Amid a declining birth rate and labor shortage, Japanese companies are increasingly looking to hire foreign students studying at universities in Japan. Local governments are also trying to connect foreign students with companies eager to recruit them. In fiscal 2022, the percentage of foreign students finding jobs in Japan exceeded 50% for the first time. A Vietnamese student attending a matching event in Osaka City expressed appreciation for the opportunity as information about companies seeking foreign students is hard to come by. The event was organized by the Osaka prefectural government and attracted 255 students from 27 countries and regions.
Other local governments are also actively promoting recruitment of foreign students. The Ibaraki prefectural government established a group to facilitate this, while Kanagawa prefectural government opened a consultation service for companies hiring foreign students.
The increased attention on foreign students comes as businesses face challenges in securing new graduates due to the declining birth rate and post-COVID-19 increase in recruitment activity. Takaishi Industry Co., based in Osaka Prefecture, struggled to recruit Japanese college graduates and turned to matching events organized by the Osaka prefectural government last year. The company hired two foreign students this spring, recognizing their language skills as an asset for future expansion into Europe and the U.S.
However, many talented foreign students still leave Japan due to difficulties finding employment opportunities that align with their skills and aspirations. Japan’s unique framework for job hunting involving bulk hiring of new graduates poses challenges for foreigners who may not be familiar with this process or start searching later than Japanese counterparts.
Universities are also stepping up efforts to support foreign students seeking employment at Japanese companies. Waseda University holds events inviting various sectors’ companies so that freshmen can understand job hunting difficulties early on. Chuo University provides guidance sessions on unique aspects of the Japanese recruiting process.
Collaboration between local governments, universities, and industry is crucial in helping more foreign students settle in Japan while attracting others from overseas, creating a virtuous cycle of talent retention and attraction.