2025.3.20

From Game Entrepreneur to VR Leader: Jeff’s Journey in Japan

Interviewee: Jeff

I’ve been living in Japan for five years and currently work as the CTO at a medical VR company in Tokyo.

Before moving to Japan, I cofounded and ran a game company for about seven years. After successfully selling the company, I attended an industry event where I met one of the founders of my current company. She offered me a position as part of the startup team.

At the time, I was still contractually obligated to oversee the transition of my former company, so I had to decline the offer. Instead, I started working with the VR company on a contract basis, splitting my time between Japan and the U.S. Then, five years ago, they invited me again to join full-time. This time, I secured a work visa and officially moved to Japan to start my career in the VR industry.

Pros and Cons of Living in Japan
One major downside was the salary cut—moving to Japan meant earning less than half of what I made before. However, I found several advantages that made the move worthwhile. Japan’s well-developed infrastructure makes commuting easy, and the social insurance system provides affordable healthcare. Additionally, the cost of living, including food and housing, is relatively low.

Beyond the practical benefits, I’ve built a great social life in Japan. I joined a futsal team, where I made many friends, and we often go out for drinks after practice. In fact, I even met my fiancée through my futsal circle! Now that I’ve purchased a home and am planning to get married, I have no plans to return to the U.S.

Learning Japanese
I studied Japanese in university, but my real progress came from taking private lessons with MDJ for over ten years. My commitment to language learning has helped me integrate smoothly into life in Japan.

Today, I’m thriving both professionally and personally, proving that with determination and the right opportunities, working in Japan can be a fulfilling experience.