Shūkatsu for International Students: Japan’s Graduate Job Hunt Explained
Shūkatsu (就活) is Japan’s graduate job-hunting season, when university students apply to companies as a group about a year before they graduate and start work together the following April. For international students, it rewards starting early: the process begins around the third year of a four-year degree and runs through internships, information sessions, entry sheets, aptitude tests and several rounds of interviews, mostly in Japanese. Strong business Japanese and well-prepared answers matter as much as your grades. Here’s how the process works and how to prepare.
How graduate hiring works in Japan
Many Japanese companies hire new graduates in one batch each year, a system called 新卒一括採用 (shinsotsu ikkatsu saiyō). Graduates are often hired for their potential rather than a specific skill set, trained in-house and rotated through roles. That’s why companies care so much about motivation, personality and communication, and why the process is so structured.
The typical timeline
| When (for April start) | What happens |
|---|---|
| Summer to winter of the third year | Internships and early company events; self-analysis and industry research |
| From March of the third year | Companies officially open applications and hold information sessions |
| Spring of the third to fourth year | Entry sheets, aptitude tests, group discussions and first interviews |
| From June of the fourth year | Final interviews and informal job offers (内々定) |
| October of the fourth year | Formal job offers (内定) |
| April after graduating | Start work with your cohort |
This is the official schedule, but many companies move earlier, and foreign-owned companies and start-ups often hire year-round. Check each company’s recruitment page.
The steps in detail
- Self-analysis (自己分析): working out your strengths, values and the story of what you did at university.
- Information sessions (説明会): online or in person, where companies introduce themselves.
- Entry sheet (エントリーシート): the company’s own application form, with questions on your motivation, your strengths and what you worked hard at during university. See our guide to the jiko PR.
- Aptitude tests: such as the SPI test, often taken online.
- Group discussion: a team task watched by recruiters. See our group discussion guide.
- Interviews: usually two to four rounds, ending with senior managers. See our job interview guide.
Challenges for international students
- Japanese level. Many companies ask for business-level Japanese, often described as around JLPT N2 or N1, and test it through the whole process, not just a certificate.
- Keigo in interviews and emails. Polite, humble language is expected from your first message. Our keigo basics help.
- Unwritten rules. The recruit suit, punctuality, how you enter the interview room and how you answer all matter.
- Visa change. Students need to change from the Student status of residence to a work status after receiving an offer. The company usually helps, but start early.
Where international students can stand out
Your language skills, international experience and ability to bridge cultures are real strengths, especially for companies expanding overseas or serving visitors to Japan. Show them with specific examples, and connect them clearly to what the company does.
How Hanabuddies can help
We help international students through shūkatsu online: polishing entry sheets and your jiko PR in natural Japanese, practising keigo for emails and calls, and running mock interviews and group discussions with honest feedback. Tell us your graduation date, your Japanese level and the industries you’re interested in.