The Career Move and Employment Situation in Texas
Texas is the second biggest state in the US after Alaska. It has very convenient transport links, meaning that many other cities are within day trip range. In addition to its geographical advantages and infrastructure, from a business perspective, it is also regarded as one of the best states for business in the US due to its many other advantages that include zero corporate and personal income taxes, abundant labor, and low real estate prices. Texas came out on top in a 2024 ranking of states offering the best conditions for entrepreneurs.
A number of cutting-edge companies are based in Texas, including IT giants Tesla and Hewlett-Packard, as well as companies in the energy, space engineering, and biotechnology sectors. With Toyota relocating to Dallas in 2017, the number of automotive-related companies are increasing. And more and more companies are based in Texas, expanding their operations, and relocating from other states. Texas is home to the headquarters of 50 Fortune 500 companies. It is also an easy place to live, with a lower cost of living than in larger cities, a high level of education, and Tex-Mex cuisine unique to Texas among other factors that make it an attractive place.
Japanese Companies and the Japanese Community in Texas
While the state capital of Texas is Austin, its three biggest cities are Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. Among the cities in Texas, Houston and Dallas in particular host many Japanese companies. Houston has flourishing oil, gas, and other energy industries, and there are many Japanese companies involved in these industries in Houston. In addition, the relocation of the headquarters of Toyota Motor North America to Texas in 2017 has led to the increasing trend of Japanese companies and people moving to Texas, and there are currently four branches of a major Japanese bookstore in the state. An area of Dallas that is particularly popular with Japanese residents is the Plano/Frisco area in the north and the surrounding area, where there are amenities including Japanese restaurants and supermarkets. Sushi and ramen chain restaurants from Japan also have multiple locations in Texas, giving an indication of how vibrant the Japanese community is.
Positions in Texas
There are many Japanese companies in Texas, and many positions requiring Japanese language skills are always available. Bilingual personnel able to speak Japanese and English are needed to fill a wide range of positions, including sales, mechanical and electronic engineers, IT engineers, accounting, HR, logistics, and administration. With Japanese companies becoming increasingly globalized, there is also a growing need for personnel to fill positions that do not require Japanese, as well as bilingual positions for speakers of English and Spanish, or English and Chinese or Korean. The number of retail stores selling Japanese goods, services, and foods are increasing, and since many Japanese people live in Texas, Japanese restaurants and supermarkets are thriving and there are also many job openings at these establishments.