From Myanmar to Tokyo: My Journey to Success

Growing up in Myanmar

I grew up in a city where family ties and local community shaped daily life. Education was prized, but opportunities to work globally seemed distant. From early on I was curious about technology, languages, and what life beyond my hometown might look like.

Why Tokyo?

Tokyo felt like the place where I could combine my love for tech with a desire to learn in a highly disciplined, innovative environment. The language and culture were intimidating, but that challenge also felt like fertile ground to grow personally and professionally.

Preparation & First Steps

I started small: learning basic Japanese, building projects to show on GitHub, and connecting with mentors online. I saved money, researched visa options, and applied to internship and entry-level roles that accepted international candidates. A realistic timeline and a growing list of contacts made the leap feel manageable.

• Study: JLPT basics and daily conversational practice
• Skills: Build portfolio projects and contribute to open source
• Network: Join online communities and Tokyo-focused groups
• Paperwork: Prepare transcripts, certificates, and a clean CV

The Move — culture shock & adaptation

The first months were full of small shocks: train navigation, apartment formalities, and a different workplace rhythm. I felt lonely at times. What helped was a routine: language classes, co-working spaces, and weekend walks to explore neighbourhoods. Little rituals — a favourite café or a breakfast spot — made Tokyo feel like home.

Building a Career

Work life in Tokyo taught me discipline and attention to detail. I volunteered for extra tasks, learned the company’s communication norms, and asked for feedback proactively. Over time I moved from junior roles to taking ownership of projects that mattered. Speaking Japanese, even imperfectly, opened doors inside teams and with clients.

1. Show up prepared and deliver reliably.
2. Take feedback, iterate, and document your work.
3. Volunteer for cross-team projects to broaden exposure.
4. Keep building your portfolio and learning new tools.

Challenges I Faced

Language was the biggest barrier — misunderstandings happen, and nuance is hard. There were also administrative hurdles (residence cards, health insurance, tax forms) and occasional cultural missteps. The key was humility: apologise, learn, and move forward.

Small Wins that Mattered

• Leading a small project that reduced onboarding time at my company.
• Presenting at a local meetup in broken-but-accepted Japanese.
• Building friendships that became my support network.
• Receiving a promotion after consistent, visible improvements.

Lessons & Advice for Others

If you're from Myanmar (or anywhere) and considering Tokyo, here’s what I’d tell my younger self:

• Start early: language and skills take time; small, consistent progress wins.
• Be open to odd jobs: short contracts, internships, or part-time work can be bridges.
• Network sincerely: help others, attend meetups, and keep in touch with contacts.
• Document everything: keep copies of contracts, certificates, and correspondence.
• Invest in relationships: colleagues and friends are your greatest resource abroad.

Practical Resources I Used

• Language apps and local JLPT classes
• Job boards for bilingual roles and startup communities
• Local meetup groups, Slack communities, and mentorship platforms
• Online tutorials, bootcamps, and GitHub for showcasing work

Closing thoughts

Success wasn't a single moment — it was the accumulation of efforts, and the willingness to be a beginner many times. Tokyo challenged me, taught me structure, and broadened my horizons. If you decide to make a similar move, bring patience, curiosity, and a small notebook to record both setbacks and wins.