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2 clusters · 2 sources · 27 days · First seen · Last updated

Japanese graduate job preferences shift

Overview

In early July 2026, reports indicated that Japanese job seekers were moving away from well‑known firms, placing greater importance on personal fit rather than corporate brand reputation. By the end of the month, a survey of 2,069 students from twelve elite universities revealed that a substantial share of graduates, especially men, were targeting the country's major general trading houses—Mitsubishi, Itochu, Mitsui, Sumitomo and Marubeni—driven by expectations of high salaries (average ¥9.87 million for men, ¥8.53 million for women). Women showed a stronger preference for food, consumer‑goods firms and work‑life balance. The data highlighted both a continued interest in prestigious trading houses and emerging gender‑based differences in career priorities and compensation expectations.

Entities

Itochu Corporation · Kao Corporation · Suntory Holdings · Mitsubishi Corporation · Ajinomoto Co.

Timeline

  1. 25 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Japanese elite university graduates favor trading houses, seek high salaries

    A 2028 graduate survey of 12 top Japanese universities shows men aiming for ¥9.87 M salary and favoring trading houses, while women target ¥8.53 M and prefer food/consumer‑goods firms, with differing career‑goa

  2. about 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Japan job seekers ditch popular firms, prioritize fit over brand

    A No Company survey finds 90% of Japanese graduates who apply to top‑ranked firms later lose interest or quit, citing vague job info and cultural mismatch, shifting focus to fit over brand.

Sources

img.response.jp · resemom.jp