TFS Gulf 
- I’m Pankaj Arjunwadkar. After 24 years across Dubai, Sweden, South Africa, and the US, I was ready for something different.
- While most finance professionals chase the West, I found a hidden goldmine in Japan, a $4.2 trillion economy desperate for talent.
- In 2017, I joined Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting as a Partner.
- Since then, I’ve watched firsthand how the country is changing and the opportunities emerging for finance professionals.
The rise of the “Purple” Professional
In consulting, we often describe talent using colours.
- Red professionals are technical specialists: data scientists, AI engineers, and cybersecurity experts.
- Blue professionals are functional experts-Finance, operations, strategy etc.
- Then there are the “Purple professionals” who are a hybrid of techno-functional roles.
And right now, Japan needs a lot more purple. Why?
Legacy conglomerates are modernising at an incredible pace, but the local workforce is shrinking: the median age in Japan is around 49, and roughly 36% of the population is already over 65.
So companies are investing heavily in automation, innovation, and modern financial systems. This creates a very interesting window for professionals who understand both finance and technology.
If you work in areas like:
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SAP or S/4HANA
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Finance transformation
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Digital reporting and analytics
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Controllership and compliance
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Financial systems implementation
Japan is actively looking for talent like you.
What I experienced firsthand
My own background is primarily finance.
I’m a chartered accountant, and for most of my career I worked across finance, M&A, and consulting.
But when I joined Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting in Japan, the nature of the work was slightly different.
Many of the projects involved helping multinational companies modernise their finance systems, reporting structures, and global processes as they expanded in Japan or overseas.
Here I was managing a bilingual team of around 50 professionals and supporting 200–300 medium to large-sized multinational clients across the US, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
Simultaneously, we assisted large Japanese conglomerates expanding globally.
So very quickly, I found myself working at the intersection of finance, technology, and transformation.
Looking back, it’s been quite the journey.
Also read: India Top Destination for Japanese FDI, says CEO Deloitte, Japan
There’s another shift happening
Japanese companies are also investing heavily in Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in Bangalore, Pune and Hyderabad.
These hubs are no longer just about cost efficiency. They’re now driving R&D, automation, and digital finance transformation for global operations.
And this is where a very unique opportunity appears.
Finance professionals who understand both Indian and Japanese ways of working are quietly becoming the bridge between the two economies.
If you can operate comfortably in both cultures, the opportunity is enormous.
Startups and Innovation
Japan’s startup ecosystem may not be as noisy as Silicon Valley or India’s buzzing tech hubs.
But it’s growing…And investors are paying attention.
Large corporations such as Panasonic, Sony, Toshiba, and Nissan are actively scouting startups, especially in technology and digital innovation.
Government incentives are also encouraging entrepreneurship.
Over the years, I’ve seen several expat professionals leave corporate careers to start ventures in Japan and succeed.
So what does it actually take to succeed in Japan?
Interestingly, Japan is different from many other expat destinations.
Unlike Canada or the Middle East, where local experience is often a barrier, Japan doesn’t always operate that way.
If you bring strong subject-matter expertise, Japanese companies will recognise the value you bring. In fact, within my first year, the Deloitte Japan firm offered me a local partnership.
That said, succeeding here requires understanding subtle cultural nuances:
Learn the language
Start with JLPT N5 and N4, which are the beginner levels.
Then aim for JLPT N3. That’s the level where you start becoming functional in the workplace: reading emails, following meetings, and interacting comfortably with colleagues.
You don’t need perfect Japanese on day one…But showing the effort matters.
Punctuality is non-negotiable
There’s a famous example in Japan.
When the Shinkansen bullet train is delayed by six seconds, the company publicly apologises. So imagine the expectation when a meeting starts at 9:00 AM.
You are expected to be ready at 8:59.
No shortcuts
Another adjustment for many of us from India is letting go of jugaad.
The Japanese appreciate agility, but they value process, quality, and discipline even more.
Things are done carefully and methodically.
Trade “I” for “We”
One of the most valuable pieces of advice I received from a Japanese partner was simple: Replace “I” with “We.”
In my first year, I consciously removed individualistic language from my emails.
Japanese culture values collective success far more than individual glory.
Trust or shinrai is extremely important.
Once you build that trust, relationships tend to last for years.
Be assertive, not aggressive
Confidence is appreciated.
Aggression is not.
Express your views clearly, but with humility and respect.
Learning these subtle cultural nuances makes a big difference in how people respond to you.
Lifestyle advantage people rarely talk about
Beyond career, Japan also offers something many professionals underestimate: quality of life.
As a father to a nineteen-year-old daughter, safety has always been a major priority for me.
Japan is arguably one of the safest countries in the world.
Then there is the sheer precision of life.
Last year, the average delay for the Shinkansen bullet train was exactly six seconds. That level of predictability removes a layer of daily stress that we often take for granted.
And for those of us with roots in India, geography helps – a flight from Tokyo to Mumbai takes about eight hours, meaning you can leave in the morning and still make it home for dinner.
Also read: Big 4 Director shares why he looked beyond UK, KSA, UAE for Global Career
How do you actually land a job in Japan?
My own journey started through Deloitte’s global mobility program.
What began as a two-year secondment eventually turned into something more permanent.
I later received permanent residency.
For professionals exploring Japan today, there are usually two paths.
Path 1: Internal mobility
If you work for a multinational organisation, ask yourself:
- Does your company operate in Japan?
- Do they have a branch or office here?
- Do they offer internal mobility programs?
If the answer is yes, start the conversation.
Internal transfers are often the smoothest way to enter the Japanese market
Path 2: External route
Another option is to prepare independently.
- Start by learning Japanese while continuing your current job.
- Reach an entry-level proficiency.
- Then begin applying for roles in Japan.
Recruitment firms that specialise in hiring international professionals can be helpful.
Many companies prefer candidates who are already in Japan or at least have some Japanese language capability.
Wrapping up…
Japan’s population is currently around 123 million, down from 128 million in 2017.
While this demographic shift presents challenges, it also opens enormous opportunities for skilled foreign professionals.
If you are an expat finance professional considering Japan, this practical approach works best:
- Invest the next year in learning the language and reach N3 proficiency.
- Plan a two-week trip to Japan.
- Use that time to meet recruiters and industry contacts in person.
- Building relationships face-to-face can significantly improve your chances.
If you can survive the first six months and embrace the discipline, you won’t just find a job here; you’ll find a future that is as stable as it is rewarding.
