#Japan #Tokyo #TopTier #J.S.B. #学生マンション

New Career Paths for Todai and Keio Students

In a bold move to reshape the job hunting landscape for Todai and Keio University students, TopTier was established on October 23, 2025, with the backing of J.S.B. (TSE Prime: Code 3480). Founded by third-year Keio student Fumika Mitsuzuka, TopTier specializes in providing recruitment support tailored for recent graduates from these prestigious institutions. The company's mission is clear: to bridge the gap between talented students and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that often struggle to attract this talent.

The Conventional Job Hunting Culture

In Japan, particularly among elite universities like Todai and Keio, there prevails a formidable mindset that defines success as securing positions in large corporations. This belief creates an imbalance in the job market, leading to an overcrowding of elite students in major firms while the prospects in SMEs often go unnoticed. Many Todai and Keio students engage in minimal research about SMEs, which limits their career options.

The Need for Talent in SMEs

A significant portion of Japanese companies consists of SMEs, many of which possess untapped potential yet face challenges in finding skilled workers. Particularly in rural areas, long-established businesses struggle with a lack of successors, risking their legacy and the community’s economic vitality. TopTier’s approach is to connect aspiring graduates with these companies, providing a win-win situation for both parties.

TopTier’s Mission: Facilitating Connections

By accurately delivering valuable information about SMEs across Japan, TopTier aims to diversify the career opportunities for Todai and Keio students. The vision is to encourage these graduates to join SMEs as future leadership candidates, thus transforming the standard career trajectory. Being founded by active Todai and Keio students allows TopTier to resonate deeply with their peers, thus optimizing their outreach.

Case Study: Success in Regional SMEs

One driving force behind the establishment of this business was the startling realization: SMEs in regional areas often had zero recruitment examples, yet within five years of initiating recruitment practices, one such company saw its revenue grow five-fold. The key to this success was creating appealing internship programs, competitive employee benefits, clear career paths, and robust post-employment growth opportunities. TopTier is dedicated to replicating this success across the nation.

About Fumika Mitsuzuka

Fumika Mitsuzuka is the dynamic CEO of TopTier, currently a third-year student at Keio University. Originally hailing from Sendai and raised in Suginami, Tokyo, she transitioned from a Tokyo Metropolitan Hibiya High School dropout to pursuing her studies at N High School, where she majored in programming. Her passion for enhancing Japan’s economy, shaped by her experiences abroad, is reflected in her ambitious project.

Mitsuzuka believes in the untapped potential of Todai and Keio students, as well as the growth opportunities available to SMEs in Japan. Her vision is to create platforms where students can visibly contribute to company growth and foster a career path distinct from their peers. With the prevailing notion in Japan that securing a position in a colossal corporation signifies job-hunting success, she aims to challenge this stereotype by promoting the merits of collaborations with SMEs.

Insights from J.S.B. CEO, Takahiro Moritaka

Moritaka congratulated TopTier on its inception, noting the value of supporting student entrepreneurs while providing various opportunities for students residing in J.S.B. managed housing. By collaborating with TopTier, J.S.B. hopes to offer students the chance to experience innovative job hunting.

The Ultimate Goal: Redefining Job Preferences

The current situation is characterized by a student preference for large corporations, often touted as mission accomplished in their job hunt. This mentality undermines the prospects available within SMEs, which often provide greater challenges and rewards that align well with highly capable Todai and Keio graduates.

TopTier utilizes its standing as a startup helmed by current Todai and Keio students to combat the prevailing trends. Through tailored messaging and experiential design, TopTier effectively conveys the strengths of small businesses, enabling students to experience firsthand growth opportunities linked to the sales and operations of these companies. Ultimately, the goal is to promote the idea of SMEs as equally viable career paths alongside their larger counterparts.

Services Offered by TopTier

TopTier focuses on three core services to support their mission:
1. In-house New Graduate Recruitment Consulting: Providing expertise from a team combining current students and experienced HR professionals to ensure the annual influx of applications from Todai and Keio students.
2. Internship Recruitment Support: Designing comprehensive internship programs to cultivate a reliable talent pool for SMEs, with an emphasis on extended engagements that offer significant value.
3. Business Contest Management: Facilitating competitions themed around client businesses to provide students a platform for engagement and showcase their understanding of SME operations.

Future Prospects and Growth Plans

Being operational from its inception, TopTier anticipates reaching a turnover of ¥10 billion, driven by significant contracts with prominent companies. In anticipation of growth, they plan to establish branches nationwide, stemming from partnerships with J.S.B. and gradually expanding into the second-job transfer market.

So, with a vision to reshape the career landscape, TopTier is not just creating pathways for students but is also set to redefine the future of Japan's workforce by promoting small and medium enterprises as desirable career options.