Yuya — Senior lead engineer at Ramen Hero (Vancouver via PEO)
Deep Japan product experience who joined a Bay Area startup remotely, then relocated to Vancouver under PEO to share US Pacific time.
シニアリードエンジニア（米企業リモート） · Vancouver · Ramen Hero
Profile
Experienced engineer; senior lead engineer at Ramen Hero (San Francisco Bay Area startup / ecommerce), based in Vancouver and working remotely. Route: direct (not college-first). Age band: 30s. Themes: remote, PEO.
Current role
Senior lead engineer for Ramen Hero. Interview conducted in Japanese with founder Hiro when the team was very small. After ~two years remote from Japan (US visa pathway blocked), he moved to Vancouver using a PEO arrangement so he could work in the same timezone, including from WeWork. Reports much easier coordination versus Japan–West Coast lag.
Japan experience
Priority career arc: Future University Hakodate (IT; AI major); ~two-year student-run web production company (HTML/CSS/Flash/PHP) then graduate study in cognitive psychology. CyberAgent new graduate 2012 (~2.5 years) on Ameba platform work after an Ameba Pigg internship influence, focusing on JavaScript rather than Flash. Moved to fintech startup Coiney (later integrated into hey) around 2014–15 for ~three years in a highly international team; led early React Native adoption with a 2016 release he believes was among Japan’s first. Joined Quipper aiming for London exposure; after Recruit acquisition, London plans stalled and more Japan-centric development ensued. Sought English-environment teams while still in Japan before Ramen Hero.
Path to Canada / North America
Hired by Japanese-founded Bay Area company Ramen Hero while still in Japan (JD discovered as PDF; remote stipend and US visa support offered). Intended US entry via a small-company pathway that became difficult under Trump-era rules, resulting in ~two years Japan-based remote. Company immigration counsel had mentioned Vancouver remote feasibility; after researching PEO legality with Frog and counsel, he relocated to Vancouver to keep the US employer relationship without illegal work assumptions.
Outcome
Stable senior lead role serving the US market from Vancouver under PEO. Contrasts Japan’s presence culture with North American short-burst focus and “why”-driven communication; notes follow-up culture in US email habits. Exploring longer-term interest in AI / no-code shifts.
Based on Frog’s Japanese-language interview. English summary for scanning (partners / employers). Original interview (Japanese)
Source truncated late; PEO vendor brand names beyond Frog’s involvement not required for facts used.