Around the world, governments are scrambling to attract highly-skilled new graduates . Five leading economies—Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany and China—now offer post-graduation routes that let top graduates live and work (or at least look for work) without employer sponsorship. Yet the ease of entry and the depth of the underlying job market vary dramatically. The analysis below distills each scheme’s headline rules, then sizes up the real hiring landsc

This time, we had the pleasure of speaking with Aditya Mishra , a Canadian-born, Japan-raised student who is now in his second year of the Business of Cinematic Arts  program at the University of Southern California (Class of 2027). With a mixed Indian-Japanese heritage and a lifetime spent in international schools, Aditya blends creative storytelling with the rigour of finance and accounting, aiming to make films that resonate across cultures. In this interview, he reflects

You attend a world-class university, your GPA sparkles, and you’ve already ticked off several brand-name internships. Surely the job market—Japan’s included—will roll out a red carpet. Yet every year even “elite” students stumble: first-round rejections, mismatched roles, or culture shock that slows promotions. Why? Below are five recurring—and avoidable—pitfalls  we see among high-achieving Jelper Club members, plus concrete tactics to stay ahead of the curve. 1. Prestige ≠

In this edition we sit down with Federico Gruson , a native New Yorker whose Colombian roots, quarter-Japanese heritage, and curiosity about Japan’s “economic puzzle” have taken him from the skyscrapers of Manhattan to the heart of Tokyo’s venture ecosystem. After a year abroad at International Christian University (ICU) ignited his passion for Japan, Federico doubled down on language study, joined a fast-growing tech start-up, and now spearheads global product launches that

Why this matters now Shift in attitudes  — A 2024 Nippon Life survey found that 56.4 % of workers call after-hours “nominication” unnecessary , the highest share on record *1 . New compliance pressure  — MHLW’s 2024 Healthy Drinking Guidelines  ask employers to curb alcohol-related risks and “al-hara” (alcohol harassment) *2 . For global talent, the upshot is clear: nomikai remain powerful bonding rituals, but the rules are softer, safer, and more negotiable and flexible than

This time, we had the pleasure of speaking with Kaho Sakemi , an internationally minded student who was born in Shanghai, completed her schooling at the American School in Japan, and is now a rising senior at the University of Southern California majoring in Business with a Data Analytics minor. Alongside her studies, Kaho is completing her second data-analysis internship while nurturing a long-term goal of launching a nonprofit pet shelter. In this interview, Kaho shares how

Foreign companies operating in Japan often headline internship fairs with starting packages that dwarf the national average. Yet this is only half the story: pay dispersion, workload and job-security norms vary sharply by sector. Understanding those contrasts helps you choose a path that matches not just your wallet, but also your time and risk appetite. Quick snapshot — Pay premium vs. National average Sector (new-grad / junior level) Typical annual total comp % above nation

Japan's professional landscape is rapidly transforming, shifting from traditional corporate models towards a dynamic startup ecosystem. This change is fueled by evolving youth aspirations and robust government initiatives like the Startup Development Five-Year Plan. Significant opportunities are emerging for young talents in high-growth sectors such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Software as a Service (SaaS). To succeed in this new environment, young professionals need a