Point 1) Learning from Failures is as Important as Success Stories
In recent years, Japan has also shifted toward results-oriented evaluation, where success stories and achievements are valued.
However, that mainly applies to large companies. The reality is that over 90% of Japanese companies are small and medium-sized businesses, and many of them place more importance on how much you can learn from failure.
Behind every success, there are always failures. What matters is how you reflect on those failures, how you avoid repeating them, and how you use them for the next challenge.
Achievements can be seen in your resume. That’s why, in interviews, companies often ask about your failures. They want to know how you dealt with difficulties and what actions you took afterward.
When asked, “What failures have you experienced?” the best answers are honest stories like:
“I made this mistake, but here’s how I overcame it.”
That shows honesty and resilience, which is valued much more than just bragging about success.
For example, I once interviewed someone who openly said they had suffered from mental illness in the past, but later worked hard in a restaurant and regained their confidence. While other interviewers judged them negatively, I decided to hire them because of their honesty and perseverance—and they exceeded expectations.
In Japan, the process and team harmony often matter more than results. So don’t just focus on achievements—be ready to share the failures you’ve overcome.
Point 2) Personality and Sincerity Matter More Than Skills
Skills are easy to check through resumes and qualifications. But your personality and sincerity? Those can only be seen in real conversations.
In Japanese workplaces, teamwork and communication across departments are crucial. This includes reading the atmosphere, understanding unspoken meaning, and being sensitive to timing.
That’s why who you are as a person often weighs more than technical skills. Skills can be learned, but sincerity and character cannot.
For example, when I asked a new graduate “Who do you respect most?”, one candidate smiled and answered, “My parents.” This showed gratitude, which is essential in business too. I hired them, and though their skill growth was slow, they became a reliable team member thanks to their sincerity.
Foreign applicants sometimes struggle to show personality because of the language barrier. But if you open up and show your true self, interviewers will often value that sincerity—even if your Japanese isn’t perfect.
Point 3) Speak in Your Own Words, Not Just Manual Answers
Many Japanese applicants rely too much on interview guidebooks. They give “perfect textbook answers” but fail to show their own thoughts. Interviewers can spot this right away.
For example, when I asked, “What kind of issues do you notice in your daily life that you’d like to solve?”, some people froze. But even saying,
“Hmm, I can’t think of one right now… but I realize it’s important to notice everyday issues,”
already shows sincerity and reflection. That’s much better than a fake answer.
In fact, foreign applicants often have a strength here: they are more comfortable expressing opinions and showing empathy. Use that to your advantage.
I once told a candidate, “Our company has flaws too—our CEO is very top-down, and bottom-up communication is weak.” They looked me in the eye, smiled, and replied, “Yes, I understand. I’ll still do my best.” That sincerity convinced me to hire them.
So, while guidebooks can help with preparation, in the end: speak in your own words.
Conclusion
Did these points help?
Japanese interviews can feel tricky, because the culture values harmony, sincerity, and the process, not just results. But if you keep these three points in mind, you’ll make a much better impression.
And once you actually live and work in Japan, you’ll understand these values even more deeply.
Next time, we’ll share tips on Japanese work culture. Stay tuned!
