SEOUL — A growing number of young South Korean graduates are heading to Japan to kick-start their careers amid a chronic domestic shortage of entry-level jobs. Startups such as KOREC—launched in 2019 by Japanese entrepreneur Moe Kasugai, a Yonsei University alumna—are connecting Korean job seekers with Japanese employers. While major South Korean conglomerates like Samsung typically prefer experienced hires, an aging Japan offers robust graduate schemes and structured training for young career seekers.
Reflecting the soaring demand, Seoul has hosted at least three Japan-focused job fairs this year, featuring companies such as Canon Imaging Systems and Azbil. According to the Korea Labor Institute, over 80,000 Koreans work in professional roles across retail, IT, and game development in Japan. Government data shows that the number of young Koreans taking jobs in Japan through state-backed programs jumped 48% last year, cementing Japan as their top destination for overseas employment. While experts note that Korean candidates’ language skills and cultural familiarity make them highly attractive to Japanese firms, employers still face retention challenges as workers look for career advancement.
