Internship at AHK Japan
You are still studying or have just graduated and are now looking for a chance to gain your first practical experience in the German-Japanese business world? Then we offer you an ideal opportunity with an internship at AHK Japan.
The AHK Japan offers three internships:
- DEinternational Business Services (one position)
- Communications (one position)
- Member Relations (one position)
Generally, internships are assigned according to the summer and winter semesters (April to September and October to March).
An internship at AHK Japan usually lasts six months, a longer period can be considered in case of interest.
Internship Calendar
| Department | Occupied until... | Open from... |
|---|---|---|
| DEinternational Business Services | February 2025 | March 2025 |
| Communications | April 2025 | May 2025 |
| Member Relations | March 2025 | March 2025 |
Internship Tasks and Ideal Applicant Profile
Three languages - German, Japanese and English - are used in the day-to-day work of AHK Japan, and the requirements for each internship position are different. For all three internship positions, intercultural sensitivity and a very good handling of all common Microsoft Office applications (MS Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook) are also required. A well-groomed appearance and professional manners complement your profile. Additional requirements for the individual internship positions can be found below.
If you are currently still studying and have to complete mandatory internships, we will give you preferential treatment if possible.
The following tasks await you in the individual departments:
DEinternational Business Services
Tasks
- Support in the organization and implementation of events, symposia and delegation trips
- Assistance in the preparation of publications (target market analyses and fact sheets)
- Support in the processing of customer inquiries (including the preparation of short market research, the provision of business information and market consulting)
- Procurement of and contact initiation with business partners in Japan
Qualifications
- German as a native language is a prerequisite
- Confident command of the English language (Business English)
- Very good Japanese language skills required (JLPT2 or higher)
- Good understanding of economic issues
Communications
Tasks
- Maintenance and administration of the AHK Japan website
- Creation of posts and administration of social media
- Assisting in the creation of video materials
- Composing texts for AHK-related information (event reviews, news, etc.)
- Assisting in communications work (corporate identity, customer management, etc.)
- Assisting in JAPANMARKT editorial work (research, writing articles, proofreading, correspondence with authors and organizing the online archive, etc.)
- Correspondence with JAPANMARKT readers
- Support with the creation of newsletters
- Assistance with other publications such as mailings, press releases, and surveys
- Assistance with the organization of events and projects
Qualifications
- German as a native language is a prerequisite
- Confident command of the English language (Business English)
- Basic knowledge of the Japanese language required
- Very good handling of common Microsoft Office applications as well as image editing programs, especially Adobe Photoshop
- Confident handling of social media and strong interest in digital tools
- Experience with Content Management Systems (especially TYPO3) recommended
- Talent for journalistic writing (editorial experience is of advantage)
Note
- Application documents should be in German.
Member Relations
Tasks
- Participation and support at various AHK Japan events onsite / online / hybrid
- Support of AHK Japan members
- Creation of the monthly member newsletter
- Maintenance of member-related contents of the AHK Japan website
- Handling of e-mail inquiries
- Member acquisition-, industry- and topic-related research tasks
Qualifications
- Advanced German language skills (C1 desired)
- Confident command of the English language (Business English)
- Good Japanese language skills (JLPT2 level desired)
- Competency in all current MS Windows applications
- Knowledge of Japanese and East Asian politics, economy and culture desired
- Particularly suitable for outgoing and sociable people with organizational skills
Further Details
Workplace
As an intern you will be fully involved in the daily work of AHK Japan. You will have the opportunity to participate in seminars, lectures and meetings. Sometimes you will prepare minutes in German or English. In addition, you will be asked to contribute to the publications of AHK Japan.
You will be provided with your own fully equipped workstation. The daily working hours are 7.5 hours; from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The five-day week from Monday to Friday and the Japanese holiday regulations apply; in addition, the most important German holidays will be taken into account.
Application
As a rule, you should apply about six months before your intend to start your internship. If you are a suitable candidate, we can allocate available spots as soon as we receive your application.
Please enclose relevant documents with your application (including a curriculum vitae with photo, certificates). In particular, we ask you to tell us why you are interested in doing an internship in Japan and how good your Japanese language skills are.
Please send your complete application documents directly to Ms. Fuchida, indicating the period you are considering.
Accommodation
An accommodation cannot be provided from our side. Upon request, we can provide you with contact information for agencies that specialize in student housing.
On the internet you can find a variety of offers, from a furnished room in a "share house" to a complete apartment. There are special providers who specialize in short-term rentals and foreign tenants.
When looking for accommodation, it is advisable to consider not only price and comfort, but also the travel time to AHK Japan. Travel times of up to one hour each way are not uncommon in Tokyo.
Earnings and Cost of Living
For your work as an intern at AHK Japan, we will pay you a monthly compensation of 85,000 yen. The price level in Japan is comparatively high, so as an applicant you should expect monthly expenses of at least 1,500 euros (including rent).
In addition, we will reimburse travel costs from your accommodation to the office and back by the cheapest means of public transport up to an amount of 15,000 yen.
Insurance
As an intern, you should find out before starting your internship whether the public and private insurance coverage that exists for you in your home country will continue to apply during your stay in Japan. If not, you should take out a private accident, liability, baggage and legal expenses insurance. The AHK Japan does not offer insurance coverage.
Visa
Since interns receive a monthly compensation of 85,000 yen, you will need a visa, which must be applied for at the diplomatic representation of Japan responsible for your place of residence.
The necessary documents will be issued by AHK Japan and sent to you in due time.
The documents to be obtained by yourself usually include:
- two passport photos
- a copy of the passport
- a certificate from your university stating that the internship is recognized as an integral part of the studies
- a financial statement
- a copy of an international health insurance certificate
Depending on the type of visa, additional or different documents must be submitted for the application. For more information, please check the website of the Japanese Embassy in your home country.
What Former Interns Say
Satomi Miwa, DEinternational Business Services | February 2024 - July 2024
"The daily tasks during my internship at the DEinternational Business Services department were highly diverse, allowing me to constantly expand my knowledge. Particularly, working on business matchmaking between German and Japanese companies gave me a sense of responsibility and a feeling of accomplishment that my work was contributing to the relations between both countries. As a Japanese university student, I have always considered a career in a German or foreign company, which is why the internship at AHK Japan was a crucial guide for my future career aspirations. I am grateful for the experience I gained in this linguistically and culturally diverse working environment."
Felix Fröhlich, Member Relations | September 2023 - February 2024
"My internship at AHK Japan was both interesting and diverse. Working in the Member Relations department, I supported the members of AHK Japan and helped organize numerous events on various topics. This provided me with valuable insights into German-Japanese economic relations and the Japanese business world, while also allowing me to expand my professional network in Japan. I highly recommend this internship, as I always had the opportunity to get involved proactively and take responsibility. Thank you for this rewarding experience!"
Paulina Schilling, Communications | July 2022 - March 2023
"The internship at AHK Japan gave me the chance to get to know different areas of the Communications Department and to support the team with dynamic and challenging tasks. I was allowed to take responsibility for the administration of certain areas of the website, such as member news and the job market. There were many opportunities to bring in creativity for social media posts and the JAPANMARKT magazine. The internship offered me valuable experience in the area of communications, as well as working in an international team. The team was always helpful and supported me in implementing my ideas and developing myself further."
Sergej Gorbatschew, Member Relations | October 2019 - March 2020
"The internship at AHK Japan gave me an insight into the Japanese business world. In the Member Services department, I helped to organize events and was also able to proactively contribute my own ideas. In the process, I got to know executives from various German and Japanese companies and built up a broad network. I really enjoyed working in the team."
Laura Flick, Communications | October 2019 - April 2020
"The internship at AHK Japan in the Communications department gave me the opportunity to take on responsibility within the organization and to work creatively at the same time. I was allowed to take over the management of AHK Japan's social media and write texts for the posts as well as create images. Keeping the website up to date was also an important daily task. Through the internship, I got a good insight into how organizational communication works and what tasks are involved. The team was friendly and helpful at all times, I can only recommend the internship!"