10 Things to Consider Before Working at a Japanese Company
Be aware of what you’re signing up for before deciding to work in a Japanese office
Are you considering going to work for a Japanese company in Japan? Here are some things you should think about first.
There are many positives of working at a Japanese company that I’ll write about in a future article. But there are many downsides, too, that you need to be aware of.
1. Low Pay
The salary in Japan is very low compared to America. This mainly due to the number of people who stay in the company they enter after college until they retire.
Not a lot of people change jobs so there is not a lot of competition which means that they don’t need to promote you fast. You can be doing double or even triple the work as other people and still won’t get a promotion or even a substantial pay raise.
2. Long Hours
Although Japanese companies are getting better, many still require you to work overtime. My previous job required mandatory overtime they put in the work contract as 調整時間 (adjustment time). This is free overtime you do not get paid for. Depending on the company, you might even have to pull an all-nighter from time to time.
