Taking the leap from Japan to Malaysia: A career journey

By Masako Mori, Japan Desk, Team Lead

Making the decision to work overseas is never an easy one to make. For many, it feels like stepping into the unknown and at the same time being aware of concerns over cultural differences, language barriers, and an uncertain professional future. Yet, for all the and uncertainty, the professional and personal rewards are well worth the risk.

For Japanese professionals, like myself, Malaysia offers an ideal combination of professional opportunity and a diverse and incredibly welcoming culture.

My career journey: A summary

I’ve been a recruiter in Malaysia for nearly four years now and counting. I’ve worked with several clients and candidates across different industries. But, recruitment wasn’t my first career choice. Years ago in Japan, I worked as a high school teacher and had only known the school environment. I wanted to broaden my horizons by experiencing something different, somewhere far from home.

That’s when I made the decision to work overseas. Singapore was my first destination where I worked in customer support for five years (2016 to 2021). In 2022, I started my career in recruitment as a consultant and here we are.

Malaysia’s appeal: A recruiter's perspective

From my perspective, Malaysia is an ideal job destination for Japanese nationals for the following reasons.

English is widely spoken in Malaysia – This makes it easier for Japanese speakers to communicate with locals. While many assume that advanced English proficiency is a must in Malaysia, beginner-level skills are often enough, particularly for roles within Japanese companies or servicing Japanese clients. There are also several language schools that offer English courses for those who want to achieve fluency.
Growing job opportunities – There is continuous growth in job opportunities in different industries including Sales, IT, HR, and Customer Support for Japanese nationals here in Malaysia. Professionals can effectively utilise their experience and knowledge they’ve gained in Japan. This is driven by the fact that many multinational companies have established their regional shared service centres in Malaysia, which generates high demand for professionals fluent in Japanese or can support the Japanese market.
Cultural diversity and openness – Malaysia is a multicultural country with a rich blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and several indigenous groups. This diverse environment fosters a culture of respect and openness inside and outside the office, no matter your ethnicity or background. People in Malaysia tend to be relatively open-minded, so sharing their own thoughts and opinions is usually welcomed. Japanese professionals can work and socialise with people, broadening their global perspective and improving their cross-cultural communication capabilities.

Challenges & taking the leap

Despite Malaysia’s appeal, it’s important for Japanese professionals to be aware and prepared for potential challenges. The factors mentioned above can also present challenges that may arise from cultural and social adjustment, workplace cultures, homesickness, and practical and logistical hurdles.

Getting started with your transition from Japan to Malaysia is one of the biggest challenges of the process, including finding a job, learning more about the culture, navigating complex visa and immigration procedures. That is where we can help. In addition to job introductions, our Japan Desk team at Asia Recruit support candidates throughout the entire process, from the application stage to their relocation, and all the way to onboarding here in Malaysia.

Having also made this transition myself, we understand the opportunities and challenges firsthand and are passionate about helping others succeed. We want to provide the same invaluable support we received when we were first starting out.

If you are interested in exploring job opportunities here in Malaysia, you can contact us at [email protected].