JETRO promotes Japan-Vietnam job connections

THE HANOI TIMES — The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) is hosting the “2025 Autumn Online Job Fair Corporate Introduction Series” from October 20 to 24 to help international students, including those from Vietnam, connect with job opportunities at Japanese companies.

The event brings together nearly 150 companies seeking to recruit high-quality foreign professionals and is the largest of its kind in Japan for international students.

Earlier, on October 17, JETRO organized the “Japan Career Promotion Forum” to introduce the appeal of working in Japan to Vietnamese students, the first time it was held for Vietnamese students following the previous series for students from India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

At the event, JETRO invited three Vietnamese professionals currently working in Japan to share their experiences at its Tokyo headquarters.

Among the speakers was Vo Hoang Long, who lives with his wife and 5-year-old child in Gunma Prefecture. “Every day, I strive to improve my skills at work. At weekends, I often take my family to hot springs or parks to enjoy the peaceful life surrounded by nature in Gunma,” Long shared.

Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy, who came to Japan as a student and later found a job after graduating from a Japanese university, said in her current position as a global employee, she constantly work to improve her communication skills with colleagues and partners while seeking to enhance her performance. 

"Thanks to the Japanese proficiency and adaptability I developed during my studies and job search, I continue to challenge myself in a multicultural environment," said Thuy.

The third speaker, Tran Trong Hieu, offered heartfelt advice to young people pursuing a career in Japan: “Keep a cool head and a warm heart. The most important thing is to stay flexible and open to learning from Japan’s strengths while maintaining calmness to understand differences. That mindset, along with continuous improvement in language and other skills, will help you move forward on your journey.”

The discussion received positive feedback from participants, who described the speakers’ stories as practical, relatable and inspiring. Comments included “Their sharing felt so real and easy to relate to” and “Each story was interesting and incredibly helpful.”

A report from JETRO suggested that recruiting Vietnamese employees has brought a fresh dynamic to many Japanese companies. Numerous firms reported that their workplaces have become more energetic, open and positive since welcoming Vietnamese colleagues.

“Notably, the perception and interest of Japanese employees toward Vietnam have changed significantly. While Vietnam used to be relatively unfamiliar, many Japanese workers are now actively learning about the country and its culture, with some even beginning to study Vietnamese to communicate better with their colleagues,” noted the Japanese agency.

Beyond internal improvements, Japanese companies have also expressed a strong desire to further strengthen cooperation with Vietnam and expand their market presence by hiring even more highly qualified Vietnamese professionals in the future.

Based on the “Investing in the Future Strategy 2018,” part of Japan’s national growth plan, JETRO has promoted programs to support the recruitment of highly skilled foreign professionals since 2018.

In addition to providing information through its “Open for Professionals” portal, JETRO has in recent years strengthened its efforts to connect universities and international students with Japanese companies, helping bridge global talent with Japan’s labor market.