Based in Munich, Senior Manager in our Life Sciences division Andreas Schalueck had the unique opportunity to live and work in Tokyo for 6 months, where new projects, colleagues, and cultural experiences awaited. What began with a few challenges soon turned into a rewarding journey of teamwork, learning, and the vibrant energy of life in Japan.
My start in Tokyo
My first weeks in Tokyo were a bit challenging. When I arrived in June this year, I was still recovering from a foot injury, so I couldn’t really walk and had to wear one of those funny-looking walking boots. The upside was that it became a great conversation starter and, in a way, required me to stay in Tokyo at first. Thus, it also gave me the chance to really get to know the city and meet people before heading off on weekend trips.
I was very lucky that the HR team helped me find an apartment close to the office, just a 15-minute commute, which made a huge difference. And just like that, I could settle into my new surroundings and routine very quickly.
Project work and team spirit
Before coming here, I was already working on a Japanese project, so I was thrilled to finally meet my project team in person. Being in the office and getting to know them in-person was a real game changer. It helped us maintain a strong team dynamic, even during busy times.
As I was finding my rhythm, I already took responsibility for an additional local project that had to be delivered within three weeks, which meant getting up to speed on Japanese Pricing and Market Access very quickly. Luckily, we have a fantastic team in Tokyo who helped me ramp up fast.
For local projects, we found a great setup where I could co-lead with a Japanese project manager. This worked really well and encouraged knowledge and best-practice exchange, especially with junior team members who joined earlier this year. The team here is still much smaller than in Germany, which is really nice because it means you get to work closely with your office colleagues most of the time.
Navigating the language barrier
In the Life Sciences team, our working language is English, and many colleagues have spent time abroad, so I can work well without knowing Japanese. This setup has also worked well in client interactions. Even face-to-face client workshops have gone surprisingly smoothly. Having spent years abroad in places where I didn’t speak the local language, I’ve become comfortable reading the room and picking up cues.
We also design the workshops to be very interactive. So, client team members would discuss in Japanese while I facilitated the discussion in English, without necessarily understanding every part of their internal exchanges.
Overcoming the biggest challenges
Challenge No. 1: Tokyo in the summer was tough. My AC broke down, and I didn’t immediately realize how essential it is here. In Germany, we barely use it. It reached around 30°C with 70% humidity in my apartment. Luckily, the rental company organized a technician team that spent a day refilling the refrigerant.
Challenge No. 2: Work brought its own set of challenges. While working on Japanese projects, I continued leading my on non-Japanese projects, which made scheduling and working hours tricky during the first two months.
Challenge No. 3: Contrary to Germany, I had to get used to the fact that there was no proper kitchen in the office, and, of course, as a German, I really missed sparkling water.
Favorite things about Japan
There are so many things to love about Japan. Tokyo is a city with an amazing quality of life. Despite its size, it’s easy to get around (except during rush hours) and everything just works.
In the evenings, there are countless izakayas (traditional Japanese bars) to choose from, and spending time with colleagues and friends over good food and drinks has been a great way to get to know the city and enjoy quality time together. Na, our Tokyo LS partner, places a lot of importance on project team dinners, which really helped me gel with the team and foster a great working dynamic.
At work, I’ve learned so much from the Japan team while also expanding my own project experience and helping junior colleagues get up to speed. I received such a warm welcome from everyone here, from baseball games to weekend trips and even Tokyo Oktoberfest.
As my rotation is coming to an end, I’m really looking forward to the last few weeks. This assignment has been such a special experience, and living and working here has truly been unforgettable.