From Anime Subtitles to International Work in Japanese: A Senpai Story of Perseverance
By Torrence Smith
Welcome to the Senpai Success Story, where you can read about others who have walked a unique career path using their Japanese language/cultural skills. (Senpai means “mentor” or “teacher,” and the concept is important to understand for anyone wishing to work in a Japanese business setting.)
This story is incredible, and it was amazing to see Torrence build his Japan-related career! His final three tips are great 🔥
A Conversation That Changed Everything
I first connected with Kasia through a college professor who helped shape the course of my life 🎓. That professor, who also gave me the opportunity to study abroad in Japan, invited our class to a Saturday online job panel. It wasn’t a traditional job fair. Instead, it featured professionals working in Japan or in Japan-related careers, sharing wisdom with students like me.
One of the panelists that day was Kasia, and her insights stuck with me. After the panel, I reached out to her on LinkedIn. And since then, she’s been more than generous, encouraging, and real 🙏🏾. I’ve only had one Zoom call with her beyond that original event, but I’ve spoken with her many times through emails and messages, and the impact she’s had on my journey is lasting. She’s even passed the JLPT N1, the highest level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, which is incredibly inspiring for learners at any stage 🌟.
So, when she asked me to share a “Senpai Success Story,” I couldn’t say no.
Honestly? I don’t always feel like a success. But I do know what it means to persevere, and maybe that’s what matters most💪🏾.
Why I Started Learning Japanese
Let’s be real: I started learning Japanese to watch anime without subtitles 😂.
But that surface-level curiosity evolved into something much deeper. The kindness of the Japanese people I met in the U.S., particularly in Michigan, was incredibly moving 🫶. It made me want to experience Japanese culture regularly and more personally. So, I kept studying 📚.
Eventually, I applied to study abroad at my university’s sister college, Rikkyo University, in Tokyo (Ikebukuro), during my senior year. And getting there wasn’t easy. I returned to college at 39 and graduated at 43 🎉. I had to work hard to raise my GPA, get accepted, and convince the language department that I was serious. But it was worth it. Studying in Japan changed everything 🌏.
My Career Path After Graduation: From Okinawa to Tochigi
Even before I arrived in Tokyo, I was on LinkedIn daily, searching for ways to work in Japan after graduation.
(Pro tip: LinkedIn is your friend 🙌🏾).
And before graduating, I landed a job as an administrator with a Japanese construction company on a U.S. military base in Okinawa. The interview was casual, held at a restaurant, and about 70% in Japanese. That job didn’t require fluency since most people on the base, including Japanese staff, already spoke English. However, the hiring manager did want to test my speaking ability.
But that “yes” came after a long series of “no’s”🚪❌.
And even though that opportunity was a wonderful experience, I wanted something more: to connect with Japanese culture through language and daily life. However, that wasn’t easy to do on a military base. So, I chose to pursue a path that would allow me to engage more deeply with Japanese language in daily life.
Building Foundations in Japanese Public Service
After Okinawa, I was fortunate to take on a role in local Japanese government as the Coordinator for International Relations (CIR) at a city hall in Tochigi Prefecture 🏛️💼. I was responsible for supporting international economic exchange projects, implementing initiatives to attract foreign (inbound) tourists, and coordinating a sister city relationship program. It was a challenging and formative experience that gave me firsthand exposure to how local governments in Japan operate, communicate, and engage with international communities.
The Japanese used in government offices is well beyond JLPT N1, and while full fluency wasn’t required for the position, adaptability and constant learning were essential 🧠✍🏾. Working in that environment strengthened my ability to operate professionally in Japanese, navigate institutional settings, and collaborate across cultures.
Most importantly, the experience reinforced an important lesson:
You don’t need perfect Japanese to contribute meaningfully in Japan.
But you do need persistence, humility, and a willingness to grow 🌱.
That experience gave me a clear understanding of how my Japanese language skills and cross-cultural background could be used in institutional settings. It also highlighted the value of roles that connect Japanese organizations with international systems and stakeholders, a perspective that continues to shape my work today.
You don’t need perfect Japanese to contribute meaningfully in Japan.
But you do need persistence, humility, and a willingness to grow 🌱.
Applying Japanese Skills in Global Logistics
After returning to the United States, I transitioned into the international logistics sector, where I now work with Nippon Express, a global Japanese logistics organization. In my current role, I support international and domestic relocation operations for Japanese professionals and their families, coordinating complex moves between Japan and multiple regions across the United States 📦✈️.
The work requires close collaboration with Japanese clients, internal teams, and partner organizations, often in Japanese, while managing scheduling, documentation, insurance considerations, and cross-border logistics workflows 🗂️🕒. It’s fast-paced, detail-oriented, and deeply international, bringing together language skills, cultural understanding, and operational coordination 🤝.
This role has allowed me to continue building on my Japan-focused background while gaining practical experience in global logistics and mobility, fields that are increasingly essential in international organizations 🌐📈.
3 Tips for Anyone Starting Their Japan Journey
1. Don’t wait until you’re “ready”
There’s no perfect time. You’ll never feel fully fluent or qualified enough. Apply anyway. Reach out anyway. Try anyway 🚀.
2. Use LinkedIn (seriously)
It’s one of the best ways to connect with professionals in Japan or Japan-related industries. Attend online panels. Send polite messages. Follow people doing what you want to do 🤝💬.
3. Build a community
Language learning is hard. Moving abroad is hard. Doing both alone is really hard. Find people who believe in you: mentors, classmates, professors, senpai, and let them remind you of what you’re capable of 💖.
There’s no perfect time. You’ll never feel fully fluent or qualified enough. Apply anyway. Reach out anyway. Try anyway 🚀.
Final Thoughts: Keep Showing Up
I won’t sugarcoat things. There will be setbacks. People will close doors in your face. Some might question your age, your ability, experience, or whether you’re “special” enough 🥀.
But what makes you special is that you keep going.
That perseverance, the willingness to try again, to show up, to believe in something greater, that’s what gets you across the finish line 🏁.
Whether you’re learning a language, trying to live abroad, or chasing a dream you’ve barely dared to speak out loud… just keep going.
I’m living proof that the yes you’re looking for might be just one effort away 💫.
And if your journey is leading you toward Japan or a Japan-related career, I can’t recommend Kasia enough. Her insight, encouragement, resourcefulness, and compassion has helped me more than she knows, and I believe she can help you too ✨.
Connect with Torrence on LinkedIn (International Relocation & Logistics Coordinator, Nippon Express USA)
