Japan Expands Workforce Pathways: Three New Sectors Open for International Talent
Japan’s commitment to addressing labor shortages through structured international workforce programs continues to evolve. Recent government announcements reveal plans to add three critical sectors to the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) program, creating new opportunities for overseas professionals seeking long-term careers in Japan. The Expansion: Addressing Real Market Needs The Japanese government is preparing to include […]
Japan’s PE Boom Meets a Talent Bottleneck
Japan’s private equity (PE) market is experiencing its golden moment. Private equity deal value in early 2025 hit ~¥2.7 trillion (~USD 20B), nearly matching all of 2024’s ~¥3.1 trillion (~USD 22.8B), driven by carve-outs, take-privates, and sustained investor interest—signaling a deepening and mature PE market in Japan. But beneath the headlines of record transactions and regulatory tailwinds lies a […]
Japan’s SSW Visa Program: Why 65% of Foreign Worker Targets Remain Unfilled in 2025
Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa program was designed to address the country’s critical labor shortage by welcoming 800,000 foreign workers across 16 key industries. Six years later, only 288,929 SSW visa holders have been accepted—just 35% of the original target. Despite Japan’s aging population and persistent foreign worker shortage, significant barriers continue to prevent […]