Gaijin Engineers and IT Professionals in Nippon Land

Posted on May 18, 2007 by Dione

Japan is one of the 1st world countries engaging in high-technology. However, the population with formal education capable of working as technology operators (e.g. IT and engineers) is not enough to cover up the high demands. That is why Japan hires thousands of gaijinJapanese word meaning "outsider" commonly used to describe foreigners. Considered somewhat impolite. (foreigner) engineers and IT professionals to be stationed and work in Japan. Most of these employees are from Philippines, Europe, US and India. The Japanese companies pays the minimum salary of ¥250,000 and they sponsor visas and gave some privileges like free housing (usually studio type), free bus and train tickets, and free hokensho (insurance). But for the unlucky ones who were hired through agency, they are paid less. It’s a fact that they pay gaijin professionals lower than the ordinary Japanese employees. It’s not discrimination per se but that’s what Japan stands. They give more attention and privileges to their nationals than gaijins who work so hard being away from home. What can gaijin professionals do? Nothing, coz we’re the ones who needs work. They establish gaijin rights though…not bad.

I am an Industrial Engineer working for one prestigious company name Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding. My work is in the procurement; I do purchase/buy materials and negotiates for materials pricing to be sent to a plant site. Sounds pretty hard-huh? Yes it is, especially during winter time when our job is on the peak. My company offers great opportunities for young professionals like me and my other engineer friends. We are many gaijins in this company, around 30’s. My other friends design pipes, design electrical flows and technical stuffs. We are compensated low than what we expect of ourselves but at least we reached the minimum pay and have a comfortable living a lot higher than we can get earn from home. Just that, it’s so lonely to be here. There are also Indians and Caucasians working as IT professionals here, they are paid good but not as good as the Japanese IT’s even though they have better performances than the Japanese nationals. If you are in this kind of job you can try your luck too in bigger companies like JGC, Chiyoda-gumi, Toyo Engineering, Mitsubishi and Kyowa.

Most of the Japanese employees in this company are old ones. That’s how it is in Japan, people don’t hop and hop to other jobs. Japanese have great loyalty to their first job/company they worked for over several years. You can also notice that most of them don’t know much about their officemates. Confidentiality factor is really observed in a Japanese office. No one wants to talk about their private lives, work is work and business must be separated with pleasure.

The thing is; if you are an engineer or IT professional and you had experience working in Japan for several years you have a great opportunity to shine in your own country or in other stronger 1st world like USA, Australia, Canada, UK and so on. If you have ambition to grow, Japan is not a place to do that. They are loyal to their nationals and no matter how good you are you will never be higher than Japanese colleagues. Just that, it’s great to have years of experience in Japan. Your next employer (be it in USA or Europe) would really be impressed on your resumé.