{"id":36914,"date":"2024-04-26T10:56:15","date_gmt":"2024-04-26T10:56:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/?p=36914"},"modified":"2025-04-22T10:17:23","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T10:17:23","slug":"top-things-to-know-before-interning-in-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/top-things-to-know-before-interning-in-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Things to Know Before Interning in Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_75 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/top-things-to-know-before-interning-in-japan\/#Why_Choose_Japan_for_Your_Internship\" >Why Choose Japan for Your Internship?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/top-things-to-know-before-interning-in-japan\/#Top_7_Things_to_Know_Before_Interning_in_Japan\" >Top 7 Things to Know Before Interning in Japan\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/top-things-to-know-before-interning-in-japan\/#A_Global_Career_Starts_With_Absolute_Internship\" >A Global Career Starts With Absolute Internship<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Interning in Japan is a dream opportunity for college students who want to gain more international experience and a deep understanding of one of the world&#8217;s leading economies. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the picturesque landscapes of Kyoto, Japan offers the most enchanting blend of tradition and innovation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But entering into the Japanese work and social environment can be daunting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re curious about what it takes to succeed in an internship in the Land of the Rising Sun, this post is for you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Choose_Japan_for_Your_Internship\"><\/span><strong>Why Choose Japan for Your Internship?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s probably fair to assume that you have plenty of options for internship destinations. However, Japan should come to the forefront.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re studying Japanese, it&#8217;s an obvious choice. There&#8217;s no better way to learn a language than through cultural immersion. Plus, you&#8217;ll reap all the benefits of an internship in general, like improving soft skills, expanding your professional network, and boosting your resume.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Japan is a great place to intern if you are interested in a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/must-have-skills-to-land-a-marketing-or-business-development-internship\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">career in marketing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, technology, or business, too. It&#8217;s known for its many technological advancements and secure standing in the global marketplace, making it a top destination for students interested in these fields.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Top_7_Things_to_Know_Before_Interning_in_Japan\"><\/span><strong>Top 7 Things to Know Before Interning in Japan\u00a0<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You&#8217;ve picked Japan. So now what? Here are some insider tips to help you feel as prepared as possible before your plane touches down.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>1. Cultural Awareness is Key<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Japanese society has a rich heritage. This heritage is reflected in traditional customs, such as the tea ceremony and the wearing of kimonos. Bowing is a common form of greeting, with the depth and length of the bow varying based on the context.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Similarly, respect for elders and authority is super important. You&#8217;ll need to use honorifics such as &#8216;san&#8217; when addressing people with whom you have a professional relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s also important to be mindful of personal space as it is much more limited compared to Western cultures. Avoiding eye contact can sometimes be a sign of respect rather than shyness, and you&#8217;ll want to watch and learn from your colleagues and peers to gauge the most appropriate behavior.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>2. Mastering the Language Basics<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While English is spoken in business and tourist areas, learning some Japanese phrases will be greatly appreciated. Expressing gratitude with &#8220;arigato&#8221; or excusing yourself with &#8220;sumimasen&#8221; can go a long way in building rapport and making a positive impression.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Learning Hiragana and Katakana &#8211; the two basic Japanese writing systems &#8211; will likely prove to be beneficial for navigating daily life, especially when reading signs and menus.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-37485 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/top-things-to-know-before-interning-in-japan.jpg\" alt=\"top-things-to-know-before-interning-in-japan\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/top-things-to-know-before-interning-in-japan.jpg 300w, https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/top-things-to-know-before-interning-in-japan.jpg 768w, https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/top-things-to-know-before-interning-in-japan.jpg 500w, https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/top-things-to-know-before-interning-in-japan.jpg 800w, https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/top-things-to-know-before-interning-in-japan.jpg 700w, https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/top-things-to-know-before-interning-in-japan.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><strong>3. Understand the Work Culture Differences<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The work culture in Japan is well known for its formality, punctuality, and collective ethos. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wired.com\/story\/karoshi-japan-overwork-culture\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8216;Kar\u014dshi,&#8217; which translates to &#8216;death by overwork,&#8217;<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> served as a stern wake-up call for Japan to reassess its work-life balance practices. Some organizations have since changed their work practices, but despite this, long hours and dedication to the company still hold weight in many organizations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because of this, you should be prepared for a structured and demanding work environment and for rigid hierarchical company structures.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>4. Handling the Legal Requirements<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Securing the correct visa for your internship is non-negotiable. Japanese visa categories for interns typically fall under &#8216;working holiday visas&#8217; or &#8216;cultural and activities visas.&#8217; The latter may require sponsorship from a recognized organization or employer. You may also need work permits.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You will also need a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.us.emb-japan.go.jp\/itpr_en\/visa-coe.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Certificate of Eligibility<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> issued by your host company to apply for your visa.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not only that, but international interns are required to have health insurance in Japan. While some companies may include insurance as part of their intern packages, others may not. Japan has an excellent healthcare system, but it&#8217;s also one of the most expensive in the world.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>5. Getting Your Financial Ducks in a Row<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Japan&#8217;s official currency is the yen (\u00a5). Before you leave on your trip, exchange a portion of your local currency for yen to handle any immediate expenses upon arrival. Major airports and banks do offer currency exchange services, but they may not always offer the best rates.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might want to consider using a local ATM for better exchange rates, and check whether your bank charges international withdrawal fees. Notify your bank of your travel plans to avoid your card being blocked for suspicious activity, too.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here&#8217;s some bad news: Japan, especially the urban areas, can be one of the more expensive countries to live in. Your costs will quickly add up, so set yourself a realistic budget.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consider limiting your travel during peak periods and exploring free events and activities to experience Japan without breaking the bank. Many museums and parks offer free or discounted entry on specific days of the month.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>6. Safety and Emergency Preparedness<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your safety and well-being should always be a top priority, but that&#8217;s especially true when you&#8217;re navigating a new country and culture.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you hit the road &#8211; or should we say, the skies &#8211; put together a list of emergency contacts in Japan, including the address and phone numbers of your country&#8217;s embassy or consulate, as well as local emergency services. Keep this information with you at all times, along with your host company&#8217;s contact details.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you get there, familiarize yourself with the location of nearby medical facilities, including hospitals and pharmacies. Make sure you have access to any necessary medications, and consider having a basic first-aid kit wherever you happen to be staying.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While Japan&#8217;s healthcare system is advanced, with modern facilities and highly skilled professionals, medical information and services are primarily provided in Japanese. Having a translator app or guidebook with you at all times can be useful.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>7. Dealing With Tech Issues<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stay connected by arranging for a local SIM card or mobile Wi-Fi device. Many coffee shops and public areas offer free Wi-Fi, but having your own connectivity solution is more convenient and guarantees a stable connection for work and communication.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Familiarize yourself with common Japanese tech brands and services, such as SoftBank and NTT Docomo, which provide mobile services and plans. Apps like Line and WeChat are popular for messaging and international calls.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Global_Career_Starts_With_Absolute_Internship\"><\/span><strong>A Global Career Starts With Absolute Internship<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ready to take your career to the next level? Absolute Internship wants to help.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are a leading international internship program with internships available all over the world, from London to Barcelona, Shanghai to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/programs\/tokyo-internships\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tokyo<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We work with world-class companies to give our students life-changing opportunities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Could you be our next success story? Step out of your comfort zone and think about interning in Japan. Opportunities await.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Interning in Japan is a dream opportunity for college students who want to gain more international experience and a deep understanding of one of the world&#8217;s leading economies. From the&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6168,"featured_media":37484,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[765],"tags":[857,916,859],"table_tags":[],"class_list":["post-36914","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-japan-internships","tag-internship-in-japan","tag-japan-internship","tag-summer-internship-in-japan"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36914","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6168"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36914"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36914\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37484"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36914"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36914"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36914"},{"taxonomy":"table_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/table_tags?post=36914"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}