Tech Careers Japan: IT Consultants
Shivangi is one of the people I enjoy working with the most.
Her energy overflows into every room she enters.
When we needed to learn about IT consultants in Japan, I knew she would be the perfect person.
Tadaaki Ide, we call him Aki, is the project leader for the global recruitment project at SHIFT, he sat down with Shivangi to get her answers to 14 questions we get about IT Consultants in Japan.
Understanding the Role of an IT Consultant in Japan
Aki: What is an IT Consultant?
"An IT consultant is a broad term that can be used to describe any technical expert who helps solve technology-related problems," explains Shivangi.
"This position helps companies manage and improve their IT systems. An IT consultant can advise on technical elements of the business, such as cybersecurity, data analytics, cloud computing, and overall system performance."
Aki: What are the key responsibilities of an IT Consultant in Japan?
Shivangi elaborates on the multifaceted role of IT consultants: "To solve problems, an IT consultant is often required to conduct research and a gap analysis, which involves understanding the client's current state and where they want to be in the future.
They build out all the steps needed to reach that future state. This includes asking many questions and closely observing how certain processes work."
She adds, "Understanding client parameters—like budget, time constraints, existing technologies, and the scope of change—is crucial. IT consultants often overlap with business consultants or analysts in their tasks. Initially, they may not necessarily code but will put together a team, including software engineers, database admins, architects, and functional people, based on what needs to be built."
"Client-facing IT consultants have additional responsibilities, such as handling customer queries, explaining technical issues and solutions, and advising on the next steps.
Internal IT consultants may not directly interact with customers but work closely with internal users to continuously improve processes.
They may also collaborate with vendors during migrations," Shivangi concludes.
Aki: What skills are essential for an IT Consultant working in Japan?
"For client-facing roles, fluency in Japanese is essential. For technical skills, expertise in various domains is crucial, particularly in data science (SQL, Python, Java), cloud (AWS, Google Cloud, Azure), and cybersecurity," says Shivangi.
"Certifications in these areas are also valuable, including general IT certifications like CompTIA A+ and project management certifications like PMP."
She adds, "In addition to technical skills, certifications in cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and data analytics are critical for IT consultants to advance their careers."
Career Pathways and Opportunities for IT Consultants
Aki: What are the different types of IT Consultants, and how do their roles differ?
"There are different types of IT consultants based on their domain expertise, such as general IT, cloud and infrastructure, cybersecurity, and data and analytics," Shivangi explains.
"Their roles can also differ depending on whether they are client-facing or internal consultants.
For instance, client-facing consultants need to use Japanese fluently to understand and address client needs, while internal consultants may sometimes work primarily in English, depending on the company."
Aki: Are there any industry-specific IT Consultant roles that are in high demand in Japan right now?
Shivangi highlights the high demand for SAP functional consultants in Japan, especially in sectors like financial services, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and telecom.
"Japan is also seeing growing demand for IT consultants in AI, semiconductor, and IoT, given the country's strong manufacturing base," she adds.
Aki: How can someone start their career as an IT Consultant in Japan?
"There are many pathways to becoming an IT consultant in Japan," Shivangi advises. "A common route is starting in system engineering, data analytics, or software engineering roles and then transitioning into IT consulting by developing soft skills like team coordination and client communication."
"I've seen people from various backgrounds, including technical support and non-IT fields, successfully transition into IT consulting by gaining certifications and IT skills, along with strong client management capabilities," she shares.
Aki: What are the potential career growth opportunities for IT Consultants in Japan?
Shivangi discusses the significant career growth opportunities in IT consulting: "The biggest career step for an IT consultant is becoming a pre-sales engineer or a solutions architect. These roles involve high-level technology and IT design work and are highly valued because they require both technical and soft skills."
"As a solutions architect, you're involved in not only designing systems but also playing a key role in the sales process by addressing technical questions from potential clients," she explains. "It's a challenging role with a lot of responsibility."
Daily Life, Challenges, and Future Trends in IT Consulting
Aki: What are some common tasks that IT Consultants in Japan handle daily?
"A typical day for an IT consultant involves analyzing existing systems, identifying areas for improvement, and brainstorming solutions," Shivangi says. "This includes staying updated with the latest technologies, networking, troubleshooting, managing technical documentation, attending client meetings, and overseeing software implementation or integration tasks."
Aki: What are the typical salary ranges for IT Consultants in Japan?
"The salary range for IT consultants in Japan is quite broad, ranging from 6 million to 18 million yen per year, depending on the level of experience and the specific role," Shivangi notes. "Mid-level consultants typically earn between 6 and 8 million yen, while senior roles like pre-sales engineers or solutions architects can earn up to 18 million yen."
Aki: How important is Japanese language proficiency for IT Consultants in Japan?
"Japanese language proficiency is very important for IT consultants in Japan, especially for those in client-facing roles," says Shivangi. "Even for internal roles, business-level Japanese is usually required. While there are rare opportunities for English-only speakers, fluency in Japanese significantly broadens your career prospects."
Aki: Are there opportunities for non-Japanese speakers to succeed as IT Consultants in Japan?
Shivangi acknowledges, "While opportunities for non-Japanese speakers exist, they are rare but possible."
Aki: What are some common challenges that IT Consultants face in Japan?
"One of the biggest challenges for IT consultants is keeping up with rapidly evolving technologies," Shivangi points out. "They need to continuously learn new skills and adapt to changes in their specific domains. Additionally, IT consultants often need to step out of their comfort zones to engage with stakeholders, which can be challenging for those new to the field."
She adds, "Taking initiative and leadership in client interactions is crucial, but it can be difficult for those who are used to more passive roles."
Aki: What opportunities do you see for IT Consultants in Japan?
"The future is bright for IT consultants in Japan," Shivangi says confidently. "With technology becoming an integral part of every industry, there are numerous opportunities in areas like data migration, cloud transitions, and AI integration."
She advises aspiring IT consultants to stay informed about the latest trends, patents, and research in their fields to remain competitive. "There’s a lot of room for growth, especially in AI, semiconductor, and IoT, where Japan is making significant investments," she concludes.
Aki: What trends or changes should aspiring IT Consultants be aware of?
"One of the biggest trends aspiring IT consultants should be aware of is the evolving technologies and new patents or research in their specific domain," Shivangi advises. "Being aware of competitors and market updates is also crucial for staying ahead in this field."
Aki: How can someone apply to be an IT Consultant in Tokyo?
Message Wahl+Case using this link to see what positions are open!