Career Benefits of Knowing the Japanese Language in India

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Japanese language in India and the interest in it dates back to the 1950s when Japanese was being taught to Indians. It was under the Ministry of Defense and by Vishwa Bharati University. When it comes to India, we have always hailed good political, cultural, and financial relations with Japan. This was possible on account of all the professionals, who learned the Japanese language in India.

However, relations between India and Japan are dated back to the 6th century. This was the time when Buddhism was initiated in Japan. Thus, India and Japan share a divine bond too. “With languages, you are at home anywhere.”- Edmund De Waa. 

This implies that by being familiar with foreign and native languages we are at home anywhere in the world. So, it is important to understand the advantage of knowing a foreign language in India.

The perks of knowing a foreign language in India:

• Enhances personality
• Multiplies career opportunities
• Provides a competitive edge
• Improves connectivity with the world
• Global contribution 

Interesting Intricacies of the ‘Nihongo’ Language

• The Japanese language has three unique systems: Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji. Each of these has its specific role.
• The Japanese language also has a system called ‘Honorific Speech’ It is used in reflecting social status and also the relations between people.
• Japanese also has a distinct verb combination system that reflects tense, context, and mood.
• The Japanese language is so unique, that the meaning of the words and phrases change as the context changes.

Why learn the ‘Nihon-go’ i.e. the Japanese language in India?

India and Japan have always had strong economic and cultural relations. Be it trade, or VIP visits, Indians who fluently speak Japanese have always been in demand. In the future, more than 30,000 companies in Japan are eager to set up business in India. Therefore, career opportunities for Indians, fluent in Japanese will be tremendous.

So, the following are the primary reasons why you should be knowing the Japanese language.

Career Benefits of Knowing the Japanese Language in India.

1. Competitive Edge

Even though there is a boom in learning foreign languages in India right now, people opting for the Japanese language are few. There are primarily two reasons: 

• The rat race to learn German and French 
• Lack of awareness regarding golden opportunities associated with the  Japanese  language

The Japanese language is spoken by around 120+ million people around the globe. With Japan setting up multinational companies worldwide, the demand for people fluent in the Japanese language is high.

So, keeping in mind the opportunities in store and no rat race for learning Japanese this is a golden time to learn it. Less competition and high demand, certainly call for career and financial gains. 

2. Golden Opportunity in the Teaching Industry

The Japanese government has launched the JET(Japan Exchange &  Teaching) program. It was launched in the 1980s keeping in mind the object of globalizing Japan. 

Under the JET program, applicants from over the world hold a chance to come to Japan and teach the English language. Moreover, graduates from all over the globe are welcome. 

The applicants in this program:

• hold a chance to get a job as a language assistant teacher and also
• coordinate global relations with Japan

Therefore, this is one of the career benefits of knowing the Japanese language in India. Above all, the emergence of India as a superpower, has got Japan interested in strengthening the bond based on linguistics. 

So, two posts as co-ordinators for global relations have been kept in reserve only for the Indians. Also, India’s practices in teaching have been phenomenal, be it the Vedic era or the modern era. 

3. Work with Government Institutions and Embassies

When it comes to strengthening international relations, the Indian government has made every possible attempt. 

Be it any Ministry- external affairs, defense, tourism, or commerce, the need for people able to communicate in foreign languages is always high.  

Therefore, this is one of the many career benefits of knowing the Japanese language in India. You will always stand a chance either to have a government sector job or work in a government institute. 

Also, you can work as a diplomat or a consulate, globally. Having fluency in the Japanese language will help diplomats communicate smoothly with their Japanese counterparts.

In addition, you can work for India in a Japanese embassy and vice versa. However,  these opportunities are very limited and so, you need to be fluent in your Japanese language skills. Only those with fluency, stand a chance to grow their career here.

4. Opportunities in the Entertainment Niche

Global entertainment mammoth, Netflix recently declared that it aims to expand in Japanese entertainment. After the success of the Squid game series, it is evident that all eyes are on more Asian content. Also, there was a rise in the watch time for anime series.

All this holds a good opportunity for those who are familiar with the Japanese language. Wondering why? 

It is because sound direction and dubbing in the Japanese language will soon be on the rise. 

Indian audience has also observed a positive trend toward non-English content in recent times. This opens doors for dubbing in feature films and TV content in the Japanese language. This is again, one of the career benefits of knowing the Japanese language in India.

5. Travel and Tourism Industry

India has tremendous potential when it comes to the travel and tourism industry.

For instance, India has projected a growth rate of around 13% in the tourism industry by 2027. Also, it is expected India will generate around 130 million jobs in the travel and tourism segment. 

This calls for people who are fluent in foreign languages in India. The Japanese language is one of them.

Be it any industry, you can make someone feel at home when you speak their language. As more people from Japan visit India for tourism, it is required that we must have professionals fluent in the Japanese language.

This will not only ensure a comfortable stay in India but also, an exchange of cultural ties between the people of the two countries.

This will lead to repeated visits and word-of-mouth positive recommendations.

6. Job Opportunities as a Translator or an Interpreter

Translation and interpretation are not the same. Yes, you got it right.

In other words, the approach is different. Translation involves taking down information in one language and converting it into another language.

For instance, taking down information in English and converting it into the Japanese language and vice versa.

Whereas, interpretation is more to do when two people with two different sets of languages want to speak with each other. As an interpreter, you will have to interpret the right meanings as well as the context and then relay it to another person. 

Therefore, translation and interpretation demand a lot of skills and also hold a lot of job opportunities. This is one of the career benefits of knowing the Japanese language in India.

For instance, you may translate books, legal documents, and scripts. Interpret the conversation between diplomats, and so on. 

7. Ability to Work as a Customer Relationship Management(CRM) Executive.

It is one of the career benefits of knowing the Japanese language in India. Be it any industry, relations with customers matter the most. As India and Japan strengthen their economic ties, Japanese multinational companies are always looking for Indians fluent in the Japanese language. 

Communicating customer problems and expectations to the company plays an important role. If you are a CRM executive in India, you will be communicating the Indian market scenarios to the company. Understanding customers and their needs are the top priority.

For instance, you can relay customer needs to your counterpart in Japan and the company can work on the inputs provided by you.

Thus, a CRM executive is the link between customers and the company’s top executives. The inputs provided by the CRM executive are a powerful resource that can help avoid nasty situations in the future. Also, CRM executives are paid well.

8. Job Opportunities in Japanese Automobile and Electronics Companies.

India has a lot of Japanese companies doing their business here.

For instance, brands like Toyota, Honda, Sony, and Panasonic have a 

huge customer base in India. So, these companies are always on the lookout for Indians who are fluent in speaking the Japanese language.

This will bring, ease of doing business for these companies. 

The reason is Indians who understand Japanese will better understand the company’s vision and will be of great help in implementing it domestically. This counts as one of the career benefits of knowing the Japanese language in India

Also, there might be an opportunity to relocate and move to Japan and join the headquarters of Japanese companies.

Indians who are familiar with the Japanese language can better represent the company and its brand value to Indian investors.

9. Opportunity to Negotiate in India’s International Trade

As India-Japan commercial ties expand, both countries are trading with each other enormously. India’s total exports to Japan in 2020-21 were around US$4bn and imports around US$10 bn. This made Japan, the 13th largest trade partner of India.

So, an Indian who knows the Japanese language can play the role of a negotiator in international trade with Japan. This is one of the many, career benefits of knowing the Japanese language in India

You can use the Japanese language effectively to understand the perspectives of your Japanese counterpart better. Accordingly, negotiation strategies can be worked out. Indians with this skill would be an asset to the economy.

10. Academic Comfort in Japan

Academic fees in Japan are relatively cheaper compared to the United States and the United Kingdom. 

Japanese academic institutes provide scholarship programs to international students and also exemptions in tuition fees. This has attracted international students to Japanese campuses for education.

Also, on completion of education, job opportunities are awarded to the best of talents. Thus, this is one of the career benefits of knowing the Japanese language in India. It opens up avenues for studying and earning abroad.

11. Deepens Understanding of a Foreign Culture

Understanding a foreign culture brings new opportunities and a fresh perspective. This fresh perspective will lead to a warm exchange of ties between the nations. This is again one of the career benefits of knowing the Japanese language in India. The strength of any relationship depends on effective communication and understanding of each other’s ideologies.

Japanese and Indian ideologies have always amazed the world across eras. 

So, knowing Japanese will help us grow together culturally.

After knowing the above benefits of knowing the Japanese language in India, it is important to know some further details also. 

So, go ahead. Read On!

Scope of learning and knowing the Japanese language in India.

As it is evident, the Japanese language has a lot of scope in India. 

So, if you are fluent in the Japanese language you have a lot of scope- personally and professionally namely in the:

• Business opportunities
• Personal career growth
• Tourism industry
• International relations
• Education 

Despite the tremendous scope, one question yet revolves in everybody’s mind.

Companies providing opportunities to Indians after knowing the Japanese language in India:

An agreement was signed in 2021 between India and Japan. 

It was concerning, the ease of mobility of talented Indian workers in 14 industries in Japan. However, the primary industries included the following:

• Medical 
• Industrial
• Shipbuilding
• Aviation
• Agriculture
• Food Services 

Some prime Japanese companies offering job opportunities to Indians are:

• Sony Group
• Panasonic Holdings Corporations
• Honda Motor Co. Ltd.
• Mitsubishi Electric
• Toyota Motor Corporation
• Hitachi Ltd.
• Bridgestone Corporation

Eligibility Criteria for talented Indian workers to work in Japan:

Satisfy the requirements and pass the Japanese language tests for employment on a contract basis.

Also, as per an agreement signed in 2017, Japan provides internship programs in the technical domain to skilled Indians.

Top 5 Places in India Offering the Best of Learning for the Japanese Language in India:

• New Delhi
• Mumbai
• Pune
• Chennai
• Kolkata

Top Learning Center for the Japanese language in India:

Henry Harvin Institute

Rating 9.9/10

About the institute:

Henry Harvin is one of the leading Ed-tech institutes in India and is in operation since 2013. The institute offers more than 600 premium courses, including the Japanese language course. Their vision and mission are value creation and empowering talented individuals.

Japanese Language Course Key Takeaways:

• JLPT & NAT Examination Training and Guidance 
• E-learning Access
• Live training sessions
• Internships & Certifications
• Projects
• Placements 
• 24/7 Support 

The Japanese language course would be divided into 5 levels as follows:

Level N5: 160 hours- Elementary level

Includes : Orientation, Hiragana, Katakana syllabary 

Level N4: 160 hours- Pre-Intermediate level

Includes: Writing and communication skills, Grammar, Kanji reading drill, sentence formation, translations, and so on.

Level N3: 160 hours- Intermediate level

Includes: Vocabulary, Grammar, Reference words & Translations

Level N2: 160 hours- Pre-Advance level

Includes: Grammar application and Translations as per ‘Minna HO Nihongo I’ book

Level N1: 80 hours- Advance level

Includes: Vocabulary, Reading, Japan’s work culture

For more detailed information on the course, click this link!

View other interesting language courses by Henry Harvin, here!

Other institutes for learning the Japanese Language in India:

• Indian Institute of foreign languages
• Symbiosis Institute of Foreign and Indian Languages
• Hayakawa Japanese Language School

Factors Affecting the Cost of Learning the Japanese language in India:

• Course Mode – Online/Classroom-based
• Level of Proficiency
• Duration of Course
• Location of Institute

Course fees can range from a few thousand to several lakhs depending on the above factors. It is recommended to make decisions after doing wise comparisons.

Potential Industries/Areas for a Successful Career after Knowing the Japanese language in India:

• IT and Software
• Manufacturing and Automotive
• Tourism and Hospitality
• Teaching
• Government Sector
• International Trade

Common Examination after learning the Japanese language in India:

JLPT- Japanese Language Proficiency Test.

It is a standard criteria test for non-native speakers. It is designed to test an individual’s reading and listening capabilities and language knowledge.

Expected Average Annual Salary after learning the Japanese language in India:

(Please note, that the following figures might change with the level of experience, skill, industry, and location.)

Japanese Language teacher: INR 2.5-6 lakhs per annum

Japanese Language Translator: INR 3-10 lakhs per annum

Diplomat: INR 60,000-80,000 per month

Flight attendant: INR 20,000-40,000 per month

Tourist Guide: INR 10,000-25000 per month

An employee in a Japanese Company: INR 5-7 lakhs per annum

Why is the Japanese language in India, growing in importance?

• Global trade and commerce
• Demand for International Education
• Intensive Joint Research
• Growth of Tourism
• Strong Cultural Ties between India and Japan
• Immense Job Opportunities

Important Initiatives by the Indian Government to Promote the Japanese Language in India:

1. Japanese Language Teachers’ Training Program:  

As there is a lot of demand for effective Japanese teaching, Indian teachers are wanting to contribute the same. Keeping this in mind the Ministry of Education in association with Japan Foundation, started a Japanese Language Teachers’ Training Program. The main aim of this initiative was to equip Indian teachers with the required skills in the Japanese language.

2. The JENESYS (Japan East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youth) Program

This was taken up as a student and youth cultural exchange program. Under this program, Indian students were sent to Japan to know and learn about the Japanese culture and language. This was done to strengthen the relationship between India and Japan. The program covered all the costs, from travel, and accommodation to other costs.

3. Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)

The Indian government has set up centers across the country for the smooth conduct of the JLPT examination for those who desire to take it.

4. The Technology Exchange program:

This program had the sole purpose of promoting joint research and sharing technical knowledge between the two nations. This would lead to rapid development and technical developments by bringing together the knowledge of brilliant minds.

5. Japan-India Institute for Manufacturing:

As per an agreement signed between India and Japan, Japan would provide job opportunities to skilled Indian youth. With this in mind this 

Japan-India Institute for Manufacturing was established. It aims to technically train the Indian youth in the manufacturing segment.

So, what more stands as one of the most impressive benefits of knowing the Japanese language in India?

You get to contribute to the wellness of two countries in your unique way. Without a doubt, knowing Japanese or any foreign language will only bring more benefits to your life.

Conclusion

As we progress further, knowledge of foreign along with the native language is a must. The strong relations between India and Japan are going to open numerous opportunities for those who are proficient in the Japanese language in India. 

So, the sooner you master the language more opportunities would open up for you.

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