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Market IntelligenceGrowing demand

UI/UX & Product Designer Market Demand in Japan

Hiring outlook, remote working rates, and which companies are actively recruiting.

Hiring outlook
Growing

UI UX And Product Designer hiring in Japan is being driven by Rakuten and Mercari scaling product and delivery organisations to keep pace with AI-driven feature roadmaps, with demand concentrated in Tokyo. Japan's aging workforce and tight domestic labour market have made English-speaking product talent especially scarce, and employers increasingly use the Highly Skilled Professional visa to recruit overseas candidates.

Remote / hybrid
46%

Share of Japan UI/UX & Product Designer roles advertising remote or hybrid working.

Pay trend
+4.5%

Year-on-year salary movement in Japan. Positive movement signals active market competition.

What's driving UI/UX & Product Designer demand in Japan

Strongest in: consumer internet and enterprise software product teams, led by employers such as Rakuten and Mercari

UI UX And Product Designer hiring in Japan is being driven by Rakuten and Mercari scaling product and delivery organisations to keep pace with AI-driven feature roadmaps, with demand concentrated in Tokyo. Japan's aging workforce and tight domestic labour market have made English-speaking product talent especially scarce, and employers increasingly use the Highly Skilled Professional visa to recruit overseas candidates.

Skills commanding the biggest premium right now

Salary premium over the Japan median for UI/UX & Product Designers who list these skills.

Figma / design systems+13%
User research & usability testing+12%
Interaction design+10%

Top employers hiring in Japan

Companies with consistent or active UI/UX & Product Designer hiring in Japan.

MercariLINE YahooSmartNewsMoney ForwardSonyRecruitDeNA

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