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Dev-Gaf: What skills are needed to work in the games industry in Japan?
- Thread starter Dabookerman
- Start date
Here's a giant editorial written by someone who really loved Japan and went to live and work there for five years and counting: http://kotaku.com/5484581/japan-its-not-funny-anymore
I suggest reading the entire thing and making sure that this is really a place you want to live and work in.
I suggest reading the entire thing and making sure that this is really a place you want to live and work in.
BocoDragon
or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Realize This Assgrab is Delicious
Nirolak said:
kotaku article said:
lol. I laughed. This article is worth reading... but at the same time it's hilarious:
kotaku article said:
kotaku article said:
Basically, its a hippie complaining.
cosmicblizzard
Banned
Nirolak said:
Off topic, but this part stood out to me.
America isn't much different. Sometimes I'll just say "I have a liver disease" to get people off my back.
BocoDragon
or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Realize This Assgrab is Delicious
Oh its a Tim Rogers article. Now I get it. 
cosmicblizzard
Banned
Just finished it. Sounds like he's nitpicking A LOT. You don't like Pachinko? Great, I don't like slot machines. You know what I do? AVOID THEM and head to the Craps table.
The concept of reading the article is that it lets Dabookerman see if any of those cultural would bother him if he had to live there 24/7, ranging from long work hours to forced partying to the types of things he would have to deal with while not at work.cosmicblizzard said:
If none of these things bother him, then that's a great sign for going and living there.
Champomade
Member
Nirolak said:
To me, this guy sounds like a total douche who could not be happy anywhere else than in America (and isn't probably happy in America anyway)
cosmicblizzard
Banned
Nirolak said:
Yeah I know. I just find some of the things Roger's is complaining about funny when I could probably name the same amount or more things about my own country (big and small) that I don't like. I wouldn't want to work in Japan because of the hours and overall work atmosphere (just generalizing here) but some of the bullet points could almost be considered a positive IMO. I like the high energy, screaming thing.
Was about to say that I'm amazed by the amount of negativity in this thread, but then again I guess I'm not.
How about just helping the OP with his original request rather than go about trying to change his mind or tell him what a mistake he's making?
The amount of language you're going to need isn't really set in stone. I'd say that since you're an artist - you're going to need about daily conversation level proficiency. We've had a few, non-Japanese programmers at my company and though they were able to speak using programming, many of their coworkers have confessed that it was difficult to work with them because they couldn't communicate effectively.
If you were into game design, I'd say that you'd need a very high level of proficiency as communicating your vision (i.e. making sure that the rest of the team can imagine the project and operate on the same wavelength) is of most importance.
Actually, let me go ask some people in the art department their opinion...
In terms of communication, you're going to need about daily conversation level. The most important thing is how well you can draw. If you're really good, most companies will be more willing to take you on despite your communicative abilities.
Having said that, I'd take a look at the Japanese Language Proficiency Test guidelines and aim for about level 2 competency. Of course, making sure your portfolio is in tip-top shape is of vital importance.
A lot of people here are blowing the whole overtime thing out of proportion. Sure, there are times when you're busy and you'll need to work late but it's no different than companies in the west. The company I work at is very flexible - you can work pretty much any hours you want so long as the work gets done. A lot of my coworkers tend to hang around after hours and goof off or take extended lunch breaks to play games or go out to eat.
I'd also recommend reading up on Japanese culture a little bit just so you know what to expect. No one expects you to completely conform or become Japanese - in fact I'd urge you not to since you're experience as a non-Japanese is equally valuable, especially with how the scene has shifted to the West in recent years. Still, knowing which aspects you should adapt to, or at the very least compromise with, will go a long way to preserving your sanity. The same holds true for any foreign country, not just Japan.
From what I've gathered, pay can be lower in Japan than in the west. Also, if you're moving out to Tokyo - be prepared to pay more for less in terms of living space. You may also have to deal with a lengthy commute.
Also, don't count on a company to sponsor your visa. Chances are they don't know what to do anymore than you do. Having a visa of some sorts will go a long way to improving your chances of getting hired. There are a number of ways you can get a visa depending on your nationality.
If you're American, you can probably use your major in college (art?) to qualify for a specialist in Humanities visa. The surest way for you to come over is to find an English conversation school. I think Reno has a thread about that in the Off Topic section of Gaf. You can go the private, corporate method (English conversation schools like Nova, Gabba, ECC, Berlitz) or go for a government sponsored program like JET. JET is the better ride but I think it will be harder for you to ditch halfway through your contract if you suddenly land a job at a game company.
America doesn't offer working holiday visas but that may be an option for you. I wouldn't recommend coming over on a tourist visa if you can help it.
If you do end up coming out to Japan, and are in the Tokyo area, send me a PM and I'll see what I can do about helping you out.
Good luck and don't mind the hate in the thread. Japan is a good place to get both work and life experience. Nothing wrong with broadening your horizons and experiencing another culture. While the Japanese game industry isn't what it was in the late 80s and 90s, it's far from obsolete.
How about just helping the OP with his original request rather than go about trying to change his mind or tell him what a mistake he's making?
The amount of language you're going to need isn't really set in stone. I'd say that since you're an artist - you're going to need about daily conversation level proficiency. We've had a few, non-Japanese programmers at my company and though they were able to speak using programming, many of their coworkers have confessed that it was difficult to work with them because they couldn't communicate effectively.
If you were into game design, I'd say that you'd need a very high level of proficiency as communicating your vision (i.e. making sure that the rest of the team can imagine the project and operate on the same wavelength) is of most importance.
Actually, let me go ask some people in the art department their opinion...
In terms of communication, you're going to need about daily conversation level. The most important thing is how well you can draw. If you're really good, most companies will be more willing to take you on despite your communicative abilities.
Having said that, I'd take a look at the Japanese Language Proficiency Test guidelines and aim for about level 2 competency. Of course, making sure your portfolio is in tip-top shape is of vital importance.
A lot of people here are blowing the whole overtime thing out of proportion. Sure, there are times when you're busy and you'll need to work late but it's no different than companies in the west. The company I work at is very flexible - you can work pretty much any hours you want so long as the work gets done. A lot of my coworkers tend to hang around after hours and goof off or take extended lunch breaks to play games or go out to eat.
I'd also recommend reading up on Japanese culture a little bit just so you know what to expect. No one expects you to completely conform or become Japanese - in fact I'd urge you not to since you're experience as a non-Japanese is equally valuable, especially with how the scene has shifted to the West in recent years. Still, knowing which aspects you should adapt to, or at the very least compromise with, will go a long way to preserving your sanity. The same holds true for any foreign country, not just Japan.
From what I've gathered, pay can be lower in Japan than in the west. Also, if you're moving out to Tokyo - be prepared to pay more for less in terms of living space. You may also have to deal with a lengthy commute.
Also, don't count on a company to sponsor your visa. Chances are they don't know what to do anymore than you do. Having a visa of some sorts will go a long way to improving your chances of getting hired. There are a number of ways you can get a visa depending on your nationality.
If you're American, you can probably use your major in college (art?) to qualify for a specialist in Humanities visa. The surest way for you to come over is to find an English conversation school. I think Reno has a thread about that in the Off Topic section of Gaf. You can go the private, corporate method (English conversation schools like Nova, Gabba, ECC, Berlitz) or go for a government sponsored program like JET. JET is the better ride but I think it will be harder for you to ditch halfway through your contract if you suddenly land a job at a game company.
America doesn't offer working holiday visas but that may be an option for you. I wouldn't recommend coming over on a tourist visa if you can help it.
If you do end up coming out to Japan, and are in the Tokyo area, send me a PM and I'll see what I can do about helping you out.
Good luck and don't mind the hate in the thread. Japan is a good place to get both work and life experience. Nothing wrong with broadening your horizons and experiencing another culture. While the Japanese game industry isn't what it was in the late 80s and 90s, it's far from obsolete.
DCharlie
Banned
It's a Tim Rogers article, so -as always- be careful with the details because he's the sort of talesmith where if he had a mundane walk to work one morning he did it riding Hideo Kojima barebacked (after Koji-sama called to ask for the PRIVELAGE of being ridden - begged pretty much, hard to pull himself away from his bed , still warm and occupied by a famous Korean singer and her secret twin sister) whilst the Pope sits alongside in a sidecar - playing competitive Puzzle Bobble 2 (ONLY 2 ! GRRRR! and on the Neo Geo mind!) whilst Tim demonstrated his fluent Japanese and Russian in what can only be described as the greatest piece of performance art ever - conveying each intonation, each character, each rise and fall perfectly via the power of ELECTRIC ROCK GUITAR.
Other than that some of the points in the article do ring true but , yes, Tim Rogers Article is Long.
No matter who you ask about "Japan" (or Tokyo or whatever) then you'll get a different answer - i'm sure if you ask all of J-GAF for our thoughts you'd get vastly different takes on a number of things from the food, to the people, to the working life, to the environment, law etc...
Also - just as an aside - if you are going to work in the Japanese gaming industry the first thing you should get used to is that you aren't going to get paid very much. A lot of stories of frustration especially when , in some cases, it's more economically sensible to teach English. That is one of the few things that seems to be pretty common unfortunately - though obviously repeating my own sentiments above that might just be because of the group of people i happen to talk to :/
But yes, as per above post from KuroNeeko - it's certainly a fun experience and after 10 years here Japan (or more specifically Tokyo) still hasn't gotten old yet.
Segata Sanshiro
Member
I don't have much to add to KuroNeeko's excellent post but I will say that JLPT Level 2 is really hard. I have Level 3 and I've tried the Level 2 a few times without much luck. I'm pretty good conversationally and can play through games that have difficult Japanese, like Ryu ga Gotoku and MegaTen. I can understand most of what I'm watching on TV here. I go to movies that are 100% Japanese and can easily follow them. It's not enough for Level 2.
I don't want to piss on the parade, cuz plenty of people are already doing that needlessly, but if you need Level 2 JLPT to get a job (and probably you will need it for what you want to do), you have to study like you've never studied in your life.
I don't want to piss on the parade, cuz plenty of people are already doing that needlessly, but if you need Level 2 JLPT to get a job (and probably you will need it for what you want to do), you have to study like you've never studied in your life.
DCharlie
Banned
+1 segata.
I failed level 2 twice before having my language budget cut by work - since then my Japanese has regressed all the way back to sub level 3 (job is almost entirely english language, wifes first language is english)
i really pushed it one year and missed out by 5% - if work dies down a bit then i will try again but , yeah, it's painful. Like running headlong into a long line of brick walls... just as you get one thing through your head you are hit with another painful lesson.
That said - it IS fun and it's rewarding when things do begin to click.
I failed level 2 twice before having my language budget cut by work - since then my Japanese has regressed all the way back to sub level 3 (job is almost entirely english language, wifes first language is english)
i really pushed it one year and missed out by 5% - if work dies down a bit then i will try again but , yeah, it's painful. Like running headlong into a long line of brick walls... just as you get one thing through your head you are hit with another painful lesson.
That said - it IS fun and it's rewarding when things do begin to click.
Segata Sanshiro said:
Just to add to this. While there are some companies that will straight out require you to have level 1 or level 2 - the two most important things that will decide whether or not you'll get the job or not will be a) your skill as an artist and b) your ability to communicate. When you step into that office for an interview the very first thing the interviewer is going to worry about is whether or not you'll be able to communicate and if you can't, how they're going to deal with you without causing too much embarrassment.
Your goal should be to allay those fears as soon as possible. If they find that they can communicate with you then they'll move on to your portfolio, unless you're godly and they absolutely NEED your talent. Level 2 is just a general guideline of where *I* think you should be since it represents the bare minimum that most companies are looking for. In actually, the test is of little importance - it's what it represents that's important.
If you can speak as well as Segata Sanshiro can (as mentioned in his post) then you can probably start looking around for jobs.
On a side note, they've recently(?) changed the structure of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. As Sanshiro said, the jump from level 3 to 2 was pretty severe so I think they added an extra level between the two to help make the transition (as well as more cash via registration dues) a bit easier. I'm not sure if this means that people are willing to take on *that* level (whatever it's called) but it wouldn't hurt using it as a reference.
Good luck and listen to DCharlie. He's been around!
ULTROS!
People seem to like me because I am polite and I am rarely late. I like to eat ice cream and I really enjoy a nice pair of slacks.
What company are you aiming for?
Like what others said, learning Japanese is a good start because Japan is well... mostly about the Japanese language. Oh and I'm pretty sure you've done programming right?
Like what others said, learning Japanese is a good start because Japan is well... mostly about the Japanese language. Oh and I'm pretty sure you've done programming right?
hydragonwarrior
Member
I'm lovin some of the insightful posts in this thread! I guess i'll have to start studying japanese again in my spare time..
The economic crisis has left its mark on the Japanese economy as well, including the game industry. Level 2 JLPT would have been quite valuable pre-crisis, but I'd say that language ability is falling into greater focus than in the past, because you have to hire fewer people that you will ask to do more work. I managed to pass Level 2 last year, but I've already felt the pressure to go after Level 1, which is going to take awhile. Granted, I don't want to get into the game industry officially. That said, I have an unpaid internship in a Japanese game company coming up this year.
bernardobri
Steve, the dog with no powers that we let hang out with us all for some reason
I never read a blog non-stop for hours, but Japanmanship broke that mold. So many insightful views about the industry, not only related to the behind the scenes stuff. Too bad the guy doesn't write anymore.
Glad I stopped by this thread even if I don't consider working on Japan until I learn a considerable part of the language. (Which is not my priority at the time)
Edit: Also, the comments around here has been great to read so far. Keep'em coming, guys!
Glad I stopped by this thread even if I don't consider working on Japan until I learn a considerable part of the language. (Which is not my priority at the time)
Edit: Also, the comments around here has been great to read so far. Keep'em coming, guys!
D
Deleted member 17706
Unconfirmed Member
It's probably been covered already, but unless it's a foreign company in Japan you will pretty much need to be perfectly fluent in Japanese and be very well versed in the culture to find anyone willing to hire you. You will also need to be very good at what you do or else there would really be no reason for a company to hire you over a native Japanese person.
Also, in most cases, you will need to be prepared to work much longer hours than you might be used to back home, and, more than likely, you will need to be prepared to receive far less pay than you would back home.
There is always a chance you will find some cool laid-back company with really good pay and benefits, but don't count on it. Working at a Japanese company can be pretty shitty.
Also, in most cases, you will need to be prepared to work much longer hours than you might be used to back home, and, more than likely, you will need to be prepared to receive far less pay than you would back home.
There is always a chance you will find some cool laid-back company with really good pay and benefits, but don't count on it. Working at a Japanese company can be pretty shitty.
Ask yourself the same question I did:
Would you rather work on crappy licensed games while making a livable wage and being in a country you speak the language of.
OR
Would you rather work on crappy licensed games while making a sub par wage while being in a country where you're a foreigner and everyone hates you.
I went with option A.
Would you rather work on crappy licensed games while making a livable wage and being in a country you speak the language of.
OR
Would you rather work on crappy licensed games while making a sub par wage while being in a country where you're a foreigner and everyone hates you.
I went with option A.
Segata Sanshiro
Member
You know, if everyone hates you in Japan, that's probably not really a Japan problem as much as it's a you problem. I've had a couple of culture clashes, but on the whole the people in this country have been incredibly friendly and welcoming to me.bluemax said:
Dabookerman
Member
ULTROS! said:
Well the aim I guess is for a top company. I don't think I would settle working for dating sim developers etc
And I was kinda expecting my lack of programming to be a major weakness. I don't do programming in any shape or form. And I've been hearing that no matter what job a Japanese dev has in japan, they always know a bit of programming.
Anyhoo, thanks a lot for some quality responses. It's something to think about certainly. Main hurdle is learning Japanese really. That will easily be the hardest part.
ULTROS!
People seem to like me because I am polite and I am rarely late. I like to eat ice cream and I really enjoy a nice pair of slacks.
For programming, I recommend starting Java. It's easy to understand but it's not used for console programming (from what I know) but it builds a decent foundation in terms of programming. You could go learning Java to C or straight to C.
If you need help regarding programming basics, I could definitely help you. You could send me a PM.
Also, try checking tri-Ace (developers of Star Ocean, Valkyrie Profile, End of Eternity): http://www.tri-ace.co.jp/en/recruit/top.html
Their offer is pretty good too actually.
If you need help regarding programming basics, I could definitely help you. You could send me a PM.
Also, try checking tri-Ace (developers of Star Ocean, Valkyrie Profile, End of Eternity): http://www.tri-ace.co.jp/en/recruit/top.html
Their offer is pretty good too actually.
bluemax said:
Truth. (Except you can work on cool titles too in America), also expect to make 3x less at your top level positions in America than Japan. Top level Japanese programmers (not rockstars, but Senior/Lead level bad asses) make around 50k in Japan. In America you'll make upwards of 150k+
Segata Sanshiro said:
Do you work for a video game developer in Japan? If so, I'd love for you to tell me how that's going.
Because my experience with Japan's game industry (having had 3 of my titles published over there by Japanese publishers and also working with 1st parties and knowing a lot of 3rd party people who work over there.) They don't like the gaijin. And unless you own the company, you're going to be low man on the totem pole... forever.
I actually had a city council member (who visited me at my office) from a major city tell me it'd be very hard to get high level japanese talent over to my foreign game dev, and I'd have to stick with students if I set up shop there as a sister studio (and the purpose of his visit was to sell ME on US going THERE).
Segata Sanshiro
Member
Oh damn, you totally got me. Except the way he phrased it...Jackson said:
...is a separate clause which does not rely on the conditional of working for a game company.
But you know, tell me how it works, Jackson. I've only lived here for three years. They don't hate foreigners. If they did, I sure as hell wouldn't be here. I've even opened my own business here and got and am getting nothing but the royal treatment. And believe me, I'm far from conforming to the cultural norms around here.
And I know you've had your stuff published here. I've seen it rotting on the bomba tables for months.
Segata Sanshiro said:
While I haven't tried any of the JLPT tests, I rank myself around level 2 and 3, this cause I went to Japanese school till the 2nd year of High school (koukou) btw, can you tell us the area where you failed?
A quick look on Wikipedia for level 2 says this:
"The examinee has mastered grammar to a relatively high level, knows around 1,000 kanji and 6,000 words"
I'm around 90% sure that I know more kanji's and words then that, but if I have to write down every single kanji and give their meanings I'll certainly fail. So I was wondering why is it so hard?
Jackson said:
My experience with people from the Japanese industry (games and others) are quite different. But I know where you are getting at.
As someone with Japanese roots, it is much easier for me to blend in Japan, so I do have a big advantage. At first they do see me as a foreigner because of my looks, which makes them much more careful in their approach. Once we've met and talked in Japanese, my experience is overall great.
This is also the case when meeting Japanese people outside of Japan. I've met teachers, managers and people from the industry. And they all seem to follow the same pattern. A first apprehensive, part because they can't talk in English that well. But once we crossed the first hurdle, it is much more friendly.
While I do get that Japan is part Xenophobic and has a problem how to handle with foreigners (gaijin) in my experience is that as long as you can communicate and know where they are coming from most things aren't that hard.
I guess that is what the City council member was partly getting at.
Segata Sanshiro
Member
I lost some points on kanji (what they're testing isn't necessarily what you use the most in daily life) and on grammar points (again, they're looking for strictly correct Japanese here, so a lot of the stuff you use in spoken or casual Japanese is incorrect on the test).hiro4 said:
If you went to Japanese school til the 2nd year of high school you are certainly higher than a 3. I passed the 3 after just taking University Japanese for three years.
Segata Sanshiro said:
Wow, the jump from 2 to 3 must be pretty huge. I easily passed level 3 after only 6 months of study, but my conversation skills are pretty bad and the only japanese games I can play are ones that are text only so I can slowly translate the dialogue using my electronic dictionary.
Segata Sanshiro said:
3 years? Impressive. What city do you live in? Maybe my wife and I can stop by this business of yours when we visit her family next time or when I go hang out with my friends in Saitama where I used to live.
Anyways you keep shining son. You'll make it someday with that business of yours! It'll be amazing. Remember! Royalty son! Don't let them internets get you down.
Saw this article last year. Might give you some more to think about.
http://kotaku.com/5344934/want-to-work-in-the-japanese-gaming-industry-heres-how
http://kotaku.com/5344934/want-to-work-in-the-japanese-gaming-industry-heres-how
Segata Sanshiro
Member
It's an English school. Sorry if I stepped on your massive game developer dick while you were trying to spread bullshit generalizations. You can visit me when you make a game without shitty controls. I'll warm up the tea for half past never, 'son'.Jackson said:
Things in this thread that are true:
The pay is not as good as it is in the states.
The hours are mostly shit (real shit).
Things that are not true in this thread:
Most of what amir0x said.
The internet exaggerates a lot of things, and Japanese "xenophobia" is one of those things. There are devs like Grasshopper, Kojipro and inis that have lots of foreign workers (some of who cannot speak much Japanese).
Japanese xenophobia basically comes down to: Are you a white guy living in America? Ok, now you get to feel what it's like to be a minority. You're even at the top of the food chain as far as minorities are concerned. Just be glad Japan is a country that actually likes America and your country has a fairly good reputation. Anyway.
Most game companies have people that speak English(Bandai Namco, Konami, KoeiTecmo, Capcom, pretty much any place you know!) and are generally multi-cultural with employees from all around. I have yet to meet an asshole who hates foreigners aka "the big bad xenophobic Japanese nationalist" since working in the industry here.
Would I advise you to come to Japan to work in the game industry? Maybe, but if you do, money should be low on your priority list.
The pay is not as good as it is in the states.
The hours are mostly shit (real shit).
Things that are not true in this thread:
Most of what amir0x said.
The internet exaggerates a lot of things, and Japanese "xenophobia" is one of those things. There are devs like Grasshopper, Kojipro and inis that have lots of foreign workers (some of who cannot speak much Japanese).
Japanese xenophobia basically comes down to: Are you a white guy living in America? Ok, now you get to feel what it's like to be a minority. You're even at the top of the food chain as far as minorities are concerned. Just be glad Japan is a country that actually likes America and your country has a fairly good reputation. Anyway.
Most game companies have people that speak English(Bandai Namco, Konami, KoeiTecmo, Capcom, pretty much any place you know!) and are generally multi-cultural with employees from all around. I have yet to meet an asshole who hates foreigners aka "the big bad xenophobic Japanese nationalist" since working in the industry here.
Would I advise you to come to Japan to work in the game industry? Maybe, but if you do, money should be low on your priority list.
Segata Sanshiro said:
Wait which part is bullshit again? The part where you know nothing about the Japanese game industry and act like having an English school business is exactly the same industry because it's Japanese and your experience is more relevant? Or the part about you assuming you know everything about Japan because I've obviously never lived there and know nothing?
Or the part where you act like a 12 year old and make personal attacks based on your knowledge of me outside of the relevant topic?
Hey, I'm an American. I bet I know a ton about making cars and the automotive industry. I own a business too! I guess that means I know how an american car making business works. I like cars. I know everything there is to know!
Jackson said:
Can't really comment on the pay. I've seen the literature and the fact is that salaries in the west are generally higher than in Japan. Can't be helped.
As for your troubles in Japan, well, I'm not sure what to say about that. I haven't really had much trouble with discrimination. Most of the experiences I've had have been pretty positive and I've been in the country for 10 years. There have been a number of foreigners here who have had success. Ben Judd over at Capcom went from localization to project lead and our very own JohnTV has set up shop over in Shibuya. Most of my experiences say that there's room up at the top - even more so now that times are hard and Japan is looking for an infusion of fresh talent.
You just have to prove yourself first, I guess.
sprsk said:
Damn, I actually ran into you once at 8-4's big shindig, what was it, last year? I don't know why everyone is going on about the hours. I very rarely work over 40 hours / week. Things only get hectic around deliverables and game shows.
Segata Sanshiro
Member
It has nothing to do with working in the game industry! His comment said "living in a country where you are a foreigner and everyone hates you". Can you read? Do you know how the English language works?Jackson said:
You're the one who started the bullshit about assuming you knew everything by discarding my comments with a "DURR HURR HOW LONG YOU WORKED IN THE INDUSTRY?" handwave.
I would say that living in Japan is highly relevant to a discussion about how people in Japan treat foreigners who live there. What more do I need to be qualified? Do I have to make a fucking video game to talk about social mores? Stop being an asshole and I'll stop treating you like one.
BudokaiMR2
Member
Yeah I am currently looking for a job in Japan. I finished the whole teaching English thing and want to do basically anything besides teaching
I have applied for a few jobs concerning games, but mostly other normal translating jobs.
It really is pretty tough to get any kind of a job as a foreigner here, outside of teaching. I have JLPT 1 and experience doing translation at a Japanese law firm. I haven't been looking for an incredibly long time but I haven't gotten a single interview from the jobs I have applied for.
The most common response(about 5 or 6 times from different companies) is that "You don't seem to fit into our corporate structure."
I have applied for a few jobs concerning games, but mostly other normal translating jobs.
It really is pretty tough to get any kind of a job as a foreigner here, outside of teaching. I have JLPT 1 and experience doing translation at a Japanese law firm. I haven't been looking for an incredibly long time but I haven't gotten a single interview from the jobs I have applied for.
The most common response(about 5 or 6 times from different companies) is that "You don't seem to fit into our corporate structure."