38 Common Questions Asked in Japanese Job Interviews

2024/07/18

When interviewing for a position in Japan, especially as a new graduate, there are several key questions you can expect. Understanding the intent behind these questions and how to respond effectively can leave a positive impression on your interviewers.

See Also: Japanese Interview Tips: Top Questions, Manners, Preparation

See Also: How to Write a great Japanese Resume (Rirekisyo)

Fundamental Questions Always Asked

1. Introduce Yourself

(自己紹介をお願いいたします。Jiko shoukai wo onegai itashimasu)

This question allows interviewers to get a sense of who you are beyond your resume. It’s an opportunity to highlight your background, interests, and what led you to apply for the position.

• Effective Response: Provide a concise overview of your educational background, any relevant experiences, and why you’re interested in this field or company. Tailor your introduction to reflect the qualities the company values.

2. Explain Your Strengths and Weaknesses

Interviewers want to understand your self-awareness and how you leverage your strengths in a professional setting. Discussing weaknesses shows your capacity for self-improvement.

• Effective Response: Choose strengths that align with the job requirements and provide specific examples. When discussing weaknesses, focus on areas you’re actively working to improve and how this process has contributed to your personal development.

3. Why Did You Apply?

This question assesses your motivation and whether you’ve researched the company and the role.

• Effective Response: Explain how your career goals align with the company’s mission and the role’s responsibilities. Demonstrate your enthusiasm for the opportunity and what you hope to contribute.

4. What Are Your Skills?

To gauge if your skills match the job requirements and how you can contribute to the team.

• Effective Response: Highlight skills relevant to the position, providing examples from your studies, internships, or extracurricular activities that demonstrate these abilities in action.

5. How Do Your Experiences Match the Position?

nterviewers are looking for evidence that your background prepares you for the specific duties of the job.

• Effective Response: Discuss experiences that directly relate to the job’s requirements, focusing on what you learned and how it applies to the potential role.

6. How Good Is Your Japanese?

For non-native speakers, this question assesses your ability to communicate effectively in the workplace.

• Effective Response: Be honest about your proficiency level, mentioning any certifications (e.g., JLPT) and how you’ve used Japanese in academic or professional contexts.

7. Any Last Questions?

(最後に質問はありますか？Saigo ni shitsumon wa arimasuka?)

This is a chance to show your interest in the company and the role. Not asking questions can suggest a lack of engagement.

• Effective Response: Prepare thoughtful questions that reflect your interest in the company’s culture, values, and the specifics of the role. Avoid questions whose answers can easily be found on the company’s website.

8. Do You Have Something to Say?

Offers you a final opportunity to share anything not covered in the interview that you believe is important for the interviewers to know.

• Effective Response: Use this time to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role, any key strengths or experiences you didn’t get a chance to mention, or to clarify any points discussed during the interview.

Preparing responses to these questions can help you navigate the interview process more confidently and increase your chances of making a strong impression on potential employers in Japan.

Common Questions for New Graduates in Japanese Interviews

When new graduates face job interviews in Japan, they encounter questions designed to explore their motivations, skills, and fit with the company culture. Here’s how to approach the first six common questions:

9. Why Did You Choose Our Company?

(当社を選んだ理由は何ですか？Tousha wo eranda riyuu wa nan desu ka?)

Interviewers want to understand your motivations for applying and whether you have a genuine interest in the company’s mission and values.

• Effective Response: Research the company thoroughly and articulate how its culture, goals, or projects align with your career aspirations.

10. How Do You Think You Can Contribute to Our Company?

(どのようにして当社に貢献できると思いますか？Dono you ni shite tousha ni kouken dekiru to omoimasu ka?)

Interviewers want to assess how you see yourself fitting into the company and what unique contributions you can make with this question.

• Effective Response: Highlight specific skills or experiences that directly relate to the job role and how they can benefit the company.

11. What Activities Have You Been Involved In, and What Did You Learn From Them During Your Student Life?

(学生時代に頑張ったことは何ですか？何を学びましたか？Gakusei jidai ni ganbatta koto wa nandesuka? Nani wo manabi mashitaka?)

This question explores your extracurricular involvement and the skills or lessons learned from those experiences.

• Effective Response: Discuss activities that demonstrate leadership, teamwork, or other relevant skills, emphasizing what you learned and how it applies to the workplace.

12. Self-PR

(自己PRをお願いします。Jiko PR wo onegai shimasu.)

Interviewers want to give you an opportunity to sell yourself by highlighting your strengths and how they make you a suitable candidate for the position.

• Effective Response: Prepare a concise narrative that showcases your unique qualities, achievements, and how they align with the job you’re applying for.

13. What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?

(長所と短所は何ですか？Chousho to tansho wa nan desuka?)

Interviewers are looking to gauge your self-awareness and honesty, as well as how you manage and overcome your weaknesses.

• Effective Response: Mention strengths that are relevant to the job and discuss weaknesses in a way that shows you’re actively working to improve them.

14. Tell Us About a Time You Worked in a Team. What Role Did You Play?

(チームで働いた経験について教えてください。あなたはどんな役割を果たしましたか？Chiimu de hataraita keiken ni tsuite oshiete kudasai. Anata wa donna yakuwari wo hatashimashita ka?)

This question assesses your teamwork skills and your ability to collaborate effectively with others.

• Effective Response: Share a specific example of a team project, focusing on your role, the dynamics of the team, and the outcome.

15. What is the Hardest Thing You Have Done in Your Life?

(最も苦労した出来事について教えてください。Mottomo kurou shita dekigoto ni tsuite oshiete kudasai.)

This question aims to understand your resilience, problem-solving skills, and how you handle challenges.

• Effective Response: Share a significant challenge you’ve faced, focusing on the steps you took to overcome it and what you learned from the experience. Make sure it demonstrates qualities like determination, creativity, or perseverance.

16. What Do You Want to Do in the Company?

(入社したらどのようなことがしたいですか？Nyuusha shitara donoyouna koto ga shitai desuka?)

Employers want to gauge if your career goals and aspirations align with the opportunities and roles available within the company.

• Effective Response: Discuss specific areas of work or projects you’re interested in and how you hope to contribute to the company’s success. Align your ambitions with the company’s goals and the role you’re applying for.

17. How Do You Manage Your Time and Prioritize Tasks?

(どのように時間を管理し、タスクを優先順位付けしますか？Dono you ni jikan wo kanri shi, tasuku wo yuusen jun’i tsukemasu ka?)

This question assesses your organizational skills and ability to efficiently handle multiple responsibilities.

• Effective Response: Provide examples of how you’ve successfully managed deadlines or juggled various tasks in the past, possibly during your studies or part-time jobs. Mention any tools or methods you use for time management.

18. What Do You Expect to Learn from Working with Us?

(当社で働くことから何を学びたいですか？Tousha de hataraku koto kara nani wo manabitai desu ka?)

Employers are interested in your eagerness to grow professionally and how you view the role as a learning opportunity.

• Effective Response: Highlight specific skills or knowledge you aim to acquire and how you believe the company can support your professional development. Show enthusiasm for continuous learning and growth.

19. How Do You Handle Stress and Pressure?

(ストレスやプレッシャーをどのように処理しますか？Sutoresu ya puresshaa wo dono you ni shori shimasu ka?)

This question evaluates your coping mechanisms and resilience in high-pressure situations.

• Effective Response: Talk about specific strategies you use to manage stress, such as time management, seeking support from peers, or engaging in activities that help you relax. Be honest but positive, focusing on productive ways to handle stress.

20. Do You Have Any Career Vision? (キャリアビジョンはありますか？Kyaria bijon ha arimasuka?)

Employers want to know if you have long-term goals and how these align with the company’s future.

• Effective Response: Share your career aspirations, how you plan to achieve them, and how the role at the company fits into your career path. This shows foresight and ambition.

Preparing thoughtful responses to these questions, grounded in your experiences and aligned with the company’s values, can help you stand out as a promising candidate in the Japanese job market.

Common Questions for Job Changers in Japanese Interviews

21. Why Do You Want to Quit Your Current Job?

(現在の仕事を退職したい理由は何ですか？Genzai no shigoto wo taishoku shitai riyuu wa nan desu ka?)

Employers are keen to understand the motivations behind your decision to leave your current position, assessing whether their company can meet your expectations and prevent similar dissatisfaction.

• Effective Response: Focus on positive motivations for change, such as seeking new challenges, professional growth, or opportunities that align better with your career goals. Avoid negative comments about your current employer.

22. What Do You Expect from the New Role?

転職先には何を期待していますか？Tenshoku saki ni wa nani wo kitai shite imasu ka?)

This question aims to uncover whether your expectations for the role and the company align with what they can offer, ensuring a good fit for both parties.

• Effective Response: Clearly articulate your expectations regarding responsibilities, company culture, professional development opportunities, and how you believe the role can contribute to your career trajectory.

23. Please Tell Me About Your Current Job.

(現在の仕事内容を教えてください。Genzai no shigoto naiyou wo oshiete kudasai.)

 Interviewers want to gauge the scope of your current responsibilities to understand how your experience and skills translate to the role you’re applying for.

• Effective Response: Provide a detailed overview of your current job duties, emphasizing aspects that are relevant to the new role. Highlight any achievements or initiatives that demonstrate your capability and potential.

24. What Motivates You at Work?

(どんな仕事だとやる気が出ますか？Donna shigoto da to yaruki ga demasu ka?)

This question helps employers understand what drives you professionally and whether the work environment and tasks at the new company will satisfy and motivate you.

• Effective Response: Discuss the types of projects, work environments, or challenges that excite you and enhance your productivity. Relate these preferences to aspects of the role you’re applying for.

25. What Do You Want to Do in Our Company?

(当社ではどのようなことを行いたいですか？Tousha de wa dono you na koto wo okonaitai desu ka?)

To ascertain if you have a clear understanding of how you can contribute to the company and if your professional aspirations align with the opportunities available.

• Effective Response: Identify specific areas within the company where you feel you can make a significant impact, based on your skills and experiences. Discuss how you plan to achieve these goals and contribute to the company’s success.

26. What Is Your Greatest Accomplishment in Your Current Position?

(現職において、あなたの最大の成果は何ですか？Genshoku ni oite, anata no saidai no seika wa nan desu ka?)

This question seeks to highlight your achievements and the value you’ve brought to your current role, providing insight into your potential contributions to the new company.

• Effective Response: Share a significant achievement that demonstrates your skills, work ethic, and impact. Quantify your success where possible and relate it to how you can achieve similar results in the new role.

27. What Is Your Biggest Failure in Your Current Position?

(現職において、あなたの最大の失敗は何ですか？Genshoku ni oite, anata no saidai no shippai wa nan desu ka?)

This question aims to assess your ability to acknowledge mistakes, learn from them, and implement changes to prevent future occurrences. It’s a test of your self-awareness and resilience.

• Effective Response: Choose an example where you faced a significant challenge or made a mistake, focusing on what you learned from the experience and the steps you took to rectify or improve the situation. Emphasize the positive outcomes that resulted from addressing the failure.

28. Have You Ever Had a Disagreement with Your Boss?

(上司と意見が合わなかった経験はありますか？Joushi to iken ga awanakatta keiken wa arimasu ka?)

Interviewers are interested in how you handle conflict and disagreements in a professional setting, especially with authority figures. It’s an evaluation of your communication skills and diplomacy.

• Effective Response: Share a situation where you had a differing opinion with a supervisor, focusing on how you communicated your perspective and worked together to find a mutually beneficial solution. Highlight your ability to remain respectful and professional throughout the discussion.

29. What Kind of Support Would You Like from Your Supervisor or Co-workers?

(上司や同僚には、どんなサポートをして欲しいですか？Joushi ya douryou ni wa, donna sapo-to wo shite hoshii desu ka?)

This question probes into your expectations for workplace relationships and support systems, indicating how you best operate within a team and under supervision.

• Effective Response: Discuss the type of support that helps you perform at your best, such as clear communication, feedback, or collaborative opportunities. Mention how a supportive environment contributes to your productivity and job satisfaction.

30. Do You Work Better as an Individual or in a Team?

(個人とチーム、どちらで業務を進める方が得意ですか？Kojin to chi-mu, dochira de gyoumu wo susumeru hou ga tokui desu ka?)

Employers want to know if you’re more productive working solo or as part of a team, helping them understand where you might fit within their organizational structure.

• Effective Response: Be honest about your preference, providing examples that illustrate your ability to excel in both settings. If you lean towards one, explain why, but also acknowledge the value of the other approach.

Addressing these questions thoughtfully can demonstrate your maturity, self-awareness, and adaptability—qualities highly valued in any professional setting. Being prepared to discuss both successes and setbacks with a focus on learning and growth will present you as a well-rounded and reflective candidate.

Common Questions for People from Abroad Seeking a Job in Japan

When seeking employment in Japan, especially for non-native residents, interviewers often ask questions to understand your commitment to living and working in Japan, your cultural adaptability, and language proficiency. Here’s how to approach these questions effectively:

31. Why Do You Want to Work in Japan?

(なぜ日本で働きたいのですか？Naze Nihon de Hatarakitai no Desu ka?)

Employers are interested in your motivations for choosing Japan as your work destination to gauge your long-term commitment and interest in Japanese culture and business practices.

• Effective Response: Highlight your genuine interest in Japanese culture, the specific industry’s growth in Japan, or professional opportunities unique to Japan. Emphasize how these factors align with your career goals and personal development.

32. When Did You Move to Japan?

(いつ日本に引っ越しましたか？Itsu Nihon ni Hikkoshi Mashitaka?)

This question helps interviewers understand your familiarity with Japan and how settled you are in the country, which can influence your adaptability and stability in the job.

• Effective Response: Be specific about when you moved to Japan and, if applicable, mention any efforts you’ve made to integrate into the community or understand Japanese culture better since your arrival.

33. Do You Think Your Japanese Skill Is Sufficient to Work in Japan?

(日本で働くにあたり、日本語のスキルは十分だと思いますか？Nihon de Hataraku ni Atari, Nihongo no Sukiru wa Juubun da to Omoimasu ka?)

This question asseses your Japanese language proficiency is crucial for employers to ensure you can communicate effectively in the workplace.

• Effective Response: Honestly assess your language skills, mentioning any certifications (e.g., JLPT) and how you’ve used Japanese in professional or daily contexts. If your proficiency is still developing, express your commitment to improving your language skills.

34. Do You Think You Are Able to Work in a Japanese Environment?

(日本の職場環境に馴染んでいけると思いますか？Nihon no Shokuba Kankyou ni Najinde Ikeru to Omoimasu ka?)

This question probes your understanding of and adaptability to Japanese work culture, which can be significantly different from other countries.

• Effective Response: Discuss your adaptability, openness to learning new work styles, and respect for Japanese business etiquette. If you have prior experience working in a Japanese environment or with Japanese teams, mention these as evidence of your capability.

35. How Long Do You Plan to Stay in Japan?

(いつまで日本に住む予定ですか？Itsumade Nihon ni Sumu Yotei Desu ka?)

Employers ask this to gauge your long-term commitment to living in Japan, which reflects on your potential longevity with the company.

• Effective Response: Share your long-term plans in Japan, emphasizing your commitment to building a career and life there. If you’re open-ended about the duration, express your desire for stability and long-term contributions to the company.
• Japanese Phrase: “いつまで日本に住む予定ですか？” (Itsumade Nihon ni Sumu Yotei Desu ka?) inquires about your future plans regarding your stay in Japan.

Answering these questions with sincerity and demonstrating a genuine interest and commitment to working and living in Japan can significantly enhance your appeal to potential employers.

Common Questions about Your Private Life

Continuing with the theme of questions specifically tailored for individuals considering employment in Japan, let’s explore inquiries related to personal values and lifestyle, which can often come up during interviews.

These questions help employers gauge cultural fit and personal interests that might contribute to team dynamics and company culture.

36. What Is Your Hobby?

(趣味はなんですか？Shumi wa nan desu ka?)

This question aims to understand more about your personality and interests outside of work. It provides insight into how you might fit into the company culture and with potential team members.

• Effective Response: Share your hobbies or interests, especially those that might resonate with Japanese culture or demonstrate qualities like teamwork, dedication, or continuous learning. If your hobbies align with the company’s activities or values, mention this connection.

37. How Do You Spend Your Free Time?

(休日は何をしていますか？Kyuujitsu wa nani wo shite imasu ka?)

Similar to asking about your hobbies, this question delves into how you manage your work-life balance and what activities you value during your downtime.

• Effective Response: Describe how you typically spend your days off, highlighting activities that contribute to your well-being, personal growth, or community involvement. This can also be an opportunity to showcase your adaptability and willingness to explore new experiences, particularly those related to Japanese culture.

38. Share Your Thoughts on Recent News You Found Interesting.

(最近の気になるニュースについて、あなたの考えを教えてください。Saikin no kininaru nyu-su ni tsuite, anata no kangae wo oshiete kudasai.)

This question tests your awareness of current events and your ability to engage in thoughtful discussion, reflecting your critical thinking and perspectives on societal or industry-specific issues.

• Effective Response: Mention a recent news story that caught your attention, explaining why it was interesting to you and any opinions or thoughts it sparked. Choose a topic that can showcase your analytical skills, awareness of global or local issues, or interests aligned with the company’s industry.

Answering these questions effectively requires a balance between personal authenticity and strategic alignment with the company’s culture and values. Demonstrating that your personal interests and lifestyle choices complement the organizational environment can enhance your attractiveness as a candidate, showing that you’re not only capable of fulfilling the job’s requirements but also poised to enrich the workplace community.

See Also: How to Write an Efficient CV for Job Application in Japan

See Also: How to Write 自己PR (Jiko PR, Self PR) on a Japanese Resume (with Example)