#Japan #Tokyo #ALL DIFFERENT #New Employee #Job Retention

New Employee Awareness Survey 2025

A recent survey by ALL DIFFERENT, a Tokyo-based consultancy specializing in organizational development and human resource training, has revealed 65.4% of new employees intend to remain in their jobs, marking the highest rate seen in 12 years. This survey, conducted from March 25 to April 24, 2025, surveyed 3,933 new hires and aimed to evaluate their intentions regarding job retention.

Background

The results are particularly significant given the ongoing labor shortage in Japan, as indicated by various reports from the Teikoku Databank and Nikkei Newspaper. Employers are facing challenges related to employee turnover and recruitment difficulties, leading to an increasing number of bankruptcies related to labor shortages.

To combat this issue, businesses have focused on increasing their workforce by hiring foreign labor, elderly workers, and those with disabilities. However, as the overall labor population in Japan continues to decline, companies need to not only recruit new employees but also implement strategies to retain current employees.

The focus of this survey was to understand what conditions new hires consider essential for wanting to remain with their companies long-term.

Key Findings

1. Desire to Stay: An impressive 65.4% of respondents indicated they would prefer to stay with their current employer. This figure represents a marked increase since 2019 when the percentage fell below half. In addition to those wanting to stay, 13.2% expressed intentions to change jobs, while 3.5% considered entrepreneurship and 1.7% contemplated freelancing.

2. Work Preferences: New employees indicated that they aspire to engage in work that is enjoyable, rewarding, and fosters teamwork. Conversely, those considering leaving place a higher importance on salary progression and maintaining control over their own work timeline.

3. Conditions for Retention: When asked what conditions would make them want to stay, over 60% cited good workplace relationships and competitive salaries as paramount. This highlights a growing emphasis on interpersonal dynamics in the work environment.

4. Company Culture: The survey identified a strong preference for a workplace culture where collaboration and teamwork are prioritized. A notable 72.8% of respondents expressed that they would prefer a culture that fosters cooperation between employees.

Expert Insights

Experts suggest that four major elements contribute to new employees successfully integrating into an organization: understanding the political landscape within the company, adapting previous learning behaviors, comprehending evaluation criteria, and acquiring necessary knowledge and skills.

Conclusion

The survey indicates a positive trend for employers, revealing that 65.4% of new employees are inclined to stay within their organizations, the highest rate recorded in over a decade. For companies wishing to retain their talent, it is essential to foster a positive workplace culture focused on strong interpersonal relationships and a rewarding work environment. As economic conditions shift, particularly with increasing living costs, the importance of competitive salaries is also rising among new hires.

In light of these findings, organizations must adapt strategies to enhance employee retention and create an inclusive workplace atmosphere to continue thriving amidst Japan's ongoing labor challenges.