Paul: Duc Doba is the founder and CEO of Tokyo Techies, a one-stop IT consulting firm that focuses on Data Science & AI, Cybersecurity, Robotics, and Software Development.
Duc and I discussed his background in early life in Vietnam, moving to Japan, his interest in tech education, advice for Vietnamese tech professionals interested in Japan, the challenges facing foreign entrepreneurs here, and much more.
Hi Duc. Tell us a little about yourself.
Duc: Hi, I’m Duc Doba, Founder and CEO of Tokyo Techies. I’ve spent over 17 years in the tech industry, working across software engineering, product development, and management.
I started my journey in Vietnam, where I developed a passion for technology, and that eventually brought me to Japan. Here, I’ve worked with companies like Rakuten, LINE, and SoftBank before founding Tokyo Techies in 2017 and Tokyo Tech Lab in 2019 to provide comprehensive IT consulting services, focusing on AI, cloud, cybersecurity, and more.
My goal has always been to not only deliver tech solutions to solve real-world business problems but also inspire others to grow through education and entrepreneurship.
You studied informatics in high school and computer science at university. How did your interest in computers start and when did you know it was something you wanted to focus your career on?
My interest in computers started early, growing up in Thanh Hoa, Vietnam. My parents were teachers, and education was a priority at home. I didn’t have much access to personal computers, but I used to spend hours at the internet gaming shops to practice programming. I was encouraged to join programming contests, and eventually, I fell in love with the problem-solving aspect of coding.
By the time I entered the University of Engineering and Technology – Vietnam National University, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in software engineering because I saw how it could solve real-world problems and improve lives.
How did your career develop after graduation and how did you end up in Japan?
During my second year of university, I was fortunate to be selected for a Japanese training scholarship by AXISSOFT, which set the stage for my career in Japan. After graduation, I accepted a job offer from a new Japanese company founded by the founder of AXISSOFT.
My move to Japan was a combination of wanting to challenge myself and also recognizing Japan’s strong demand for tech talent. Working in Japan provided me with the opportunity to contribute to innovative projects while also experiencing a new culture.
You have worked for companies such as Rakuten, LINE, and Softbank. Tell us a little about how your career progressed during this time.
My time at Rakuten, LINE, and SoftBank was incredibly formative.
At Rakuten, I joined during the pivotal period of “Englishnization,” which brought both challenges and opportunities. I worked on Rakuten Ichiba – Japan’s leading E-commerce system, and it was here that I learned about the balance between technical innovation and business needs.
LINE allowed me to work on mobile-first solutions at a time when mobile usage was skyrocketing, while at SoftBank, I experienced cutting-edge technologies via technical due diligence work for investment projects. I was lucky to be able to contribute to the launch of SB Cloud (a joint venture between Softbank and Alibaba Cloud in Japan).
Across all three companies, I took on increasing responsibilities, from engineering to management, which eventually gave me the confidence to start my own company.
You mentioned Rakuten’s “Englishnization” initiative, announced in 2010. This was something of a shock to many employees who had limited English proficiency at the time. Did you speak business-level English when you joined Rakuten? What was it like to work at Rakuten during this transition?
Yes, I had a good grasp of English before joining Rakuten, though not exactly at the business-level proficiency they expected. “Englishnization” was a bold move, but I saw it as a strategic step toward globalizing the company. While there were some challenges in communication, it created an inclusive environment for international talent and broadened the company’s outlook.
For me personally, I had great chances to improve my English while navigating through exciting new projects and innovations, especially a 3-month Agile development training project in San Francisco in 2012.
You founded Tokyo Techies in 2017. Tell us about Tokyo Techies and why you decided to follow an entrepreneurial path.
I founded Tokyo Techies because I saw a gap in the market—many companies were struggling with the fast pace of technological change, especially in AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. I wanted to create a company that not only provided IT consulting but also developed tailored tech solutions to help companies scale efficiently.
My passion for teaching and tech came together in this venture, as Tokyo Techies initially started as an IT training company. Over time, we expanded into consulting and product development, focusing on helping businesses achieve digital transformation.
Many companies struggle to hire IT talent in Japan. Tell me about your approach to hiring.
At Tokyo Techies, we focus on finding technically skilled individuals who are adaptable and eager to solve problems. Diversity is a big part of our hiring process—we have employees from 10 different countries, and we believe that diverse perspectives lead to innovative solutions.
We also prioritize cultural fit, looking for people who share our passion for continuous learning and collaboration. More than just technical ability, we look for team players who can work well in a fast-paced, client-focused environment.
Entrepreneurs face many challenges in Japan and being a foreigner adds more. What particular challenges have you faced and how have you dealt with them? What would you do differently if you had to do it all over again?
Being a foreign entrepreneur in Japan, I faced challenges related to language barriers, bureaucracy, and building trust with Japanese clients. However, I focused on understanding the local business culture and investing in long-term relationships.
I’ve learned the importance of trust and transparency, and how valuable informal interactions—like lunches or casual meetings—are for building that trust. If I had to do it all over again, I’d probably invest more time in building local partnerships earlier on.
You have a very strong interest in tech education, for example, you have organised hackathons in Japan and Vietnam and developed courses for students to learn mobile development. Can you tell us more about these efforts?
Teaching has always been a passion of mine. When I started Tokyo Techies, I wanted to inspire young talent, which led to organizing 2-day educational hackathons in Japan and Vietnam. These events allow young professionals and students to tackle real-world problems with technology. I also developed my own courses in computer science and mobile/web app development to help them gain practical skills.
It’s part of my belief in giving back to the community by sharing knowledge and creating opportunities for others.
The Vietnamese community in Japan has grown significantly over the past few years, including the tech community. What advice would you give to someone in Vietnam interested in pursuing a career in technology in Japan?
I would advise them to focus on mastering both technical skills and language proficiency.
Japan values precision and attention to detail, so having a strong technical foundation is important. Networking is also key—get involved with the local community and build relationships early on. It’s essential to understand and adapt to the Japanese work culture, which emphasizes teamwork and long-term commitment.
What does your typical day look like?
My days are usually a mix of meetings with clients, working on business strategy, and team collaboration. I spend a lot of time ensuring that our projects are running smoothly, but I also carve out time for new initiatives and partnerships. As a CEO, my role involves balancing high-level strategy with day-to-day operations.
I also try to make time for personal development, whether it’s reading or learning new skills.
What are some of your goals for the future? Short-term, long-term, personally and/or professionally?
In the short term, I want to continue scaling Tokyo Techies by expanding into new markets and growing our SaaS platform, Kotae.AI.
Long-term, my vision is to make Tokyo Techies a globally recognized IT consulting firm known for delivering impactful digital transformation solutions. Personally, I also want to return to the education sector in the future, offering free quality education to help the next generation of tech talent.
Can you share more about Kotae.AI and Klever Suite, one of your other products?
Kotae.ai is an AI-powered customer engagement platform that automates and enhances customer support interactions. By leveraging advanced natural language processing, it provides instant and accurate responses through intelligent chatbots and virtual assistants. Kotae.ai helps businesses improve customer satisfaction, reduce operational costs, and gain valuable insights into customer behavior, all while streamlining support processes for greater efficiency.
Klever Suite is an integrated SaaS solution designed to optimize organizational productivity and collaboration. It offers a comprehensive set of tools for project management, workflow automation, and team communication within a single, user-friendly platform. By automating routine tasks and facilitating seamless collaboration, Klever Suite enables teams to work more effectively, leading to increased efficiency and better project outcomes.
At Tokyo Techies, we’ve developed these products not only to address the evolving needs of businesses but also to demonstrate our SaaS development capabilities through our own invested projects, showcasing our commitment to innovation and excellence beyond client engagements.
Quickfire questions
– what’s the most important piece of advice you’d give yourself if you could go back in time to your arrival in Japan?
Focus more on building local partnerships and learning the nuances of Japanese business culture.
– how do you learn new skills?
I learn by reading, attending industry events to learn by sharing, and engaging in hands-on projects. Currently, I’m focusing on scaling SaaS products and cybersecurity.
– tell me a few of your favourite or most recently read books, movies, podcasts, and games.
Book: The Personal MBA by Josh Kaufman [Amazon]
Movie: The Social Network
Podcast: Coaching for Leaders
– what’s your favourite place to visit in Japan?
Kobe – the city treated me so well when I stayed there for about a month during the 500 Kobe Accelerator Program in 2019.
– what’s the best thing you’ve spent 10,000 JPY on in Japan?
Probably a great meal with my team—it’s all about building connections.
Are there topics we haven’t discussed that you’d like to add?
We touched on most key areas, but I’d like to emphasize the importance of creating opportunities for young tech talent, especially through initiatives like the Tokyo Techies Scholarship Program, which I founded to support Vietnamese students in tech.
Finally, do you have any asks for our readers?
If you’re passionate about technology or entrepreneurship, please feel free to reach out. We’re always looking to collaborate with like-minded individuals who want to solve challenging problems and create lasting impact.
Thank you, Duc. Best of luck to you and the rest of the Techies!
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