AI Engineer Jobs in Japan for Foreign Nationals

In Japan, AI engineering—especially generative AI—is one of the most accessible and in-demand fields for foreign professionals. With companies across industries racing to adopt AI technologies, demand for skilled AI engineers continues to grow. Even employers that were once hesitant to hire foreigners are now actively recruiting overseas talent.
This guide explains why AI engineers are in demand in Japan, what specific skills are sought after, how much Japanese language is typically required, and how foreign engineers can take advantage of these opportunities.
Why Are AI Engineers in Demand in Japan?
Japan faces a well-documented shortage of advanced technical talent, especially in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Companies in manufacturing, automotive, finance, healthcare, and more are investing heavily in AI but lack the in-house expertise to deploy these systems effectively.
To remain competitive globally, Japanese companies are aggressively hiring AI engineers, including foreign nationals with specialized skills.
Severe Shortage of AI Talent
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) forecasts a shortfall of approximately 90,000 AI professionals by 2025, growing to 120,000 by 2030.1 This talent gap is recognized as one of the biggest barriers to digital transformation.
The “DX White Paper 2023” by Japan’s Information-technology Promotion Agency (IPA) found that about 50% of companies cited “lack of AI talent” as the top obstacle to implementing AI solutions.2
Key Drivers of the Shortage
- Aging domestic workforce: Fewer young engineers entering the market.
- Rapid digital transformation: Companies racing to modernize systems and processes.
- Limited AI education pipeline: Japan is still developing large-scale advanced AI training capacity.
Because of these challenges, foreign AI engineers in Japan are viewed as a crucial solution to help companies adopt and expand AI capabilities.
Source: METI “IT人材需給に関する調査” (2022)
Source: IPA “DX White Paper 2023”
Lower Japanese Language Requirements for AI Roles
One of the biggest barriers foreign professionals face in Japan is language. Many jobs require at least business-level Japanese (JLPT N2 or higher).
However, AI engineer jobs in Japan often make exceptions:
- Technical expertise is prioritized over language fluency.
- Many teams conduct technical discussions in English.
- Some companies explicitly hire for “English-only” roles.
Especially at international companies, research labs, and globally oriented startups, English is often the working language for AI development.
In fact, in recent years, it has become common for the head of an AI technical team at a Japanese startup to be a foreign national.
This makes AI engineering one of the most accessible careers in Japan for foreign nationals with limited Japanese proficiency.
High Demand for Generative AI Engineers
While all AI roles are in demand, there is particularly strong interest in engineers with experience in generative AI.
If you have a background in:
- Large Language Models (LLMs) like GPT
- Transformer architectures
- Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)
- Diffusion models for image or audio generation
…you will find significant opportunities in Japan.
Generative AI is a priority for companies building new products, integrating chat-based customer service, or automating content creation. Startups and large corporations alike are racing to secure talent in these cutting-edge areas.
Growing Generative AI Startup Ecosystem
Another reason for strong demand: Japan’s generative AI startup ecosystem is expanding rapidly. In recent years there has been a surge in:
- AI-focused product startups building chatbots, creative tools, and automation systems.
- SaaS companies integrating generative AI into enterprise workflows.
- University spinouts and research labs commercializing advanced models.
These startups often:
- Are more open to hiring foreign nationals.
- Offer remote or hybrid work options.
- Provide English-friendly environments.
If you’re a foreign AI engineer specializing in generative AI, Japan’s startup scene represents a rich source of opportunities.
Conclusion & Next Steps
Japan’s need for AI engineers continues to grow—and foreign nationals with AI expertise are in high demand.
While many jobs in Japan require high-level language skills, AI engineering is one of the most accessible fields for non-Japanese speakers, with many companies offering English-only roles.
If you’re considering working in Japan as an AI engineer, now is the time to explore opportunities in this rapidly growing market.
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Why Foreign IT Professionals Trust THE 和RKERS
At THE 和RKERS, we specialize in helping international IT professionals build rewarding careers in Japan.
Whether you’re already working here or planning your first move, we know the unique challenges you face—language barriers, visa requirements, cultural differences—and we’re here to support you at every stage.
Our team understands both the Japanese tech landscape and the needs of global talent, making us the partner you can rely on to navigate your career in Japan with confidence.
\Software Engineers, IT Consultants, Data Scientists…/
Non-Japanese and aiming for a top-tier job in Japan?
Get in touch with THE 和RKERS Agent today.



Software Engineers,
IT Consultants,
Data Scientists…
Non-Japanese and aiming for a top-tier job in Japan?
Get in touch with THE 和RKERS Agent today.