David Ishikawa restarted his career as a UI/UX designer in Japan exactly where he wanted after completing a six-month Japanese language course. David first came to Japan in 2004. He stayed in Tokyo and Osaka for business and sightseeing and immediately fell under the country’s spell. I’m not alone in this thought, but I’m interested in […]

Speaking in Japanese on the phone is a next level challenge for most students. Here’s our handy guide for some key phrases that you need to know.

Half Spanish and Russian, Marina grew up in a creative and multicultural environment between Switzerland, Spain and Russia. She studied in an Haute Couture School in Paris, focused on Fashion Design. With foreign cultures as a strong inspiration, she particularly admired Japan and she decided to focus her new collection on Japanese culture. What inspires […]

How to Use: お先に失礼します! (Osaki ni Shitsureishimasu!) Ended Work…?Meaning of お先に失礼します(Osaki ni Shitsureishimasu)…Replying to Osaki ni Shitsureishimasu…Leaving for a Short Trip/Errand… Ended Work…? Finally you’re done with your tasks of the day. The clock is ticking the end of your shift. Among the lucky ones, you are working in a good company. You don’t have to […]

Preparing for your Japanese Job Interview? If you’ve been dreaming of working in Japan, and you’ve finally received a job interview proposition, then now is the time to learn how to prepare for a Japanese job interview.If you are not familiar with how you can work in Japan, check out our guide for working in […]

  Japanese Etiquette & MannersPlease go ahead…Going the extra mile to be even more Polite Japanese Etiquette & Manners Travelling abroad forces us to reconsider our manners and to think about the other culture’s rules. For many expatriates in Japan adapting to the local culture is not always an easy change! Behaviors, rules, manners can […]

  Do you know how to apologize in Japanese correctly? Apologizing is an important part of the Japanese culture, and it’s something that our students always notice and ask about when they come to Japan. You will often see Japanese people saying sumimasen and bowing repeatedly, and you’ll hear it many times throughout your time […]

Sending something abroad… Sample Dialogue Vocabulary & Useful Phrases   Sending something abroad… Many challenges await expatriates in Japan. The small actions of daily life may become mountains to cross, and one of them is dealing with the Japanese post office. Sending a letter might not be difficult, but sending a package can prove to be […]

After leaving a position at a San Francisco-based design company that he built up impressively, Josf decided to challenge himself in Japan, a completely new environment. I talked to Josf about the miraculous start he’s made building his career as a graphic designer.

Have you ever worked in a Japanese speaking work environment? Or Do you want to get a job in a Japanese speaking business? The following four points outline four aptitudes essential for conducting business in Japanese. 1. Keigo (Polite Language) and formal words Keigo is an essential element of Japanese business. If you fail to […]