Ko Midorikawa

💡 September 2025 IT Japan Market update💡 📊 As always sharing the latest information and my thoughts for the upcoming month. (Always my observation) 💻 Roles - Hot roles in my opinion right now is Product Designer, UX designer and Product managers. So many clients are looking for them but issue is they need to be bilingual. Backend main(Golang, Python, Node.js) and frontend(Typescript) are main. Fullstack roles coming out again with so many new startups and Node.js and Python becoming popular due to AI. Most of the roles targeting 6+ years of work experience though. LLM backend engineer are quite wanted and also Forward Deploy Engineer becoming quite big now too! 🌍 Overseas Hiring - Hiring from overseas is going as always but small headcount, so prepare for for overseas hiring to be very competitive. English only roles have come out though in my opinion, but again 6+ years experience at least. Still I recommend people to try to learn Japanese or be interested in the language if you want to work in Japan. 💴 Salary - Still no major changes in salary trends. The upper range for English-only roles remains around 12-13M JPY, while bilingual candidates can expect up to 15-17M JPY. However I have seen some companies starting to pay higher salaries now compared to 2-3months ago. From rumors there are 1-2 unique startups giving out offers for 20M+ but limited head counts. 🗺 Layoffs/movement - Layoffs is still crazy right now. But right now there have been a lot of movements by people from AWS, Salesforce, Microsoft, BCG, Mckinsey, Palantir lately thanks to OpenAI and Anthropic(Opened office in Tokyo this month). I am seeing lots of big people in the industry moving around now. 🤖 Domains - AI/ML, Fintech, and the Space industry continue to be the most stable sectors. Retail and consulting are doing pretty well too I think. Crypto /blockchain companies are coming out again. Cybersecurity should be an area to keep an eye out I think. 💡 Outlook - There are definitely roles out there in Japan. I am working on easily over 80+ position, mainly Japan focused and senior people only. So Japan is hiring still, except more senior people of 7+ years of experience if english only. More and more roles requires experience with AI though. Issue is still the salary right now needs to get higher and also concerns about remote work. I am struggling to find full-remote companies as many of them are moving to hybrid system now. 🌟 Linkedin change - If you saw my recent post, I visited the Linkedin Japan office recently and #LinkedinJapan is going major changes and I am seeing lots of interesting posts by Japanese users now. I think if can shift more companies/users onto the platform, the market can develop a lot more here. Hope this was helpful! #EHo #IT #Tokyo #japan #market #Linkedin

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The talent landscape in Taiwan’s technology sector is shifting faster than ever. Our industry thrives on innovation, but sustaining that innovation depends on people, on how we attract, grow, and retain them in the face of demographic decline, global competition, and the accelerating demand for specialized skills. We already see how the best companies adapt. TSMC has built an ecosystem where engineers feel they are part of the world’s most advanced technology roadmap, giving purpose to long hours and difficult challenges. MediaTek has created global R&D teams that blend local talent with international expertise, ensuring agility across time zones. ASUS and Acer have embraced hybrid working models to broaden their reach, balancing work-life needs while maintaining competitiveness. These examples remind me that strategy is about shaping an environment where people believe their contributions matter, where they see a path for growth, and where flexibility meets ambition. The scarcity of mid- to senior-level leaders in engineering and product management is real, but scarcity can spark creativity, through reskilling programs, cross-border collaboration, and even partnerships with universities that prepare the next wave of talent earlier. What is at stake is not only retaining talent, but redefining the meaning of a career in Taiwan’s tech industry. If we can offer roles that give employees both global exposure and local impact, we will not only compete with Silicon Valley or Shenzhen for talent, we will become a magnet for people who want to build the future here. For HR leaders, this is the moment to think boldly. The workforce is evolving, expectations are shifting, and the winners will be those who design organizations that make people feel challenged, supported, and proud to belong. Taiwan’s technology sector has proven again and again that it can lead the world. The question now is whether we can lead in talent strategy with the same determination. #CMOTalk #TalentStratgey

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⁉️ Japanese workers less motivated than Americans to learn new skills: survey ⁉️ Japanese workers are less motivated than their U.S. peers to acquire new #skills, with their employers hardly offering such opportunities A survey by Indeed Inc's #Japan unit showed that 29.3 percent of Japanese respondents were not keen on developing new abilities, in contrast to a mere 3.7 percent of their U.S. counterparts who held that view The online survey of 3,096 Japanese and U.S. workers aged between 20 and 59 was conducted in April and May against the backdrop of rapid technological change including the emergence of generative artificial intelligence While 45.6 percent of #Japanese workers said their employers do not offer support for skill acquisition, 42.1 percent of those in the United States responded that there were opportunities for workers to consult their superiors or employers about upskilling 🔸 U.S. respondents cited technology literacy as the most desirable skill to gain, closely followed by AI and big data skills 🔸 Japanese workers, meanwhile, saw resilience, flexibility and agility as the most desirable traits Very interesting article I think. So far recently I try my best to advise the candidate I speak to what is important in the market and what skills will be needed in the upcoming meta. I do think that something needs to change, so that more competitiveness can be raised into the market here though! https://lnkd.in/gvrfvtGP

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Age gap is real in Japan’s workplace.   For many young professionals like me, working in Japan often means engaging with clients at the C-level who are highly experienced, and usually older. Often, what feels natural to my generation may seem unusual to them. Because for younger voices, we prefer to bring energy, fresh perspectives, and agility. But with senior leaders, on the other hand, value stability and depth in every decision.   So how to navigate these differences? → Here’s my take: In any gap, respect is the starting point. Once you acknowledge the differences, it becomes easier to listen, understand the values behind them, and adapt your style to build trust.   It doesn’t make you lose your own voice; rather, it means you see their values. And once people feel seen, trust becomes natural. And that, to me, is the only way to work effectively across generations in Japan.   #WorkinJapan #TechvifyJapan #SaraTran

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AI is a small business game-changer. 📈 Salesforce SVP, Boon Lai, breaks down how AI and CRM are leveling the playing field for SMBs; driving productivity, personalization, and growth without big teams or budgets. The future of AI for founders is here: https://sforce.co/4jaAF3G

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𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗞𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗮 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁? If Korea chooses to make immigration a national priority, it already holds several unique advantages. Attracting foreign talent isn’t just about policy - it’s about positioning. And Korea is better positioned than many might realize. Here are 3 strategic pillars that could help Korea become a global magnet for talent: 𝟭. 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻 Korea is one of the most advanced and prosperous economies in Asia - with world-class infrastructure, globally competitive companies, and some of the highest income levels in the region. For skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and ambitious young workers, that’s a powerful draw. 𝟮. 𝗔 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝘂𝗯 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 Two decades ago, international students in Korea were almost nonexistent. Today, that number exceeds 250,000 - making Korea one of the top non-English-speaking destinations for global learners. The pipeline is already there. Now the question is: how do we convert more students into long-term contributors to the Korean economy? 𝟯. 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 People don’t just come to Korea for jobs - they come for a dream. Korean culture, content, beauty, language, and lifestyle have created a global wave of emotional connection. That wave brings people here - and once they arrive, some stay, build lives, and contribute. Soft power is economic power in disguise. Korea already has the ingredients. With the right policies and systems to retain foreign talent, it could become a serious player in the global talent race.

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AI isn’t just a buzzword at Kubota—it’s becoming part of their DNA. With a new AI training initiative, a GenAI-powered chatbot, and the Kubota AI Academy, the company is setting a gold standard for AI adoption at scale. As HR leaders, this makes me wonder: Are we treating AI like an occasional workshop, or are we embedding it into our learning culture? The companies that succeed tomorrow are the ones investing in AI literacy today. How is your organization preparing employees for AI-driven workflows? #Microsoft #AIUpskilling #DigitalTransformation #HRInnovation #WorkforceDevelopment Rodrigo Kede Lima Imane Jamal Eddine Doreen Koh Theresa McHenry Kate Russell, CHRL Miki Tsusaka Christian Barrios Hyung Kyu KIM Younho Lee Arun Kakatkar Janet Chen Jason Walkerden 🌈 Shehzad Lalwani Ebeny Firth Christine Teo Nihal Fernandes Oindrila Chauhan Vinod Mohan Shavir Banaji Dushyant Ajwani Rowan Arndt Mohan Ponniah

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🥱 “𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴” I used to believe that too — until I decided to start self-learning Japanese 8 years ago, driven solely by my interest in Japanese culture. Fast forward to today: I still use it and am discovering a much larger world than before. Now that I looked back, I realize my habit of self-learning stems from my scientific research background. In the world of scientific research, finding my own way to learn and accomplishing my experimental objectives is essential to my success. Lecturers and professors are just guides and advisors. The real effort and fruit come from taking initiative and being persistent. And my language learning journey taught me those exact same principles — in a deeply personal way. Here are 5 strategies that helped me stay motivated and make real progress in learning a new language: 🫏 1. 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝘆 In both language and science, there’s no one-size-fits-all method to learning. I made learning fun and more retainable for myself by linking new words and sentence structure to meaningful stories and imagery, just like what I did when I was learning about biological pathways. Learning is never just memorizing blindly. It's about finding a learning method that helps make sense. 🎯 2. 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀 Scientists are not built overnight. Similarly, language fluency doesn’t come overnight either. That's why I set small, measurable goals to help me focus better and be less critical of my own progress. Learning a language (or leading innovation) is all about steady progress. Small win is still a win! 🎧 3. 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 Learning felt natural because it blended with what I already loved. I love Japanese drama, manga books, and songs. Although it's kind of annoying at first to always check the dictionary, once I did understand the language, it's just become more interesting! 🌏 4. 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 Research is about putting hypotheses to the test. Without trying, you never know if your theory holds or needs adjustments. The same applies in language learning: real growth happens in real conversations. By making mistakes, we learn and refine! 🔁 5. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 Biotech is a vast, evolving world. So does language. Learning never really ends. There is always more to learn! Staying curious and committed to learning is the key to mastering both. ________________________________________ For me, language learning has become more than a personal project — it's a leadership skill. It has expanded how I connect, collaborate, and communicate in a global industry. Have you tried learning a language? Or is there a language you’ve always wanted to learn? #Leadership #Science #LifelongLearning #learningtips #Research

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