#Japan #Tokyo #FoodTech #Recruitment #SkillDish

SkillDish: A Solution for Food Industry Labor Shortages

SkillDish, a recruitment platform tailored for the food industry, has made a significant entrance by participating in the second assembly of the FoodTech Public-Private Council, organized by Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The event, held on October 15, 2025, aimed to promote food-related technology and address the pressing challenges faced by food companies, particularly labor shortages.

The need for skilled foreign workers in the food sector is urgent; Japan's food manufacturing and restaurant industries are projected to require approximately 139,000 and 53,000 foreign skilled workers, respectively, by the end of fiscal year 2028. However, many small and medium-sized enterprises in rural areas struggle to find effective recruitment methods. Traditional hiring processes have led to mismatched expectations between employers and job seekers, resulting in high turnover rates, with 38% of new hires leaving within three years, and 66% of these quitting within the first year.

Addressing Industry Challenges

SkillDish aims to alleviate these recruitment hurdles by transforming the entire hiring process from job posting to employment into a digital experience. This platform is specifically designed for food businesses, ensuring that local small and medium enterprises can find and hire suitable foreign talent. The unique selling proposition of SkillDish lies in its ability to clearly communicate specific employment conditions relevant to the food industry to prospective employees, thereby minimizing mismatches post-hiring and fostering long-term employment.

Feedback from attendees at the FoodTech event highlighted the platform's potential: one food manufacturer remarked, "I feel this service addresses the workforce shortage issues faced by food companies by enabling the recruitment of foreign candidates with an interest in food and practical experience." A restaurant owner added, "The focus on the food sector gives me confidence in employee retention after hiring."

SkillDish's Evolution and Features

Launched in October 2024, SkillDish has rapidly grown and currently accommodates over 2,500 registered foreign skilled workers from five countries aspiring to join Japan's food industry. The platform's founder, Hiroyuki Igata, who previously worked in food manufacturing, observed a recurring struggle among companies to connect with suitable foreign applicants and to retain them. This inspired the development of SkillDish, focusing on the two major sectors: food manufacturing and restaurants.

One of the key advantages of SkillDish is its tailored approach to overcoming the challenges associated with foreign employee recruitment—namely, the quantity of candidates, their competency, and retention rates. By honing in on the food sector, SkillDish enables small companies, previously hindered by limited recruitment avenues, to access a wider talent pool. Furthermore, the platform offers features that allow candidates to understand potential employment conditions—such as seasonal variations in working hours and customer service expectations—in advance, reducing the likelihood of early job departures.

Candidates registered on SkillDish are vetted through partner companies that the platform has personally assessed for educational quality. Training encompasses essential food hygiene, handling of cooking utensils, product storage, HACCP basics, understanding Japanese culture, and customer service in Japanese. Before candidates proceed to employment interviews, they also undergo preliminary discussions to confirm a mutual understanding of job expectations, ensuring that only well-prepared individuals progress in the hiring process.

Success Stories from SkillDish

SkillDish has already seen positive outcomes, with food companies successfully hiring staff who are fluent in Japanese and deeply understand the industry's demands. One seafood processing company reported recruiting four staff members with strong language skills through the platform.

As stated by an Indonesian candidate now working in Japan, "I registered with SkillDish because of the thriving seafood processing industry in my local region. I am eager to grow and possibly become a leader on the job".

The engaging feedback and success stories reflect the platform's impact on alleviating workforce challenges in the food sector while promoting cultural exchange and employment for foreign skilled workers. As SkillDish continues to evolve, more food businesses can expect to benefit from its specialized recruitment services.

For more information about SkillDish, visit SkillDish Official Site.