Strong language skills and work ethic make new grads attractive hires
Nikkei Asian Review
Date: March 16, 2019
Kensaku Ihara, Nikkei staff writer
According to a survey by a Taiwanese magazine, 41.9% of those aged between 18 and 39 plan to go abroad to work or study within the next several years. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
TAIPEI — A growing number of younger Taiwanese are looking to land jobs in Japan, driven by meager starting salaries and dissatisfaction with life on the island.
According to a March survey released by Global Views, a major Taiwanese magazine, 41.9% of those aged between 18 and 39 plan to go abroad to work or study within the next several years. The most popular destination was Japan at 22.6%, followed by mainland China at 21.4% and the U.S. at 16.7%.
Work visas for Taiwanese have doubled in five years. Japanese companies are snapping up newcomers for their language skills, close cultural ties and generally pro-Japan views. Many have been promoted to managerial posts in the tourism industry and in companies expanding abroad.
The young workers are a boon for Japanese businesses amid an ongoing labor shortage. Many Taiwanese are trilingual — fluent in Chinese, Japanese and English — and comfortable in international environments, making them attractive additions for companies with overseas ambitions. [FULL STORY]