Japan has long been known as a tough talent market. Challenges such as an aging population, long-term employment with large corporations, and a tendency toward privacy are all frequently cited as challenges, not to mention the language barrier.

Companies, both international and domestic, often complain about a low volume of qualified applicants for their job postings, and thus become frustrated with slow hiring. In addition, they often receive profiles from senior generations and face some of the highest agency recruitment fees globally.

Just how bad is the situation?  Is it trending for better or worse? Let’s dig deeper into this topic and finish with a few tips for companies looking to attract and hire talent in Japan.