I’m considering pursuing a masters (outside of Japan) in my field of work. I’m wondering how important is it that a foreigner’s credentials come from a top-X University, and whether it was completed in person vs. online to a Japanese employer? I ask because the Japanese seem hyper focused on getting into “good” universities, that perhaps bleeds into the workplace mentality as well? Even for foreigners? Thanks for your insights!
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I’d be interested to know, too.
I can only speak for myself but they never check if you actually went to xyz uni outside of japan… so I don’t think it makes a diff if you get your master from an online university or a regular one. At least that’s my experience in my 13 years here.
Yes, and no. They very much value old fashioned education, but often push for online degrees so that students can keep working during postgraduate education. It’s an odd situation. However, as more courses go online during the pandemic, it is becoming gradually more accepted.
However, it really depends on the University, as well as your work history, language, etc. The big issue is that Japanese companies do not really value masters degrees. You’d be amazed how little as masters gets you here, compared to Europe or the US. An MBA for example, gets you very little compared to a base salary.
I do know people who have been put under scrutiny when the university names seemed strange. Evidently, the education was neither here nor there, but the universities were not accredited, did not send transcripts, and stonewalled when pushed. The employees were fired for lying on their resumes.
You don’t have to tell them it was online, and they are likely not to find out.