After several years of working in the United States, I can definitely see the appeal of taking an international assignment, especially one that could open doors later in my career. If I had the chance, I’d be interested in working in Japan, both because of its strong healthcare and tech sectors, but also because the cultural environment is so much different from what I’m used to. After spending 18 days in Japan earlier this fall, I got a glimpse of the culture, daily life, and social norms, which made the idea of returning for a longer-term assignment even more appealing.
According to Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, Japan scores high in uncertainty avoidance and masculinity, meaning people value structure, planning, and competitive work environments. In contrast, the U.S. scores much higher in individualism, while Japan leans more collectivist, prioritizing harmony and group consensus. These differences would definitely shape workplace expectations, from communication styles to how teams make decisions. Japan also as more hierarchical workplace norms, while U.S. workplaces tend to be more casual and egalitarian (Country comparison tool n.d.). These contrasts highlight how important cultural awareness and adaptability would be if I were to take on a role abroad.
Beyond culture, there are lifestyle factors I’d need to consider: language barriers, long work hours in some industries, cost of living in cities like Tokyo, and being far from family. But Japan’s extremely efficient public transportation, overall safety, and high quality of life would be major advantages. Professionally, gaining international experience in a highly innovative and globally connected market could be a huge long-term benefit.
Ultimately, I’d take the assignment if it offered strong professional development, cultural support, and a role where I could genuinely learn and contribute. The chance to grow personally and globally would make the move worth it!
Reference:
Country comparison tool. The Culture Factor Group. (n.d.). https://www.theculturefactor.com/country-comparison-tool?countries=japan%2Cunited%2Bstates