Different Types of Companies in Japan: An Insider’s View
Key Takeaways
Enterprises in Japan shift culturally through globalisation (changing to fit global markets) or glocalisation (adapting to the local market).
In big firms, you wear one cap; in smaller firms, you cover one industry sector.
BtoB and BtoC players are “business people,” while BtoBtoC professionals act as business balancers.
Company frameworks bring stability, while employee agility creates flexibility.
A monolingual environment nurtures solidarity, but a multilingual workplace sparks inventive breakthroughs.
Hello, everyone.
Have you ever dreamed of an ideal company?
What would it be like?
Steady and structured, or dynamic and daring?
The answer, of course, depends on you.
I currently work in two Japanese companies operating under the same corporate umbrella:
In this blog, I’ll compare the two workplaces from the inside out.
Together, we’ll explore their differences, similarities, and what they can teach you about your own career path.
Which part of this comparison will make you press the like button?
Let’s find out.
Company Foundations: SHIFT vs. Build Plus K.K.
Here’s a quick comparison table. Feel free to imagine your own “ideal company” in the blank column:
| Category | SHIFT | Build Plus K.K. | Your Ideal One |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Tech (Testing / SaaS) | HR (Recruitment) | |
| Cultural Identity | Fully Japanese (Nikkei) | International / Japanese | |
| Cultural Shift | Japanese → Global | Global → Glocal | |
| Scale | Large (20,000+) | Small–Medium (~50) | |
| Business Interaction | BtoB or BtoC | BtoBtoC | |
| Communication | Hierarchical, Confidential | Egalitarian, Transparent | |
| Language | Monolingual (Japanese) | Bilingual or Multilingual | |
| Job Scope | Specialist (Fixed roles) | Generalist (Flexible) |
Even though they sit under the same corporate umbrella, their internal worlds couldn’t be more different.
As an employee who has worked across both, I’ve had a front-row seat to their contrasting cultures.
5 Elements to Consider
Let’s explore five major elements, both objectively (as structures) and subjectively (through my stories).
1. Cultural Movement: Globalisation or Glocalisation?
Objective:
SHIFT is firmly Japanese but expanding outward with SHIFT ASIA, SHIFT GLOBAL, and SHIFT USA.
Build+, on the other hand, borrows Japanese-style mentoring methods while staying international in outlook.
Subjective:
I enjoy the warmth of Japanese team culture at SHIFT while chasing ambitious global goals with Build+. The contrast reminds me daily how vital decision-making speed and team engagement are in shaping a workplace.
2. Company Scale and Job Scope: One Cap or One Sector?
Objective:
At SHIFT, job titles are clearly fixed, reflecting its massive tech divisions.
There are positions like DevOps, SaaS Security, Testing, UI/UX, and more. Build+, however, expects generalists who cover broad responsibilities, split between client-facing and in-house tasks.
Subjective:
I learned that in mega-firms, you wear one cap (you do the job you are assigned to do). In smaller firms, you dive into one sector (you cover a wide range of responsibilities in relation to this sector).
The question for you is: which path suits your growth?
3. Industries and Business Models: Business Person or Business Balancer?
Objective:
SHIFT runs heavily on BtoB or BtoC interactions. Build Plus thrives in BtoBtoC, bridging businesses and candidates simultaneously.
Subjective:
While my SHIFT role is BtoB, at Build Plus I saw the magic of balancing multiple sides—consultant, agent, mentor, and sometimes cheerleader. It’s challenging, yes, but deeply rewarding.
4. Communication Style: Principle-Based or Application-Based?
Objective:
SHIFT follows structured decision-making systems like Ringi (consensus) and detailed escalation flows. Build Plus leans toward fast, agile communication—quick stand-ups and on-the-spot problem solving.
Subjective:
SHIFT’s interview process was highly structured, with technical tests and strict criteria. Build Plus interviews, meanwhile, focused more on who I was and my past experiences. Both showed me two career philosophies: one rooted in precision, the other in adaptability.
5. Language Environment: Monolingual or Multilingual?
Objective:
Japanese-only workplaces foster solidarity and shared norms. Multilingual ones foster creativity, adaptability, and—yes—occasional miscommunication.
Subjective:
While I treasure the all-Japanese solidarity of SHIFT, I was instantly enchanted by the airport-like diversity of Build Plus. Hearing English, Japanese, French, Vietnamese, and Spanish in one office reminded me of my study-abroad days in Europe.
Both paths have beauty. Both require professionalism and mutual respect.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading through this cross-industry, cross-cultural comparison.
What I’ve learned is this: life is too short to agonize endlessly. Instead, use these insights to guide your own choices—whether you lean toward stability, flexibility, solidarity, or inventiveness.
I hope this blog sparks ideas for your next step. More reflections on career paths, cultural differences, and job hunting are on their way. Stay tuned!
💪 For the happily determined: may your career path find its rightful place in your diary—or even your photo album.