Norio — Android Developer (Vancouver path; later return to Japan)
Experienced Japan Android/Java engineer (~2 years SE + ~3 years Android/Java) who used ITD + Co-op to hire in Vancouver, navigated startup instability into contracts, then returned to a major Japan IT role.
Androidデベロッパー · Vancouver
Profile
Norio is an Android developer associated with Vancouver (attributes). Age band: 20s. Employer names for Canadian roles largely not stated.
Current role
At interview, contracting/freelance Android work after startup turbulence; also pulled into Node.js API work and later React Native opportunities based on adjacent skills. Later update in article: returned to Japan and joined a major Japanese IT firm as an Android developer, with English work experience valued.
Japan experience
Prior experience (経験者). First Japan job ~2 years as SE (upstream/Excel-spec work; development outsourced—left for lack of coding). Then ~3 years in Tokyo on Java/Android projects. Planned move around age 29 (prep from ~27). WH age limit was a timing factor.
Path to Canada / North America
College route. ITD game-developer program ~1 year then Co-op year (Frog “3-year plan” vs WH-only). Used daily online English (RareJob) before arrival. Initially applied to game roles without success; switched to Android ~1 month before Co-op and found work in a little over a month using Japan practical experience (no portfolio then). Attributes: ~12 months to offer.
Outcome
First Canadian hire as Android developer in Co-op at a pre-revenue startup (payroll/stability issues; layoffs). Then recruiter-sourced contract work via LinkedIn. Eventually returned to Japan to a major IT employer as Android developer.
Based on Frog’s Japanese-language interview. English summary for scanning (partners / employers). Original interview (Japanese)
Canadian employer brands largely unnamed; Japan return employer described only as a major IT firm.