Elevate Your IT Career in Japan with Coto Work

Introduction

In an era where technology is reshaping economies, Japan’s IT industry presents a wealth of opportunities for software engineers around the world. But how do you navigate this competitive landscape as a foreign professional who’s interested in starting their IT career in Japan? Enter Coto Work, the recruitment arm of Coto Academy. With a keen focus on the IT sector, Coto Work is dedicated to helping software engineers find their dream job in some of Japan’s most prestigious IT companies. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into how Coto not only assists adult professionals in learning Japanese through Coto Academy but Coto Work also empowers them to take their careers to new heights in Japan’s dynamic tech industry.

Table of Contents

Why Choose Japan’s IT Market?

The Role of Coto Work 

Who Do We Look for at Coto Work?

Technical Skills in Demand

Seamless Integration with Coto Academy

Supporting Your Career Journey

Connect with Coto Work

Conclusion

Why Choose Japan’s IT Market? 

Japan boasts a robust IT industry, generating sales of almost 16.7 trillion yen (US$ 114.7 billion) in the software industry alone in 2020¹. This growth is driven by the country’s emphasis on digital technology, AI, robotics, cybersecurity and semi-conductors², making it an ideal destination for IT professionals seeking to expand their horizons.

The Landscape of Japan’s IT Industry

The Japanese ICT market is projected to record a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.25%³. In 2022, the Japan ICT market size reached US$ 455.7 billion⁴. Looking forward, experts predict the market to reach US$ 480.8 billion by 2028⁵. This steady growth paints a promising picture of the future, attracting both domestic and international talent and investment.

The Role of Enterprises and SMBs

Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs) play a significant role in Japan’s IT market. This year, analysts are expanding their analysis of the Japan IT market by industry sector, company size, region, and sales channel⁶. This comprehensive approach will provide a more nuanced understanding of the market dynamics and trends.

Consumer Market Strength

Japan’s strength as a consumer market is underpinned by a per capita income of about $43,000⁷. While this income level is not incredibly high, when you couple that with the relatively high population of domestic consumers, the two enable a robust consumption of IT products and services. Furthermore, Japan’s dependence on the import of natural resources such as liquified natural gas⁸ indicates a potential avenue for foreign IT companies specializing in green and sustainable technologies.

Growth Drivers and Future Outlook

Several factors are driving growth in Japan’s IT market. The country has the third largest games market globally, with revenue expected to show an annual growth rate of 6.88%⁹. This growing gaming industry is a testament to Japan’s technological prowess and innovative spirit.

Additionally, in contrast to a lot of industries that continue to uphold the traditional and notorious work-life imbalance, Japan’s IT sector offers a better work-life balance, a factor that is increasingly becoming a priority for professionals worldwide. Many Japanese IT companies are realizing that in order to attract good talent, they have to offer benefits that can compete with IT companies in other countries.

The Role of Coto Work 

At Coto Work, we understand that each professional has unique aspirations and skills. That’s why our recruitment efforts are tailored to match candidates with roles that suit their expertise and career goals. We believe in providing comprehensive support to candidates throughout their recruitment journey. We have great relationships with our clients and insider knowledge that candidates would not have access to if they applied to roles independently.

From providing constructive feedback to optimize resumes to preparing candidates for interviews, we are committed to help you successfully navigate the application process. Additionally, we can negotiate salaries with our clients if and when necessary, which we know can be stressful and awkward for candidates to do directly. Our goal is to make the process as seamless as possible and help you secure the role!

Here is what one candidate said in their testimonial on Coto Work’s website:

“Coto Work reached out to me with a friendly manner, and they were able to accurately understand my career goals and ambitions.

Straight away, they were able to offer various opportunities that matched my needs. They were also helpful throughout the interview process, and I’m glad at where I work now. I would recommend Coto Work to any IT professionals working in the Tokyo market.”

T.T. – PRODUCT MANAGER

Moreover, it’s important to note that if you have never worked with a recruiter or a head hunter before, you might be wondering if there are any costs involved. The answer is no. Recruitment agencies do not profit by charging candidates any fees for the professional services they provide. That means that at Coto Work, we do not charge candidates anything at all. Beware of any “recruiter” requesting payment from you for any work they have done with you.

If you want you learn more about the recruitment process or becoming a recruiter, check out this article on how to make a career switch to recruitment!

Who Do We Look for at Coto Work?

Coto Work specializes in sourcing for positions such as Backend Engineers, Site Reliability Engineers, DevOps Engineers, Technical Project Managers, and Product Managers. We look for professionals who have at least 3-5 years of suitable experience, which is considered mid-career level. We work with professionals from all around the world, placing candidates from countries like Spain, India, Taiwan, and the Philippines.

Technical Skills in Demand

Our clients seek professionals skilled in a range of technologies, including Ruby, Ruby on Rails, Java, Python, CI/CD, Jenkins, Docker, AWS, Kubernetes, Golang, and more. Having these skills under your belt opens doors to a multitude of opportunities in Japan’s IT sector. It’s worth noting that many of the roles we source for do not require Japanese language proficiency, making it easier for foreign professionals to transition into the market. However, learning Japanese to a business-level degree—the equivalent of JLPT N2—will widen your options greatly.

Seamless Integration with Coto Academy

While many roles we offer at Coto Work do not require Japanese language proficiency, learning the language can enhance your integration into the local culture and open up more opportunities. What sets Coto Work apart from other recruitment agencies is its seamless integration with Coto Academy, a renowned Japanese language learning institution. Adult professionals who wish to better their lives in Japan by learning Japanese can rely on Coto Academy’s expertise. By combining language skills with technical prowess, IT professionals gain a competitive edge in the job market and open doors to a wider range of opportunities. Click here if you’re interested in learning more about Coto’s courses to help you learn Japanese for your future career in Japan!

Connect with Coto Work

Ready to explore the exciting career opportunities that await you in Japan’s IT industry? Visit our website at www.cotowork.com to learn more about our recruitment services, read success stories or contact us. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn for valuable industry insights and updates. We are happy to receive resumes and chat.

Conclusion

Coto Work, in collaboration with Coto Academy, offers a holistic approach to career advancement in Japan’s growing IT industry. While Coto Academy equips professionals with Japanese language skills, Coto Work connects them with exciting job opportunities that match their expertise and career goals. Through our network and expertise, we aim to empower talented individuals to thrive in the vibrant tech landscape of Japan.

Japan boasts a robust IT industry. What are some categories within the industry that drive the growth?

Some categories include AI, robotics, cybersecurity and semi-conductors.

Fill in the blank: Japan's dependence on the import of _____________________ such as liquified natural gas indicates a potential avenue for foreign IT companies specializing in green and sustainable technologies

natural resources

What kind of professional support can Coto Work provide?

Among other things, Coto Work can give you resume advice, interview tips, inside knowledge about the role and the company you’re applying to and help you negotiate your salary at the offer stage.

Do recruiters charge a fee for their services?

No, recruiters should not charge you a fee for their services.

What are some positions we source for at Coto Work?

We source for Backend Engineers, Technical Project Managers, Site Reliability Engineers, DevOps Engineers and Product Managers.

What kind of technical skills do we look for in Software Engineers?

Java, Python, AWS, Golang, Ruby, Docker, Kubernetes and more!

Do you need Japanese to work in IT in Japan?

While Coto Work offers great professional support and roles in the Japanese tech industry, Coto Academy offers the chance to increase your Japanese language proficiency. This opens up the range of roles you can apply to and also helps your integration into Japanese society. Together, Coto Academy and Coto Work offer a holistic approach to career advancement for certain IT professionals.

Footnotes

1. “IT industry in Japan – statistics and facts.” Statista.
2. “Information and communication technology (ICT) market in …” Trade Commissioner Service, Government of Canada.
3. “Japan ICT Market Size & Share Analysis – Growth Trends & …” Mordor Intelligence.
4. “Japan ICT Market Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Analysis …” IMARC Group.
5. “Japan ICT Market Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Analysis …” IMARC Group.
6. “Japan ICT Market Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Analysis …” IMARC Group.
7. “Japan – Market Overview” Trade.gov.
8. “Japan – Market Overview” Trade.gov.
9. “Japan Market Analysis – Key Insights for 2023” Humble Bunny.