From 2023 to 2026: what changed
Against a backdrop of chronic IT talent shortage, the past three years have seen DX, cloud migration and — most recently — generative-AI implementation accelerate sharply. Since 2024, corporate focus has shifted from PoCs to production, pushing demand for engineers who can actually build even higher.
Where demand is highest now
- Cloud / SRE and platform automation (AWS, GCP, Azure, Kubernetes, IaC)
- Data / AI & LLM (RAG, MLOps, data platforms)
- Security (zero-trust, compliance)
- Mobile / fintech, embedded & automotive, SAP/ERP
Salary trends
Salary ranges are trending upward in specialised areas (AI, security, cloud). Mid-level roles are broadly ¥6–8M, senior ¥8–11M, and lead/architect roles ¥11M and above are not uncommon (varying by field and company).
Three things that give you an edge
- Bilingual Japanese + English (especially valued for bridge and global projects)
- Hands-on cloud / AI build & operate experience (results, not just keywords)
- Upstream (requirements) and team-management experience
The next three years
As generative AI spreads, routine implementation will increasingly be automated — while engineers who can define requirements, ensure quality and make the most of AI will only become more valuable. A commitment to continuous learning will matter more than ever.
Connect talent, empowering futures — let the market shift work in your favour.