Virtual Internship in Japan

Program Overview

A virtual internship in Japan is a valuable professional development opportunity to work on your career goals and specific interests. With the use of modern technology, virtual internships allow students and graduates to work remotely and gain relevant industry experience with an international company. Virtual interns are provided with a unique opportunity to gain practical skills, industry connections and business experience without leaving home!

Through this program, you can expect to really boost your resume with work experience at an English-speaking company based in Japan. This program is perfect for students who want to gain professional experience, work with an intercultural team, connect with Japanese culture and who are looking for a lower cost (and environmentally friendly!) program option.

Your virtual internship will be primarily project-based, with either one larger project over the course of the internship or several smaller ongoing assignments. Regardless of how many you undertake, each project will be substantive and you can be sure you are contributing to the business in a meaningful way. While this program allows for flexibility and independence, you will also have plenty of guidance and support from a designated supervisor.

We are committed to finding each virtual intern a professional placement that matches your career ambitions and goals to make sure your resulting resume stands out.

View the Virtual Internship Guidelines

Highlights

Our virtual internships in Japan have many perks and benefits:

• Build your resume with experience at an international company.
• Develop your skills working with a cross-cultural team from Japan and around the world while learning ways to do business in a different cultural setting.
• Gain professional, practical experience in a project-based placement in your chosen field. Our internship placements are customised, diverse and cater for a range of interests.
• Enjoy flexibility with your working hours to suit your schedule.
• Have independence and autonomy balanced with ongoing support from a dedicated supervisor.
• Enhance and develop your communication skills, as well as time management, problem solving, creative and digital skills.
• Receive weekly newsletters including cultural topics and tips, plus information on professional and personal development.
• Complete your virtual placement from any location in the world, allowing for flexible hours and a lower cost option by saving on flights, visa fees, insurance and accommodation.

Sample Itinerary

The specific schedule for each intern and placement will vary. Below is an example of what to expect:

• Day 1 (Monday): Placement begins. Meet with staff and supervisor to set out expectations and tasks for your project(s).
• Ongoing: Work will primarily be done independently with ongoing support and check-in meetings with your supervisor. Virtual interns may be included in company and staff meetings (where applicable) to observe, listen and learn. Interns should expect to work from 10-35 hours per week depending on the company, the project(s) and what has been mutually agreed in writing prior to your placement between the student and company supervisor. Ultimately, the placement will be project-focused so “clocking in/out” is less important than with a traditional internship.
• Weekly: Cultural Immersion Workshops with established discussion guide and associated questions on key topics (for example: work-life culture, food / eating, transport, history, geography, early society, cultural challenges, religion, weather, family and friendships, traditions and major holidays, language, healthcare systems, politics).
• Upon completion: Exit interview and evaluation.

Placements

Virtual internship placements are professional, well organised and students accepted in the program should be highly focused and ready to act in an equally professional business manner.

Japanese companies and staff are usually more formal in their employment and hiring process, so students should have strong communication skills (both written and verbal) and must be very polite and respectful. Resumes and applications need to be formally presented and well structured. During interviews, students should be professionally dressed.

Each intern will have a direct company supervisor who will be middle management or higher and act as a coach and mentor. They will speak English and provide ongoing feedback, direction, insight into the company and their role, and support the overall virtual experience.

Virtual internship placements are in English. While Japanese language is not required to participate in this program, knowing some of the language would be an advantage. Placements are available in the following fields:

• Business, entrepreneurship & startups
• Digital marketing
• Education
• Event management
• Sustainability
• Tech & IT
• Tourism & hospitality

If there is interest outside of these areas, please contact us and our Program Advisors will help you find an internship that meets your needs. Our custom placements are designed to fulfil your professional and academic goals and our team works hard to match you with your preferred customised internship placement.

Virtual internships are project-based. While each internship is unique, here are some examples of tasks that may apply:

• Business Development – Help the company to make decisions based on data, research and analysis. Develop methods to increase the value of current customers while attracting new ones.
• Research Projects – Carry out research projects within the industry of the company, identifying key players and searching for new sales opportunities.
• Operations – Understand the daily tasks of a company and focus on improving the processes in place to maximise efficiency.
• Administration – Create spreadsheets, prepare presentations, arrange meetings and manage databases.
• Content Creation – Improve your communication skills while updating websites, blogging, writing articles, or working on visual content through photography, photo editing, videography, graphic design, etc.
• Social Media – Create Social Media calendars, edit and post content on different platforms, engage the community and find new leads and influencers.
• Finance – Research on funds and investors, creation of financial plans and practices for startups
• Competitor Analysis – Research competitors from the industry or in other regions to determine if your company is performing at the level of the competition, staying on the cutting edge of new product development, and determine the competition’s capabilities and positioning.

Job Board

Check out some of the current position openings on the Virtual Internship Job Board.

If you don’t see a position that matches your interests and goals, submit an enquiry and our highly qualified Program Advisors will help customise an internship for you that meets your professional and personal ambitions.

Location

This is the best of both worlds! While you aren’t physically going to Japan, this program allows you to get a career-based experience in your chosen field to boost your professional development, plus get introduced to the culture from the comfort of your home.

Most companies that host a virtual intern on this program are based in Tokyo or Kyoto. Tokyo is one of a kind. It is huge, stylish, exciting, bold, adventurous and incredibly fun. Its metropolitan area is the most populous in the entire world with over 35 million residents, and it is home to absolutely everything – from amazing food, shopping, karaoke, festivals, dance clubs and markets, to quiet and peaceful parks, gardens and temples all within the city centre and outskirts. Kyoto was the former capital of Japan for 1,000 years and is still considered the cultural capital of the country today.

Japan’s unique civilisation has blossomed into a thriving nation, filled with traditional and modern contrasts. The country embodies a strong, warm and welcoming spirit with a rich culture. The country has drawn influences from the rest of Asia for thousands of years, taking in and refining aspects to create something distinctly Japanese.

Program Fee & Dates