I am currently a product manager in tech and am wondering the availability of product and/or project management, scrum master, agile coach, etc. are right now in Japan’s labor market.
Ideally my goal is to move there with a work visa that’ll allow me to gain several years of experience in Japan and possibly even permanently reside there.
Some background: I have 1-yr of back-end engineering experience at an investment bank, 1-yr as a Solutions Engineer at a Silicon Valley medium-sized startup before I was subsequently laid off during the hiring freezes, and am now several months in as a product manager overseeing insurance products that utilize AI for a Fortune500 company. I am currently sitting at an N4 level and am hoping to raise it by N3 this summer. (I was a complete idiot and missed the registration deadline by two days before coming back from a vacation at Japan).
Although, my experience is limited -am hoping to gain 2-3 years of work experience at current company- I am curious to see if there are any other product/project managers, scrum masters, or agile coaches here that are working with a foreign or Japanese company.
**What certifications are useful for someone to break into the product/project management role in Japan? I have seen some job listings asking for either a CSM or PSM, but from your own experience(s), what do you find more commonly helps when it comes to applications?**
**Is N2 enough? Or, will I have to go all the way to N1. I am prepared to study, but am curious as to what level of engagement current employees have when it comes to interacting with business, finance, legal, and development in releasing features/enhancements/products to market.**
**What resources did you use to apply? If a recruitment agency, which agency did you find best assisted you?**
**When applying, were you able to apply overseas? I am curious which companies would be more open to hiring foreigners and offering visa support. I only have a Bachelor’s in Computer Science but am actively studying for certificates right now.**
I may have other questions down on the road depending on replies and know that this is quite preemptive given that I am planning 2-3 years ahead, but am deeply appreciative of the candid, honest insights people can provide!
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**Product manager in tech. Several questions about job opportunities.**
I am currently a product manager in tech and am wondering the availability of product and/or project management, scrum master, agile coach, etc. are right now in Japan’s labor market.
Ideally my goal is to move there with a work visa that’ll allow me to gain several years of experience in Japan and possibly even permanently reside there.
Some background: I have 1-yr of back-end engineering experience at an investment bank, 1-yr as a Solutions Engineer at a Silicon Valley medium-sized startup before I was subsequently laid off during the hiring freezes, and am now several months in as a product manager overseeing insurance products that utilize AI for a Fortune500 company. I am currently sitting at an N4 level and am hoping to raise it by N3 this summer. (I was a complete idiot and missed the registration deadline by two days before coming back from a vacation at Japan).
Although, my experience is limited -am hoping to gain 2-3 years of work experience at current company- I am curious to see if there are any other product/project managers, scrum masters, or agile coaches here that are working with a foreign or Japanese company.
**What certifications are useful for someone to break into the product/project management role in Japan? I have seen some job listings asking for either a CSM or PSM, but from your own experience(s), what do you find more commonly helps when it comes to applications?**
**Is N2 enough? Or, will I have to go all the way to N1. I am prepared to study, but am curious as to what level of engagement current employees have when it comes to interacting with business, finance, legal, and development in releasing features/enhancements/products to market.**
**What resources did you use to apply? If a recruitment agency, which agency did you find best assisted you?**
**When applying, were you able to apply overseas? I am curious which companies would be more open to hiring foreigners and offering visa support. I only have a Bachelor’s in Computer Science but am actively studying for certificates right now.**
I may have other questions down on the road depending on replies and know that this is quite preemptive given that I am planning 2-3 years ahead, but am deeply appreciative of the candid, honest insights people can provide!
​
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