On Friday, July 12, 2024, a “Seminar on the Use of Highly Skilled Foreign Human Resources: Recruitment of Foreign Students in Ehime” was held for companies and foreign students, both in person and online. This seminar was jointly planned and conducted by the Ehime Trade Information Center of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the International Student Employment Promotion Program Office, Institute for International Relations, Ehime University. The seminar was attended by 28 participants from Ehime and Shikoku municipalities, economic organizations, and companies, as well as 8 international students from Ehime University.
After opening remarks by Mr. Mika Fukushima, Director of JETRO Ehime, the first part of the seminar featured lectures by three speakers. Mr. Ichiro Asami, Representative Director of Naito Bridge K.K. and JETRO Advanced Foreign Talent Specialist, gave a lecture titled “Recruitment, Training, and Retention of Foreign Students,” in which he discussed successful recruitment plans, citing actual examples of domestic companies hiring foreign nationals.
Mr. Ken Shiraishi, Director and General Manager of Sales Department of Ability Center Corporation, gave a lecture titled “The Latest Status of Employment of Foreign Nationals in Shikoku,” in which he discussed the employment situation of foreign nationals in Shikoku and how to recruit them, as well as the importance of creating a “place of activity” for foreign students hired by companies based on examples of employment by purpose of using foreign personnel. He also spoke about the importance of creating a “place of activity” for foreign students hired by companies based on examples of employment by purpose of utilizing foreign human resources.
Mr. Osamu Kobayashi, Deputy Director of Institute for International Relations, Ehime University, gave a lecture titled “Long-term Internship System and Rumppro’s Efforts” in which he explained about the employment situation of foreign residents in Ehime Prefecture as seen from newspaper articles and data, and about the “Employment Trial Internship” (educational program to promote foreign student employment) to be newly implemented next spring. The lecture was based on newspaper articles and data on the employment situation of foreign nationals in Ehime Prefecture.
, Uchida Bridge, Inc.
Lecture by Dr. Osamu Kobayashi
The second part of the event was an exchange meeting between participating companies and foreign students. First, we interviewed Mr. Jouzen Li, a graduate of Ehime University who is now working outside of the prefecture in the development of auto parts. He talked about how he chose a company when looking for a new job, what he emphasized in his actual work, and the importance of work-life balance.
Afterwards, the companies and international students were divided into face-to-face and online groups to exchange opinions. Questions and opinions were actively exchanged from both sides on themes such as “students sought by companies” and “reasons for wanting to work in Japan and what they expect from us” by international students.
Finally, Ms. Tomoko Izuki, Director of the International Student Job Placement Promotion Program Office, gave a closing speech, and the event ended on a high note. The Office of Job Placement Promotion Program for International Students will continue to provide job placement support for international students and recruitment support for companies in cooperation with partner institutions and organizations.
＜Institute for International Relations, Office of International Student Employment Promotion Program