South Korean graduates turn to Japan for entry-level jobs amid domestic hiring squeeze

Japanese entrepreneur Moe Kasugai launched KOREC in 2019 after seeing bright South Korean graduates unable to secure jobs in their own market. The platform connects these candidates, many of whom speak Japanese, with Japanese companies that still run structured graduate schemes. Youth unemployment in South Korea sits at 7 % while Japan’s overall rate is 2.5 %, prompting firms like Canon Imaging Systems and Azbil to recruit at Korean job fairs.

New entrants Wanted Lab and LAPRAS have joined early mover Mynavi in offering similar placement services. Korean workers in Japan, who number over 80,000, often fill professional roles in IT and retail, but retention remains a challenge due to differing employment cultures. Experts say Korean candidates bring strong language skills and work ethic, helping Japanese firms fill skill gaps while fostering cultural exchange.