The “Life in Japan” series showcases the lifestyles of PayPay employees from 50 different countries and regions who have moved to Japan. This time, we spoke with Halie Yamanashi from Canada about what led her to join PayPay and her tips for living true to herself in a country with a different cultural background!
Halie Yamanashi
Product Security, Payment & Technology Platform Division, Product Group
Hello! I’m Halie from Canada. Before graduating high school, I spent five months studying abroad in Kyoto. I came back to Japan five years ago and joined PayPay in March 2023. My hobbies include outdoor activities, especially playing by the sea and hiking in the mountains.
What sparked your interest in Japan?
It all started when I studied abroad in Japan for five months before graduating high school. Initially, I considered studying in an English or French-speaking country, but a friend of my mother, who was teaching at a high school in Kyoto, invited me to study in Japan. I had a truly wonderful time thanks to my host family and friends.
After graduating from university in Canada and getting a job, I still couldn’t forget the fun days I spent in Japan. So, I obtained a work visa and came back to Japan. Initially, I planned to work in Japan for just one year, but I met my current husband and ended up living here for a long time.
What led you to join PayPay?
Originally, I studied computer engineering in university and worked in computer security for a Canadian government agency after graduation. So, I worked in network security and testing for a Japanese company, even after I decided to live in Japan for a long time. However, I was the only non-Japanese employee there, and I wanted to work in a more international environment, so I applied to PayPay. At PayPay, I can work remotely from Kyoto and do security work, which I have experience in. Although the position at the time was for application security, which is slightly different from my field of expertise, I was eager to take on the challenge.
Right: Kamogawa, a pretty well-known river in Kyoto. Me and my friend went on an outing in summer kimono.
Tell us about the Product Security team and what you do on a daily basis!
Currently, I am responsible for app security in the Product Security team. When new features are added or existing ones are modified, I check for security issues, bugs, or vulnerabilities that could lead to data leaks.
The team consists of multinational members from around the world, currently living across the country including Tokyo and Fukuoka. We usually work remotely, but we have office days once a quarter to get together and bond. Recently, we all went bowling together!
How is life in Kyoto?
Even when I was studying abroad in high school and when I first came back to Japan, I could handle daily conversations in Japanese, but not at a business level. Despite that I’ve never had trouble in my day-to-day life. For those interested in working in Japan but worried about the language barrier, I want to say that it will be fine.
Kyoto is a tourist destination, so sometimes I get mistaken for a foreign tourist (laughs), but it’s a great place for those who want to learn about traditional Japanese culture. If you want to immerse yourself in Japanese and improve your language skills, I recommend towns outside major cities, like Shiga, Shizuoka, and Nagano.
On my days off, I relieve stress by going to karaoke, eating at conveyor belt sushi restaurants, and hiking. There are many mountains around Kyoto with popular hiking trails! Sometimes I drive to trails in Shiga or Nara too. Shiga, a neighboring prefecture of Kyoto where I used to live, gets more snow than Kyoto, which I enjoy. Cycling around Lake Biwa is also popular.
I’m also interested in traditional Japanese kimonos and recently started attending a kimono dressing class. I’m still a beginner, but I hope to get certified someday and be able to dress my friends when they visit. Kyoto has a more kimono-friendly atmosphere compared to other regions in Japan like Tokyo. While some people wear kimonos in a traditional style, many young people mix kimonos with modern clothing, which has both supporters and critics. I also have friends who go out in kimonos on weekends.
Have you faced any challenges with cultural differences?
Since I had experience studying abroad in Japan and was able to retain my Japanese skills, I didn’t feel much anxiety about the language. However, living in a foreign country for a long time isn’t always fun; sometimes you experience cultural and institutional differences firsthand.
For instance, the healthcare systems in Canada and Japan are different. In Canada, there’s a family doctor system, so you first see your family doctor or a general practitioner, and if necessary, get referred to a specialist. While having a designated family doctor means you don’t have to search for a hospital, it can be challenging to get an appointment due to full schedules, and you have to find a new family doctor if you move. In Japan, since this system doesn’t exist, you have to find a hospital yourself from the start, and it can be confusing to know which department to visit. Having said that both systems have their pros and cons, and I feel that neither is inherently better than the other.
How is it working at PayPay?
Some Japanese companies have dress codes and detailed rules like how to bow and where to stand in an elevator. The “Nomikai” drinking culture is also a unique aspect of Japan. On the other hand, PayPay respects diversity and provides a flexible working environment, so I can work with peace of mind.
Especially in the Product Division at PayPay, there are members with diverse backgrounds from around the world, making conversations enjoyable and educational. We often talk about our cultures, which is stimulating as it introduces new perspectives.
Our team usually conducts business in English. Sometimes there are language barriers, but we can use Slack’s auto-translation feature, and there are excellent translators within the company, so it’s not a problem even if your Japanese isn’t at a business level. However, some Japanese are required in some teams, especially in the business-side teams due to the nature of their work.
A message for those who want to come to Japan and work at PayPay!
In Japan, it can be challenging for women, especially those raising children, to work full-time, but PayPay provides an environment where it’s easier to continue working full-time. With a diverse group of members from different nationalities and genders, I believe you can pursue your career without being constrained by your background.
Many people who want to work in Japan may think of living in Tokyo, but there are many other wonderful regions in Japan! With PayPay, remote work is possible, and everyone is cooperative, open, and fun to work with. Take the plunge and give it a try!
In our upcoming issue,
Two members from the UK will share their experiences with PayPay and life in Japan!
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*Job openings and employee affiliations are current as of the time of the interview.