There are so many benefits of learning Japanese that you should start learning right now!
Especially If you are considering working in Japan. It’s a skill that can help you a lot in your job search.
Keep reading below and find out 11 benefits of learning Japanese, including:
- Job opportunities
- Getting smarter
- Making friends
- Finding love
- Enjoying your time in Japan more
- Understanding the culture
- Improving your native language
- Becoming more disciplined
- Achieving personal goals
- It’s not that hard to learn
- Jobs using Japanese language skills
1. More job opportunities
This is one of the biggest benefits of learning Japanese for many people.
Being able to speak multiple languages is very useful in many sectors, including international politics and international business.
As the world becomes increasingly more globalised, being able to communicate clearly across borders is a very important skill.
The more experienced you are in a language, the better. But, even just knowing a little bit gives you something to talk about and makes it easier to approach native Japanese speakers.
This can lead to improvements in your networking skills, which can lead to more job opportunities. This could include being an ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) in Japan with Interac.
2. You could get smarter
Learning a new language requires brainpower, a lot more than watching TV.
If you think of your brain as a muscle, learning a new language is a great way to work out that muscle.
Studies indicate that learning a new language could improve your focus and memory.
It can improve your decision making, you’re likely to score higher on intelligence tests, and surprisingly, you’re less likely to be influenced by propaganda (this is because you may not be accustomed to the local use of emotional language).
Moreover, you can decrease the ageing of your brain by up to 5 years. This is because learning and mastering another language can increase the amount of grey matter in your brain.
These are huge benefits of learning Japanese!
3. You’ll make more friends
There are lots of social benefits of learning Japanese.
Being able to communicate with more people means you are able to meet and get to know more people.
If you know how to speak Japanese, you’ll find it much easier to make Japanese friends than someone who doesn’t speak Japanese.
This leads to more benefits too, such as job opportunities and even finding love…
4. You could find love
This one is one of the biggest benefits of learning Japanese for the romantic souls.
Do you believe in soulmates? Yours could be living in Japan right now! Read our Dating in Japan blog for a lowdown on popular apps and the culture of Japanese dating.
When you cross paths, you’re going to need to be able to speak to them. So, get learning!
5. You’ll have a much easier and enjoyable time in Japan
Japanese people as a whole do not speak much English, so learning the language will help you out a lot when you visit.
Firstly, the locals will appreciate you taking the time to learn their language, and you will be welcomed into the country more readily.
And, when you can speak the language, things like ordering food, asking for directions and listening to instructions will be so much easier.
Moreover, you’ll be able to experience the culture better. If you can speak Japanese, you can enjoy things like watching films, reading books and listening to music without needing subtitles or translations.
6. You’ll get a better understanding of the culture
One of the biggest benefits of learning Japanese is being able to get fully involved in the culture.
When you speak Japanese, you can really immerse yourself. You can have conversations with people, attend national holidays and events, and enjoy the native entertainment first hand.
You’ll more easily be able to empathise with the population and understand their views as well.
If you don’t speak the language, your understanding of the culture will likely come from what other people tell you.
By thinking and speaking in a different language, you are communicating differently from normal. This can change your perspective and improve your understanding of how others are experiencing the world.
People can find their own personalities changing just by learning a new language. Many English speakers often find themselves being more polite when they are speaking Japanese. Whereas Japanese people feel they are being more assertive and direct when speaking English. And, once you know the language, you’ll start to understand why people will be sensitive when others mistake it for languages like Chinese.
Whilst you’re learning the Japanese language, you’ll also probably learn a lot about the country and its history as well as the modern culture and things like slang words. This will help you gain a better understanding of the Japanese way of life as a whole.
7. It improves your native language
When learning a new language, it helps to have a strong knowledge of the grammar in your own language.
Do you know what infinitives, conditionals and modal verbs are?
If you don’t, you’ll likely learn things like this as you get into your Japanese lessons.
You need to know how things like this work in your own language so you can understand how they work differently in Japanese.
So, one of the less expected benefits of learning Japanese is that you’ll get better at your own language too!
8. You’re challenging yourself, and you’ll probably feel good about learning something new
When you complete a challenge and learn something new, you’ll likely feel good about yourself. You’ll feel more confident, useful and valued.
Personal growth is a big reason why lots of people want to learn a new language. We all have goals, and it feels good to achieve them.
9. It improves discipline
Dedicating yourself to learning a new language is a big challenge.
Committing yourself to such a big task and following through with it is a good habit.
Training yourself in discipline is a great idea because it can spread to other areas of your life like your work and hobbies. This helps you grow as a person who is dedicated and driven to achieve their goals.
10. Surprisingly, it’s not that hard to learn
Many people are put off the idea of learning Japanese because it seems very difficult.
But, if you’re a native English speaker, you already understand one of the hardest languages to learn.
Like anything, with dedication and regular practice, you’ll find yourself getting good at speaking Japanese in no time.
11. Jobs using Japanese language skills
Learning Japanese brings with it a host of benefits. You’ll be more likely to land jobs not only in Japan but around the world.
Below are some of the jobs you can do when you’ve mastered your Japanese language skills.
In Japan
If you are fluent in Japanese, the sky’s the limit. As long as you’re qualified/meet the criteria and have a visa, you can get pretty much any job you want! Some jobs in Japan you can consider include:
- English teacher
- Service & hospitality
- Recruitment
- Engineering
- Sales & Marketing
- IT
- Analyst roles
- Mechanic
- Doctor
- Banker
Around the world
Your Japanese language skills aren’t just valuable in Japan. There are lots of jobs around the world where knowing how to speak Japanese will give you an edge over the competition. These include:
- Jobs in Japanese restaurants, i.e. sushi chef, service staff bartender etc.
- Translator or interpreter roles
- Teacher or college/university professor
- Diplomat
- Flight attendant/ airport staff
- Sales representative
- Customer service
- Personal assistant
- Business services, i.e. researcher, procurement, import & export etc.
- Journalist
- Social worker
And much more! Don’t limit yourself to this list. There are lots of amazing things you can do with Japanese language skills.
Are you going to learn Japanese now?
At Interac, we specialise in helping people like you find jobs in Japan. One of the best ways to get to grips with the Japanese language is to move to Japan and immerse yourself in the culture. So, what are you waiting for? Head over to our job listings page now to see if we can help you find your dream job in Japan.
