Why learn Japanese? Looking for reasons to believe something? Here are ten jobs that you could get after learning Japanese in India.

We all need to be good language learners in today’s globalised world, so why not start learning a new language that interests you?

There are many reasons to learn a second language. The best reason to learn a language is without a doubt the job opportunities.

If you want to learn a foreign language, Japanese will make you stand out from the crowd right away.

It is the most commonly used language in East Asia.

A Brief Overview

The word “Japan” means “Land of the Rising Sun” in English.

In Japanese and Kanji, it is referred to as Nihon or Nippon.

Japanese is called “a language isolate” because it is different from most other dialects.
It means it has nothing to do with another language.

In Southern Japan’s Ryukyu Islands, people speak both Japanese and a language called Ryukyuan.

The Japonic language family includes a number of languages and dialects that are no longer used. These languages and dialects are spoken in different parts of Japan.

Around 130 million people all over the world speak Japanese, which is also called Nihongo.

Almost all people who speak Japanese as their first language live in Japan.

A small number of people in the US, Philippines, China, Korea, Brazil, England, Canada, etc. also speak it as their first language.

W3Techs says that Japanese is the ninth most-spoken language in the world and the sixth most-used language on the Internet.

In different parts of Japan, people still sometimes speak dialects that are different from the local language.
Some of them are hard to understand.

People from different parts of the country can understand each other.

But almost all Japanese people can talk to each other using a standard form of the language.

Is learning Japanese hard?

Basically, yes.

It takes work, money, and, most importantly, time to learn Japanese.

It has three alphabets: Hiragana for words that are native to Japan, Katakana for words that come from other places, and Kanji for words that use Chinese characters.

You can also speak with Katakana, Hiragana, and Rmaji at the elementary level (Romanized Japanese).

Let’s say you want to learn more so you can get a high-paying job as a Japanese specialist.
If that’s the case, you should learn between 1,500 and 2,000 Kanji.

What you can do after learning Japanese in India

How long does it take to learn how to speak Japanese?

A few years ago, I went to Mosai to learn Japanese.
My native Japanese teacher told me that I could pass JLPT N1 in 4 years if I worked 15 hours a week and used the right method and got the right help.

Well, I believe it!

Most of the people I’ve met were really excited to learn Japanese.

Then, after a few months, they realise it’s a much harder job than they were told.

The vast majority of them stopped in the end.

Japanese nouns don’t have genders, plural forms, or articles about studying, which is different from Romance languages.

It only has two tenses, Past and Present, and very few verbs that don’t follow the rules.
Also, it’s not too hard to understand how it’s said.

There are three things to note.

• Different and Unique (which means knowing other languages won’t help),
• Kanji Script (too many of them)
• Long (it will take years to master due to complexity)

Once you start putting in some work and practising, you will catch up quickly, especially with the help of your Sensei (Japanese teacher).

With a willing heart, nothing is impossible.

You can pass N1/N2 of the Japanese proficiency test in 3–4 years if you use the right ways to learn the language and practise regularly.

Why it’s a Good Idea to Learn Japanese

What are a few of the first things that come to mind when you think of Japan or people who speak Japanese?

For me, it often reminds me of Japan’s lively culture and the precision and beauty of its design.

For some, it could be tasty sushi or tempura, a beautiful language, or one of the best-paying jobs in the language field. No matter why, learning Japanese is a lot of fun and a big deal in and of itself!!

If you’re here, you’re probably learning Japanese or thinking about it.

Here are four great reasons to keep you going as you learn Japanese in India.

A Vivid, Vibrant & Unique Culture

Do you love Japanese culture?

I’m sure you do.

Who doesn’t?

It’s a big reason why people want to learn Japanese.
After all, the Japanese show you things about their culture and customs that no one else can.

Japan is a beautiful country with a long, rich, different, and unique history.

It’s a mix of old and new ways of doing things.
Because of this, the country has a lot of places with a lot of history and some of the friendliest people in the world.

Almost nobody doesn’t know about sushi, karaoke, manga, Pokemon, bonsai, origami, Nintendo, and many other things.

All of these things made people more interested in learning Japanese.

Some of the most well-known characters in the world, like Hello Kitty, Doraemon, Mario, Sailor Moon, Goku, Pikachu, Dragon Ball Z, and Astro Boy, were made by Japanese people.

From J-pop to interesting movies to help you learn Japanese, from delicious food to beautiful mountains, from lively animation to fun comics, Japan has a lot to offer.

The list is almost endless!

If you know Japanese well, it can change the way you think about things like manners, values, discipline, customs, religious beliefs, ethics, manners, traditions, and art.

If you love Japanese history, culture, customs, and traditions, you should learn Japanese.

Competitive Advantage

Most Indians who want to learn a foreign language choose to learn one of the well-known European languages.

People in India who want to learn a foreign language don’t always choose Japanese as their first choice.

Maybe it should be, though.

If you choose a language that isn’t taught as often, it will stand out on your CV and make you stand out from the crowd.

It is not easy to learn Japanese, and it will take time.

How long?

It’s probably safe to say that the average learner needs at least three to five years, and maybe even more.

In the 14 years I’ve been learning Japanese, I’ve seen hundreds of people try to learn it. But only about 5% of them were able to get to a higher level of proficiency.

Hiragana Katakana Kanji Characters

There are a lot of people in India who are learning Japanese.

But the truth is that only a small number of people reach advanced levels like N1/N2 on the international JLPT exam.

There aren’t many people in India who speak Japanese.

So, there is less competition for jobs among people who speak Japanese.
Because of this, it’s almost certain that you’ll get the job, if not a sure thing.

Japan’s Top Universities

One of the most popular places for Indian students who want to study abroad is in Japan.

With about 1,000 universities and schools to choose from, international students have a lot of options when it comes to their education.

The Japanese always value learning and helping others. They share their language and customs with foreign students and visitors.

Japan is one of the world’s wealthiest countries.
The economy is the third best in the world.

The small country is the leader in the world when it comes to research and development in science and technology.

Japan has more Nobel Prize winners than any other country in Asia. This is not surprising, given that Japan has a long history of academic excellence.

It will give you the chance to get a high-quality college education based on the never-ending pursuit of knowledge and progress.

Even though it costs a lot to live in Japan, there are many good institutions that are not too expensive.

When you can speak Japanese, it will be easier for you to travel.

The Japan Student Services Organization is a place you can look (JASSO).

It is a great tool for foreign students who want to study in Japan.

Job Opportunities in Japanese

Many people think of technology when they hear the word “Japan.” In fact, most Indians think that Japanese is the most important and widely spoken language in Southeast Asia.

One of the most important investors in India is Japan.
In many parts of the world economy, it is a major force.

They are the best at making consumer electronics, cars, infrastructure, building ships, semiconductors, optical media, and many other things.

There are a lot of Japanese businesses in India.
In these companies, you can put your name on the list of high-paid employees.

If you know Japanese, it can help you get a better job.

So, here are some jobs you could do if you know Japanese.

Translation and Interpretation

Translation and interpreting are two of the most popular jobs for people who speak Japanese.

Now, you have to know that translation is different from interpretation.
Yes, that’s right!

As a translator, your job will be to “take materials written in Japanese and change them into English” and vice versa.

On the other hand, working as an interpreter will act as a bridge between two people who speak different languages.

Both of you must understand, and you must translate the two languages for each person involved.

Companies in both the private and public sectors need these services.

You might get hired to work as a translator, but the job requires you to do both translating and interpreting.
So keep that in mind.

The average salary for a Japanese translator is quite high.

Japanese Instructor / Teaching

The Japanese are way too shy to learn another person’s language.
It is one reason why most of their companies in India are looking for trainers.

As a Japanese speaker in India, you can apply to work as a trainer for any Japanese company to train possible candidates for a great job.

Or maybe you could help train their staff on how to deal with clients and businesses that are different.

Again, there are a lot of jobs for language teachers in the education sector for people who want to add value by teaching Japanese.

When you become a teacher, you will also help to improve your language skills and inspire future generations of Japanese speakers.

In India, many schools, colleges, institutions, and corporate buildings/offices need Japanese teachers.

Jobs in BPO & KPO

Some BPOs in India work with Japanese clients.
So, they are always looking for someone who can help them with language issues.

You can get a job in BPO and KPO if you speak Japanese well.
Plus, it pays well, and there are other long-term opportunities that come with this kind of job.

Voice coordinator is a job you can offer to companies that need voice support services.

It means that you will help BPOs and teleconferences reach more people with language support and good communication.

Embassies and Government Jobs

Indian government agencies like the External Affairs Ministry, the Indian Embassy in other countries, the Ministry of Tourism, and other Ministries like Education, Commerce, Science & Technology, Agriculture, and Textiles need people who speak Japanese.

Even though there aren’t many openings, if you aren’t already working for the government, you can still get a job with one of these government entities.

When we say “Language Jobs in Embassies,” we’re talking about staff or officers who are sent to India or other countries to work at embassies or consulates.

You can also work as staff for the Japanese embassy in India.

The second option is very likely, since most Japanese people rarely learn another person’s language.

Diplomats who speak Japanese do their jobs in embassies and consulates all over Japan. This means you should be ready to move.

Sales Executives in Export-Import

It helps the company communicate with clients in other countries, enter data, answer the phone, move the company’s goals forward, and do other administrative tasks.

Since Japan’s economy is based on exports, most of its businesses depend on sales reps or service agents.

You can work as a sales representative in India if you can speak Japanese and have other qualifications, like an MBA in marketing.

Or go back and forth between India and Japan on behalf of Japanese businesses and clients.
There are a huge number of jobs in the import-export business.

Tour Guide, Travel & Hospitality

Let’s say you want to find jobs that involve languages and travel.
In that case, you could work in the wide range of industries related to travel, tourism, leisure, and hospitality.

The hospitality industry is a big one. You can look for jobs in events, restaurants, hotels, travel companies, and many other places.

You can even decide to work as a tour guide on your own.

As we’ve already said, exports are a big part of Japan’s economy, and India is a big market for Japanese goods and services.

So, each year, more and more Japanese people are traveling to India.

You can be a tour guide for Japanese tourists or a group of students or researchers from another country who are visiting India for one or more reasons.

On the other hand, you can also work as a tour guide or consultant for Indian students or groups traveling to Japan for a variety of reasons.

Work For A Company In Japan

Japanese multinational corporations have offices in India that do business. You can get a job with one of these businesses. The Japanese Embassy and JETRO say that 1,441 Japanese companies are registered in India. As of October 2018, there were 5,102 businesses in Japan.

Depending on your main skills, you can work for Japanese multinational corporations like Toshiba, Honda, Suzuki, Sony, Toyota, Canon, Yamaha, Panasonic, Mitsubishi, Casio, Daikin, Fujitsu, and more.

The job being offered will also depend on the company. Japan has businesses in India. The good news is that once you have the main requirement for these jobs, you can get them.

For example, a degree in engineering, an MSc in IT or an MBA in finance, or just a high school diploma for different jobs.

If you speak Japanese well, you will be way ahead of people who have better qualifications but don’t speak the language.

You can also work for companies that do business with Japanese multinational corporations (MNCs) in the automotive, engineering, IT, animation, or gaming industries.

IT Field

Most Japanese MNCs and their Indian counterparts that do business in the country and elsewhere prefer to hire people who are technically skilled and know a lot about Japanese.

Most of their customers and clients come from Japan.

So, it makes sense to have someone who knows Japanese as a system administrator, data manager, developer, programmer, system analyst, etc.
And also knows how to work hard.

If you know Japanese, it will help you get a job even more if you have these technical skills.

Conclusion

Without a doubt, there are a lot of career and job opportunities for people who know Japanese.
Also, everything points to it growing even more in the future.

The jobs listed are not all of the ones you can do in India if you know Japanese, but they give you some ideas. Think about it and let us know if you need help in any way.