On June 18, we held the fifth session of our JET x Ashinaga Career Support series, hosted by Nisshin Global Corporation in collaboration with National AJET and the Ashinaga Africa Initiative.

This session focused on a topic that has become increasingly important for JET alumni and other foreign professionals hoping to build long-term careers in Japan: Japanese language proficiency.

We also welcomed Marc Anderson, CEO of COMASJAPAN and a former JET participant, who shared practical advice on efficient Japanese learning, career development, and transitioning from JET into the Japanese workplace.

The Updated 技人国 Visa Guidelines

A major focus of the session was the recent update to the guidelines for the Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services visa — commonly known as the 技人国 visa.

For many JET participants who want to move into professional roles outside of teaching, this is the visa category they will likely apply for after JET. It covers a wide range of office-based and specialist work, including international sales, marketing, recruiting, translation, interpretation, administration, customer support, IT, and engineering.

The updated guidelines now place greater emphasis on Japanese proficiency, generally pointing to JLPT N2 or CEFR B2-level Japanese as an expected benchmark for many roles.

Importantly, this does not mean that every applicant will automatically be rejected without N2.

The guidelines are not the same as law, and immigration officers still evaluate each case individually based on the company, the role, and the nature of the work. There are also exceptions, such as graduates of Japanese universities, certain global companies, English-based engineering teams, and roles where the main working language is English.

However, the overall message is clear: Japanese proficiency is becoming increasingly important for long-term career mobility in Japan.

N2 Was Already an Invisible Barrier

One important point raised during the session was that, in practice, JLPT N2 has already functioned as an unofficial benchmark for many Japanese employers.

Even before the guideline update, many companies treated N2 as the minimum level required to consider foreign applicants for professional roles. In recruiting conversations, it is common for employers to look first at whether a candidate has documented Japanese proficiency before reviewing the rest of the resume in detail.

This can be frustrating, especially because many candidates bring strong professional skills, international experience, and valuable perspectives. But from the employer’s point of view, Japanese ability often represents communication readiness, workplace adaptability, and reduced onboarding risk.

For candidates who want to work outside of education, increase their career options, or build a long-term life in Japan, improving Japanese is one of the highest-return investments they can make.

Japanese Is Not Just a Test Score

Marc Anderson emphasized that Japanese should not be treated only as a test to pass. While JLPT certification can open doors, actual communication ability is what allows you to succeed once you step through those doors.

He explained the difference between JLPT N2 and CEFR B2. JLPT mainly measures comprehension: reading, listening, vocabulary, grammar, and test knowledge. CEFR, on the other hand, places much more emphasis on practical language use — especially the ability to produce language in real situations.

In other words, someone may pass N2 but still struggle to participate confidently in meetings, write business emails, or explain their ideas clearly in Japanese. That gap matters in the workplace.

The takeaway was not “ignore the JLPT.” Rather, it was: use the JLPT as one milestone, but do not let test preparation replace real communication practice.

The APPLE Framework for Language Learning

Marc introduced COMASJAPAN’s APPLE Framework, a goal-setting model for language learning.

The framework begins with an Aspirational Goal: your deeper reason for learning Japanese. This might be building a long-term career in Japan, becoming more independent, communicating better with colleagues, or creating more opportunities for yourself.

Next is the Performance Goal: what you actually want to be able to do in Japanese. For example, instead of saying, “I want to improve my Japanese,” a stronger goal would be, “I want to confidently introduce myself and answer common interview questions in Japanese within three months.”

Then comes the Process Goal: the daily or weekly habits that move you toward that performance goal. This might include listening to a Japanese podcast twice a week, writing a short journal entry three times a week, or practicing interview answers for 20 minutes each morning.

Finally, there is the Language Evaluation Goal, which can include tests like JLPT or speaking assessments. Marc encouraged participants to treat evaluations as diagnostic tools rather than the ultimate objective.

The key idea was simple but powerful: clear goals create consistency, and consistency drives progress.

Efficient Study Beats Random Study

One of Marc’s strongest messages was that many learners do not fail because they lack motivation. They struggle because they lack direction.

Textbooks can be useful, but they are often too general. If your goal is to work in a Japanese business environment, you may not need to spend time memorizing vocabulary that has no connection to your career goals.

Instead, Marc recommended focusing on the Japanese you actually need. For job seekers, this might include:

• Self-introductions
• Interview answers
• Business email phrases
• Meeting vocabulary
• Industry-specific terminology
• Explanations of your work history and strengths

He also emphasized that consistency beats intensity. Studying a little every day is usually more effective than cramming for many hours once a week. Attaching Japanese study to an existing habit — such as commuting, lunch breaks, or morning routines — can make it easier to maintain momentum.

Use Japanese, Don’t Just Study It

Another important reminder was that language needs to be activated.

Reading and listening help with comprehension, but speaking and writing are what turn knowledge into usable skill. For job seekers, this is especially important because interviews, workplace communication, and networking require active language production.

Some practical ideas included:

• Switching your phone settings to Japanese
• Writing short notes or memos in Japanese
• Practicing with language exchange partners
• Using Japanese content on YouTube, Netflix, or podcasts
• Practicing roleplays with AI tools
• Preparing and repeating interview answers out loud

The goal is not perfection. The goal is to become comfortable using Japanese in realistic situations.

Career Advice from Marc’s Post-JET Journey

Marc also shared his own post-JET career story. After completing five years as an ALT in Yamaguchi, he moved to Tokyo without a fully defined career plan. His first job was not ideal, but it gave him experience using Japanese professionally and helped him build connections that later opened new doors.

His advice was encouraging: you do not need to know your entire career path immediately. Sometimes the first job after JET is a stepping stone. What matters is that you keep learning, build your network, and move toward the type of work you want to do.

He also stressed the importance of networking. Many opportunities come through people, not just applications. LinkedIn, JET alumni communities, business cards, and casual coffee chats can all lead to valuable conversations.

How JETs Can Tell Their Story Better

A recurring theme throughout the session was that JET participants often have more value than they realize, but they need to explain that value clearly.

Employers who do not know JET may only hear “English teacher.” It is the candidate’s responsibility to translate that experience into business-relevant skills.

JETs often develop:

• Comfort with ambiguity
• Cross-cultural communication skills
• Adaptability
• Patience
• Public speaking ability
• Stakeholder coordination
• Workplace professionalism in Japan
• The ability to contribute within limited or unclear systems

Marc encouraged participants to tell their experience as a story: What was the situation? What did you do? What changed because of your contribution?

That narrative helps employers see not only what you did, but how you think, solve problems, and create value.

Life in the Japanese Workplace

Marc also spoke honestly about the challenges and rewards of working in Japan.

One challenge is being part of a linguistic minority. Even with strong Japanese skills, participating in meetings with native speakers and expressing ideas clearly can be difficult. Another challenge is learning the unwritten rules of Japanese business culture, such as 根回し — building informal agreement before a formal meeting.

At the same time, Marc emphasized that working in Japan can be deeply rewarding. Foreign professionals are often hired because they bring different viewpoints, experiences, and ways of thinking. That creates opportunities to make a meaningful impact, whether by improving communication, supporting global expansion, or helping teams become more inclusive.

Main Takeaway

The central takeaway from this session was clear:

Japanese proficiency is no longer just a “nice to have” for foreign professionals in Japan. For many career paths, it is becoming one of the most important foundations for long-term opportunity.

That does not mean everyone needs perfect Japanese. It also does not mean that N2 alone guarantees success. But improving your Japanese — especially your ability to communicate in real workplace situations — can significantly expand your options.

For JET alumni and other foreign professionals hoping to stay in Japan, now is the time to be intentional: clarify your goals, build consistent study habits, practice real communication, and learn how to tell your story in a way that Japanese employers can understand.

Nisshin Global will continue supporting JET alumni and foreign professionals through career seminars, job-hunting guidance, and introductions to companies that are serious about welcoming global talent.