Company Stating ‘We Need Foreign Staff’ Made Me Decide to Work There

Aplix Corporation

Aplix Corporation is a leading Java technology company that produces software for use in cellular phones and digital electrical appliances. To the company’s credit, communications giant NTT DoCoMo is using a Java function developed by Aplix, which is an international enterprise that supplies software to foreign cellular phone manufacturers as well.

Aplix has branch offices in many cities including San Francisco, Munich, Taipei, Beijing and Seoul and a head office in Tokyo where more than 10 foreign staff are employed. For many foreigners who have studied Japanese, it is a dream to work in Tokyo. How did foreign staff at Aplix find their jobs and what kind of work are they engaged in? We interviewed two foreign staff members who have worked at the company for two and a half years. Both of them are using both Japanese and English in their work.

“At first I wanted to work in English only,” says PERDRIEAU Herve, a Frenchman whose interests in Japanese culture and history bought him to Japan. “When I came to Japan as a tourist, I asked a passerby a question, but he run away at once as it seemed he couldn’t speak English. Therefore, I thought I had to learn Japanese.”

“I have taken an interest in this company since I heard about it from my friend who was working with Aplix. As I wanted to work with Java, I was sure I could do it in this company. At the interview they said they needed foreign staff so I made up my mind to work for the company.” Herve is now managing a Japanese Development Team as a Research and Development section supervisor and taking charge of overseas business.

“While I was working at a foreign firm previously, I used to speak English more than Japanese, so I eventually became less fluent at speaking Japanese,” Herve says. “When I was working in another Japanese company, I was only being ordered to do things and had no time to take a break. Here, everybody is recognized as equal even if you are a foreigner. I think it’s good to be fairly evaluated and to have chance to be promoted,” he says, hinting at his fondness for the company.

Herve says that at first he was anxious about living in Japan. “As I have to do everything by myself whatever I do, I believe I have grown up. It’s a good experience for me to work in a foreign country.” However, he still experiences difficulties learning Japanese. “Especially in the study of kanji characters. I once thought how foolish I was to find that I couldn’t speak Japanese better than little Japanese children. I think learning will take a lifetime.”

YANG Ling, who came from China to study in Japan, is currently working as a manager in the Office of R&D Initiative, Research and Development. She says, “I didn’t expect to stay for such a long time, but now it has been more than 10 years since I came to Japan. Although I used to work in a company in the cellular phone industry, when I heard about Aplix, I thought it sounded interesting and the atmosphere in the company sounded good. I have a future here in an atmosphere where people can speak their opinions openly.”

Yang’s work involves producing data for management and estimating the budget. “It is very comfortable for women to work in this company. There are other women beside me working in managerial positions. It’s very important to combine the power of women in spite of the fact that the power of each woman is small. I believe it is a subordinate’s role not only to receive instructions, but also to speak out yourself and offer ideas.”

How is her experience living in Japan? “As my family lived near me, I was apt to rely on them, but since I came to Japan, I grew stronger. Maybe my family has already given up hope that I will return to them. Also, when I told them about some of the good things including Japanese medical insurance, the pension system, they said ‘as you are in better surroundings, you should stay there much longer.’” She says laughing.

Herve and Yang both seem satisfied with their work and their lives. They are lucky to have the opportunity to work at a company like Aplix where people can use their abilities to the full regardless of their nationality or gender. These days, more and more Japanese enterprises are offering good work opportunities for foreigners. Now, it’s your time!

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