[TalnSG]

Interesting question, since I also have an accounting background. I wonder what criteria American companies use when considering staff for transfer, if none of the people under consideration are fluent. I know that when possible they hire local Japanese who are already accountants, but there are times when an American employee has a skill that is specifically needed in a Japanese office.

I have encountered this twice in finance companies, but both times the only Americans being considered because of the their business skills were also of Japanese descent and spoke Nihongo as their second language so there wasn't any issue.