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Zenken and HSS Partnership: Addressing Japan's Labor Shortage

On June 24, 2026, Zenken Co., Ltd., based in Minato Ward, Tokyo, and Hachijuni Staff Service Co., Ltd. (HSS), a subsidiary of Hachijuni Group centered around Hachijuni Nagano Bank in Nagano Prefecture, announced a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing overseas talent introduction services. This collaboration is particularly significant as Japan faces an urgent labor shortage in various sectors, especially in local cities where shortages of skilled workers have become a critical issue influencing business sustainability and succession.

Background of the Partnership

Japan is grappling with a severe aging population and declining birth rate, leading to a labor force crunch. Notably, in Nagano Prefecture, there is an increasing demand for professionals in engineering fields, including manufacturing, construction, and information technology, as well as in crucial service sectors like caregiving and hospitality.

Zenken, embodying the motto “Creating a Future That Doesn’t Exist,” recognizes the labor shortage within Japan as a pressing social challenge. The firm is particularly focused on recruiting IT professionals and supporting workforce acquisition in the caregiving sector to mitigate these issues.

In its overseas workforce segment, Zenken has formed strategic partnerships with 54 engineering colleges in Bangalore, India, and established collaborations with NSDC International, part of the National Skill Development Corporation of India, to match skilled international workers seeking employment in Japan with local companies in need.

Conversely, HSS specializes in high-class talent recruitment and is deeply embedded in the Nagano region, which, coupled with its robust consulting capabilities, allows them to address the specific staffing needs of local businesses. As more companies in the region seek to leverage international talent, the partnership with Zenken will enhance HSS’s service offerings in this area.

Through this collaboration, Zenken's expertise in overseas talent introduction and training will merge with Hachijuni Group’s extensive network to effectively target labor shortages faced by local enterprises. This relationship facilitates broader dissemination of Zenken’s specialized solutions to a wider array of businesses via customer introductions from Hachijuni Group.

Key Initiatives of the Partnership

This collaboration will deploy the strengths of both companies in various capacities, including:

1. Overseas Engineer Talent Deployment and Retention Support
Zenken has established partnerships with 54 engineering universities in Bangalore, focusing on students in IT, mechanical, and electrical engineering disciplines. Beyond merely introducing candidates, Zenken provides comprehensive support, including Japanese language training and lifestyle orientation to ensure effective integration. This partnership affords Hachijuni Group's clients access to highly specialized talent and aids in resolving their IT staffing shortages.

2. Overseas Caregiving and Hospitality Workforce Introduction and Retention Support
With collaborations including NSDC International and Indonesian recruitment agencies, Zenken addresses the introduction of skilled personnel in caregiving and hospitality sectors. Acting as a registered support organization, Zenken offers a full range of services, including language education for overseas workers, acceptance support, employment monitoring, and retention assistance. This joint venture will channel these skilled workers to Hachijuni Group’s clients, alleviating staffing shortfalls within the caregiving and hospitality industries.

Additionally, the partnership will involve gathering insights on potential foreign talent needs through Hachijuni Group’s network to create further matching opportunities.

Future Prospects

This partnership empowers Zenken to reach a broad spectrum of businesses within Nagano Prefecture, enabling high-quality matches rooted in Hachijuni Group’s established reputation. By supporting local companies in securing talent, Zenken contributes to revitalizing the regional economy while reinforcing its overseas workforce initiative as per the medium-term management plan, “Road to 250.”

Moving forward, both companies are committed to fostering sustainable regional development through their collaborative efforts in talent acquisition, enhancing the value offered to their businesses and the community at large.