Interview Basics for Job Seekers in Japan～The Must-Ask Questions You’ll Hear in Japanese Interviews～

Quick Prep: Master the Essentials of Japanese Interviews

・Review the company website, the job post, and recent industry news.
・Be well groomed: hair, outfit, shoes, and bag.
・Greet everyone (receptionist, coordinator, interviewer) with a smile, energy, and a clear voice.
・Sit up straight; don’t cross your legs or rest your elbows on the desk.
・Even if your Japanese isn’t perfect, speak confidently and clearly.
・If you miss a question, ask: “Could you repeat that, please?” or “Do you mean ___?”
・Avoid vague words like “a lot” or “various.” Use concrete numbers.

・Don’t complain about past employers; stay positive.

・Know the basic etiquette and tips for Japanese interviews.

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Icebreakers & Life in Japan

Q1. Please introduce yourself.

Keep it concise—30 to 60 seconds.
Include: name, age, hometown, education, work history, personality/strengths, reason for applying.
Close with: “That’s all. Thank you.”

INTERVIEWER’S CHECKPOINTS

・Japanese level
・Clarity/explanatory ability
・Personality and background

Q2. Why did you come to Japan?

Give specific reasons and triggers. “To study Japanese” or “I like Japanese culture” is too vague.
Explain why you wanted to study Japanese and which parts of the culture interest you.

INTERVIEWER’S CHECKPOINTS

・Japanese level
・Clarity/explanatory ability
・Personality and thought process

Q3. What surprised you in Japan? How does it differ from your country?

Show your understanding of Japanese culture and your comparative perspective.
Use examples: “In Japan it’s ___, while in my country it’s ___.”

INTERVIEWER’S CHECKPOINTS

・Japanese level
・Clarity/explanatory ability
・Personality and thought process

Q4. Why did you choose your university major?

If you have limited work experience, you may be asked about studies and research topics.
Explain the trigger, selection criteria, what you learned, and your research theme.
If you graduated from a Japanese university, you may also be asked about clubs or internships.

INTERVIEWER’S CHECKPOINTS

・Clarity/explanatory ability
・Personality and thought process

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Track Record, Skills, and Your Work Values

Q5. Please walk me through your career to date.

Give a brief overview—about 30–60 seconds per role.
Use numbers for outcomes and scope. Explain your role, process, and results.

INTERVIEWER’S CHECKPOINTS

・Skills/results/achievements
・Interest and fit for the work
・Clarity/explanatory ability

Q6. What achievements are you most proud of?

Showcase results: revenue, awards, successful projects, campaigns, etc.
Use specific numbers where possible.

INTERVIEWER’S CHECKPOINTS

・Skills/results/achievements
・Interest/fit
・Situation analysis, problem-solving, and initiative

Q7. Tell us about a major mistake. How did you handle it?

They’re assessing your process, judgment, and learning.
Explain what you learned and what preventive measures you implemented.
If it’s in the past, say what you would do now.

INTERVIEWER’S CHECKPOINTS

・Stress tolerance
・Problem-solving, root-cause analysis, judgment, action

Q8. When do you feel most motivated at work?

Answer with real experiences.
Example: “When a client says, ‘I want to work with you again,’ I feel a strong sense of achievement.”

INTERVIEWER’S CHECKPOINTS

・Motivation and work orientation
・Personality and values

Q9. What do you value most in how you work?

Share guiding principles—e.g., “I always consider the other party’s perspective.”
Avoid sounding inflexible.

INTERVIEWER’S CHECKPOINTS

・Post-hire success image
・Ability to build good relationships
・Values and thinking

Q10. Why are you changing jobs (or why did you leave your last job)?

Don’t complain about your former company or boss.
Show you’ve thought through whether a move solves the issue.
Keep the message positive and connected to your career goals.

INTERVIEWER’S CHECKPOINTS

・Problem-solving/root-cause thinking
・Career plan/vision
・Motivation and staying power

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About Our Company, the Job, and Your Preferences

Q11. Were you familiar with our products/services?

Research the website; visit a nearby store if relevant.
If you’ve used the product, share your impression, plus suggestions for improvement.

INTERVIEWER’S CHECKPOINTS

・Motivation and orientation
・Interest and fit
・Proposal/idea-generation ability

Q12. Why do you want this job?

For experienced candidates: explain how your experience will contribute after joining.
For inexperienced candidates: show a strong vision and the effort you’ll make.
Avoid rigid statements like “I won’t do X.” Emphasize flexibility.

INTERVIEWER’S CHECKPOINTS

・Tenure likelihood
・Career plan/vision
・Interest/fit and motivation

Q13. Among similar companies, why choose us?

Highlight features unique to this company.
Avoid answers that sound like “Any company is fine.”
Combine the company’s strengths with what you want to do and can do.

INTERVIEWER’S CHECKPOINTS

・Tenure likelihood
・Career plan/vision
・Interest/fit and motivation

Q14. What do you think is most important in this job?

They’re checking understanding and aptitude.
If experienced, share concrete tips and what you pay attention to.
If not, research duties, role, and expectations in advance.

INTERVIEWER’S CHECKPOINTS

・Motivation and orientation
・Interest/fit
・Ability and performance track

Q15. How can you apply your experience and skills here?

They want to see post-hire impact and direction.
Connect your background and motivation to a forward-looking plan.
If your answer is far from the role’s scope, it can look misaligned.

INTERVIEWER’S CHECKPOINTS

・Motivation and interest/fit
・Drive to grow
・Career plan/vision; tenure likelihood

Q16. What would you like to do or take on here?

Same intent as Q15.
Share a realistic plan aligned with your past experience and the role.

INTERVIEWER’S CHECKPOINTS

・Motivation and interest/fit
・Drive to grow
・Career plan/vision; tenure likelihood

Q17. Are you interviewing elsewhere?

Be honest. They’ll check consistency with your motivations.
“I forgot the company names” sounds careless and unfocused.

INTERVIEWER’S CHECKPOINTS

・Tenure likelihood
・Career plan/vision
・Fit and motivation

Q18. What is your desired annual (or monthly) salary?

State it honestly.
Overstating without matching skills can look like poor self-assessment.
Research the market range beforehand.

Sample answers

・“My previous annual salary was ¥, so I’m hoping for ¥.”
・“My minimum expectation is ¥___ or above.”
・“Your posting listed ¥–, so ¥ would be ideal.”

Q19. When can you start?

Give a realistic date.
If employed, consider handover and resignation timing.

Sample answers

・“I can start tomorrow.”
・“I can start two months after receiving an offer.”
・“My project ends in October, so I can start in November.”
・“I leave at the end of this month, so I can start next month.”

Q20. Do you have a preferred work location?

Common when companies have multiple sites.
Share your preference, but note: if transfers are frequent, strict limits may hurt your chances.
Read the hiring details carefully.

Sample answers

・“My family is in Tokyo, so I prefer Tokyo.”
・“If possible, the Kansai area.”
・“No preference. I will follow company assignment.”

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About You: Career Plan and Future Goals

Q21. What are your criteria for choosing a company?

Go beyond visa and salary (both important, but not great as only criteria).
Explain what else matters: mission/vision fit, role scope, growth opportunities, team culture, impact, etc.

INTERVIEWER’S CHECKPOINTS

・Tenure likelihood
・Career plan/vision
・Interest/fit and motivation

Q22. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Also asked as “long suits and short suits.”
Organize personality/work strengths and weaknesses with examples.
For weaknesses, add what you do to mitigate them.

INTERVIEWER’S CHECKPOINTS

・Self-awareness and self-analysis
・Stress tolerance
・Communication clarity

Q23. How do others describe you?

Share feedback you receive from managers, clients, and colleagues, plus friends/family—focusing on positive evaluations.

INTERVIEWER’S CHECKPOINTS

・Self-analysis and objectivity
・How you respond to expectations and feedback

Q24. What is your current challenge?

Shows self-recognition and growth planning.
Identify challenges linked to your strengths/weaknesses and outline concrete steps to improve.

INTERVIEWER’S CHECKPOINTS

・Motivation and growth mindset
・Career plan/vision
・Problem-solving and root-cause thinking

Q25. What skills do you want to acquire?

Assesses ambition and your concrete learning plan.
Explain how the skill will be applied in real work.
You may include certifications or language study in progress.

INTERVIEWER’S CHECKPOINTS

・Motivation and growth mindset
・Career plan/vision
・Problem-solving and planning ability

Q26. Any recent news or events that caught your attention?

Checks awareness of current affairs in Japan and your home country, and interest in the economy/society.

INTERVIEWER’S CHECKPOINTS

・Clarity in explaining topics
・Thinking style
・Information-gathering ability

Q27. How long do you plan to stay in Japan? Do your parents ask you to come home?

Answer honestly, but note: saying “about one year” for a permanent role often hurts your chances.
Many Japanese firms still hope for 10–20 years; even three years can feel “short” to some.

INTERVIEWER’S CHECKPOINTS

・Tenure likelihood
・Motivation
・Career plan/vision

Q28. What is your career plan?

Assesses post-hire impact and direction.
A clear structure is “in 1 year / 5 years / 10 years.”
Keep it consistent with your motivations and the role/company direction.

INTERVIEWER’S CHECKPOINTS

・Motivation and growth mindset
・Career plan/vision
・Tenure likelihood

Q29. What is your long-term dream?

Reveals life/work views and your stance toward growth.
Best: a goal that naturally extends from building your career at this company.

INTERVIEWER’S CHECKPOINTS

・Motivation and orientation
・Career plan/vision
・Growth drive; tenure likelihood

Q30. Do you have any questions for us?

Prepare about five questions about the company and role.
Avoid asking what’s already on the website or job post (looks unprepared).
In Japan, asking too much about salary/leave at the interview stage can feel negative—save details for your agent or after receiving an offer.
Focus on vision, culture, and work content.

INTERVIEWER’S CHECKPOINTS

・Thinking style and curiosity
・Motivation and fit
・Genuine interest in the role

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Final Tips

How was “The Must-Ask Questions in Japanese Interviews”?
Review these repeatedly and apply them on the day.
Prepare answers not only in Japanese but also in the other language(s) you’ll use at work.