As new opportunities and technologies appear in Japan’s energy landscape, the number of overseas companies entering the market has been steadily increasing. Japan’s External Trade Organisation (JETRO) has noted energy-related firms as among the top three industries of new market entrants over the past year. 

Often, this is a foreign company’s first foray into the Japanese market. Many of these have previously supported Japanese clients in their overseas projects, or provided products and services from a regional base. However, they have not had a reason to attract and recruit local talent in Japan. And when the need to make such hires finally arises, a number of cultural clashes and misunderstandings tend to pop up. 

Let’s take a look at the nuances of communication in an employment interview – when a foreign firm is looking for a Japanese hire – that commonly cause misunderstandings, badly managed expectations and ultimately suboptimal outcomes for hiring companies; and how these can best be avoided.