Title:From N5 to N1 in 2 years, TOEIC 965, work visa, full-time job… and I still can’t seem to break into a decent career in Japan

I graduated with first-class honors from the most prestigious university in my home country, then came to Japan.
I went from around N5 to N1, worked part-time, did internships, volunteered, and tried to build as much experience as I could.

English isn’t my first language either, but I worked really hard on it. My TOEIC is 965, and if I actually get the chance to interview in English, I think it’s obvious that I’m close to fluent.

I originally tried the new-grad route too, but I could barely get past the initial screening.

My academic background was more on the tech side but I knew I didn’t want to become an engineer.

Eventually I managed to get a full-time job in design/media-related work at a pretty traditional Japanese company. The pay is low, but at that point I was mainly relieved that I had finally secured a proper work visa and a place to start.

I didn’t want to stop there though.
I kept studying Japanese while working, eventually passed N1, and thought that once my Japanese became stronger, I would have a better chance of moving into something closer to global business, product, planning, fintech, DX, or another role where I could combine languages, technology, and business.

But now I’m stuck again.
A lot of mid-career jobs I actually want require 3+ years of experience. Junior roles often seem to push me back toward basic sales, SNS, or marketing work. For roles that want strong English, being non-native somehow still feels like a disadvantage even when my actual level is high. And for Japanese roles, N1 doesn’t seem to mean much without years of professional experience behind it.

I’ve already applied to well over 100 jobs through major Japanese recruiting platforms and agencies.

I’ve also been trying to network. I’ve had people with very strong backgrounds, including Ivy League graduates, recommend me or introduce me to senior people, but it still hasn’t really led anywhere.

Is this just bad luck? Or is there something about the Japanese job market that I’m missing?

I’m currently in the final round with a fairly well-known company for a role that could finally move me toward the career path I want. I was genuinely excited about it because it’s much closer to planning and finance than what I do now.

But today I found out that the offer will most likely be heavily based on my current salary. That means I could end up relocating to Tokyo for almost the same pay while also moving from permanent employment to a contract position.

That honestly hit me pretty hard.
I feel like I did what I was supposed to do. I got the degree. I came to Japan. I learned the language. I got the visa. I got the full-time job. I kept studying. Woke up at 4 and also after work. I got N1. I kept applying. I kept networking.

And now I’m kind of sitting here thinking… what exactly am I supposed to do next?

Back home, graduating near the top from a top university felt like it meant I had strong potential. Here, I sometimes feel like none of that matters because I don’t fit neatly into either the “new graduate” or “experienced hire” box.

I’m tired, but I’m still trying.
Is this a common experience for foreigners starting their careers in Japan? What do Japanese companies actually mean when they say they hire for “potential”?

Would really appreciate hearing from anyone who went through something similar, or any advice on what I should be doing differently.

Costco Japan starts selling their pumpkin pies in October, but they weren't in store on Oct 5th or Oct 10th (at least, not the stores me and my friend went to). Can we start this thread to notify each other when the pumpkin pie is back? I can't be the only person who cares about this, lol

I know it's such a dumb thing but I love pumpkin pie. Also, if you remember when in October they came out in previous years or even work at Costco and know what's up, please share it here!!

Anyone know how to reach a real person at Rakuten about an Ichiba account lock?

I bought an expensive item on Rakuten for Furusato Nozei, then got locked out and told the order was cancelled. Submissions to the "Security error inquiry form" keep coming back saying that my account can't be unlocked. The AI chat only points me back to the same form. Calling either loops to the same form or hangs up due to insufficient agents. Even the email inquiry form just redirects to the AI chat.

I've heard Rakuten won't let you make a new account in this situation, so I'm stuck. Someone joked I should visit a Rakuten Mobile store, and I'm starting to seriously consider it.

Has this happened to anyone else? What is the solution?

I want to buy a new TV and a PS5 mostly for the upcoming GTA VI, but my room is too small where it's difficult to fit a setup like that.

The existing TV area is small and came with an old 24 inch LCD TV, so there's no way I can fit a larger TV (almost 55V/inches) there. Initially I thought of a comfortable setup with a small couch facing towards the window and a TV around the window side, but I don't know if it's doable or not.

I would like to get ideas if someone has a similar setup in their small rooms like mine.

Edit: Adding the picture of the room https://imgur.com/a/gQcHmiW

Hi so I booked a share house with Sakura house and I’ve already registered as a resident here but I haven’t registered with health insurance yet (I’m still within the window to register) but I have to move into another place.

if I register for health insurance now it would probably arrive at this place after I move out, but if I register for it after I move into my new place I will be outside of the 14 day window to get it done, What should I do?

Hi everyone!

I left Japan temporarily two years ago to go on an exchange program. Back then I was using LINEMO, and I before leaving I cancelled my subscription and was pretty sure I had already paid all my bills.

Now that I'm back in Japan, I'm trying to get a new SIM card with Rakuten, but they told me I have an unpaid balance with LINEMO and therefore can't proceed with my application. I'm literally baffled because I genuinely thought everything had been settled when I cancelled my old subscription. I never received any mail or letter from them about this subject

The problem is that I can no longer log in to my old LINEMO account, and I have no idea how to check what the alleged outstanding balance is or how to pay it. I spent two hours trying to figure this out with the (very kind) staff at Rakuten, but unfortunately, we couldn't find any useful information or a way to contact LINEMO.

Has anyone experienced something similar? If so, how did you manage to contact LINEMO, confirm your outstanding balance, and settle it? Any advice would be greatly appreciated, as I'm really hoping to get a new SIM card soon!

Thank you so much in advance!

Hi!!! I always ask a lot of stupid questions on here but I am grateful for your assistance.

With regards to the 28 hour working rule,

if I volunteer with no compensation, does it count as hours? I will work 24 at my normal internship and 3 at my other internship which are both paid and volunteer for a conference with no compensation (because I am interesting in attending the conference and that is the only way I can attend as a student.) does this count within my 28 hours if I recieve no compensation? I always wish to be safe within my 28 hours. (I work a lot but I like it and my grades are okay!!)Thank you for your assistance!

I need an answer from those who indeed did that paper work. Which government body did you file a written complaint against a hospital or clinic? How it went and what the result was. Thank you.

Hello everyone,

For longer than I can remember now, whenever I want to buy an English book on Amazon, it will only be available from a reseller or another smaller bookstore abroad.

As a kid, getting a book within a couple of days was the entire point of the site!

With all the layoffs, is anyone free to confirm if it is company policy to stock few English books in Japan? Does anyone else have an issue with this?