT sector offers several options. And it is open to both newcomers and seasoned experts. Furthermore, there is an increasing demand in Japan for software developers. If you want to work as a software developer in Japan, your chances are strong, especially if you know the language.
Although it ought to go without stating that your application must be tailored to each organization to which you apply, we’ll tell you nevertheless. One of the most crucial things to realize is that Japanese firms will almost certainly have significantly different application processes than those in your native country. So, you’ve located your dream job, drafted your application, and polished your CV. Apply now, and you’ll be on your way to your first job in your Japanese-related career in no time.
Will Learning Japanese Help Me Get a Job: Final Thoughts
You may put your Japanese abilities to work professionally in two ways. You can, for example, combine your previous talents with language. Alternatively, you may study Japanese full-time. With so many possibilities, you might feel inspired to polish up your Japanese skills and choose the ideal one for your requirements. You will have a good career no matter which path you take as learning Japanese offers several benefits. Furthermore, working in Japan or for a Japanese-based firm near you promises a fascinating experience.
With all of the fantastic job opportunities in Japan or with Japanese enterprises throughout the world, one thing must be acknowledged: Japanese individuals have extremely low comprehension of international languages such as English. So, in order to further your career in Japan, you must be fluent in their native language, Japanese.