Over 97% of Japanese University Graduates Secure Employment Amidst Labour Shortage

More than 97 percent of new university graduates in Japan have successfully secured employment this spring, marking a significant increase of 1.5 points from the previous year. This notable rise, the first in three years, reflects a prevailing labour shortage in the country as the economy gradually recovers from the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The Japanese government shared this optimistic update on Friday, highlighting the resilience and determination of the nation’s graduates despite the challenging circumstances.

Impressively, a staggering 97.3 percent of graduates who actively sought employment were successful in securing jobs as of April 1. This achievement represents the third-highest employment rate on record since 1997 when the government first began collecting such data. Both the labour and education ministries collaborated to gather this vital information, shedding light on the promising trends within Japan’s job market.

One official from the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare attributed this positive outcome to the prevailing workforce shortages experienced by companies across various sectors. Encouragingly, companies are displaying increased enthusiasm for hiring, even surpassing the levels observed before the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic. The recovery of job offers is particularly notable in the tourism and air travel sectors, which were severely impacted by the pandemic’s disruption.

The academic and business year in Japan typically commences in April for most educational institutions and companies, making this an opportune time for new graduates to embark on their professional journeys. Consequently, the recent data released by the ministries brings a glimmer of hope to the nation, indicating a potential upturn in employment prospects for fresh talent.

Promising Trends in Specific Fields and Regions

The comprehensive survey covered graduates from 62 public and private universities across Japan, providing valuable insights into employment rates across different fields of study. The results revealed a notable 1.7-point increase to 97.1 percent for graduates specializing in social sciences and liberal arts. Likewise, those with scientific degrees experienced a 0.7-point rise, reaching an impressive employment rate of 98.1 percent.

By analysing the data geographically, the western region of Japan, which encompasses the Chugoku and Shikoku areas, exhibited the highest employment rate at 98.6 percent, reflecting an impressive gain of 6.4 points from the previous year. Following closely behind was the Kanto region surrounding Tokyo, with a rise of 1.7 points to reach 98.4 percent. In contrast, the region consisting of Hokkaido and the Tohoku area of north-eastern Japan reported the lowest employment rate at 94.8 percent. However, this still represented a commendable increase of 1.4 points compared to the previous year.

Success of Junior Colleges and Technical Schools

The survey also explored the employment outcomes of graduates from junior colleges and technical schools. Junior college graduates saw a modest increase of 0.3 points, with an employment rate of 98.1 percent. Technical school graduates experienced a more substantial rise, with their employment rate increasing by 1.0 point to reach 95.7 percent. These positive results highlight the diverse opportunities available to students pursuing alternative educational paths beyond traditional universities.

Encouraging Trends among High School Graduates

The survey’s findings also encompassed high school graduates, revealing a notable decrease in the percentage of graduates seeking employment. Only 14.2 percent of the year’s 137,843 high school graduates actively looked for jobs, representing a decrease of 0.6 points from the previous year. Of those who pursued employment, an impressive 98.0 percent were successful, reflecting a marginal increase of 0.1 points.

An education ministry official attributed the declining number of high school graduates seeking immediate employment to a support program implemented in fiscal year 2020. This program offers grant-type scholarships and reductions or exemptions of tuition fees for students facing financial difficulties, incentivizing them to pursue further studies and higher education opportunities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Japan’s remarkable employment rates for new university graduates highlight the country’s resilience and adaptability amidst a challenging labour shortage. These promising trends bode well for the future of the nation’s workforce, as it continues to recover from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. With companies demonstrating increased willingness to hire and diverse opportunities available in various fields, Japan’s graduates are poised to contribute to the nation’s ongoing economic revival.