#Japan #Tokyo #Great Place To Work #Company Culture #Young Worker Rankings

Insights from the 2026 Young Worker Rankings in Japan

On July 29, the Great Place To Work® Institute Japan revealed the much-anticipated 2026 edition of the "Best Places to Work for Young People" rankings, shedding light on the evolving job satisfaction levels among the younger workforce in Japan. The findings, based on a comprehensive survey of 710 companies, indicate a promising trend where a significant percentage of young employees express a desire to remain with their current companies for the long haul.

Overview of the Rankings

The survey, carried out over the year from April 2025 to March 2026, assessed companies that had received the "Great Place to Work Certification" based on specific criteria:

• - Survey for Young Employees: Over 60 questions gauged aspects like satisfaction and sentiment towards their workplace.
• - Company Data Overview: Basic company metrics including staff demographics and policies were gathered.

The analysis focused on companies that consistently participated in this survey for five years, allowing for a robust comparison of the evolving attitudes of young employees.

Key Highlights of the Rankings

1. 85.9% of Young Employees Want to Stay: Among companies recognized in this year’s young worker rankings, 85.9% of employees aged 34 and below stated they wish to continue working there. This figure marks a significant increase, showing a 9.1-point rise for those under 25 and a 6.6-point rise for those aged 26 to 34 over the past five years.
2. Enjoyment at Work: Additionally, 80.3% indicated they look forward to going to work, a notable advantage compared to the 54.7% of young employees from other certified companies—indicating a positive workplace atmosphere.
3. Recognition Factors: The top companies, such as DISCO and Frontier Holdings, were recognized for fostering a workplace culture where young employees feel valued, engaged, and optimistic about their future.

Spotlight on Leading Companies

The rankings distinguished leaders across three categories based on company size:

• - Large Companies (1,000+ employees):

1. DISCO (Tokyo, Manufacturing)
2. SmartHR (Tokyo, IT)
3. Salesforce Japan (Tokyo, IT)

• - Medium Companies (100-999 employees):

1. Frontier Holdings (Osaka, Real Estate)
2. Tech Touch (Tokyo, IT)
3. Achievement (Tokyo, Education)

• - Small Companies (25-99 employees):

1. Sanjo Construction (Osaka, Real Estate)
2. Event21 (Nara, Other)
3. Legaseed (Tokyo, Other)

Insights from CEO Yoko Arakawa

In discussing the findings, CEO Yoko Arakawa highlighted the importance of creating an encouraging environment for young workers. She pointed out that the desire for young people to work long-term hinges on factors like professional growth opportunities, a sense of contribution, and meaningful work. She emphasized that cultivating an engaging workplace culture, guided by key values and open communication, is essential for retaining young talent.

Conclusion

The 2026 Young Worker Rankings provide valuable insights into the changing perceptions of job satisfaction among Japan's youth. The strong desire to remain with their employers suggests that when adequately supported, young employees are more than willing to commit to their careers. Organizations should take these findings seriously, as they indicate not only the health of their workplace culture but also the sustainability of their workforce in the future.

For detailed analysis and examples of effective practices from the awarded companies, further resources can be accessed at the Great Place To Work® Institute Japan website.

Additional Resources

For a deeper dive into practices that enhance young employee engagement, reference materials and case studies are available through the Institute.

Company Information
Name: Great Place To Work® Institute Japan
Location: 4F Sumitomo Realty Tamachi Building, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Established: April 1, 2009
Capital: 750 million yen
Website: hatarakigai.info