Non-STEM & No Experience: The Fastest Route to Becoming an Engineer in Japan (SES vs. In-House)

"I have a Humanities degree (Bunkei), so I can't become an engineer in Japan, right?" "I've heard that Japanese SES companies are all 'Black Companies' (exploitative)..."

If you are thinking about working as an engineer in Japan, you might be feeling anxious about these rumors circulating online. Let me give you the bottom line: It is extremely difficult for a foreigner with a humanities background and no experience to immediately get a job in popular 'In-House Development' companies. Even for Japanese locals, the competition for these positions is incredibly fierce, often with hundreds of applicants for one spot.

However, if you slightly adjust your strategy, it is entirely possible to start your career as an engineer and obtain a work visa in as little as 2 months.

In this article, I will candidly explain the real structure of the Japanese IT industry (SES vs. In-House) and reveal the most realistic and smart roadmap for humanities-background foreigners to "learn skills while working and aim for a high income in 3 years."

The Reality of Japan's IT Industry: Should You Aim for "SES" or "In-House"?

When aiming to become an engineer in Japan, you cannot avoid understanding the difference between two working styles: "In-House Development" and "SES." Most foreigners aspire for the former, but the reality is harsh.

1. In-House Development (Web Service Companies)

These are companies that create their own services, like LINE or Mercari.

• Pros: High salary (Annual income starts around ¥4 million), skill growth, stylish offices.
• Cons: Competition is abnormally high. Without N1 level Japanese and immediate practical experience, you won't even pass the document screening. Recruiters strictly check not just your GitHub code, but also your Japanese ability in the README (documentation).

Related: 【Job Hunting Reality】Do Japanese Recruiters Look at Your GitHub "README" More Than the Code?

2. SES (System Engineering Service)

This is a service where engineers are dispatched to client companies to provide technical support.

• Pros: Easy to get hired even without experience. Training programs are available. You can experience various work environments.
• Cons: Salaries start low (Monthly ¥200,000 - ¥250,000), you work at client sites so company loyalty is thin, and there is a risk of encountering "Black Companies."

Related: 【2026】Foreign Engineer Salary Reality: The Dark Side of SES and the Route to earning 10 Million Yen

Conclusion: Use SES as a "Stepping Stone"

Rather than spending a whole year job hunting for an elusive in-house position, the shortest route is to "first enter an SES company to gain practical experience and a visa." SES is not the goal. It is a "stepping stone." The smart strategy for foreigners is to use it to build experience and then change jobs for better conditions after 3 years.

Can a Humanities Major (Bunkei) Get an Engineering Visa?

When applying for the "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" visa, the Immigration Bureau strictly examines the relevance between your "University Major" and your "Job Description." If you have a STEM degree, there is no problem. But for Humanities majors (Economics, Literature, Sociology, etc.), this is a major hurdle.

Strategy 1: Overcome with Logic

You explain that the "logical thinking," "statistics," and "English ability" learned at university are necessary for IT work (especially infrastructure design or Bridge SE roles). However, this often requires a rationale statement written by a professional administrative scrivener, and the difficulty level is high.

Strategy 2: Prove "Relevance" with Qualifications (Recommended)

This is the strongest passport. If you pass Japan's "Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination (FE)" or the "ITPEC" exams conducted in various Asian countries, you satisfy the visa requirements regardless of your major, according to Ministry of Justice regulations. Humanities graduates should aim to pass this exam before polishing their programming skills.

Note: For details on visas and side hustles, please refer to this article: 【2026 Edition】Is Side Hustle Allowed on the Engineer/Humanities Visa?

For Those With No Money: How to Use "0 Yen" Tuition & Rent Schools

Going to a programming school gives you an advantage in employment, but tuition typically costs around ¥300,000 to ¥800,000. If you have the funds and want to learn in English, bootcamps like "Le Wagon" or "Code Chrysalis" are options, but they are expensive.

Related: 【Ex-English Teachers】Become an Engineer in Japan! Top 3 Programming Schools for Foreigners

For those who say "I don't have that kind of money," there are schools in Japan that become "free on the condition that you get a job."

Net Vision Academy

This is a specialized school for humanities majors and inexperienced people aiming to become "Infrastructure Engineers (Network Engineers)."

• Course Content: Acquire "CCNA," the gateway qualification for networking, in as little as 1 month and aim for employment.
• Target: Ages 18 to 31.
• Biggest Benefits:
  • Tuition is fully free (Normally costs hundreds of thousands of yen).
  • Moving Support: Rent is free for up to 2 months at their partnered share house. Perfect for those moving to Tokyo from rural areas or overseas.
• Foreigner Support: They have a track record of accepting foreign nationals provided they have N2 level Japanese or higher.

You won't be writing code like a programmer, but demand for infrastructure engineers is stable, making it an excellent entry point to "get a visa and start working in Japan."

User Review★★★★★4.5/5

I was anxious at first, but thanks to the free share house, I was able to start my life in Tokyo. Because I had the CCNA qualification, finding a job went smoothly even with a humanities background.

Options If You Really Want to Write "Code"

If you have a strong desire to "write code in Java or PHP rather than doing infrastructure," the following agents are options. Annual income varies greatly depending on the development language (e.g., Go language has high unit prices), but if you have no experience, it is safer to start with languages like Java or PHP where demand is high.

Related: 【2026 Edition】Salary Ranking by Programming Language: Java, Python, Go

Mivoo

Job support specialized for people in their 20s, recent graduates, freelancers, and those with no experience.

• Features: Good at connecting young people who lack confidence in their educational background or work history to companies that accept inexperienced staff. For those who just want to become a full-time employee first.

Yumecareer Agent (Yumecareer)

An agent that pledges to "thoroughly eliminate Black Companies."

• Features: They screen companies with strict standards regarding annual holidays and overtime hours. If you strongly feel "I don't want to be exploited" or "I want to avoid traps like 'deemed overtime'" when joining an SES company, this agent provides peace of mind.

Related: 【Avoid Exploitation】5 Hidden Criteria for Foreign Engineers to Spot Black Companies

Roadmap: Spotting Black SES & "Escaping" in 3 Years

Once you join an SES company, that is when the real start begins. Aim for career advancement in the following 3 steps.

1. Step 1 (0-2 Months): Infiltrating the Industry Use services like Net Vision Academy to get certified and just get into an IT company. The most critical mission here is to obtain the "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" Visa. Related: 【2026 Edition】Comparison of Japanese Job Sites & Agents for Foreigners by Japanese Level
2. Step 2 (Years 1-2): Perseverance Your initial take-home pay might be under ¥200,000. However, think of this as a period where "you are getting paid to learn Japanese and technology."
   • Take notes and memorize Japanese terms you don't understand on site.
   • Acquire additional certifications like AWS or the Fundamental Information Technology Engineer (FE) exam.
3. Step 3 (Year 3): Escape and Salary Increase Once you have "3 years of practical experience + Qualifications + N2/N1," your market value rises dramatically. This is when you finally job hunt for "In-House Development Companies" or "Freelance" roles. If you become a freelancer, an annual income of ¥10 million is not just a dream. It is also effective to use "Reverse Recruiting" (Scout) sites where companies send offers to you.

Related: 【2026 Edition】How Foreigners Can Become Freelance Engineers in Japan Related: 【2026 Edition】Scout Sites are the Answer for IT Engineers. Strategies to Aim for 10 Million Yen

Summary: Take the First Step with Zero Risk

You don't need to give up on becoming an engineer just because you have a humanities background or no experience. The Japanese IT industry is suffering from a serious labor shortage, and if you choose the right route, the opportunities are endless.

The important thing is not to waste time looking for the "perfect company," but to "act now and start the countdown on your years of experience."

Why not use free resources like "Net Vision Academy" to the fullest and take that first step without taking on financial risk?