Japan Design Career Launchpad

Jaunary Europe program open for applications!

Join other talented designers from around the world for an online program to explore the potential of a design career in Japan.

See the Details
Street in central Tokyo
About the Program

The First Step Towards a Design Career in Japan

This online program is designed to be a first step for UX professionals curious about a move to Japan - helping you understand if it is the right choice for you and identify the specific steps to take to make it happen.

Japan is a unique place to work in design and has a growing UX job market. The low cost and high standard of living is making it a popular choice for engineers from around the world - but what about designers and researcher?

The barrier to entry to the UX industry in Japan is higher than engineering - with more Japanese language requirements and cultural differences. We created this program to help you understand these challenges and decide if it is the right choice for you.

Learn What It Takes: From job market trends to language requirements, visa information & salary expectations, you'll get all the hard to find information about working in Japan.
Expand your network: The small cohort size allows you to meet other talented designers from around the world who are keen on working in Japan and work together on achieving your goal. You'll also meet Japanese and international designers working in UX in Japan.
Understand the Best Places to Work: We take you through the top companies to work for in Japan that hire foreign designers/researchers and introduce you to current employees. We'll also help you explore outside the box ways of coming to Japan, such as by coming as a student or establishing a business.
Europe/India cohort open now!
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Japan Design Career Launchpad

Launchpad Session Content

Sessions are held once a week over 5 weeks for online cohorts, and over 2 days in person for Tokyo cohorts. There is a reflective homework exercise each week for online cohort members.
1 - Welcome & Goal Setting 👋
Get to know your cohort with Japanese icebreakers. Get an introduction to the design job market in Japan and reflect on your interest to create a personalized goal to focus on during the program.
2 - Japanese Design & Research  🇯🇵
Learn how cultural differences impact UX design & research in Japan through case studies and comparisons of apps & web services in Japan. Understand how this impacts a designer's day to day work.
3 - Working in Design in Japan 🏙️
Meet UXers working in Japan and learn about their careers and experiences. Spend time in breakout sessions to get to know them better and ask specific questions and advice on your personal goal.
4 - Companies, Salaries & Visas  📈
Get the hard to find information about the best companies to work for, what sort of salaries to expect, the visa situation and outside of the box ways to come to Japan, such as entrepeneurship.
5 - One on One Mentor Session 👤
Get connected with a mentor who matches your unique preferences and reflect on the program so far. Get tailored advice about talking the final steps to achieve your goal.
Post Program 🎉
After completing the program, you will be added to an alumni Discord group to keep your connections and continue to support each other's journey to Japan.

Upcoming Cohorts

Second Online Cohort

Europe & India - January 2026

Sessions on Saturdays for those in the UK, central Europe and India.

Format: 5 sessions on Saturday morning/afternoon from the 10th of January to the 7th of February 2026.
Timezone: Starting from 8:30am in London (GMT), 9:30am in Berlin/Paris (CET) and 2:00pm in India (IST) See here to calculate your time zone. Recordings provided after each session in case you miss one.
Pricing & Application
¥45,000
About $300 USD
Japanese Design Training
Job Hunting, Salary & Company Info
Q&A with local designers
Individual Goal Setting
Participant Discord Channel
1on1 Session
Participation Certificate
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“I would recommend it to foreign designers who are serious about Japan and not just curious. I went in with a very clear picture in my head of how I thought my path into Japan would look. After hearing the stories and seeing the different routes people actually took, I realised that my real options are quite different from what I imagined. The workshop helped me see what is realistic, what is risky and what is simply not worth the energy. I am glad I can avoid repeating common gaijin mistakes and wasting years guessing. I left with sharp and focused next steps that fit my background and the kind of life I want in Japan."
Senior UX Designer, Singapore

Is your region not covered?

Register Your Interest for Future Cohorts

FAQs

Who is this for?
The program is designed mainly for those working in the design industry abroad who are interested in moving to Japan. Students and those working in other industries are welcome to join the program, but will likely face difficulty getting design jobs in Japan with no relevant work experience. PhDs with Japanese language ability may be eligible for research roles with no prior work experience.
Do I need to speak Japanese?
No - the program is provided entirely in English, and the local designers you will be speaking with also speak English. That said, if you are serious about moving to Japan, learning Japanese is a great idea!
Will I get a job?
This program is designed to help you learn more about working in Japan and plan your move. We provide guidance about the best companies and how to apply for jobs, but cannot guarantee that you will land a job as a result of the program.
I'm a student - can I still attend?
Yes, please register your interest. Job hunting in Japan is very different for students, so if we receive enough interest from students, we will create a tailor made curriculum for students.
What time are the sessions?
Times depend on the cohort, as they are adjusted for the timezones of the participants. Please see the cohort details above to learn more.
How many people will join?
Each cohort will have a small number of participants, allowing you to build relationships with other talented designers from around the world.
Will I learn design skills?
No, this is not a design course. It is for designers to learn how to plan & execute a move to Japan.
How much does it cost?
The pricing is listed above in the cohort details. It costs ¥45,000 for the online program and ¥55,000 for the in-person program (to cover the cost of renting a space in central Tokyo)

Take the First Step to a Career in Japan!

First Cohorts Starting November 2025
Book Now
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