As competition for young workers in Japan‘s labor market intensifies, companies are increasingly offering managerial positions to high school graduates. The ratio of job openings to high school students expected to graduate in the spring is projected to reach a record high. Job applications from these students began being accepted in July, with interviews and selection processes taking place since September. The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry reported that the job openings-to-applicants ratio reached a record high of 3.70-to-1 as of July-end, with large companies experiencing a 6.4% year-on-year increase in job openings.
The labor shortage has made it more challenging for companies to recruit university graduates, leading them to seek younger workers who can contribute more years during their twenties. This demand is particularly evident in the service and manufacturing industries. A 23-year-old manager at a Sushiro branch started her career after graduating from high school in 2020. She had previously worked part-time at the conveyor-belt sushi franchise during her first year of high school and was drawn by the collaborative atmosphere of the workplace.
In addition to her branch responsibilities, she gained experience working at Sushiro’s stall at the Dubai Expo in 2021 and was promoted to branch manager at age 21 in September 2022. Leading a team of about 80 employees ranging from high school students to individuals in their sixties, she has earned respect despite her young age due to her experience and effective instructions.
Sushiro’s parent company emphasizes that academic background does not influence hiring decisions or promotions between high school graduates and university graduates. High school graduates can be promoted early due to their longer work experience.
Similarly, Runa Suzuki joined Mercury Inc., a human resources service company based in Tokyo after graduating from high school and took on a managerial role supervising eight sales staff two years later.
While arrangements have been made between boards of education and local economic organizations regarding job hunting for high school students across most prefectures, current practices limit students’ applications to one company at a time. This system expedites recruitment but may contribute to the relatively high turnover rate within three years after graduation (37% as per data from 2020). Experts suggest that schools should provide career education involving local businesses while companies need systems that prioritize treatment and promotion based on factors beyond academic background if they desire workplace diversity.