The "lifting" of high school student recruitment reflects Japan's labor shortage: The current state of a seller's market and a global comparison

Table of Contents

1. Current Situation Surrounding High School Recruitment

2. The Forefront of Joint Company Briefings

3. Reading the "Seller's Market" with Data

4. Corporate Strategies and Challenges

5. Changes in High School Students' Job Hunting Perspectives

6. International Comparison: Germany, USA, UK

7. Comprehensive Review of Advantages and Disadvantages

8. Future Prospects and Recommendations

9. Conclusion

1. Current Situation Surrounding High School Recruitment

According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's preliminary report at the end of July, the job offer ratio for high school graduates in March 2026 is 3.70 times, an increase of 0.18 points from the previous year, with approximately 465,000 job openings, a 4.8% increase.mhlw.go.jp

The main reasons for the rise in job offer ratios are the decrease in the number of job seekers due to the declining birthrate and the worsening labor shortage, especially in the service, manufacturing, and construction industries. In urban areas such as Tokyo and Aichi Prefecture, some industries report ratios exceeding 15 times.chibacari.com

Overview of the Release Schedule

• July 1: Job Listings Released

• September 5: Document Applications Begin

• September 16: Interview Selection Starts

• October 1: First Wave of Job Offers
  With the revision of the "Youth Employment Promotion Act" enacted in 2023, workplace experiences and online briefings before hiring are officially recognized, prompting companies to strengthen their early appeal strategies.

2. The Forefront of Joint Company Briefings

In Kumamoto City, a large fair with 150 participating companies was held in line with the release date, attracting about 2,800 high school students. The organizing company, Jinji-bu, prepared "real job experience booths" aiming to reduce mismatches.newsdig.tbs.co.jp

Visitor surveys highly rated "being able to experience the job content" and "talking directly with senior employees." Companies also set up booth video streaming and SNS consultation desks, rapidly advancing "Gen Z-style" information design.

3. Reading the "Seller's Market" with Data

About 70% of companies responded that they "raised starting salaries compared to the previous year," with an average increase of 27,000 yen. While competition in compensation intensifies, educational costs and retention support have become new challenges.alternativework.jp

4. Corporate Strategies and Challenges

(1) Strengthening Treatment and Development

• Starting Salary Increase: Nishimatsu Construction offers 260,000 yen plus skill allowances, exceeding the average for university graduates.

• Qualification Acquisition Support: Secom fully subsidizes costs for driving licenses and national qualifications.

• Company Housing and Scholarship Repayment Systems: Retail and food service companies are expanding their introduction.chibacari.com

(2) Mismatch Prevention Measures

• Virtual Job Experience

• Post-Offer Follow-Up Interviews

• Company Briefings for Parents

(3) Challenges

• Lack of Instructional Personnel

• Cost of Systematizing OJT

• Loss Due to Early Turnover

5. Changes in High School Students' Job Hunting Perspectives

According to a TBS program survey, the top priorities are "ease of working," "training systems," and "social significance of the company." Salary levels have fallen to fourth place, with a marked trend of seeking both stability and growth.newsdig.tbs.co.jp
The smartphone generation uses SNS reviews as a decision-making factor at a rate of 64%. Companies are expanding efforts to strengthen engagement by posting "a day in the life of a senior" videos on TikTok and Instagram.

6. International Comparison: Germany, USA, UK

(1) Germany: Dual System

• Combines school education and company training, with paid learning for 2 to 3.5 years

• Youth unemployment rate 5.8% (OECD average 10.9%)

• Over 80% become regular employees after traininglearngermanonline.org

(2) USA: Registered Apprenticeship

• "Apprenticeship Infrastructure Tax Credit Act" proposed in April 2025, offering up to $8,000 tax credit per traineefacilitiesdive.com

• Job openings are rapidly increasing in manufacturing, IT, and healthcare, but nationwide adoption is still underway due to varying minimum working age laws by state

• Companies are speeding up hiring decisions with "skill certification badges"

(3) UK: T Levels and Higher Technical Qualifications

• Expanding higher technical qualifications (HTQ) for 18-year-olds, mandating 12 weeks of company training

• The government will double subsidies from 2025, providing up to £10,000 to participating companies

Comparison Summary