After arriving in Japan, many foreigners ask:
“Do certifications really matter?”
“Doesn’t Japan value experience more?”
“Is studying for exams just a waste of time?”
As a headhunter, my answer is simple:
A certificate is not sacred.
But in Japan, it is a structural tool.
Especially for foreigners.
1. National Certifications = A Permanent Residency Accelerator
For foreign professionals, certifications are more than proof of competence.
They may directly affect:
• Visa structure
• Speed of permanent residency (PR) eligibility
Under Japan’s Highly Skilled Professional points system, the following can provide clear advantages:
• National certifications
• Government-recognized IT examinations
• Licensed professional qualifications
Examples include:
• Fundamental Information Technology Engineer (FE)
• Applied Information Technology Engineer (AP)
• Registered Information Security Specialist
These are nationally recognized IT qualifications in Japan.
For technical professionals:
✔ They may not immediately increase your salary
✔ But they can add points under the Highly Skilled system
✔ They may shorten your PR application timeline
Many people overlook this:
Certification does not only bring money.
It brings time.
And in Japan, time equals immigration stability.
2. Technical Certifications = A Salary Premium Tool
If national certifications are institutional tools,
industry certifications are market tools.
In IT, for example:
• TOGAF → Path to IT Architect roles
• AWS Professional → Senior cloud architecture positions
• PMP → Project management track
• SAP certification → ERP specialization
From a headhunter’s perspective:
When two candidates have similar experience,
certification often becomes the final differentiator.
Especially if you are:
• A foreign professional
• Not a native Japanese speaker
• Without a top-tier Japanese university background
Certification reduces perceived hiring risk.
Put bluntly:
It makes it easier for HR to justify hiring you internally.
3. From a Headhunter’s View: When Is It Worth It?
My usual advice to clients:
✔ If your goal is Permanent Residency → prioritize national certifications
✔ If your goal is salary growth or job change → prioritize market-relevant technical certifications
✔ If your goal is entrepreneurship → certification becomes less critical
Do not pursue certifications out of anxiety.
They should serve your long-term structure,
not become decorative stacking.
4. A Practical Reminder
Many foreigners assume:
“If my experience is strong enough, certification doesn’t matter.”
But Japan operates on a system that values:
Transparency
Quantifiable evaluation
Structured criteria
Certification is not the deciding factor.
But within a quantifiable system,
it has a clearly defined position.
For non-Japanese professionals,
it functions as a credibility enhancer.
5. One Final Thought
Certification is not a master key.
But within Japan’s institutional framework,
it is undeniably a bargaining chip.
The real question is not:
“Is certification useful?”
The real question is:
“What is your objective?”
Tokyo Asabana｜東京朝花
Founder: Serena He
Nationally Certified Career Consultant / MBA
Education & Career Strategy Consultant for International Residents in Japan
hello@tokyoasabana.com