Japanese Companies: Reasons for Wanting to Become an Engineer

When applying to Japanese tech companies, foreign engineers often struggle with crafting compelling statements of purpose (志望動機-SHIBOUDOUKI).

The question “Why do you want to become an engineer?” is fundamental to Japanese hiring culture and can significantly impact your application success.

This guide provides practical strategies and real examples to help foreign engineers create effective motivation statements for the Japanese job market.

1．Understanding Japanese Hiring Culture

Japanese companies evaluate candidates differently than Western firms. While technical skills matter, your motivation and cultural fit often carry equal weight in hiring decisions.

What Japanese Companies Look For

• Long-term commitment and cultural adaptation
• Genuine passion for engineering beyond just technical skills
• Understanding of teamwork and collaborative development
• Respect for continuous improvement and quality

Common Challenges for Foreign Engineers

• Direct self-promotion can backfire in Japanese culture
• Vague statements about “loving technology” lack impact
• Difficulty expressing long-term commitment to Japan
• Understanding cultural nuances in professional communication

■Related Reading

Understanding the differences between Japanese corporate culture and global work environments will help you create more effective motivation statements.

2．Key Elements of Strong Engineering Motivation

Your statement should address three core questions: why engineering as a career, why Japan specifically, and why this particular company. Each element should demonstrate genuine passion backed by concrete examples.

Technical Passion with Purpose

Show that your interest in engineering goes beyond just coding or problem-solving. Connect your technical interests to broader goals like solving social issues or improving people’s lives.

Example 1: Computer Science Graduate

I chose engineering because I believe technology can solve real-world problems that impact millions of people.

During university, I developed a mobile app that helped international students navigate campus resources, which was used by over 3,000 students.

This experience showed me how thoughtful engineering can bridge communication gaps and create meaningful connections between people from different cultures.

Example 2: Career Changer to Engineering

After working in sales for three years, I realized my greatest satisfaction came from understanding complex client problems and proposing solutions.

This led me to discover my passion for systems engineering. I began self-studying programming and built several web applications to automate processes at my previous company, reducing manual work by 40%.

I want to become an engineer because I enjoy the logical problem-solving process and the tangible impact good systems can have on business efficiency.

Japan-Specific Motivations

Explain why you specifically want to pursue engineering in Japan, beyond general statements about Japanese technology being advanced.

Example 3: Attracted to Japanese Engineering Culture

I’m drawn to Japan’s ‘monozukuri’ philosophy and the culture of continuous improvement in engineering.

Having studied Japanese manufacturing processes in university, I was impressed by how Japanese engineers balance innovation with reliability and attention to detail.

I want to learn this approach firsthand and apply it to software development, where I believe the same principles of quality and user-focused design can create more robust and reliable systems.

Example 4: Global Perspective in Japanese Market

Japan’s position as a technology leader in Asia makes it an ideal place to develop engineering skills that can impact global markets.

I want to contribute my international perspective to help Japanese companies create products that succeed both domestically and internationally.

My experience with diverse user bases can help bridge the gap between Japanese engineering excellence and global market needs.

3．Sample Statements by Background

These comprehensive examples provide templates for different career backgrounds and experience levels that you can adapt to your situation.

New Graduate from Overseas University

I want to become an engineer because I’m passionate about using technology to solve complex problems and create value for society.

During my computer science studies, I led a team project developing a machine learning model for predicting energy consumption, which achieved 92% accuracy and could help reduce waste in smart buildings.

This project taught me that engineering isn’t just about writing code—it’s about understanding real problems and crafting elegant solutions.

I’m specifically interested in starting my engineering career in Japan because of the country’s reputation for precision, quality, and long-term thinking in technology development.

The way Japanese companies approach product development, focusing on reliability and user experience over quick fixes, aligns with my engineering philosophy.

I believe Japan’s emphasis on continuous improvement and teamwork will help me grow into a more well-rounded engineer.

Your company’s commitment to sustainable technology solutions particularly resonates with me. I want to contribute my fresh perspective and international background to help develop innovative solutions that can make a positive impact both in Japan and globally.

Experienced Engineer from Silicon Valley

My engineering journey began with a fascination for building systems that can scale to serve millions of users.

Over my four years as a full-stack engineer in Silicon Valley, I’ve developed platforms serving over 2 million users and improved system performance by up to 45% through optimization. However, I’ve come to realize that speed alone isn’t everything in engineering.

I want to continue my engineering career in Japan because I’m attracted to the balance between innovation and stability that Japanese companies achieve.

While Silicon Valley prioritizes rapid iteration, I’ve learned that sustainable, well-architected systems require the kind of careful planning and attention to detail that Japanese engineering culture emphasizes. I believe combining Silicon Valley’s speed with Japan’s quality focus will make me a more complete engineer.

I’m particularly drawn to your company’s approach to long-term product development and the way you invest in building robust, scalable infrastructure. I want to contribute my experience with modern development practices while learning Japan’s methodical approach to engineering excellence.

Career Changer with Japanese Experience

Although I initially worked in project management for five years, I discovered my true passion lies in engineering through my daily interactions with development teams.

I was fascinated by how elegant code could solve complex business problems and began learning programming in my spare time. I’ve now completed several personal projects, including a web application that automates invoice processing and has been adopted by three local businesses.

Having worked in Japan for over three years, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for Japanese work culture, particularly the emphasis on collaboration and continuous improvement. I understand the importance of ‘horenso’ (reporting, contacting, consulting) and have seen how effective teamwork can produce better results than individual brilliance.

I want to transition into engineering because it combines my project management experience with my newfound technical passion. My background in coordinating cross-functional teams will help me become an engineer who can bridge the gap between technical and business requirements, ensuring that the solutions we build truly meet user needs.

■Related Reading

Interview preparation is equally important as your motivation statement. Understanding Japan-specific interview styles will help you prepare thoroughly.

4．Motivation Examples by Visa Status

Highlighting your visa stability and long-term commitment is crucial for addressing Japanese employers’ primary concerns about foreign hires.

Spouse Visa Holder

I am applying to your company because I want to leverage the foundation I’ve built with my family in Japan to demonstrate my technical skills in a stable, long-term environment.

I have acquired a spouse visa with no visa renewal concerns and have established a solid life foundation in Japan with my family. I continuously improve my skills in JavaScript, React, and Node.js while actively participating in local tech communities and volunteer activities.

I believe that your company’s diversity promotion and emphasis on work-life balance will allow me to continue a long-term career while balancing family and work responsibilities.

Permanent Residence Holder

I am applying to your company because, having obtained permanent residence and made Japan my lifelong base, I want to contribute long-term to Japan’s technological development.

I have acquired permanent residence with no visa restrictions and have 10 years of residence experience in Japan along with 5 years of financial system development experience. My family is also residing in Japan on a permanent basis, demonstrating our complete commitment to this country.

In the future, I want to serve as a technical manager, contributing to the development of young engineers and acting as a bridge between Japanese and global tech communities.

■Related Reading

For those wanting detailed information about visa types and requirements, check our comprehensive visa guide for engineers.

5．Motivation Examples by Engineering Role

Highlighting your visa stability and long-term commitment is crucial for addressing Japanese employers’ primary concerns about foreign hires.

Systems Engineer (SE)

Career Change Example

I am applying for a systems engineer position at your company because I want to contribute to solving corporate challenges through technology.

Through my three years in sales, I gained extensive experience in customer requirement gathering and built strong relationships while proposing optimal solutions.

I am currently self-studying Java and SQL fundamentals, developing simple web applications for learning, and preparing for the Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination.

I believe I can leverage the communication skills I developed in sales to understand customers’ true needs and propose appropriate systems that deliver real business value.

Web Engineer (Frontend・Backend)

Frontend Engineer

I am applying for a frontend engineer position at your company because I want to provide excellent user experiences that resonate with diverse global audiences.

I am proficient in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React, with experience in responsive website development and multilingual support implementation for cultural introduction web applications. I also have a deep understanding of accessibility standards and cross-browser compatibility.

I was impressed by the attention to detail and usability in Japanese web services, and I want to contribute to UI/UX design from a global perspective, leveraging my multicultural background to create interfaces suitable for both Japanese and international users.

Backend Engineer

My backend development experience focuses on scalable and reliable systems.

Through three years of e-commerce platform development, I gained expertise in Node.js, MongoDB, and AWS, leading a microservices architecture migration project that significantly improved system stability and reduced downtime by 60%.

I will contribute to improving development efficiency and quality through CI/CD pipeline construction and Infrastructure as Code, leveraging my DevOps experience to build robust systems that can handle Japan’s high-traffic demands.

Infrastructure Engineer

Cloud Infrastructure Engineer

I am applying for an infrastructure engineer position because I want to build scalable infrastructure foundations using cutting-edge cloud technology.

I participated in a comprehensive on-premises to AWS migration project, handling cloud infrastructure design using EC2, RDS, S3, and Lambda. Through Infrastructure as Code implementation with Terraform and Ansible, I advanced automation and achieved a 70% reduction in deployment time.

I also have extensive experience with monitoring and alerting systems like CloudWatch and Prometheus.

I want to meet Japan’s exceptionally high stability requirements for infrastructure engineering while acquiring world-class technical skills in reliability and disaster recovery.

AI Engineer

“I am applying for an AI engineer position because I want to contribute to solving business challenges and creating new value through machine learning and data science.

I earned a graduate degree in Computer Science with a focus on machine learning and worked on image recognition system development using Python and TensorFlow. I achieved 95% recognition accuracy through CNN model optimization and ranked in the top 10% in multiple Kaggle competitions.

I have also published research papers on neural network optimization. I will contribute to developing AI solutions optimized for the Japanese market while incorporating the latest AI research trends, leveraging both my technical expertise and global perspective on AI applications.”

■Related Reading

For those interested in AI engineer salary ranges and market trends in Japan, please refer to our specialized guide.

6．Addressing Visa and Employment Concerns

Japanese companies often worry about visa stability and long-term commitment from foreign engineers.

It’s important to proactively address these concerns in your motivation statement by emphasizing your current visa status and renewal prospects, long-term career plans in Japan, understanding of and preparation for legal requirements, and family or personal connections in Japan.

I currently hold a technical/humanities/international services visa with no renewal issues.

I have consulted with an immigration lawyer to ensure compliance with all requirements.

I want to gain 5-10 years of experience in Japan and grow as a senior engineer, ultimately contributing to mentoring junior developers and bridging cultural gaps in international projects.

7．Strategies by Company Type

Different types of Japanese companies prioritize different qualities, so customize your approach based on the company's culture and values.

Global Companies・Foreign Company Japan Offices

When applying to global companies or foreign company Japan offices, emphasize your experience in multicultural environments and your value as a bridge between headquarters and the Japan office.

Highlight how you match with their diversity-focused corporate culture and demonstrate your positive stance toward diversity promotion and inclusion initiatives.

Large Traditional Japanese Companies

For large traditional Japanese companies, show empathy with Japan's "monozukuri" (craftsmanship) spirit and express motivation for long-term career plans spanning 5-10 years minimum.

Demonstrate your understanding of hierarchical structures and respect for seniority, while showing appreciation for "horenso" and consensus-building processes.

Startups・Venture Companies

When targeting startups and venture companies, highlight your flexibility and adaptability to rapid change, along with your potential for contributing to global expansion from early stages.

Show your comfort with ambiguity and ability to wear multiple hats, while demonstrating an entrepreneurial mindset and willingness to take calculated risks.

■Related Reading

For detailed information about Japanese tech companies and their characteristics, check our comprehensive 2025 guide.

8．What to Avoid in Your Statement

Knowing what not to say is just as important as knowing what to include in your engineering motivation statement.

9．Perfect Reasons for Wanting to Become an Engineer

Creating effective engineering motivation statements is crucial for foreign engineers seeking jobs in Japan.

This guide provides practical examples, cultural insights, and role-specific templates to help you craft compelling statements that address Japanese employers' concerns about visa stability and long-term commitment while highlighting your unique value as a global engineer.

■Related Reading

The following content introduces tips for creating resumes and CVs that will be useful for interviews with Japanese companies. Please use them as a reference.