Japan Dev Podcast #4 - Kaustubh Hiware

Want to work in Japan’s tech industry? In this episode, you'll learn what it’s really like. Eric talks with Kaustubh Hiware, an IIT graduate who has been working at Mercari in Tokyo for five years. Kaustubh shares his experience — working in tech in Japan, learning Japanese and his thoughts on how to maximize your career growth.You’ll get practical advice on adapting to life in Japan and what to expect as a foreign software engineer. If you’re thinking about moving to Japan for work, this episode will help you prepare!In this video, you will learn:✅ How to find software engineering jobs in Japan✅ The biggest challenges foreign engineers face in Japan’s tech industry✅ How important Japanese language skills are for career growth✅ What life in Japan is really like for expats✅ Key tips for navigating work culture and career opportunities in Japan✅ Advice on visas including the "highly-skilled professional" visa and permanent residency👉 More from Kaustubh Twitter/X: https://x.com/_ofkaus LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ofkaus/ Github: https://github.com/kaustubhhiwareTimestamps 00:00 - In this video1:10 - Meet Kaustubh02:19 - The competitiveness of computer science06:49 - Choosing a career based on cultural fit13:11 - Adapting to Japanese work culture & language barriers20:43 - How speaking Japanese opens career opportunities24:30 - Cultural differences in US vs. Japanese product development29:49 - Unexpected experiences working in Silicon Valley35:03 - Career growth through impactful projects40:06 - Adjusting to Japan’s social norms & trust levels45:19 - How the Japan Dev Podcast started50:39 - Exploring stand-up comedy in Japan55:57 - Future plans: Staying in Japan or returning to India?1:01:25 - Job opportunities in Japan despite language barriers1:07:03 - Why Japan’s media & products need a global shift1:17:50 - Japan’s permanent residency system for skilled professionals💬 Have questions about tech jobs in Japan? Drop them in the comments — we’ll read them. And we’ll do our best to answer them!🌟 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell 🔔 so you never miss a new video from Japan Dev!👉 Find your dream tech job in Japan:🔗 Website: https://japan-dev.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/japan.dev🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/jpn_dev💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/japan-de