Japan Immigration News

Japanese universities launch initiative to attract and retain foreign PhD talent

Release Date: 2026-04-22
Media: VnExpress International
Summary: Two Japanese graduate institutions, the Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) and the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), are launching a new initiative to improve recruitment and career pathways for international Ph.D. students amid labor shortages caused by population decline.

The program, called the Triple-Helix Roundtable for International Ph.D. Talent, aims to strengthen collaboration between academia, industry, and government, helping more highly skilled researchers transition into private-sector jobs.

Although international students make up a significant share of doctoral candidates (about 29% nationwide, higher at NAIST and OIST), relatively few secure employment in Japan due to barriers such as language requirements and limited corporate readiness to hire non-Japanese speakers.

The initiative will focus on information sharing, training programs, expanded Japanese-language education, and career support, including job fairs and showcasing successful hiring cases. It already involves 10 universities and 27 companies, aiming to create a more effective pipeline for global talent into Japan’s workforce.
Tags: Student

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