Bringing Japan-made AI to the World Stage

It’s nice to meet you Johanes, I am Pearlyn, a Singaporean and the new career advisor at NAIST. I basically handle career consultations in English for international students.

It’s nice meeting you, thank you for coming to visit. I am happy to share my experience.

Great! Could you start by telling us about your company, your current job/research and your role?

I currently work as a senior research scientist in the Frontier Research Department (FRD) at Rakuten Group. Our team is responsible for the research and development of Japanese large language models (LLMs) to support Rakuten's businesses and long-term AI strategy.
Our goal is to accelerate the "AI-nization" (utilize AI in every aspect of the business to drive further growth at Rakuten) of the company by building advanced language models that can be integrated into various products and services across Rakuten's ecosystem, both in Japan and globally. In my role, I focus on developing LLMs tailored to Japanese language and business use cases, and I also contribute to open-source initiatives such as the Rakuten AI 2.0 LLM to support the wider Japanese tech community.
Recently, we were selected for the GENIAC Project, a national initiative led by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), to accelerate generative AI development. As part of this project, we are working on next-generation Japanese LLMs to power highly personalized AI agents.
https://global.rakuten.com/corp/news/press/2025/0715_02.html?year=2025&month=7&category=corp

That sounds interesting. At NAIST, we place a strong emphasis on developing PhD talent, so I’m curious — what does that look like in your workplace? Are there many PhD holders, and what kind of role do they play?

Actually, in our team, the proportion of PhD holders is relatively high — higher than those with a master’s degree. This is mainly because our work focuses on frontier AI research and engineering, which really requires a strong research background.
In terms of expectations, PhD holders are generally expected to be quite independent. For example, identifying problems, proposing solutions, and exploring new directions on their own. They’re also expected to design experiments and evaluate ideas in a rigorous way.

So it’s not just about executing tasks, but really about driving the direction of the work?

Exactly. And beyond that, we also expect PhD holders to bring the skills they developed during their doctoral training—things like critical thinking, rigorous experimentation, and the ability to deal with open-ended problems. These are very important when it comes to applying research ideas to actual model development and contributing to innovation.
Also, PhD holders often act as a bridge between research and engineering. We work closely with engineers to turn research ideas into real systems.

That’s really interesting — the idea of being a bridge between research and implementation. Let me ask you more personally, how do you see the value of a PhD now that you’re working in industry?

From my experience, I don’t think the value of a PhD lies only in the specific knowledge you learn during the program. Technology evolves very quickly. For example, when I was doing my PhD, generative AI wasn’t really a big thing yet. But now, it’s everywhere, and I’ve had to learn a lot of new things again from scratch.

That’s very true — things evolve so fast.

Yes. So instead of knowledge itself, I think the real value of a PhD is more about the mindset and skills it develops. During a PhD, you learn to ask the right questions before jumping into solutions. It’s about identifying meaningful problems, pushing the boundaries of knowledge, and improving existing methods. To do that well, you need both rigor — keeping up with the latest research — and creativity, to come up with new ideas

So it’s really about how you think, rather than just what you know.

Exactly. For me, the most valuable thing I gained from my PhD is the ability to continuously learn, critically evaluate new ideas, and build on top of them. Those skills are useful no matter where you are — whether in academia or in industry.

That sounds fascinating! I believe many of your juniors in NAIST would be interested to know, so could you describe your usual workday?

My day typically begins with a sync-up meeting with colleagues based in Tokyo and the US. Lunchtime is a shared experience with the team at our office cafeteria, where our culturally diverse team, representing various parts of the world, often enjoys lively conversations and exchanges of unique perspectives.
Our work style balances focused individual work with collaborative discussions. We dedicate time to deep work on ongoing tasks, strategic planning toward our objectives, and sharing insights from the latest research publications. This blend creates a dynamic and intellectually stimulating work environment.

Looks like you’re having fun at work! Some more questions on behalf of your juniors- How did you find this job and why did you decide to work at your current company?

I discovered this position through LinkedIn. Before applying, I made sure to consult with several people to get their insights. I spoke with a lab alumni who was already working at the company, discussed it with my professor, and also sought advice from Shinjoh-sensei at the career office. Everyone gave me positive feedback and valuable guidance on how to prepare for the interview process.
I joined Rakuten because joined Rakuten because it's a global innovation company where I, as a research scientist, can work with unique data and tackle cross-domain challenges across ecommerce, fintech, mobile, and beyond. Rakuten's clear mission for empowering people and society through innovation gives real, intentional purpose to my work. It's not just about internal metrics; for example, the LLM I developed can benefit Rakuten and make a tangible contribution to Japanese society. Finally, thanks to Rakuten's Englishnization initiative, I could make meaningful contributions from day one, even without speaking Japanese.

Thank you for sharing, I believe your experience will be helpful for current NAIST students in considering their careers. Could you also share how studying at NAIST has shaped your current professional journey?

My time at NAIST has been instrumental in shaping both my academic and professional endeavors. Being part of a diverse community of international students has not only enhanced my research skills but has also provided invaluable lessons in collaborating and socializing with individuals from various cultural backgrounds. My study at the NAIST AHC Lab was not just about acquiring expertise in cutting-edge speech and language processing technology, it was also a lesson in staying abreast of its constant evolution. In a field that perpetually advances, I learned the significance of pushing beyond one's limits to stay relevant and contribute meaningfully to pushing the frontier of science and technology.

Its encouraging to know that studying at NAIST gears one for careers not only in Japan but also the rest of the world! How was the application for the work permit to work in Singapore?

The company sponsored my employment pass application, which is the work permit required to work in Singapore. They provided support throughout the entire process, and everything was handled online. I was pleased to receive my permit within approximately two weeks of applying.

Wow, 2 weeks is really fast because we have to wait as long as 3 months for a work visa in Japan!
Moving away from work-related topics, I’m sure NAIST students looking to work in Singapore would like to know about life here and how you’re settling in. Could you fill us in on that?

Settling into life in Singapore has been a great experience! The weather here is essentially "always summer," with occasional rainy days and what I like to call "mini winter" whenever you step into air-conditioned buildings.
What I find most remarkable about Singapore is how it brings together people from so many different cultures in one place. Similar to Japan, everyone I've met has been incredibly welcoming and friendly. This cultural diversity really shines through in the food scene. You can find a variety of cuisine from practically every corner of the world, which has been amazing to explore.
From a work-life balance perspective, I appreciate that my company offers flexible working arrangements, allowing us to work from home two days a week. This flexibility has helped me optimize my working style depending on my schedule and circumstances of the day.
Singapore also has many beautiful parks throughout the city. Following what the locals do, I've taken up the habit of walking in parks on weekends. My favorite is East Coast Park, it's a long, breezy stretch right next to the sea that's perfect for relaxing after a busy week.
The city itself is very convenient, with excellent public transportation, and most people speak English, which made my transition much smoother than expected. Overall, I would encourage my fellow NAIST students to explore international opportunities, particularly in Singapore. The education and skills we've gained at NAIST have prepared us well not only for jobs in Japan, but for the global market as well.

I’m glad to know that you are enjoying both work and life in Singapore! Thank you for sharing your insights with us

You’re welcome! I am happy to share my experience with students!

At Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) , we value diversity and actively welcome international students from around the world. If you are interested in pursuing a doctoral degree at NAIST (including master’s programs), please visit our website for more information!