#Japan #Tokyo #job market #doda #Takafumi Sakurai

Doda's Job Market Forecast for the Second Half of 2026

Doda, one of Japan's leading job-change services operated by Persol Career, has released its "Job Market Forecast for the Second Half of 2026." According to the forecast, there is an expectation for a steady increase in job offers across 12 out of the 15 sectors analyzed, highlighting a positive outlook for the job market.

Positive Additions Across Various Sectors

The forecast indicates that despite a general slowdown observed post-pandemic, the demand for labor shows resilience due to underlying issues such as the declining birthrate, aging population, and the shift in work styles. The sectors expected to see job demand rise include:

• - IT & Communication
• - Finance
• - Accounting
• - Human Resources
• - Legal
• - Planning & Marketing
• - Sales & Services

Five sectors are predicted to maintain their current strong performance: Real Estate & Construction, Electrical & Mechanical, Medical, Sales, and Chemicals & Materials. Meanwhile, the Creative and Food sectors are expected to remain flat, and the Administrative sector is forecasted to experience a reduction.

You can read more about the detailed trends for each sector on Doda's official site.

Salary Expectations and Employee Retention Strategies

As inflation persists, employees are increasingly considering job transitions with the aim of achieving higher salaries. Employers are responding to this growing recruitment competition by raising wages and offering appealing salaries above current pay levels. However, keeping new hires is becoming a critical issue for businesses. In response, companies are emphasizing employee satisfaction and are increasingly taking steps to ensure that there is a good match between candidates’ expectations and the roles being offered from the recruitment phase.

The Increasing Role of AI in Recruitment

The emergence of AI technologies is significantly influencing hiring strategies, with many companies integrating AI tools into their business processes. A study conducted by Doda in February 2026 revealed that over 70% of companies employing 501 or more staff have noted changes in the type of talent they seek due to AI’s integration into their operations. The future will likely favor candidates who can effectively utilize AI to improve productivity and achieve tangible results.

As technology evolves, the skills required in the job market are also expected to change rapidly. It is crucial for individuals to regularly assess and update their own skills in alignment with market demands to build a fulfilling career.

Upcoming Online Seminar

In light of these developments, Doda is hosting an online seminar titled "Changes in the Job Market and Latest Trends for the Second Half of 2026" on July 30, 2026. In this event, Takafumi Sakurai, Doda's editor-in-chief, will delve into the latest data on the job market transformations to help participants navigate their career paths effectively.

Seminar Details:

• - Date: July 30, 2026
• - Time: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM (JST)
• - Cost: Free
• - Who Can Attend: Any working professional
• - Platform: Online video tool (Zoom)
• - Registration Deadline: July 29, 2026, 11:59 PM

You can register for the event through this link.

Meet the Speaker

Takafumi Sakurai has a notable career path, having entered a major human resource company upon graduation. He has consistently worked in various aspects of career education and recruitment support for students domestically and internationally. Since joining Persol Career in November 2016, he has spearheaded the establishment of several initiatives, including the launch of Doda Campus, serving as the inaugural editor. With his rich experience, he is well-versed in the trends of Gen Z employment and corporate hiring strategies.

For more information about Doda, visit Doda's official page. For more about Persol Career, please explore Persol Career Company Site.