Recruitment of 50% graduated international students: Strategy aims for Asia market

(Oita Godo Newspaper, July 6^th 2010, Evening Paper, Page 2)

At the 6^th of July, research shows that Uniqolo's Fast retailing, Convenience store Lawson, internet retailer Rakuten, among the new recruited workers, 20% to 50% are foreigners of Asian nationality. 

As the domestic demand is stagnant, Japanese companies are strengthening their strategies for Asia. Even in these 3 companies, the human resource strategy is developing at a fast pace, international students from Asia, is being targeted for recruitment so that in future, they would want to expand their business in Asia using the international students.

Other than the 3 companies, Panasonic also recruited many international students. In 2011, Panasonic's recruitment of foreigners (inclusive of midterm recruitment) increased, as compared to 10 years ago, the numbers increased to 1100 people; a increase of 50 % plan is devised.  International students recruited by companies increased by 80%. Aiming for Asia markets, the strategy is to recruit international students on a large basis, especially towards the new graduates in Japan. As the companies globalize, recruitment of international students will be the issue of the future.

Fast retailing(uniqolo), out of the 300 people that the company recruits, 50% of the new recruits are foreigners. With the establishment of more stores in china, Taiwan, Malaysia, they would want to recruit talents who are able to perform the role of store managers.

Lawson is also trying to recruit more international students. Currently, they are tried to have 20% to 30% of new recruits from developing countries in Asia. From 2008, in these 3 years, the international students who entered Lawson consist of 66 people.

Rakuten is also trying to recruit more international students, and that out of the 600 new recruits, 150 of them will be international students.    

Comments

With the graying population in Japan, the declining population, Japan is forced to expand to Asia. The companies just cannot find enough demand in Japan and they would need talents who will be able to help them in the expansion. Not only the language but also the culture is important when setting up business overseas, furthermore the international students will have contacts in their home country, and they are able to set up business networks for Japanese companies.

I feel that this is a good sign, a sign of globalization, a step in which other Japanese companies have done, brands like Toyota, Honda, Hitachi is known all around the world.

I hope to see that more Japanese company expanding to Asia in future.

Tay Zhong Jie Edwin

Singapore

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, APM 4