5 ms·

I've heard that salaries are on average much lower but companies offering competitive wages do exist. Like you said, you will have an easier time fitting in and

I've heard that salaries are on average much lower but companies offering competitive wages do exist. Like you said, you will have an easier time fitting in and earn more if you work for an international company rather than a Japanese one. I'm a software engineer in an American tech company's Tokyo office with 1 yoe and have around ¥13M total comp.

lmiller1990 8y ago
That's nuts, I have 4 yoe and only on like ¥5M. Like a parent comment stated I am content with low pay and carrying an entire team with several years exp on me, though. You don't come to Japan for the money, or at least I didn't. Good to hear you found a well paying org (I hope you can get the chance to use and learn Japanese there as well).
- devilsbabe 8y ago
  Unfortunately I speak mostly English all day. I'll speak Japanese when interacting with a Japanese colleague directly but everything else is in English. I have to work actively to improve my language skills. I'm glad to hear you're happy but I hope you try to move to a company that will pay you what you're worth. For a software engineer and team leader, that's way more than ¥5M.
  - lmiller1990 8y ago
    Yeah. It’s a fairly small and young company (5ish years) so I knew I’d be taking a paydrop but I think the experience and Japanese practice was worth it! There are tons of tech events you can use Japanese at, try finding them on compass.com. As long as you turn up and try to speak amd socialize you’ll find your Japanese improving rapidly. Glad you found a good position with a solid salary! Good engineers who speak English and Japanese are hard to come by, get your languages skills up a hit and you’ll be able to work anywhere you want.
- codesuki 8y ago
  Where do you work at?
  - lmiller1990 8y ago
    30-50 ppl size org. branu.jp
    - codesuki 8y ago
      You could probably get more where I work (CyberAgent) or similar places like Line, Mercari. Applying is free :)
      - instakill 8y ago
        tried finding a careers page, do you have a link?
        codesuki 8y ago
        Just had a look. Still only in Japanese: https://www.cyberagent.co.jp/careers/professional/jobs3/contents_type=1037 https://www.cyberagent.co.jp/careers/professional/jobs3/cont... Culture info (English): https://www.cyberagent.co.jp/en/way/culture/ https://www.cyberagent.co.jp/en/way/culture/
laurieg 8y ago
Any advice on finding a position like this? 13M JPY is a large salary for Japan.
- devilsbabe 8y ago
  devjobs.jp is a good place to start. American companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Google and Indeed pay well. I know a front end engineer with a few years of experience who got an offer from Mercari for 17M.
seanmcdirmid 8y ago
Google Japan is supposed to pay decent as well.
emchamp1 8y ago
Wow, would you be willing to disclose what companies offer that much in Tokyo? Especially for 1 year of experience thats insane.
- devilsbabe 8y ago
  Like I mentioned in another comment, I've heard that companies listed on devjobs.jp pay well. In general companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Google and Indeed try to match their salaries as they're competing for the same pool of talent. I work for one of those. I know an engineer with 3-4yoe who got a very good offer from Mercari (~17M)

lmiller1990 8y ago

That's nuts, I have 4 yoe and only on like ¥5M. Like a parent comment stated I am content with low pay and carrying an entire team with several years exp on me, though. You don't come to Japan for the money, or at least I didn't. Good to hear you found a well paying org (I hope you can get the chance to use and learn Japanese there as well).

devilsbabe 8y ago
Unfortunately I speak mostly English all day. I'll speak Japanese when interacting with a Japanese colleague directly but everything else is in English. I have to work actively to improve my language skills. I'm glad to hear you're happy but I hope you try to move to a company that will pay you what you're worth. For a software engineer and team leader, that's way more than ¥5M.
- lmiller1990 8y ago
  Yeah. It’s a fairly small and young company (5ish years) so I knew I’d be taking a paydrop but I think the experience and Japanese practice was worth it! There are tons of tech events you can use Japanese at, try finding them on compass.com. As long as you turn up and try to speak amd socialize you’ll find your Japanese improving rapidly. Glad you found a good position with a solid salary! Good engineers who speak English and Japanese are hard to come by, get your languages skills up a hit and you’ll be able to work anywhere you want.
codesuki 8y ago
Where do you work at?
- lmiller1990 8y ago
  30-50 ppl size org. branu.jp
  - codesuki 8y ago
    You could probably get more where I work (CyberAgent) or similar places like Line, Mercari. Applying is free :)
    - instakill 8y ago
      tried finding a careers page, do you have a link?
      - codesuki 8y ago
        Just had a look. Still only in Japanese: https://www.cyberagent.co.jp/careers/professional/jobs3/contents_type=1037 https://www.cyberagent.co.jp/careers/professional/jobs3/cont... Culture info (English): https://www.cyberagent.co.jp/en/way/culture/ https://www.cyberagent.co.jp/en/way/culture/

laurieg 8y ago

Any advice on finding a position like this? 13M JPY is a large salary for Japan.

devilsbabe 8y ago
devjobs.jp is a good place to start. American companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Google and Indeed pay well. I know a front end engineer with a few years of experience who got an offer from Mercari for 17M.

seanmcdirmid 8y ago

Google Japan is supposed to pay decent as well.

emchamp1 8y ago

Wow, would you be willing to disclose what companies offer that much in Tokyo? Especially for 1 year of experience thats insane.

devilsbabe 8y ago
Like I mentioned in another comment, I've heard that companies listed on devjobs.jp pay well. In general companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Google and Indeed try to match their salaries as they're competing for the same pool of talent. I work for one of those. I know an engineer with 3-4yoe who got a very good offer from Mercari (~17M)