With over 50 years of history, Ozaki Design Office Co., Ltd. (Ozaki Design Office) is a company of seasoned design professionals headquartered in Ehime Prefecture, Japan. In 1989, the company adopted CAD and CAE, which were rare at the time, to create design drawings through simulations. Today, Ozaki Design Office provides comprehensive services, from analysis to basic and detailed design.
Currently, Ozaki Design Office employs five foreign staff members. About six years ago, the company began hiring foreign nationals and has since developed a work environment conducive to its success, including implementing a robust remote work system.
In this article, we interviewed three employees from India and Nepal to learn about their experiences.
Guests: Mechanical design engineers at Ozaki Design Office
Goswami Suraj from Nepal, joined in April 2022
Janu Sah from Nepal, joined in April 2024
Swami Chinmay from India, joined in July 2024
Interview: Risa Nakagawa
Edit: Risa Nakagawa, Masato Yano
- Introduction
- Inspired by Japanese Technology, Culture, and Values: Why These Engineers Chose to Work in Japan
- Choosing a Workplace in Japan: Why They Selected Ozaki Design Office
- The Rewards of Working in Design at Ozaki Design Office
- Proud of the company and working culture of Ozaki Design Office
- What's Next in Their Careers? Future Goals for These Engineers in Japan
- Messages for Those Who Want to Work in Japan
①Introduction
—Could you please introduce yourselves?
Goswami: I’m Goswami from Nepal. While studying at Tribhuvan University, I started my job search and joined the Ozaki Design Office as a new graduate.
My main role is designing piping systems and their support for ongoing construction projects, using CAD software. I first arrived in Japan in 2022, so next month will mark two and a half years here.
Janu:I’m Janu. I finished my bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Tribhuvan University’s Pulchowk Campus in Nepal.
After graduation, I learned about Connect Job through a senior from the same department who is working in Japan. Inspired by their experience, I decided to apply. Since April 2024, I have been working at Ozaki Design Office.
The presence of a senior working in Japan pushed Janu's decision.
②Inspired by Japanese Technology, Culture, and Values: Why These Engineers Chose to Work in Japan
— What inspired you to pursue a career in Japan?
Swami:I’ve long been fascinated by Japanese technology, culture, and nature. I’ve always wanted to live and work in Japan. I had never visited Japan, but I had seen and heard a lot about Japanese culture from books and anime, and I had always wanted to work in Japan.
Goswami: I also often heard about Japanese technology while in Nepal, and I grew to appreciate Japanese culture. That’s what motivated me to pursue work here, and I decided to go for the interview.
Janu: I admire the Japanese people for their hardworking and honest nature. I was also attracted by Japan’s low crime rate, safety, and comfortable climate. As a mechanical engineer, I see many growth opportunities, especially in the industrial sector. Japan is one of the world’s leading exporters of advanced technology.
③Choosing a Workplace in Japan: Why They Selected Ozaki Design Office
— Why did you choose Ozaki Design Office as your employer?
Janu: The main reason I chose Ozaki Design Office was my experience with design software like AutoCAD and SolidWorks in my final university project, which gave me a solid foundation in design.
Swami: During my university years, I developed an interest in design and analysis, and the work at Ozaki Design Office aligned perfectly with my career goals. The working conditions matched what I was looking for, and I felt motivated to work here. Additionally, the positive and friendly attitude of the company president during my interview helped me make my decision.
Goswami: I was also interested in design during university. When I was applying for jobs, there were various options, but Ozaki Design Office was the only company focused on design work, and that’s why I chose to join. Connect Job also provided valuable support during the interview process and gave me a clear explanation of the company, which was very helpful.
④The Rewards of Working in Design at Ozaki Design Office
—When do you feel a sense of accomplishment in your work?
Risa:Swami, you’ve been with the company for only three months so far. How has your experience been since you started working here?
Swami: I’m still in the midst of on-the-job training, but I’m already involved in both architectural and plant design, working with 2D drawings and 3D CAD modeling. This experience fuels my motivation, and I feel a strong sense of accomplishment in my work.
Janu: I felt a sense of growth as a design engineer when I realized I could now handle the basic design of simple parts. Although working in Japan can be challenging, it has been an enjoyable experience. I believe that to become a professional here, fluency in Japanese is essential.
Beyond technical skills, I’ve also grown in understanding how to meet client needs and expectations. In just six months, I feel like I’ve gained as much knowledge and experience as I did during two years in Nepal.
Goswami: The company president has taught me many things, and now I can handle design work on my own, which I find very fulfilling. Every day, I encounter new words and new tasks, so my work remains exciting and enjoyable.
⑤Proud of the company and working culture of Ozaki Design Office
— What makes Ozaki Design Office a great place to work?
Swami:It’s a very welcoming, family-like company. The environment created by the senior staff, the president, and the chairman is comfortable and supportive, which helps me learn new tasks. Thanks to this atmosphere, I’ve found it easy to adjust to the work, and even though I’m far from home, I feel like I’m part of a close-knit community.
Janu: The company’s structure is very effective. I get to interact with everyone, which makes it easy to pick up various skills. In large companies, departments are often separated, but here, I can learn both technical and management skills. In just six months, I gained skills in client relations and self---directed task management that might take over two years to develop elsewhere. This is one of the company’s strongest points.
Goswami: The president is very kind, which makes the work less intimidating. Even when I don’t understand something, it’s okay to ask for help. There’s so much to learn, and most of the time, the president is there to teach me, so I don’t face many issues. I appreciate this about the company.
—How is learning Japanese going for everyone, especially for Swami, as it’s only been three months since arriving in Japan?
Swami: The company president who assigns us tasks always tries to communicate in simple language. Even if he speaks in Japanese, he uses words we can understand, which is very helpful. If I don’t understand at first, he patiently explains multiple times until I fully grasp what he expects of me.
Additionally, there’s a colleague from Nepal who speaks our common language like Janu, so I can always consult them if I have questions. The president is very patient and provides clear explanations whenever I’m unsure about something.
A senior from the same country provides them with a sense of relief.
—How many foreign employees are currently working at the company?
Goswami: There are five employees in total, hailing from India, Nepal, and Vietnam. In addition, there is one intern from Pakistan who is here for a two---month internship.
Risa: Goswami, you’ve been in Japan for 2 years already and your Japanese is exellent. How well could you speak when you first started working here?
Goswami: I’m still learning, but (laughs) when I first came to Japan, I could understand what my colleagues were saying, but speaking was difficult for me. After two and a half years, I’m now able to hold business conversations quite comfortably.
Risa:Did you study Japanese on your own before joining the company?
Goswami:Yes, I learned it by myself, but I didn’t have many opportunities to speak, so it was hard to get used to speaking. Daily life was a little tough at first, but I got used to it after a few months.
Risa:Have you taken the JLPT as well?
Goswami:Yes, I took the N3 when I first came to Japan, and recently I took the N2 exam. I’m happy to say I passed.
Risa:Congratulations! So, when you first arrived in Japan, communicating in Japanese was still difficult. How do you manage work with your colleagues?
Goswami: I draw the design and send it to my colleagues. If there are any corrections or changes, they draw and send it back to me, so I don’t have any issues. President Ozaki also follows up carefully, and we work together with colleagues of different nationalities, helping each other out.
—Could you share a bit about your personal life outside of work? How do you spend your free time in Japan?
Swami: Outside of work, I spend my weekdays in the city center, attending Japanese language classes to prepare for the JLPT N4 exam. As a vegetarian, I enjoy cooking my own meals. In my free time, I also crochet and make kimono cardigans. Last week, I had the incredible experience of attending the Taiko Festival in Niihama, which was truly memorable.
On his day off, Swami took the opportunity to join a local festival in Japan.
Janu: During the summer vacation, I traveled to Hiroshima with my colleagues. I really enjoy Japanese food, I do love ramen. Recently, I discovered that there’s a sports club nearby, and since I used to play badminton, I took the opportunity to join a game here in Japan as well.
Janu visits many places including a Japanese castle on his day off.
⑥What's Next in Their Careers? Future Goals for These Engineers in Japan
—What are your career goals moving forward?
Goswami: While most of my current work focuses on design, I’d like to take on analysis projects in the future.
Janu: I want to become a more trusted employee. Right now, I still make mistakes and have to revise my designs multiple times. My goal is to handle more complex projects and eventually be trusted to work independently.
Swami: My next challenge is to improve my Japanese skills. Even with strong technical skills, effective communication is impossible without language proficiency. So, mastering Japanese and excelling further in my current role are my main goals for now. While I don’t have a concrete career plan yet, I’d like to stay here, gain valuable experience, and grow. That’s all I’m focusing on at the moment.
Trust in the company’s CEO makes working in Japan enjoyable for the two.
⑦Messages for Those Who Want to Work in Japan
— Do you have any advice for people who might want to pursue a similar career in Japan?
Goswami: Many people might have the impression that working in Japan is tough, but the Japanese are very kind, and it’s a great place to work. There are also many fun things to enjoy outside of work, including in your personal life. I hope you don’t worry and take the leap to get a job here.
Janu: One of the greatest benefits of working in Japan is the opportunity for personal growth, especially for those specializing in mechanical engineering. Japan offers an excellent environment for developing your skills and knowledge.
My advice is to learn Japanese before coming. Even if you have something important to communicate, not being able to express yourself due to language barriers can be frustrating. The Japanese you’ll encounter here isn’t always as clear as the textbook version, so keeping up with real-life conversations can be challenging. I’m still learning, but it’s definitely worth the effort."
Swami: Japan is a beautiful country with amazing people and cutting-edge technology and research. Working here is a fantastic opportunity. If you’re considering building your career in Japan, go for it—you won’t regret it!
That said, preparation is key. First and foremost, learn the language. Knowing Japanese will make your life much smoother and more enjoyable. Additionally, being away from home isn’t always easy. Be mentally prepared to face new challenges, adapt to a different environment, and embrace the changes that come with it.
If you’ve chosen Japan, you’ve made an excellent decision. Embrace this new journey, enjoy the experiences, and create incredible memories. Wishing you the very best.
Risa: Thank you all for sharing your experiences and insights today. It was a pleasure talking with you, and I’m sure many people will find your stories inspiring!
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