#Japan #Osaka #High School #JinJib #JobDraft

Overview of High School Students' Job Hunting Situation in Japan

In July 2025, a collaborative job fair named JobDraft Fes2025 was conducted across 13 venues in Japan, aimed at supporting high school students in their job search. JinJib, a company based in Osaka, organized a survey to gain insights into the challenges faced by students as they navigate their career paths. The survey gathered responses from 502 students between July 2 and July 18, focusing on their experiences and preferences regarding employment opportunities.

Key Findings from the Survey

The survey unveiled several noteworthy findings:

1. A significant 42.4% of students expressed uncertainty about finding their desired career paths, indicating a major source of anxiety among the youth.
2. In selecting potential employers, students prioritized factors such as salary, days off, and work environment, reflecting a strong inclination towards job stability and favorable working conditions.
3. Approximately 31.3% of respondents expressed a desire for pre-job listing workplace visits, highlighting the need for early workplace exposure to facilitate better self and industry understanding.

Current Job Seeking Experience and Challenges

High school students' job hunting typically begins in earnest during July when job listings are released. The process is often guided by school referrals, leading to applications within a constrained two-month timeframe before the September deadline. Furthermore, restrictions in many prefectures allow students to apply to only one company at a time, putting them under pressure in a competitive landscape where the job-to-applicant ratio for the March 2025 graduating class stands at a staggering 4.10:1. This reality underscores the importance of direct engagement opportunities with companies.

Summary of JobDraft Fes2025

JobDraft Fes2025 allowed students to engage directly with company representatives and experience job roles first-hand. Taking place from July 2 to 18, the event attracted 552 companies and 3,595 students, making it a significant platform for understanding various industries. Participating companies were able to share their workplace insights, while students deepened their understanding of their preferred fields. For the first time this year, students showed increased interest in internships and company visits stemming from their experiences at the JobDraft Fes.

Survey Context and Future Directions

The survey was initiated to reflect student concerns in their job search journey. The feedback was not only indicative of sentiments surrounding employment but emphasized an urgent need for tailored support in career exploration. Starting September 22, a second round of the event will be held in locations including Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Hiroshima, Sendai, and Fukuoka, aiming to provide further engagement for high school students.

Detailed Survey Results

Sources of Anxiety in Job Seeking

The survey explored students' anxieties regarding job hunting, revealing that:

• - 42.4% were unsure about finding what they really wanted to do.
• - 36.7% felt uncertain about their aptitudes.
• - 33.5% expressed anxiety over achieving their preferred pathways.
• - Additionally, 27.5% noted confusion about potential next steps.

Important Factors in Job Selection

When asked about criteria for choosing a potential employer:

• - 64.5% prioritized salary, followed closely by days off (62.9%) and work environment (over 50% each for workplace relationships and job roles).
• - Meanwhile, only a lesser percentage showed interest in personal fulfillment or growth opportunities (17.9% and 14.5%, respectively).

Desired Workplace Visits

The preference for workplace visits showed:

• - 28.3% wanted to visit around two companies.
• - 72.6% were interested in visiting multiple companies for comparison.
• - A small fraction showed disinterest or resistance to workplace visits, indicating varying levels of engagement.

Information Source Utilization

The majority of students relied on job postings (75.5%) as their primary information source, followed by company websites (25.1%) and job fairs (20.3%). This illustrates the diversified approach high school students take towards gathering essential job market information.

Multiple Applications Preferences

Concerning the prospect of applying to multiple employers at once:

• - 42.6% opted for a sequential approach, favoring one application at a time.
• - Meanwhile, 37.6% expressed an interest in applying to multiple companies with appropriate support.

Preferences for a Revised Job Search Schedule

In terms of job searching timelines, a notable 31.3% expressed a desire for pre-publication workplace tours. A majority (51.4%) favored a more accelerated job search timeline to allow for better engagement with potential employers.

Satisfaction with JobDraft Fes2025

Feedback from participants indicated high satisfaction levels, with over 90% reporting a favorable experience from the event.

Increased Interest in Companies

Interestingly, 54.0% of students stated they developed new interest in companies or improved their perceptions of certain jobs during the event, which underscores the event's success in raising awareness among high school attendees.

Conclusion

The insights gathered from this survey highlight critical aspects of high school students’ job-seeking experiences. The challenges they face regarding employment preferences, workplace understanding, and support systems necessitate enhanced support mechanisms. Providing early engagement opportunities and comprehensive guidance can significantly improve the effectiveness of students' job searches, helping ensure successful transitions into the workforce.