7 reasons why speaking Japanese benefits your career

Japan has the third largest economy in the world by GDP and its language is one of the most in-demand. Whether you are living in Japan or planning to move there, this article serves as an indispensable resource on why learning Japanese will benefit your career. Irrespective of your current proficiency level, whether your aim is to excel in Japanese business meetings, effortlessly ace job interviews conducted in Japanese, or confidently engage in fundamental conversations, our language teaching will equip you with the necessary tools to triumph in your career pursuits.

It is of course possible for someone to progress in their career without learning Japanese, however it will be difficult. In this article, we present to you our seven reasons on why learning Japanese will benefit your career.

Proficiency in speaking and understanding Japanese is an essential cornerstone of effective workplace communication. Although you may not need to be fluent in Japanese to work in Japan, especially if you are working for a foreign company, knowing the language will make communication and workflows a lot easier. Your Japanese colleagues will feel more comfortable asking you questions or setting up meetings with you. It will foster a sense of belonging and connection, as you will be able to connect with your colleagues more easily and help you integrate into the office culture.

Let’s say, for example, your Japanese colleagues decide to go out for a meal after work. They would likely want to invite you, but are not so confident speaking in English and would feel more comfortable including you if you are able to converse in Japanese. Thus, opportunities for connection like these open up when you are able to communicate in the local language.

Japanese is a ‘high context’ culture, which means that people are less direct in their communication. This results in a lot of reading between the lines or reading the air, and subtle communication cues that one needs to pick up on in order to communicate effectively in Japan.

For example, you will almost never hear the word ‘no’ in Japan, especially in a business setting. You may hear, ‘maybe’ or ‘let me check on that’ or ‘that may be difficult,’ but a direct ‘no’ is uncommon.

Thus, without knowing the culture and language on a deeper level, it may be difficult to pick up on such cues, making working in Japan more challenging. By comprehending not just the language but the nuances and nonverbal communication, you are going to be miles ahead of your other English-speaking colleagues. In return, you will be more likely to have a lasting, successful career in Japan.

Fluency in the Japanese language opens up a plethora of job opportunities for non-native speakers. Although there are some jobs that do not require Japanese, such as recruitment or English teaching, it still does help to have a solid grasp of the language. Your opportunities to win new clients or broaden your responsibilities are limited if you are only able to communicate in English.

While there are indeed many people in corporate Japan that speak English to some extent, bilingual workers who are able to do business in both languages are still quite rare. Thus, if you are able to not just speak multiple languages, but work in them, you can gain a competitive edge and increase your chances of securing your dream job.

It’s worth knowing that most companies in Japan require JLPT N2 or N1 certification in order to apply for a position. At TCJ, we offer programs specifically for those who are looking for JLPT certification. Find out more about the courses we offer here.

taying abreast of current events, industry trends, and emerging technologies in Japan is vital for professional growth. Proficiency in the Japanese language allows you to tap into a wealth of Japanese media, including newspapers, TV programs, online content, and industry-specific publications.

Although there are of course English sites with information about Japan, if you are looking for the latest information about research findings, industry trends, case studies, or news articles, you will get a lot more information if you are able to research in Japanese.

As an example, let’s say you work for an advisory firm and are tasked with doing research on your client’s competitors in the Japanese market. You may be able to find some websites with both Japanese and English, but many will likely be in Japanese only. If you are able to read and comprehend the information in Japanese, this will make your work a lot easier, more efficient, and more accurate.

If your work is closely tied to the Japanese market, chances are you will need information about the Japanese market. In this case, it is very helpful to have Japanese research and reading skills.

Professionals in customer-facing roles can greatly benefit from speaking Japanese fluently. The ability to communicate with Japanese customers in their native language establishes a strong rapport, engenders trust, and enhances overall customer experience.

This relates back to number three, improved job opportunities. You may be able to land a customer-facing role and support English-speaking Japanese clients, but your opportunities will widen greatly if you are also able to do the same in Japanese.

Your relationships will also be much more lasting and deeper if you are able to speak to them in Japanese, as they will feel more comfortable addressing concerns and giving honest feedback to you, and in turn you will be able to deliver exceptional service. This may also result in more word-of-mouth recommendations or referrals, which is mutually beneficial to both you and your company.

Proficiency in the Japanese language opens doors to valuable networking opportunities. It enables you to forge meaningful connections with industry peers and gain insights during professional gatherings, seminars, and events.

If you are, for example, in the tech industry and go to a conference, chances are high that most of the talks will be in Japanese. You will get much more out of the experience if you are able to understand the talks and engage with the speakers afterward. Your opportunities for not just connection, but also education and personal growth are closely tied to your Japanese abilities.

This is a simple case of supply and demand. Being bilingual is a rare and highly valued skill in many industries in Japan. Therefore, if you are able to prove your proficiency in both Japanese and English (or another language), you are more likely to be able to justify a higher salary or promotion.

If your goal is to increase your salary or earn a higher position, it may be well worth it to invest time and effort in mastering Japanese. With an N1 certification under your belt, your job opportunities will significantly increase, and will it, room for salary negotiation. As previously mentioned, we at TCJ offer programs for those looking for JLPT certification, which you can find out more about on our website.

While it is possible to navigate the Japanese business world without Japanese language skills, mastering the language undoubtedly paves the way for career success. At TCJ, we are committed to supporting you on your language learning journey, equipping you with the skills needed to thrive in a Japanese work environment. By understanding the significance of effective communication, cultural nuances, and the wide range of opportunities that Japanese fluency brings, you are poised to excel in your career in Japan. Let TCJ be your partner in achieving language proficiency and unlocking the doors to professional growth.
Please see our course page for more information on what teaching we offer.