From Hong Kong to Tokyo — A Nonlinear Path into Tech
javaskr

javaskr @javaskr

About: 👋 Hi, I'm Timothy CHOW, Software Engineer@Tokyo, originally from HK 🇭🇰 💡 Passionate about building+shipping meaningful products. ☕ Coffee-fueled. Fast learner. Startup-hardened.

Location:
Toyko, Japan
Joined:
Jul 2, 2022

From Hong Kong to Tokyo — A Nonlinear Path into Tech

Publish Date: Jun 14
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Hey, I’m Timothy. I’m a software engineer based in Tokyo, originally from Hong Kong.

This isn’t one of those stories where everything goes according to plan.

In fact, it rarely did.

  • I didn’t get great grades in high school.
  • I didn’t enter university right after.
  • I even changed majors — and later, careers.

My path was all over the place.

One day, while working in my old industry, I found myself asking:

Why am I doing this? What’s the point?

That question led to action.

I quit.

I joined a coding bootcamp.

I studied full-time for 4 months.

I landed my first role at an international blockchain company.

Then I left again—this time, for Tokyo.

After a year learning Japanese, I restarted my career here as a full-time software engineer at a startup.


It’s been uncertain, messy, and totally worth it.

🧠 What I’ve learned so far:

  • You don’t need a perfect start to end up in a good place.
  • Progress isn’t always loud — but it compounds.
  • Your past doesn’t disqualify your future.

📝 I’m now documenting my thoughts on career, software, growth, and things I’m building — both technically and personally.
👉 javaskr.com


👀 I’ve grown the most from working with teams that value curiosity, speed, and empathy — happy to connect with folks who share that — or you’re just curious about how I made the jump — feel free to check out what I’ve been working on (via LinkedIn, Medium…)

You never know who you’ll be tomorrow. Take the step today.

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