In our LIFE IN JAPAN series, we highlight the lifestyles of PayPay employees from 50 different countries and regions who have relocated to Japan. This special quarterly edition features Newman Chen and Ryan Chen from Taiwan, who share their experiences and tips on living authentically in a new culture.
Newman Chen
O2O PLC Discovery, Technology Department, Merchant Services Product Division, Product Group
Hi, I’m Newman! I worked in Taiwan until I joined PayPay in 2022. Currently, I’m a Frontend Engineer on the PayPay Coupon team. On weekends, I love exploring the city. Japan’s streets are clean, well-maintained, and safe to walk even late at night, which I really enjoy.
Ryan Chen
O2O PLC Discovery, Technology Department, Merchant Services Product Division, Product Group
Hello, I’m Ryan from Taiwan. I moved to Japan about a year and a half ago when I joined PayPay. This is my first time living and working abroad! I’m also a Frontend Engineer, working on coupon-related pages. I’m also focusing on learning Japanese to make local friends.
Why did you decide to work at PayPay?
Newman:
I spent seven years as a Frontend Engineer in Taiwan, and after my first trip to Japan, I was captivated by its charm and dreamed of working here someday. That’s when I discovered PayPay, a rapidly growing company in Japan.
I decided to join because I wanted to challenge myself and grow further. Opportunities to work in a global environment as an engineer are rare in Taiwan. At PayPay, I get to work with members from 50 different countries and regions, and the primary language is English, which is ideal for engineers. I saw this as a chance to advance my career.
Ryan:
It’s true, opportunities to use English are limited in Taiwanese software companies. In my previous job, I only used English in emails or meetings with American teams.
After three years at a major web platform company, I wanted to try the financial industry and joined a cryptocurrency-related company. Remote work started during the COVID-19 pandemic and suited me well, so I continued working remotely in my last job. When I was looking for my next remote work job, I came across PayPay.
PayPay’s cashless service is widely used in Japan, and I felt my work could have a significant social impact. The opportunity to work with a diverse team from around the world was also very appealing. In addition, I’ve traveled to Japan many times and really like its rich culture and beautiful nature. Although I never imagined working in Japan, I’m grateful for this great opportunity!
How’s it been working at PayPay?
Newman:
In most Japanese companies, Japanese language skills are a must, but at PayPay, you can communicate in either Japanese or English, which removes a language barrier. After over two years at PayPay, I’ve been surprised at how smoothly things run in English. There’s no need to worry if you don’t speak Japanese!
Have you faced any cultural challenges?
Ryan:
I don’t think there’s a huge cultural difference between Taiwan and Japan, and growing up watching anime, I was familiar with Japanese lifestyle and did not get a cultural shock. Some say living abroad can be lonely, but with SNS, it’s easy to find groups from your home country. Many Taiwanese colleagues at PayPay interact on Slack and gather for events like Christmas and summer fireworks. Making friends from Taiwan here is a breeze.
Newman:
One challenge is registering for Japanese online services as a foreigner. Some sites reject names in Katakana or Roman letters, which can be frustrating. Taiwanese sites are much simpler to register on, so I hope Japanese sites become more user-friendly.
Have you had any language struggles?
Ryan:
I haven’t faced major issues in daily life. As Taiwanese, we can understand Kanji, so it’s easy to guess meanings. In restaurants, I just point at the menu and say, “This, please,” and it works. Dining and shopping in Tokyo are pretty straightforward.
Newman:
Even in Tokyo, knowing some Japanese helps in daily life. If you plan to live outside Tokyo, you might encounter more language barriers. However, there’s no need to worry too much. With web translation and a positive attitude, you’ll manage just fine!
What’s your next challenge in Japan?
Ryan:
To overcome the language barrier and make Japanese friends, I’m continuing my self-study of Japanese. I’m also planning to move out of Tokyo, which involves a lot of Japanese paperwork and communication. I aim to improve my Japanese skills over the next six months to handle the move smoothly.
How was onboarding?
Ryan:
The onboarding process was very smooth. A service apartment was arranged upon arrival, and the company helped with phone contracts, bank accounts, local government procedures, and renting a house. There were no major problems when I moved.
During the first week, we received basic training on products and internal tools. Since PayPay isn’t available in Taiwan, this was my first time using the app. Luckily, Newman, also from Taiwan, was my mentor, making the transition easier without a language barrier.
Any advice for those considering working at PayPay in Japan?
Newman:
Many in Taiwan want to work in Japan but are hesitant due to concerns about Japanese work culture. There can be a lot of uncertainty in pursuing a new career in a foreign country. But from my experience, the culture at PayPay isn’t much different from Taiwanese software companies.
Ryan:
I agree with Newman. I’d add that PayPay is a major cashless payment service with a large user base in Japan. If you want a job with a significant social impact, PayPay is the place. It’s an exciting job, and I encourage you to take the leap and try it!
In our upcoming issue…
Members from Malaysia will have a talk on what it is like to relocate to Japan and work with PayPay!
Current job openings
*Job openings and employee affiliations are current as of the time of the interview.