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

１. A Sudden Chill on U.S. Campuses On 22 May 2025  the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security yanked Harvard University’s SEVP licence,  stripping it of the power to issue new I-20s and threatening the status of more than 6800 international students *1 .  Harvard sued within hours, and the next morning a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order  that keeps visas valid while the case moves to a June hearing *2 .   In a related case, a federal judge in California a

This time we spoke with Joe Kojima , a bicultural bio-engineering student who shuttled between the United States and Japan while growing up. Now a Yanai Tadashi Foundation Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania, Joe is channeling U.S. start-up energy and biomedical know-how into ideas that could one day improve life for visually-impaired people in Japan. Dive into his story, his inspiration, and his early experience on Jelper Club.   Joe Kojima ―― To begin, could you intro

Ready to explore a summer working in Japan? This 5-minute blueprint will guide global students through the essentials of the Summer-Job Visa (Designated Activities), from experiencing Japanese life to gaining experience at leading companies. First, let's break down what this visa entails in the table below. What Details Official label Designated Activities – “Summer Job” (告示12号)   Who it’s for Under-grad or graduate students currently enrolled  at an overseas accredited unive

We sat down with Koki Shimamune (島宗 昂生) , a second-year economics student at the University of Cambridge and recipient of a Sasakawa scholarship. Raised in Tokyo and educated at the renowned Kaisei High School, Koki is determined to understand the economic bedrock of society and ultimately shape Japan’s future from both a domestic and global perspective. In our conversation, he explains why he chose Cambridge, how Jelper Club helped him land an internship and a network, and w