JETRO Topics
First network events between foreign-affiliated companies and students at University of Tokyo and Tohoku University
June 2018
In June, JETRO held network events for the first time at the University of Tokyo and Tohoku University in order to facilitate exchange between foreign-affiliated companies in Japan, and international students and Japanese students enrolled at both universities who desire to shape their global careers.
From the results of an annual survey on the Japanese investment environment conducted by JETRO for foreign-affiliated companies in Japan in 2017, "difficulty in securing global talent" was pointed out as the largest obstacle in doing business in Japan. Taking this into account, JETRO held these network events with the aim of offering an opportunity for foreign-affiliated companies and global talent to interact. As foreign-affiliated companies have trouble securing human resources with foreign language proficiency, they are showing eagerness to recruit not only Japanese but also international students studying in Japan. At the same time, while international students want to stay and join companies in Japan, Japan’s unique recruitment system and linguistic barriers have made this difficult. Focusing on the needs of both the foreign-affiliated companies attempting to secure global talent beyond the constraints of nationality and the students who qualify as such talent but are unable to access adequate information, these events proved a great success with more than 300 students from both universities visiting booths individually set up by companies to introduce the particulars of their business and potential for growth in Japan.
Discussion on attractiveness of working at foreign-affiliated companies and how to find employment in Japan
On June 7, JETRO held a special event prior to the network event at the University of Tokyo.
Speeches were delivered by Director Yujin Yaguchi of the International Education Support Office of the Division for Global Campus Initiatives of the University of Tokyo and Executive Director Takeo Nakajima of JETRO’s Invest Japan Department. Under the theme of “Working at a Foreign-Affiliated Company,” Executive Director Nakajima spoke on successful cases of business expansion by foreign-affiliated companies in Japan and differences in corporate culture due to the locations of parent companies. This was followed by a panel discussion consisting of three former international students who graduated from the university and have experience working at foreign-affiliated companies. They engaged in a lively discussion on the advantages and challenges of working at a foreign-affiliated company, differences in corporate culture between Japanese and foreign-affiliated companies, and Japanese and foreign-affiliated companies as options to shape one's career. Students swarming the graduates and excitedly asking them questions after the panel discussion was an impressive scene.
Pre-event at University of Tokyo
Exchange between foreign-affiliated companies and students, matching needs of both
The network event at the University of Tokyo on June 13 was joined by 34 foreign-affiliated companies and 234 students of the school, including 197 international students. The same event at Tohoku University on June 20 was joined by 13 foreign-affiliated companies and 106 students from Tohoku University as well as neighboring universities, including 103 international students. Foreign-affiliated companies which set up booths praised the event, saying: "We were able to raise awareness of our company by introducing ourselves and our industry." "We were able to get acquainted with several excellent students majoring in engineering." Students at both universities had the following to say: "We learned that numerous opportunities for working at a global company lie here in Japan." "The event made me aware of what foreign-affiliated companies desire." Companies also expressed appreciation for a dedicated time set aside at Tohoku University for them to step away from their booths and speak frankly with students. One stated: "It was an excellent opportunity to close the distance between us and students and allow us to learn about one another." Matching the needs of both foreign-affiliated companies and students in one venue resulted in a fruitful event which deepened mutual understanding.
Network event at University of Tokyo
A social gathering at Tohoku University