How an internship in Tokyo opened the door to my future career

Adam recently completed three years of his Chemical Engineering degree at Loughborough University. Driven by an interest in entrepreneurship, he undertook a Business Development internship in Japan to bridge the gap between technical engineering and global business strategy. Determined to build a broad foundation across international markets before specializing and with long-term ambitions to found his own company, this global internship was a strategic step towards gaining valuable experience to build his own cross-border businesses.

Hi Adam, why did you choose to do this Business Development internship in Japan?

Coming from a chemical engineering background, I hadn’t expected a placement like this to feel relevant, but the product I was assigned to work with during this Business Development internship was fundamentally a chemistry/materials-science product, so this internship role sat right at the interface between the technical product and the commercial reality of getting it adopted internationally.

This experience provided me with a much clearer picture of how technical products actually reach the market: not just “the technology works,” but pricing models, client-specific ROI arguments, and unglamorous CRM hygiene.

Skills I’d point to directly, financial modelling under real constraints, cross-cultural business communication, and the discipline of verifying data before trusting it, are all things I’d want in any engineering-adjacent role that touches commercialisation.

What specific responsibilities did your internship involve?

In my Business Development internship role, I supported the international expansion of a Japanese materials-technology host organization by managing a multi-market B2B outreach campaign, building and maintaining a 800+ contact CRM tracking system across six market segments, developing Python-based email automation, and producing client-facing sales materials including a financial ROI model used live on international sales calls. The tasks that I did directly improved data accuracy and freed senior staff time from manual reconciliation.

How did you prepare in advance for this internship?

Intern Abroad HQ made the entire journey incredibly smooth from start to finish. Their pre-departure support, clear communication, and application coordination took all the stress out of planning a trip overseas. The team was always responsive to my logistical questions and ensured I was fully prepared before arriving in Japan. I highly recommend their platform for anyone looking to intern abroad without the usual stress that would accompany it!

To also help myself get prepared for this internship in Japan, I made sure to do plenty of research into the working culture in Japan, including certain phrases that would be helpful around the office. When other colleagues tried to speak English and were struggling, I always told them to take their time.

Prior to the internship, I prepared by learning some basic Japanese so that I could greet and ask for a limited amount of assistance from the colleagues (but it was still not enough to form any sort of social relationship with them). This eventually led me to helping the colleagues out with English lessons.

What was it like adapting to the new environment in your first week?

I thought my nights staying up in the library during exam season would have trained me up for my first ever jet lag, but no, I did not realise just how tiring it was at the beginning. Despite this, moving into my accommodation went smoothly and my supervisor gave me reduced working hours to allow myself to get adjusted, so I have felt more than welcome with the flexibility. The rush hour commutes did take some getting used to, along with the very hot climate in summer and the signs that were often impossible to read!

I had to be quite mindful of things like pedestrian etiquette and queuing for almost everything, but I have tried to just replicate what most around me are doing. A bit more research prior would have helped me get some of these rules right the first time and also being a bit more prepared with my Japanese so that I could better understand workers and locals explaining the rules to me.

I was mostly prepared for these things. However, make sure to come prepared with the right clothes and downloaded apps to be able to live here comfortably. My first time trying Japanese sushi was a moment I won’t forget, and the meals in Tokyo were some of the best I have ever had!

What kind of challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?

My most significant communication challenge at my placement was the internal language barrier. My supervisor is the only fluent English speaker in the office, meaning that when she is unavailable, I must communicate with my Japanese-speaking colleagues using translation software. Discussing complex topics, such as specific parameters within my ROI models or the nuances of client outreach, can easily become disjointed when filtered through an app.

Initially, this made me feel isolated and highly conscious of being a burden. Relying on a screen to translate strategic questions felt clumsy, and I worried about wasting my colleagues’ valuable time with slow, prolonged back-and-forth exchanges.

However, to adapt and overcome this, I devised a strategy of preemptive communication. Before approaching a colleague with a question, I took the time to anticipate the follow-up questions they might have regarding my work. I prepared and translated my initial question, along with the anticipated follow-ups and necessary context, in advance.

A colleague who was fluent had English lessons as a second job, so she included me in a lesson to have a normal conversation with her students. This resulted in a mutual respect in the office in a way I could not have expected.

By applying an engineering mindset to map out the potential conversation tree beforehand, I minimized the real-time friction of using a translator, ensured the exchange was as efficient as possible, and demonstrated respect for their time.

What cultural insights did you obtain, which impacted your professional development?

Interning in a Japanese business context with this internship made individualism visible by contrasting on collectivism - the emphasis on group harmony (wa - 和), indirect communication, and prioritizing the collective’s comfort over individual assertiveness stood out immediately, especially in the Japanese business phrases and etiquette I was introduced to at the start [the importance of greetings, humility phrases like “yoroshiku onegaishimasu” (“Please treat me well, I look forward to working with you” - this acts as a verbal contract signaling humility, goodwill, and a mutual commitment to harmony / wa), and reading unspoken cues].

I adapted by using formal openings and closings in emails to international contacts, adjusting tone based on region (e.g., warmer/more relational phrasing for Latin American contacts, more formal/structured phrasing for German or Japanese contacts), learning basic Japanese workplace greetings and etiquette phrases early on, and recognizing when a reply’s brevity or delay reflected cultural norms rather than disinterest, and adjusting follow-up tone accordingly.

For non-verbal communication, the physical manifestation of respect is immediately apparent through bowing. The depth and duration of a bow convey precise levels of respect toward clients or superiors, replacing the firm handshake I am accustomed to.

Emotional displays in the workplace are incredibly subdued. To maintain ‘wa’ (和 - harmony), overt displays of frustration or aggressive disagreement are avoided, and faces often remain neutral to preserve professionalism.

I noticed the prevalent use of aizuchi (frequent nodding and verbal affirmations like “I see” during a conversation). Initially, I mistook this for agreement with my pitch, but I learned it is a polite cue to show the listener is paying attention.

How did you develop your own cultural intelligence through the internship in Japan?

There were many opportunities to get involved in cultural activities and learn more about Japanese culture when I was immersed in an internship in Japan. For example, my supervisor introduced me to many local independent food spots as well as recommendations for what to get up to when travelling around Japan. Also, my supervisor got me to have some conversations with co-workers who were trying to learn English to try and promote multiculturalism within the office.

A memorable moment was when I attended a function after work with my boss where she invited her Japanese friends to taste drinks and play games, all with the intention of learning English by having the night being predominantly spoken in English. For me, this was a great night, talking to people from such different backgrounds to what I was used to and helping others learn more about English - the internship tasks that I did were very rewarding too.

How has the internship empowered you for future success?

I feel significantly more empowered. As a Chemical Engineering student, my technical and process background is strong, but driving business development and building financial models at my internship placement provided crucial commercial awareness. I now have a better understanding of how technical engineering projects must align with business viability and client needs, giving me a much more holistic, well-rounded edge in my chosen industry.

The internship has opened doors for me. In the immediate future, I plan to apply the discipline and adaptability I developed in Tokyo to my upcoming research project at the National Technological University in Singapore. Long-term, my goal is to seamlessly blend this new commercial acumen with my technical engineering skills during my final year at Loughborough University, carrying that combined expertise into a graduate role late next year.

My time spent at this internship has massively improved my assurance that I will be able to manage living and working in any location once I graduate. Personally, I intend to maintain the deep cultural curiosity I cultivated in Japan as I explore Singapore and beyond.

What will you miss the most, now that your internship has ended?

The hardest transition will be losing the daily thrill of unstructured urban exploration, like hunting down vintage football shirts across Tokyo’s vibrant district and shifting straight into a structured working schedule.

Moving directly into a five-month research lab project at the National Technological University in Singapore will require an intense mindset shift away from the dynamic, spontaneous nature of my time in Japan, with more time having to be spent outside of working hours studying, so the time management I developed in Japan will be put to the test.

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FAQs

Do I need a business degree or fluent Japanese to succeed in a Tokyo Business Development internship?

No. Intern Abroad HQ offers internships that are conducted in English, and host organizations regularly welcome candidates from a range of disciplines. Japanese language lessons are available, upon request. With basic translation tools, thoughtful communication strategies, and an open mind, you can navigate language barriers and integrate as an international intern.

What real-world projects and transferable skills will I gain during my placement?

Interns in Japan have scope to assist with a range of practical activities. Rather than passive shadowing, interns support tangible deliverables such as B2B outreach campaigns, market research, and client communications.

How does Intern Abroad HQ ensure I am supported before and during my trip to Japan?

Interns receive comprehensive support, designed to remove the stress of interning overseas. A dedicated Program Manager assists with pre-departure preparation, Japanese-style resume formatting, and travel requirements. Once you arrive, local coordinators manage your airport pickup, orientation, and sharehouse accommodation. At your internship placement, host supervisors mentor your daily tasks.

How will interning in Tokyo advance my long-term career goals?

Immersing yourself in Tokyo’s dynamic corporate landscape builds exceptional cultural intelligence and commercial acumen. You’ll gain firsthand insight into Japanese business customs and etiquette. Demonstrating that you can adapt to a business environment, solve cross-cultural communication challenges, and drive measurable ROI gives you high-value interview stories and a strong competitive edge.