A recent survey by Mynavi of 1,200 university students entering the workforce in April 2025 reveals a clear generational shift in workplace expectations. The top priority for these young job seekers is compensation, including salary and paid leave, cited by 22% of respondents. Close behind are company culture and atmosphere (20%) and job stability (15%).

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Japan’s labor shortage isn’t just a long-term concern—it’s already having a serious impact. The Asahi Shimbun reported that in the first half of 2025, 172 companies went bankrupt specifically because they couldn’t find enough workers. That’s a 17.8% increase from last year and the highest number since records began in 2013. This means that the 2023 record will be broken again this year.

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Last week, I discussed the considerable effort required to convince a Japanese client to use your services. One effective shortcut to finding new business—and even employment—is through introductions. In Japanese culture, introductions play a pivotal role in establishing relationships and building trust.

Now that I’m working in a capacity where I also have to find and convince new clients, you may hear me moan about the tenth or even twentieth call and accompanying requests for more and more information. But, I also know that if I can convince them to try our services, those relationships tend to be much stronger than the client-vendor relationships I was used to back in Europe and I’ve seen here in the US.

When I went grocery shopping while I lived in Japan, what really struck me was the very simple way some brands or companies were named. Of course we know world famous brands like Muji (No Brand) and Uniqlo (Unique Clothing) but the most interesting and fun (to me) were the products I bought for daily use. In a society where so many things are vague, I found the direct no-nonsense naming of these products entertaining as well as the easy choice when faced with a multitude of competing products.

In Japan, business attire is typically quite formal, as seen in the attached picture I’ve titled “Tokyo Dandy.” Men often wear dark suits, white shirts, and ties, while women choose tailored suits or dresses in muted colors. This formality shows respect and professionalism.