August 23, 2025 • 20 mins
Tokyo is in the middle of a hiring binge — and executive recruiters are scrambling to keep pace with a surge of leadership roles across technology, finance, pharma, EVs, fashion, and media. Demand for bilingual leaders who can bridge Japanese market expertise with global execution is skyrocketing, making true bilingual professionals the hottest commodity in the market.
This episode of Executive Search in Japan reveals the trends reshaping Japan’s recruitment landscape:
- Why Tokyo’s executive hiring binge is creating unprecedented demand.
- The rise of digital transformation, AI, IT infrastructure, compliance, and EV leadership roles.
- Bilingualism as currency — the must-have skill driving executive placements.
- Cross-industry battles for scarce talent, from pharma to fintech.
- Why leadership, adaptability, and cultural fluency matter as much as technical expertise.
- How hybrid work and global collaboration are redefining candidate expectations.
For executive recruiters, this isn’t just a boom — it’s a gold rush. Understanding where the demand is hottest, and how to position yourself to deliver the leaders companies desperately need, will determine who wins big in Tokyo’s hiring frenzy.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Chase Stratton (00:00):
Welcome to the Deep Dive, where we cut through
the noise and get straight tothe insights.
If you've been tuned intoglobal business conversations
lately, well, you've probablyheard a phrase buzzing around
something like, Japan is boomingwith opportunities.
But what does that really meanon the ground, you know, right
now?
Today, we're not just takingthat at face value.
(00:20):
We're embarking on a deep diveinto an exciting stack of
sources, a collection of veryrecent job postings, all from
just the last few days of August2025, focused squarely on
Japan.
Our mission is to extract themost important nuggets of
knowledge about what globalcompanies are actually looking
for, what skills are inincredibly high demand, and,
(00:40):
well, what it truly means towork in these roles in major
Japanese cities right now.
So if you're curious aboutinternational career trends,
perhaps looking for your nextbig challenge, or simply want to
get a handle on the pulse ofthe global job market, this deep
dive is for you.
We're going to give you ashortcut to be well-informed,
complete with some surprisingfacts and key insights.
Tessa Sourceley (00:59):
It's a truly dynamic picture, isn't it?
When you look at these freshposts, It's almost like a
real-time pulse check on theJapanese economy and its global
connections, the sheer volumeand diversity, all within just a
few days.
That really stands out.
Chase Stratton (01:13):
Absolutely.
So let's kick things off withthat big picture then.
Our sources are telling usthere's a serious hiring boom
happening in Japan.
And this isn't just, you know,a few scattered roles.
We're hearing about companiesbeing on what recruiters call
hiring binges.
And executive recruiters inTokyo are, quote, very busy
finding candidates.
What does this intense activitytell us about the market beyond
(01:37):
just a general sense of growth?
Tessa Sourceley (01:39):
Well, what's fascinating here is that the
language isn't just hiring, it'sexecutive recruitment boom.
That specifically suggests astrong, urgent demand for
experienced, high-levelprofessionals.
We're talking about people whocan step in and immediately
drive growth and strategicinitiatives rather than just
filling general employment gaps.
It's a signal that companiesare investing deeply in
(02:00):
leadership and specializedexpertise.
Chase Stratton (02:02):
Ah, okay.
So leadership and strategy.
Tessa Sourceley (02:04):
Exactly.
To expand their footprint ormaybe navigate complex market
dynamics.
For you, our listener, thismeans this isn't just some broad
economic upswing.
It's a very targeted demand forimpactful talent.
Chase Stratton (02:16):
That sounds incredibly dynamic.
So when we look at the specificpostings, which sectors are
really signaling the most, let'ssay, aggressive growth?
And what are they looking forthat stands out?
Maybe let's jump right intosome of the major tech players.
They are definitely makingtheir presence felt.
We've got Adobe, Zoom.
Zoom, and Figma, all activelyseeking talent in Tokyo.
Tessa Sourceley (02:35):
Yeah, the tech presence is strong.
Chase Stratton (02:36):
Okay, first up, Adobe.
We're seeing a director,digital experience enterprise
sales, Japan role, posted justyesterday, August 22nd, 2025.
So this position, it's allabout growing revenue for their
digital experience, or DX,business across Japan.
What does a role like this at acompany like Adobe tell us
about their strategy there?
Tessa Sourceley (02:56):
Well, this director level sales role really
highlights the ongoing globalpush for digital transformation
or DX, as you said.
Adobe isn't just maintainingits presence by seeking someone
to, quote, bring in greenfieldrevenue opportunities.
They're signaling an aggressiveintent.
They want to find entirely newbusiness from clients they
haven't worked with before,essentially building new markets
(03:18):
from the ground up.
That tells me they see Japan asa key growth market, not just a
mature one.
Chase Stratton (03:23):
Right.
Actively expanding, not justmaintaining.
Tessa Sourceley (03:26):
Precisely.
And the requirements are quitedemanding.
Extensive experience as asecond-line sales manager or
higher, strong leadership andinfluencing skills, and
crucially, bilingual proficiencyin Japanese and English.
It's also worth noting, AdotiJapan was ranked sixth for Great
Place to Work.
That suggests a strong companyculture focus, which, you know,
can be a significant draw fortop talent in a competitive
(03:48):
market like this.
Chase Stratton (03:49):
Yeah, that culture piece is huge, isn't it?
Often a silent but powerfuldifferentiator for attracting
and retaining people.
Okay, let's look at anothertech player, Zoom.
How are they expanding theirreach?
They're hunting for a channelaccount manager with an SI or
distributor focus, alsoTokyo-based, posted August 21st.
What's the strategic play herefor Zoom?
Tessa Sourceley (04:12):
This role connects directly to Zoom's
mission of expanding globallythrough strategic partnerships.
A channel account manager,especially one focused on SIs,
system integrators, that helpsZoom leverage existing networks
and expertise instead of, youknow, building everything from
scratch.
Chase Stratton (04:28):
Okay, so using partners to scale faster.
Tessa Sourceley (04:30):
Exactly.
It's a smart way to scalequickly in a complex market like
Japan.
The role specifically requireseight plus years of sales
experience in any tech company,and importantly, fluent business
Japanese skills.
They mentioned And they highlywelcome English skills, which
emphasizes the local market'simportance, but still
acknowledges the global teamcollaboration piece.
And the need for adaptabilityin a rapid changing environment
(04:53):
and the ability to conduct greatdemonstrations of SaaS
products, software as a servicethat just underscores the fast
paced customer centric nature ofthis kind of expansion.
Chase Stratton (05:05):
Makes sense.
And Figma, the design andcollaboration platform, they're
also looking for a technicalaccount manager in Tokyo.
Now, this sounds like a rolethat demands a very specific
blend of skills.
Tessa Sourceley (05:16):
It absolutely does.
Yeah.
This position is a greatexample of a highly specialized
role.
It needs a blend of deeptechnical knowledge and customer
success know-how.
Think of this role as theultimate technical bridge for
Figma's biggest clients.
Chase Stratton (05:31):
A technical bridge.
I like that.
Tessa Sourceley (05:33):
Yeah.
You're not just supportingthem.
You're diving deep into theiroperations, driving adoption,
and guiding really sophisticatedimplementations.
We're talking things like APIintegration.
and custom plugin development,essentially making Figma talk to
other essential tools a companyuses, maybe creating bespoke
features just for them.
Chase Stratton (05:50):
Wow.
OK.
Tessa Sourceley (05:51):
And supporting large identity implementations,
including SSO, SAML andenterprise authentication
systems.
That's all about making sureemployees can securely and
seamlessly log in using theirexisting company credentials.
That's critical for large,secure organizations.
Chase Stratton (06:08):
Right.
The security piece is key forenterprise.
Tessa Sourceley (06:10):
Absolutely.
And again, native levelJapanese and high fluency in
English is listed as essentialalongside five plus years of
experience and practicalprogramming experience in
languages like JavaScript,Python or Java.
The depth of technicalexpertise needed here, it
signals that companies aremoving beyond just simple
software adoption to reallydeep, customized platform
(06:30):
integration.
Chase Stratton (06:31):
That level of technical detail for Figma
really stands out.
Does that suggest maybe aparticular challenge in
integrating tools in theJapanese market?
Or is this more a global trendwe're seeing and Japan is just a
critical part of it.
Tessa Sourceley (06:43):
It's definitely a global trend, but I'd say
with maybe heightened importancein Japan, Japanese enterprises
often have complex, highlycustomized IT environments.
So for a platform like Figma totruly thrive there, it needs to
integrate seamlessly.
This specific role reallyunderscores that the investment
isn't just in the productitself, but in ensuring it's
(07:03):
deeply woven into how businessesoperate locally.
Chase Stratton (07:06):
Fascinating.
Okay, we also saw a role atYouTube that caught our eye, a
culture and trends manager,marketing.
Interestingly, it was alreadyexpired on August 22nd.
Shows just how fast these rolescan move.
Tessa Sourceley (07:19):
Yeah.
Even though it's expired, ittells us something really
important about the market,doesn't it?
This role sought a, quote,YouTube expert on the latest
video trends in Japan.
It required four years ofmarketing experience focused on
internet video, pop culture,music, or tech.
Chase Stratton (07:34):
So really specific expertise.
Tessa Sourceley (07:36):
Very specific.
And it placed strong emphasison data analysis and the ability
to assess and make decisionsabout the appropriateness of
different content for Japaneseaudiences.
That highlights the need forcultural sensitivity right
alongside the fluent Japaneseand English.
The speed at which it wasfilled just reinforces two
things, I think.
First, the market for highlyspecialized talent with that
(07:58):
kind of cultural nuance isincredibly competitive.
And second, companies areclearly prioritizing immediate
impact over long hiring cycles.
Chase Stratton (08:07):
Yeah, they want people who can hit the ground
running.
Tessa Sourceley (08:09):
Exactly.
If you're looking in thismarket, speed seems seems just
as crucial as skill.
Chase Stratton (08:14):
So what we're seeing here, listeners, is this
clear pattern.
These tech giants aren't justsetting up shop.
They're embedding themselvesdeeply into the Japanese market.
They need people who can speakboth the technical and the
cultural language, trulybridging global strategies with
nuanced local execution.
Tessa Sourceley (08:31):
Precisely.
They are looking for talentthat can effectively translate
not just words, but intent andcontext between the global
vision and the local reality.
It's about being that bridge.
Chase Stratton (08:41):
That understanding of the local
market is clearly not negotiablefor these tech giants.
But, you know, our sourcesindicate demand isn't limited to
Silicon Valley exports.
It paints an even broaderpicture, right?
Demand across various sectors.
Let's pivot now to how otherestablished industries are
embracing this shift.
looking at communications,finance, automotive, and media.
(09:02):
Fleischmann-Hillard, a leadingglobal communications agency,
has an immediate opening for apublic relations account
director in Tokyo, posted August21st.
Tessa Sourceley (09:12):
Right, and this role is critical for providing
full-service communicationsconsulting to foreign and
domestic MNCs, multinationalcorporations, and governmental
organizations in Japan.
Their responsibilities arebroad.
We're talking developing andexecuting PR strategy in areas
like corporate communication,event management, all the way to
acting as a strategiccommunication counselor to
(09:33):
executives.
Chase Stratton (09:34):
So high level advisory stuff.
Tessa Sourceley (09:35):
Exactly.
This isn't just managing mediareleases.
It's about providing high-levelstrategic advice.
It requires a minimum of 10years of hands-on experience in
public relations or relatedfields with PR agency experience
necessary.
And again, native Japanese andproficient English.
This really speaks to the needfor seasoned communication pros
who can navigate both localmedia landscapes and global
(09:58):
corporate needs.
Shifting gears now to theautomotive world.
General Motors is seeking an EVproduct readiness man This role
sounds like it's right at thecutting edge of their strategic
direction towardselectrification.
Chase Stratton (10:12):
Oh, absolutely.
This position is directly tiedto GM's big vision of zero
emissions.
The manager will lead productlaunch readiness of BV battery
electric vehicle products toJapanese market.
And this includes conductingcharging verification tests for
new BV products against key ACchargers and DCFC Chidemo
chargers in Japan.
Ah, Chidemo, that's theJapanese fast charging standard,
(10:34):
right?
Tessa Sourceley (10:35):
Exactly.
That's a very specific localrequirement.
It means ensuring GM's electricvehicles can actually work
seamlessly with Japan's uniquecharging infrastructure,
including those specific fastcharging standards like CHAdeMO.
That's absolutely crucial forconsumer adoption in that
market.
Chase Stratton (10:51):
Makes total sense.
Tessa Sourceley (10:52):
It demands a minimum of five years of working
experience in automotiveindustry and importantly,
English facilitation capability.
This shows the level of localadaptation needed, but also the
global core That detail
Chase Stratton (11:09):
on local charging infrastructure really
highlights how global companiesneed to, you know, think global,
act local.
It's not just a buzzword.
OK.
And in the travel industry,Agoda, part of Booking Holdings,
is looking for a strategicaccount manager based in Osaka
with a hybrid work model.
Tessa Sourceley (11:24):
Yeah.
And this shows the importanceof local market engagement, even
for a huge global online travelplatform.
While many functions might becentralized, this role
specifically focuses onnurturing the relationship with
our key supply partners andidentifying and acquiring new
sources of supply in Japan.
Chase Stratton (11:41):
So boots on the ground, building relationships.
Tessa Sourceley (11:44):
That local on the ground relationship building
is paramount.
It mandates native fluentJapanese language level for
client communication andintermediate English to
communicate internally.
Again, underscoring that vitalbridge bilingual professionals
provide.
And interestingly, analyticalskills for large data sets are
also highlighted as key.
(12:05):
So it's not just aboutrelationships.
It's also about data drivenstrategy.
Chase Stratton (12:09):
Right.
The data piece again.
OK.
Moving to finance.
Barclays is actively recruitinga vice president for Japan
research in Tokyo.
posted just yesterday, August22nd.
This sounds like a prettysignificant analytical role for
their institutional clients.
Tessa Sourceley (12:24):
It is indeed a high level role focused on
economic analysis andquantitative methods.
The candidate needs strongexperience in economic research,
familiarity and ease withmathematics and statistics, and
preferably holding advanceddegree in economics, finance or
related fields.
They even mentioned theywelcome recently graduated PhDs,
which indicates a real thirstfor top tier analytical talent.
(12:44):
PhDs welcome.
Yeah.
And crucially, They need to benative in Japanese and capable
of conducting business meetingsin English in order to produce
and deliver research withdifferentiated market insights
and actionable ideas to Barclaysclients.
So it's about performing thatdeep, sophisticated analysis and
then effectively communicatingthose complex insights to a
(13:05):
global client base in bothlanguages.
Chase Stratton (13:07):
OK.
For a slightly different anglein finance, maybe more entry
level, we also saw anopportunity in fintech.
Wise is looking for a sanctionsanalyst in Tokyo, a Japanese
speaking role posted yesterday.
yesterday.
This shows demand even forcompliance roles in global
finance, doesn't it?
Tessa Sourceley (13:21):
Absolutely.
And this role, with a statedcompensation of $6 million in
the UPY annually, plus RSU'srestricted stock units, a form
of equity, it really showcasesthe demand in global financial
compliance, even at an earliercareer stage.
The analysts will be doingthings like analyze alerts from
sanctions screening, assessrisks, communicate with
(13:42):
customers, and contribute toimproving screening processes.
It demands Verbal and writtenEnglish and Japanese skills,
naturally, but also anexceptionally inquisitive mind
with a great eye for detail andexceptional logical thinking.
Chase Stratton (13:56):
So analytical skills are key there, too.
Tessa Sourceley (13:58):
Definitely.
It also highlights Wise'shybrid working model.
With two days a week typicallyin office, it's a really key
role in protecting bothcustomers and the company from
financial crime in ourincreasingly interconnected
world.
Chase Stratton (14:10):
Right, essential stuff.
And finally, just to round outthe industries, in the
entertainment sector, Deluxe isseeking a media fulfillment
delivery manager in Tokyo.
This certainly covers a lot ofground.
Tessa Sourceley (14:19):
It does.
This role, it focuses onprocessing client orders
efficiently and accuratelywithin post-production
environments, things likesubtitling, mastering, dubbing,
graphics for film and TV.
It requires two to five yearsexperience.
And guess what?
Let me guess.
Chase Stratton (14:36):
Bilingual skills.
Tessa Sourceley (14:37):
You got it.
Native professional advancedspoken and written proficiency
in Japanese supplemented withfluent English skills.
It really speaks to theglobalized nature of media
content.
And the absolute need forseamless, localized delivery,
especially with Japan being sucha massive hub for content
creation and consumption.
Chase Stratton (14:56):
Okay.
And we also noted a fewpositions that are, well, no
longer available within thisvery recent snapshot.
An account manager for Philipsin Yokohama and a manager
producer for anime production atWarner Bros.
Discovery in Tokyo.
Tessa Sourceley (15:09):
Yeah.
The fact that these roles arealready filled or expired, even
within this very recent August2025 snapshot we're looking at,
It really underscores thosepoints again.
First, the market for this kindof highly specialized talent,
particularly with culturalnuance, it's incredibly
competitive.
And second, companies areclearly prioritizing immediate
impact over long hiring cycles.
(15:30):
If you're looking, like wesaid, you need to be ready to
move quickly.
The demand for this specificblend of skills is just immense
right now.
Chase Stratton (15:38):
So listeners, you can really see just how
diverse this professionallandscape is becoming.
Whether you're in tech,finance, media, automotive,
Thank you.
Global companies in Japan areseeking very specific skill sets
and almost all things with thatcritical bilingual component.
This isn't just about finding ajob.
It seems to be aboutunderstanding that unique blend
(16:00):
of global perspective and localinsight that makes a candidate
truly valuable.
Tessa Sourceley (16:05):
It's a powerful indicator, I think, of a
maturing globalized market wheredeep local integration and the
ability to operate fluidlyacross cultural and linguistic
boundaries are absolutelyparamount.
Chase Stratton (16:17):
Okay, so we've gone through all these examples,
quite a few of them.
What does this all truly meanfor someone maybe considering
opportunities in Japan or evenjust trying to understand these
global hiring trends right now?
If we connect all these dots,what are the overarching themes
you're seeing?
Tessa Sourceley (16:30):
Well, if we pull back and look at the bigger
picture from these postings, afew key themes really stand out
clearly across pretty much allthese diverse roles, regardless
of industry or company size.
First, and maybe mostobviously, bilingualism is
non-negotiable.
Chase Stratton (16:45):
Yeah, that came up again and again.
Tessa Sourceley (16:46):
Almost every single role we looked at
explicitly requires proficiency,often made of level Japanese
and fluent English.
It's not just a nice to have.
It's really a fundamentalrequirement for connecting those
global strategies with localexecution.
It truly means being thatbridge.
Chase Stratton (17:03):
That's a huge takeaway.
It's not just aboutcommunicating.
It's about being the essentiallink between, well, different
worlds.
Tessa Sourceley (17:09):
Exactly.
Secondly, specialized expertiseis key.
These are not generalist roles.
We're seeing clear demand fordeep, proven experience Right.
Deep
Chase Stratton (17:27):
knowledge in a specific field.
Tessa Sourceley (17:29):
Yes.
Companies are looking forproven track records, not just
potential.
So your deep experience in aniche area suddenly becomes a
massive asset in this market.
Chase Stratton (17:37):
So a deep dive into a specific domain can
really pay off.
Tessa Sourceley (17:41):
Absolutely.
Third, local market acumen isconsistently valued.
We saw this repeatedly.
Whether it's understanding theJapanese media landscape for
Fleischmann-Hillard, or knowingabout those Chidemo chargers in
Japan for GM, or assessingcultural sensitivities for
YouTube, a nuanced understandingof the local market is just
(18:01):
consistently valued.
Chase Stratton (18:03):
Knowing how things actually work on the
ground.
Tessa Sourceley (18:05):
Precisely.
It's about knowing how tooperate effectively within the
Japanese context, the customs,the regulations, the consumer
That
Chase Stratton (18:13):
makes perfect sense.
A global strategy still needsthose local feet on the ground,
connecting deeply with the localreality.
Tessa Sourceley (18:21):
Indeed.
Fourth, adaptability andcollaboration are frequently
highlighted.
Many job descriptions mentionworking in fast-paced
environments or matrixedenvironments or with
cross-functional teams bothlocally and globally.
Chase Stratton (18:32):
Right.
Navigating complexity.
Tessa Sourceley (18:34):
Exactly.
This indicates thatflexibility, strong
interpersonal skills, and theability to navigate complex
organizational structures areconsistently highlighted as
crucial.
It's all about teamwork acrossborders, sometimes across time
zones and cultures.
Chase Stratton (18:49):
And finally, something else that popped up
quite a bit.
Data-driven decision-making.
That seems to be a recurringrequirement across many of these
diverse roles.
Tessa Sourceley (18:58):
Yes, exactly.
Roles from YouTube to Agoda toAdobe, they all emphasize the
ability to analyze large datasets, leverage data, and make
data-driven recommendations.
This just shows a strong focuson measurable outcomes and
strategic insights powered bydata.
That's pretty much afundamental expectation now
across industries, not just intech anymore.
Chase Stratton (19:19):
So putting it all together, this isn't just
about finding any job.
It's really about understandingthat specific blend of global
perspective and deep localinsight that makes a candidate
truly valuable in this dynamicJapanese market.
It really is about being abridge, isn't it?
Both culturally andtechnically.
Tessa Sourceley (19:34):
That's the essence of it, I think.
The roles we've examined reallyunderscore that the successful
professionals in Japan today arethose who can effectively
synthesize global objectiveswith granular, effective local
execution.
Chase Stratton (19:46):
We've taken a whirlwind tour through a
fascinating snapshot of jobopportunities in Japan, all
posted in just the last few daysof August 2025.
From leading digital sales forAdobe to preparing EV products
for General Motors and managingglobal media fulfillment for
Deluxe.
The demand for specializedbilingual talent is clear and,
(20:08):
frankly, vibrant.
This market isn't waiting.
It's moving fast for those withthe right skills.
Tessa Sourceley (20:14):
And this raises an important question, I think,
for you, our listener.
In a world where globalcompanies are increasingly
localizing their operations andseeking such specific integrated
talent, what new blend ofglobal and local skills might
you need to cultivate for yourown career trajectory,
regardless of where yourinterests actually lie?
Chase Stratton (20:31):
unique bridge can you build between different
markets, cultures, andtechnologies in your own field.
Perhaps it's not just about,say, learning a new language,
but truly understanding how twodifferent worlds interact and
how you can facilitate thatinteraction.
We hope this deep dive hassparked your curiosity and maybe
given you some valuable newinsights to mull over.
Until next time.
Welcome to the Deep Dive, where we cut through
the noise and get straight tothe insights.
If you've been tuned intoglobal business conversations
lately, well, you've probablyheard a phrase buzzing around
something like, Japan is boomingwith opportunities.
But what does that really meanon the ground, you know, right
now?
Today, we're not just takingthat at face value.
(00:20):
We're embarking on a deep diveinto an exciting stack of
sources, a collection of veryrecent job postings, all from
just the last few days of August2025, focused squarely on
Japan.
Our mission is to extract themost important nuggets of
knowledge about what globalcompanies are actually looking
for, what skills are inincredibly high demand, and,
(00:40):
well, what it truly means towork in these roles in major
Japanese cities right now.
So if you're curious aboutinternational career trends,
perhaps looking for your nextbig challenge, or simply want to
get a handle on the pulse ofthe global job market, this deep
dive is for you.
We're going to give you ashortcut to be well-informed,
complete with some surprisingfacts and key insights.
Tessa Sourceley (00:59):
It's a truly dynamic picture, isn't it?
When you look at these freshposts, It's almost like a
real-time pulse check on theJapanese economy and its global
connections, the sheer volumeand diversity, all within just a
few days.
That really stands out.
Chase Stratton (01:13):
Absolutely.
So let's kick things off withthat big picture then.
Our sources are telling usthere's a serious hiring boom
happening in Japan.
And this isn't just, you know,a few scattered roles.
We're hearing about companiesbeing on what recruiters call
hiring binges.
And executive recruiters inTokyo are, quote, very busy
finding candidates.
What does this intense activitytell us about the market beyond
(01:37):
just a general sense of growth?
Tessa Sourceley (01:39):
Well, what's fascinating here is that the
language isn't just hiring, it'sexecutive recruitment boom.
That specifically suggests astrong, urgent demand for
experienced, high-levelprofessionals.
We're talking about people whocan step in and immediately
drive growth and strategicinitiatives rather than just
filling general employment gaps.
It's a signal that companiesare investing deeply in
(02:00):
leadership and specializedexpertise.
Chase Stratton (02:02):
Ah, okay.
So leadership and strategy.
Tessa Sourceley (02:04):
Exactly.
To expand their footprint ormaybe navigate complex market
dynamics.
For you, our listener, thismeans this isn't just some broad
economic upswing.
It's a very targeted demand forimpactful talent.
Chase Stratton (02:16):
That sounds incredibly dynamic.
So when we look at the specificpostings, which sectors are
really signaling the most, let'ssay, aggressive growth?
And what are they looking forthat stands out?
Maybe let's jump right intosome of the major tech players.
They are definitely makingtheir presence felt.
We've got Adobe, Zoom.
Zoom, and Figma, all activelyseeking talent in Tokyo.
Tessa Sourceley (02:35):
Yeah, the tech presence is strong.
Chase Stratton (02:36):
Okay, first up, Adobe.
We're seeing a director,digital experience enterprise
sales, Japan role, posted justyesterday, August 22nd, 2025.
So this position, it's allabout growing revenue for their
digital experience, or DX,business across Japan.
What does a role like this at acompany like Adobe tell us
about their strategy there?
Tessa Sourceley (02:56):
Well, this director level sales role really
highlights the ongoing globalpush for digital transformation
or DX, as you said.
Adobe isn't just maintainingits presence by seeking someone
to, quote, bring in greenfieldrevenue opportunities.
They're signaling an aggressiveintent.
They want to find entirely newbusiness from clients they
haven't worked with before,essentially building new markets
(03:18):
from the ground up.
That tells me they see Japan asa key growth market, not just a
mature one.
Chase Stratton (03:23):
Right.
Actively expanding, not justmaintaining.
Tessa Sourceley (03:26):
Precisely.
And the requirements are quitedemanding.
Extensive experience as asecond-line sales manager or
higher, strong leadership andinfluencing skills, and
crucially, bilingual proficiencyin Japanese and English.
It's also worth noting, AdotiJapan was ranked sixth for Great
Place to Work.
That suggests a strong companyculture focus, which, you know,
can be a significant draw fortop talent in a competitive
(03:48):
market like this.
Chase Stratton (03:49):
Yeah, that culture piece is huge, isn't it?
Often a silent but powerfuldifferentiator for attracting
and retaining people.
Okay, let's look at anothertech player, Zoom.
How are they expanding theirreach?
They're hunting for a channelaccount manager with an SI or
distributor focus, alsoTokyo-based, posted August 21st.
What's the strategic play herefor Zoom?
Tessa Sourceley (04:12):
This role connects directly to Zoom's
mission of expanding globallythrough strategic partnerships.
A channel account manager,especially one focused on SIs,
system integrators, that helpsZoom leverage existing networks
and expertise instead of, youknow, building everything from
scratch.
Chase Stratton (04:28):
Okay, so using partners to scale faster.
Tessa Sourceley (04:30):
Exactly.
It's a smart way to scalequickly in a complex market like
Japan.
The role specifically requireseight plus years of sales
experience in any tech company,and importantly, fluent business
Japanese skills.
They mentioned And they highlywelcome English skills, which
emphasizes the local market'simportance, but still
acknowledges the global teamcollaboration piece.
And the need for adaptabilityin a rapid changing environment
(04:53):
and the ability to conduct greatdemonstrations of SaaS
products, software as a servicethat just underscores the fast
paced customer centric nature ofthis kind of expansion.
Chase Stratton (05:05):
Makes sense.
And Figma, the design andcollaboration platform, they're
also looking for a technicalaccount manager in Tokyo.
Now, this sounds like a rolethat demands a very specific
blend of skills.
Tessa Sourceley (05:16):
It absolutely does.
Yeah.
This position is a greatexample of a highly specialized
role.
It needs a blend of deeptechnical knowledge and customer
success know-how.
Think of this role as theultimate technical bridge for
Figma's biggest clients.
Chase Stratton (05:31):
A technical bridge.
I like that.
Tessa Sourceley (05:33):
Yeah.
You're not just supportingthem.
You're diving deep into theiroperations, driving adoption,
and guiding really sophisticatedimplementations.
We're talking things like APIintegration.
and custom plugin development,essentially making Figma talk to
other essential tools a companyuses, maybe creating bespoke
features just for them.
Chase Stratton (05:50):
Wow.
OK.
Tessa Sourceley (05:51):
And supporting large identity implementations,
including SSO, SAML andenterprise authentication
systems.
That's all about making sureemployees can securely and
seamlessly log in using theirexisting company credentials.
That's critical for large,secure organizations.
Chase Stratton (06:08):
Right.
The security piece is key forenterprise.
Tessa Sourceley (06:10):
Absolutely.
And again, native levelJapanese and high fluency in
English is listed as essentialalongside five plus years of
experience and practicalprogramming experience in
languages like JavaScript,Python or Java.
The depth of technicalexpertise needed here, it
signals that companies aremoving beyond just simple
software adoption to reallydeep, customized platform
(06:30):
integration.
Chase Stratton (06:31):
That level of technical detail for Figma
really stands out.
Does that suggest maybe aparticular challenge in
integrating tools in theJapanese market?
Or is this more a global trendwe're seeing and Japan is just a
critical part of it.
Tessa Sourceley (06:43):
It's definitely a global trend, but I'd say
with maybe heightened importancein Japan, Japanese enterprises
often have complex, highlycustomized IT environments.
So for a platform like Figma totruly thrive there, it needs to
integrate seamlessly.
This specific role reallyunderscores that the investment
isn't just in the productitself, but in ensuring it's
(07:03):
deeply woven into how businessesoperate locally.
Chase Stratton (07:06):
Fascinating.
Okay, we also saw a role atYouTube that caught our eye, a
culture and trends manager,marketing.
Interestingly, it was alreadyexpired on August 22nd.
Shows just how fast these rolescan move.
Tessa Sourceley (07:19):
Yeah.
Even though it's expired, ittells us something really
important about the market,doesn't it?
This role sought a, quote,YouTube expert on the latest
video trends in Japan.
It required four years ofmarketing experience focused on
internet video, pop culture,music, or tech.
Chase Stratton (07:34):
So really specific expertise.
Tessa Sourceley (07:36):
Very specific.
And it placed strong emphasison data analysis and the ability
to assess and make decisionsabout the appropriateness of
different content for Japaneseaudiences.
That highlights the need forcultural sensitivity right
alongside the fluent Japaneseand English.
The speed at which it wasfilled just reinforces two
things, I think.
First, the market for highlyspecialized talent with that
(07:58):
kind of cultural nuance isincredibly competitive.
And second, companies areclearly prioritizing immediate
impact over long hiring cycles.
Chase Stratton (08:07):
Yeah, they want people who can hit the ground
running.
Tessa Sourceley (08:09):
Exactly.
If you're looking in thismarket, speed seems seems just
as crucial as skill.
Chase Stratton (08:14):
So what we're seeing here, listeners, is this
clear pattern.
These tech giants aren't justsetting up shop.
They're embedding themselvesdeeply into the Japanese market.
They need people who can speakboth the technical and the
cultural language, trulybridging global strategies with
nuanced local execution.
Tessa Sourceley (08:31):
Precisely.
They are looking for talentthat can effectively translate
not just words, but intent andcontext between the global
vision and the local reality.
It's about being that bridge.
Chase Stratton (08:41):
That understanding of the local
market is clearly not negotiablefor these tech giants.
But, you know, our sourcesindicate demand isn't limited to
Silicon Valley exports.
It paints an even broaderpicture, right?
Demand across various sectors.
Let's pivot now to how otherestablished industries are
embracing this shift.
looking at communications,finance, automotive, and media.
(09:02):
Fleischmann-Hillard, a leadingglobal communications agency,
has an immediate opening for apublic relations account
director in Tokyo, posted August21st.
Tessa Sourceley (09:12):
Right, and this role is critical for providing
full-service communicationsconsulting to foreign and
domestic MNCs, multinationalcorporations, and governmental
organizations in Japan.
Their responsibilities arebroad.
We're talking developing andexecuting PR strategy in areas
like corporate communication,event management, all the way to
acting as a strategiccommunication counselor to
(09:33):
executives.
Chase Stratton (09:34):
So high level advisory stuff.
Tessa Sourceley (09:35):
Exactly.
This isn't just managing mediareleases.
It's about providing high-levelstrategic advice.
It requires a minimum of 10years of hands-on experience in
public relations or relatedfields with PR agency experience
necessary.
And again, native Japanese andproficient English.
This really speaks to the needfor seasoned communication pros
who can navigate both localmedia landscapes and global
(09:58):
corporate needs.
Shifting gears now to theautomotive world.
General Motors is seeking an EVproduct readiness man This role
sounds like it's right at thecutting edge of their strategic
direction towardselectrification.
Chase Stratton (10:12):
Oh, absolutely.
This position is directly tiedto GM's big vision of zero
emissions.
The manager will lead productlaunch readiness of BV battery
electric vehicle products toJapanese market.
And this includes conductingcharging verification tests for
new BV products against key ACchargers and DCFC Chidemo
chargers in Japan.
Ah, Chidemo, that's theJapanese fast charging standard,
(10:34):
right?
Tessa Sourceley (10:35):
Exactly.
That's a very specific localrequirement.
It means ensuring GM's electricvehicles can actually work
seamlessly with Japan's uniquecharging infrastructure,
including those specific fastcharging standards like CHAdeMO.
That's absolutely crucial forconsumer adoption in that
market.
Chase Stratton (10:51):
Makes total sense.
Tessa Sourceley (10:52):
It demands a minimum of five years of working
experience in automotiveindustry and importantly,
English facilitation capability.
This shows the level of localadaptation needed, but also the
global core That detail
Chase Stratton (11:09):
on local charging infrastructure really
highlights how global companiesneed to, you know, think global,
act local.
It's not just a buzzword.
OK.
And in the travel industry,Agoda, part of Booking Holdings,
is looking for a strategicaccount manager based in Osaka
with a hybrid work model.
Tessa Sourceley (11:24):
Yeah.
And this shows the importanceof local market engagement, even
for a huge global online travelplatform.
While many functions might becentralized, this role
specifically focuses onnurturing the relationship with
our key supply partners andidentifying and acquiring new
sources of supply in Japan.
Chase Stratton (11:41):
So boots on the ground, building relationships.
Tessa Sourceley (11:44):
That local on the ground relationship building
is paramount.
It mandates native fluentJapanese language level for
client communication andintermediate English to
communicate internally.
Again, underscoring that vitalbridge bilingual professionals
provide.
And interestingly, analyticalskills for large data sets are
also highlighted as key.
(12:05):
So it's not just aboutrelationships.
It's also about data drivenstrategy.
Chase Stratton (12:09):
Right.
The data piece again.
OK.
Moving to finance.
Barclays is actively recruitinga vice president for Japan
research in Tokyo.
posted just yesterday, August22nd.
This sounds like a prettysignificant analytical role for
their institutional clients.
Tessa Sourceley (12:24):
It is indeed a high level role focused on
economic analysis andquantitative methods.
The candidate needs strongexperience in economic research,
familiarity and ease withmathematics and statistics, and
preferably holding advanceddegree in economics, finance or
related fields.
They even mentioned theywelcome recently graduated PhDs,
which indicates a real thirstfor top tier analytical talent.
(12:44):
PhDs welcome.
Yeah.
And crucially, They need to benative in Japanese and capable
of conducting business meetingsin English in order to produce
and deliver research withdifferentiated market insights
and actionable ideas to Barclaysclients.
So it's about performing thatdeep, sophisticated analysis and
then effectively communicatingthose complex insights to a
(13:05):
global client base in bothlanguages.
Chase Stratton (13:07):
OK.
For a slightly different anglein finance, maybe more entry
level, we also saw anopportunity in fintech.
Wise is looking for a sanctionsanalyst in Tokyo, a Japanese
speaking role posted yesterday.
yesterday.
This shows demand even forcompliance roles in global
finance, doesn't it?
Tessa Sourceley (13:21):
Absolutely.
And this role, with a statedcompensation of $6 million in
the UPY annually, plus RSU'srestricted stock units, a form
of equity, it really showcasesthe demand in global financial
compliance, even at an earliercareer stage.
The analysts will be doingthings like analyze alerts from
sanctions screening, assessrisks, communicate with
(13:42):
customers, and contribute toimproving screening processes.
It demands Verbal and writtenEnglish and Japanese skills,
naturally, but also anexceptionally inquisitive mind
with a great eye for detail andexceptional logical thinking.
Chase Stratton (13:56):
So analytical skills are key there, too.
Tessa Sourceley (13:58):
Definitely.
It also highlights Wise'shybrid working model.
With two days a week typicallyin office, it's a really key
role in protecting bothcustomers and the company from
financial crime in ourincreasingly interconnected
world.
Chase Stratton (14:10):
Right, essential stuff.
And finally, just to round outthe industries, in the
entertainment sector, Deluxe isseeking a media fulfillment
delivery manager in Tokyo.
This certainly covers a lot ofground.
Tessa Sourceley (14:19):
It does.
This role, it focuses onprocessing client orders
efficiently and accuratelywithin post-production
environments, things likesubtitling, mastering, dubbing,
graphics for film and TV.
It requires two to five yearsexperience.
And guess what?
Let me guess.
Chase Stratton (14:36):
Bilingual skills.
Tessa Sourceley (14:37):
You got it.
Native professional advancedspoken and written proficiency
in Japanese supplemented withfluent English skills.
It really speaks to theglobalized nature of media
content.
And the absolute need forseamless, localized delivery,
especially with Japan being sucha massive hub for content
creation and consumption.
Chase Stratton (14:56):
Okay.
And we also noted a fewpositions that are, well, no
longer available within thisvery recent snapshot.
An account manager for Philipsin Yokohama and a manager
producer for anime production atWarner Bros.
Discovery in Tokyo.
Tessa Sourceley (15:09):
Yeah.
The fact that these roles arealready filled or expired, even
within this very recent August2025 snapshot we're looking at,
It really underscores thosepoints again.
First, the market for this kindof highly specialized talent,
particularly with culturalnuance, it's incredibly
competitive.
And second, companies areclearly prioritizing immediate
impact over long hiring cycles.
(15:30):
If you're looking, like wesaid, you need to be ready to
move quickly.
The demand for this specificblend of skills is just immense
right now.
Chase Stratton (15:38):
So listeners, you can really see just how
diverse this professionallandscape is becoming.
Whether you're in tech,finance, media, automotive,
Thank you.
Global companies in Japan areseeking very specific skill sets
and almost all things with thatcritical bilingual component.
This isn't just about finding ajob.
It seems to be aboutunderstanding that unique blend
(16:00):
of global perspective and localinsight that makes a candidate
truly valuable.
Tessa Sourceley (16:05):
It's a powerful indicator, I think, of a
maturing globalized market wheredeep local integration and the
ability to operate fluidlyacross cultural and linguistic
boundaries are absolutelyparamount.
Chase Stratton (16:17):
Okay, so we've gone through all these examples,
quite a few of them.
What does this all truly meanfor someone maybe considering
opportunities in Japan or evenjust trying to understand these
global hiring trends right now?
If we connect all these dots,what are the overarching themes
you're seeing?
Tessa Sourceley (16:30):
Well, if we pull back and look at the bigger
picture from these postings, afew key themes really stand out
clearly across pretty much allthese diverse roles, regardless
of industry or company size.
First, and maybe mostobviously, bilingualism is
non-negotiable.
Chase Stratton (16:45):
Yeah, that came up again and again.
Tessa Sourceley (16:46):
Almost every single role we looked at
explicitly requires proficiency,often made of level Japanese
and fluent English.
It's not just a nice to have.
It's really a fundamentalrequirement for connecting those
global strategies with localexecution.
It truly means being thatbridge.
Chase Stratton (17:03):
That's a huge takeaway.
It's not just aboutcommunicating.
It's about being the essentiallink between, well, different
worlds.
Tessa Sourceley (17:09):
Exactly.
Secondly, specialized expertiseis key.
These are not generalist roles.
We're seeing clear demand fordeep, proven experience Right.
Deep
Chase Stratton (17:27):
knowledge in a specific field.
Tessa Sourceley (17:29):
Yes.
Companies are looking forproven track records, not just
potential.
So your deep experience in aniche area suddenly becomes a
massive asset in this market.
Chase Stratton (17:37):
So a deep dive into a specific domain can
really pay off.
Tessa Sourceley (17:41):
Absolutely.
Third, local market acumen isconsistently valued.
We saw this repeatedly.
Whether it's understanding theJapanese media landscape for
Fleischmann-Hillard, or knowingabout those Chidemo chargers in
Japan for GM, or assessingcultural sensitivities for
YouTube, a nuanced understandingof the local market is just
(18:01):
consistently valued.
Chase Stratton (18:03):
Knowing how things actually work on the
ground.
Tessa Sourceley (18:05):
Precisely.
It's about knowing how tooperate effectively within the
Japanese context, the customs,the regulations, the consumer
That
Chase Stratton (18:13):
makes perfect sense.
A global strategy still needsthose local feet on the ground,
connecting deeply with the localreality.
Tessa Sourceley (18:21):
Indeed.
Fourth, adaptability andcollaboration are frequently
highlighted.
Many job descriptions mentionworking in fast-paced
environments or matrixedenvironments or with
cross-functional teams bothlocally and globally.
Chase Stratton (18:32):
Right.
Navigating complexity.
Tessa Sourceley (18:34):
Exactly.
This indicates thatflexibility, strong
interpersonal skills, and theability to navigate complex
organizational structures areconsistently highlighted as
crucial.
It's all about teamwork acrossborders, sometimes across time
zones and cultures.
Chase Stratton (18:49):
And finally, something else that popped up
quite a bit.
Data-driven decision-making.
That seems to be a recurringrequirement across many of these
diverse roles.
Tessa Sourceley (18:58):
Yes, exactly.
Roles from YouTube to Agoda toAdobe, they all emphasize the
ability to analyze large datasets, leverage data, and make
data-driven recommendations.
This just shows a strong focuson measurable outcomes and
strategic insights powered bydata.
That's pretty much afundamental expectation now
across industries, not just intech anymore.
Chase Stratton (19:19):
So putting it all together, this isn't just
about finding any job.
It's really about understandingthat specific blend of global
perspective and deep localinsight that makes a candidate
truly valuable in this dynamicJapanese market.
It really is about being abridge, isn't it?
Both culturally andtechnically.
Tessa Sourceley (19:34):
That's the essence of it, I think.
The roles we've examined reallyunderscore that the successful
professionals in Japan today arethose who can effectively
synthesize global objectiveswith granular, effective local
execution.
Chase Stratton (19:46):
We've taken a whirlwind tour through a
fascinating snapshot of jobopportunities in Japan, all
posted in just the last few daysof August 2025.
From leading digital sales forAdobe to preparing EV products
for General Motors and managingglobal media fulfillment for
Deluxe.
The demand for specializedbilingual talent is clear and,
(20:08):
frankly, vibrant.
This market isn't waiting.
It's moving fast for those withthe right skills.
Tessa Sourceley (20:14):
And this raises an important question, I think,
for you, our listener.
In a world where globalcompanies are increasingly
localizing their operations andseeking such specific integrated
talent, what new blend ofglobal and local skills might
you need to cultivate for yourown career trajectory,
regardless of where yourinterests actually lie?
Chase Stratton (20:31):
unique bridge can you build between different
markets, cultures, andtechnologies in your own field.
Perhaps it's not just about,say, learning a new language,
but truly understanding how twodifferent worlds interact and
how you can facilitate thatinteraction.
We hope this deep dive hassparked your curiosity and maybe
given you some valuable newinsights to mull over.
Until next time.
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