You can work
as you are without worrying about cultural gaps.

I studied Japanese and spent the last year of my college life in Tokyo. I always wanted to work abroad, so I decided to work in Japan, using my Japanese skills.

Having studied media design at a graduate school in Japan, I wanted to get a creative job. I didn't choose a foreign-affiliated company because I wanted to immerse myself in Japanese corporate culture.

I graduated from a university in Japan amid the so-called “employment ice age” for newly grads in Korea, and even those from the top Korean universities were struggling to find a job.So, I thought I should find a job in Japan as a Japanese company would appreciate what I studied.

Another reason is that to learn and master Japanese business culture by working in Japan seemed to be the most meaningful for me.

I've always loved Japanese culture, so I wanted to get a job in Japan and deepen my understanding. To tell the truth, however, what I loved most was to be able to go to the live performances of my favorite Japanese band as much as I want. Also, I watched the big hit TV drama "Naoki Hanzawa," and I was curious to see for myself whether Japanese corporate culture was really like that (laughs).

Its corporate culture. After graduating from university in the United States, I worked for a short period in the real estate business. But soon, I got tired of inflexible rules on clothing, working hours and business manners. So, I looked for a company where I could work more freely and can consult with my seniors and bosses whenever I wanted. At the time of the interview, I felt Dentsu Isobar was such a company.

Before joining Dentsu Digital, I worked for an internet advertising agency. Direct marketing was the company's strength, but I wanted to learn more about branding and other advanced advertising methods. I also wanted to participate in larger projects. From that perspective, Dentsu Digital seemed to be an ideal company. It offers integrated and advanced solutions to a number of national clients.

I had been involved in data-related work at a telecom company for six years. As I wanted to focus more thoroughly on data analysis, I decided to make career move to Dentsu Digital.

The decisive factor was the corporate culture for me too. I had an interview with the current general manager, who is a really nice person, so I had a great impression on the company from the beginning. The company has excellent global achievements, great people and a global atmosphere. Especially, I love the people in the company.

It was the first project after I joined the company. The client was a major manufacturer, and wanted to increase the number of young fans, so I proposed to create an Instagram account in Instagram and make good use of it for users interested in their products. Analyzing its competitors' accounts for one year, I reported the results and clarified the purpose, method and significance of this measure to the client. When I finally got the project, I felt great satisfaction.

It was a project on a major information site. I needed to collect and analyze web access logs and form registration information to understand the segments of customers who visited the website and design marketing strategy. But right after the project started, I found that we could not provide data to external vendors due to the client company's security policy.

So, we asked the client's data scientist to analyze the data we needed and made assumptions based on the results. Then I implemented a web customer service tool and made creative improvements to their e-mail newsletters. Eventually I achieved good results. I didn't analyze the data by myself. Still, I had a great experience using tools that I had never had a chance to use and listening to people in the creative department I had never had contact with before.

I remember a project I participated in the first year. The client was a foreign-affiliated company. As an account executive of their Japan office, I was in charge of overall collaboration and communication. We had to coordinate with the Japan office, their US headquarters and the advertising agency contracted by the headquarters. It was hard to convince all three parties, but it was great that I realized that was precisely the account executive job.

As a creative professional, I'm very happy when I see my ideas and plans finally come to life. I can’t forget a project I was involved in my first year—with an online payment service company.

Being in charge of planning for owned media contents and production, I conducted interviews with users. I enjoyed visiting the users' worksites to have an interview and shooting. As work from home is standard nowadays, I miss the experience even more.

First of all, I think the support to new employees is excellent. The follow-up/onboarding training is excellent, and there is a strong sense of solidarity among the colleagues.

Another thing is the great OJT. I also got very extended support and follow-up from my seniors at work. I think it's an ideal workplace for me.

Above all else, people are excellent. They are extremely capable and nice. They love their work and take pride in it, so working with them keeps my motivation up.

I learn a lot from the interesting people in this company. They always make me realize different perspectives that I haven't had before. They are flexible in many ways too. If I tell them what I want to do, their response would be, "Why not? Go ahead." I like such a free atmosphere.

I like it that they proactively entrust work to younger employees. So, even young people can have opportunities to play an active role in large-scale projects. When they make mistakes or errors, they check the process, review the system for any deficiencies, and make improvements. Such ideas and methods are pervasive throughout the company, and young people can work freely.

They support us when renewing the working visa, but there is no special treatment other than that. The most important thing is that you can be as you are, without ever feeling like a stranger in a foreign country. I currently belong to the Global Business Department, but I was assigned not because I am a foreigner. It means a great deal for me that I'm not treated as a foreigner. I think such an atmosphere makes it easier for me to work.

I am the only foreigner in the department I belong to, but I can work without being conscious of it. Of course, when a global project comes in, I might be chosen to participate, but it is not because I am a foreigner, but because I have experience abroad and speak other languages. I appreciate such a flat atmosphere.

I have the same opinion as Julia and Youssef. Dentsu Digital has never treated me as a foreigner. I used to hesitate to speak in public because I was not sure if my Japanese was good enough, but here, they want me to speak up constantly, so I am used to it now. Dentsu Digital let me grow, and that's what I like about the company. If you are bilingual or trilingual and want to use your skills, there are such jobs as well. Here, you can find a job you are good at or that you like.

Actually, I have never been assigned to a global project. They assigned me a job just as they do with others, on an equal footing. However, when we chit chat, they tell me everyday Japanese phrases, differences in nuances, cultural backgrounds. It is helpful in many ways. I appreciate such kind of consideration. I am happy to work here.

In July, Dentsu Isobar merged with Dentsu Digital. Mr. Kawakami, the president and CEO, said that he would like to focus more on global projects in the future, so I want to contribute to that. My personal goal would be to win big prizes like Cannes Lions with global projects. Also, I would like to further involve UX design works I have recently begun to engage in, and improve my expertise on it.

As we merged with Dentsu Digital, I would like to challenge even bigger projects while maintaining the Dentsu Isobar culture.

My short-term goal is to be a project manager and, the long-term goal is to be a digital marketing specialist. While catching up on new advertising products, I would like to make the most appropriate proposals for clients as a knowledgeable specialist.

I want to be a specialist in data analysis, which is my field of expertise. Also, since I've only been in charge of projects in Japan, I would like to be involved in global projects.

Here, you can totally find a foreigner-friendly environment. I wish you the best of luck. Join us in this wonderful work environment.

When I joined the company, I was still studying Japanese, so it was quite difficult for me to work in Japanese. However, people helped me, and the support system is in place, so it's okay if you can't speak Japanese so much (laughs).

I have two pieces of advice. I wish someone had told me this when I was a new graduate. The first one is; don't build a wall around you. You don't have to think that you are not entitled to speak up just because you are a foreigner. You can say whatever you want to say and do whatever you want to do. At Dentsu Digital you can.

Second, don't be too conscious about being a foreigner. The experience and values you have acquired so far is your strength. Don’t try too hard to fall in line with your Japanese colleagues and seniors. Mind you, cherishing your personality would work much better.

I think that many foreigners' notion of Japanese companies is conventional, scary, and hierarchical, but Dentsu Digital isn't any of this at all (laughs).

You have your own cultural identity, and I believe that you have an original perspective that derives from your background. Dentsu Digital is capable of embracing it entirely. This is a company where the people support you to take on new challenges without being afraid of making mistakes. I look forward to working with you in future.