u/Kimochiiikana

2 years in Japan, AI/ML engineer but haken, placed at a client site. No promotion track, no path to direct hire. N3.

There's no team. I'm the only ML person on site, no senior, no code review. My growth has flattened.

Job hunting for months, same wall every time: I want deep ML work, the roles I can get don't build that experience, and every deep ML posting wants the experience I can't get.

I have an ML Master's admission in the EU as a fallback, so there's a clock on this.

Asking:

1. Fastest route into a direct-hire ML role here, agents, direct applications, or referrals? Which actually worked for you?

2. Which recruiters are worth my time for ML/data roles?

3. Anyone who got out of haken-with-no-team: what worked?

4. If your team is hiring, I'd love a pointer.

Any advice appreciated.

Climbing Fuji via Gotemba route next week. I've read that Yoshida route has a physical gear check at the gate (rain suit, warm layer, proper shoes), but Gotemba/Shizuoka side supposedly just uses the FUJI NAVI app QR code system instead, no actual gear inspection.

Can anyone who's climbed Gotemba recently confirm this? ? Just want to make sure I'm not missing something before I go.

Thanks!

Hi all,

I'm an ML Engineer in Japan with about 1 year of experience, from a top university back in my home country. My Japanese isn't great and it limits me at work. I feel pretty stuck in my current role, I've tried to switch jobs here but it hasn't worked out. I've also been accepted into a Master's program in AI/ML in Europe (no tution fee) starting this fall, and I'm torn between staying and grinding it out here or leaving to study.

Questions for anyone who's been through something similar:

- How's the AI/ML job market in Japan for foreign junior engineers who aren't strong in Japanese?

- Does a Master's abroad actually move the needle for ML roles, or does experience count for more even at this early stage?

- Anyone left a Japan job (early career) for grad school, was it worth it?

- Any tips for actually breaking through when job switching in Japan isn't working out?

Appreciate any honest takes, good or bad.

I'm starting the AI/ML MSc at TU Darmstadt this year and was wondering if anyone else here is joining the same program.

I'd love to connect with fellow students, especially if you're also looking for housing, planning your move, or just want to share information about accommodation, registration, or anything else related to starting at TU Darmstadt.

Feel free to comment or send me a DM!