The “LIFE IN JAPAN” series showcases the lifestyles of PayPay employees, who have moved to Japan from over 50 different countries and regions. In this issue, we interviewed Jesmin Rahman from Bangladesh about her journey to joining PayPay and how she stays true to herself while living in a culturally different country.
※Employee affiliations are current as of the time of the interview
Jesmin Rahman
Merchant Services QA, Technology Department, Merchant Services Product Division, Product Group
Hey there! I’m Jesmin from Bangladesh. I majored in computer science in college and worked in companies in both South Korea and Bangladesh after graduation. I joined PayPay as a QA PM (Quality Assurance Project Manager) in January 2023, and now I lead the entire QA team for Merchant Services. I’m a nature lover, so on my days off, I enjoy trekking, hiking, and traveling.
What sparked your interest in Japan?
After graduating from university, I worked for a company in South Korea. While living in Seoul, I started getting curious about what life would be like in Japan, the next-door neighbor. Japan is known as a high-tech country, but I had heard that it’s also very peaceful and safe, which made me wonder what it would be like to actually live there.
After returning to Bangladesh, I got the chance to work with a Japanese company and was deeply impressed by the culture of mutual respect. My desire to move to Japan and achieve my own “Japanese dream” grew stronger, and joining PayPay finally made that dream come true!
What’s life like in Japan?
In my current neighborhood, there’s an Indian community with plenty of Indian groceries and even festivals, which helps me feel at home.
Several PayPay colleagues also live nearby, so I can ask them for advice on everyday tasks like shopping or travel plans. We’re more than just coworkers; we explore Tokyo together and take trips outside the city on long weekends. Plus, there’s a Bangladeshi community at PayPay where we often get together at the office or have social gatherings to catch up.
I’m also a huge fan of nature, so sometimes I take my laptop to a nearby park to enjoy the seasonal flowers or do some bird watching during work breaks. I especially love autumn because of the perfect temperatures and beautiful fall colors, making it a great time for travel. Trekking in the Northern Alps was an incredible experience! I’m looking forward to trying snowboarding this winter.
Any challenges with cultural differences?
The food culture between Japan and Bangladesh is quite different, which has its challenges. In everyday life, I can get Indian groceries easily, so meals aren’t an issue. But when traveling or hiking, if there are only Japanese food options available, I have to prepare in advance due to dietary restrictions related to my religious beliefs.
That said, I love Japanese food, especially the fish and sushi—they’re absolutely delicious. I’m also a fan of udon and have it every week without ever getting bored!
Any language barriers?
Reading paper documents like rent or utility notifications can be a hassle since I need to use web translation for Japanese, but other than that, I haven’t faced significant language issues.
People in Japan are kind and make an effort to understand even if there’s a language barrier, so face-to-face communication has been manageable so far. Working or traveling in Japan doesn’t require fluency in Japanese.
What’s it like working at PayPay?
I had never worked in a Fintech company before and was worried about language barriers and my lack of knowledge in the Japanese Fintech field.
But after joining, I found that most documents are in English and I can communicate with Japanese colleagues in English, so there were no language issues.
PayPay has well-organized documentation detailing the features and rationale behind the products we develop, like coupons or stamp cards, and their impact on the Japanese market. These documents cover technical aspects, market conditions, and customer needs, helping me understand PayPay’s domain, products, and projects comprehensively.
Although I joined the QA team, I often interact with business-side members as a project leader, learning about Japanese fintech through on-the-job training. If you’re interested in PayPay but worried about lacking fintech experience or knowledge of the Japanese market, don’t hesitate—just dive in!
What’s rewarding about being a QA Project Manager?
PayPay has become essential infrastructure in Japanese society. Working on projects that significantly impact society gives me a sense of responsibility and fulfillment as a QA Project Manager. PayPay’s rapid growth and convenience in cashless payments are exciting to be a part of, keeping my motivation and passion high!
What’s the team atmosphere like?
My department includes members from Japan, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and other countries. Everyone is professional and very friendly. We strive for excellence at work but enjoy casual fun outside of work, striking a perfect balance. Communication with these teammates is smooth and comfortable.
We mainly work remotely, but we also meet for discussions, workshops, and sometimes enjoy drinks or online games together. These interactions help prevent loneliness when living abroad.
A message for those interested in working at PayPay in Japan!
PayPay is a fantastic workplace for members coming from overseas like me! It’s a significant company in Japanese society’s infrastructure, handling cutting-edge technology. The rapid release of high-quality products means you can grow quickly and learn a lot.
Moreover, Japan is one of the best places to live in the world—peaceful, safe, and serene. If you want to enjoy your engineering career and life in Japan, PayPay is the perfect choice!
In our upcoming issue…
Members from Taiwan will have a talk on what it is like to relocate to Japan and work with PayPay!
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*Employee affiliations are current as of the time of the interview.