JAPAN

JAPAN

MARKET OVERVIEW

Based on Manpower Group’s Talent Shortage Report, 89 % of Japan’s employers face difficulties in filling vacant positions. The reason for this severe shortage of labour is rooted in three major demographic problems: First, the baby boomer generation is now retiring in high numbers. Second, there are not enough young people and women to make up for these losses of the labor force. Third, Japan is experiencing its second longest economic expansion phase since the WWII. The working population is declining, forcing employers to select from shrinking talent pools. Technology is evolving faster than ever, changing the skills needed for jobs and shortening the life cycle of those skills, requiring different approaches to find talent.

Foreign-affiliated companies are hit by recruiting problems even more than Japanese companies. What can they do against these trends?

When it comes to the executive level, we noticed that the offered salaries have been going up recently, particularly in the industrial and technology sectors. Foreign-affiliated companies may have to improve the salary packages of such executives, especially if they want them to have good language skills.

What about the supporting staff, such as in sales, marketing, or administration?

There are different options for foreign companies: higher pay, permanent instead of temporary contracts, as well as providing a good work-life-balance. The main challenge is to overcome the reluctance of many Japanese job seekers to work for a foreign-affiliated company. This reluctance in combination with severe labor shortage, makes a strategic and effective recruitment branding now a necessity.

Why is it that foreign-affiliated companies cannot easily succeed in the race for talented people in Japan?

Japanese people choose Japanese companies rather than foreign companies mainly because there is a "sense of security". There is no worry of a withdrawal, such as with a foreign-affiliated company, and there is no necessity for cross-cultural integration.

What can foreign companies do to overcome this preference for security?

To attract such conservative stability-oriented job seekers, an employer must convey a strong "attractiveness" to supplant this "sense of security". Convincing a job seeker to work for a foreign-affiliated company, it is necessary to show concretely how "fascinating" the work life at this company is. After all, a job decision is mainly an emotional decision.

JAPAN

SERVICE FOCUS POINTS

C-Level + Middle Management Roles
Interim Management
Change Coaching + Intercultural Training
Market Advisory
 
 
JAPAN

Recruiting exceptional leaders is G&S Asia’s core competency. Just like any other major market, Japan has its own written and unwritten rules and peculiarities. Whether you are looking for a C-level professional to head your Japanese operation, a sales engineer that has the perfect balance between technology, marketing and sales, or other high level professional, we are happy to be your reliable partner.

Our retainer-based services in executive search cover the sourcing of professionals for high-level full-time positions as well as interim management needs. With every search assignment, we dig very deeply into our professional network, built over decades of business experience by our consultants. Having a mix of local Japanese and German speaking staff and leadership, we at G&S understand your needs, and guide you every step of the way to a successful placement.

With our pragmatic approach on identifying, approaching and motivating potential candidates with regards to the position that you are looking to fill, we look for the best professional fit. What differentiates us are our trusted European connections, our familiarity with Japan’s mentalities as well as our ability to understand your vision, company culture, and immediate as well as longer term needs. Whatever your plans are, feel invited to contact us anytime for a free initial consultation.

 
JAPAN

MARKET ENTRY & EXPANSION

Market Entry and Expansion are exciting moments for any organization. However, as exciting as it is, it is also extremely difficult and virtually impossible without the proper research, local connections and partners in place. From cultural intricacies to local regulations, the potential culprits of failure are plentiful. However, properly navigated, opportunity and success start to shine through.

G&S Japan as part of the overall G&S network is well connected between Asia and Europe. As our client, our network and know-how becomes yours, our local as well as global expertise becomes your knight in shining armor, assisting you with the process of internationalization.

Any market entry move should be based on proper research. We can assist with both detailed market research and advisory, helping you shape your strategy. Once your strategy is set, we can be on your side, introducing the proper professionals, and most importantly help you within our core expertise of executive search, change coaching and intercultural trainings.

Through digital technology, the world has moved increasingly closer together. However, it remains an assortment of seemingly endless local peculiarities. We take great pride in being your reliable and trusted local partner for Japan, as well as other key Asian regions.

FREE CONSULTATION
 
JAPAN

IT & INFRASTRUCTURE

Most of our clients are SME’s. However, especially in a significant market like Japan, many of them are representing a larger corporation with a vast global presence. Being part of a global organization, our clients often turn to us for implementing enterprise applications with the aim of meeting local requirements.

The rapid pace of evolution in Information technology should not be a stumbling block for smaller companies running a compelling business in Japan, as technology can be leveraged as a competitive advantage. Outsourcing your IT operations to G&S Japan will not only eliminate the need of running various IT operations and reduce overall operating cost, but also take advantage of the best resources G&S Japan can offer.

Whether you need to implement a single project, or require on-going IT support, G&S Japan has a solution to meet your specific needs. We are committed to your needs, so you can stay focused on your core business.

At G&S Japan, we believe that building a great system is only a beginning, maintaining continuous internal controls and ongoing change management are the keys to catapulting your business to next level.

FREE CONSULTATION
 
JAPAN

REAL ESTATE & OFFICE DESIGN

Office expansion, relocation or moving to a foreign country can be a tedious process, especially in Japan. Here, the process from search to completed transaction is anything but foreigner-friendly. Many local peculiarities make it very difficult to navigate the real estate scene in Japan. From negotiating contracts to making sure that your office/home suits your needs, G&S Japan will be by your side.

Commercial real estate, like in most other countries, underlies a whole set of special rules. It might make sense for your operation to run your own independent office, but the new trends of share offices or even co-working spaces can make sense from a cost and mobility point of view. Key money for an independent office can be extremely costly, sometimes amounting to 6-12 months of rent. We can help you locate the right solution for your commercial real estate needs, whether it is an independent office or shared solution.

Finding a home for yourself or your employees can be equally daunting. As a city like Tokyo is massive in size, just knowing which area and location is convenient, takes some research. Another aspect is the age of the property. Japan has a very strict building code as it is situated within an earthquake-prone region, but it is always better to choose relatively new properties, keeping in mind a whole list of aspects. Relocating your business and/or employees can be an exciting undertaking. Let us help you make it a success.

FREE CONSULTATION
 
JAPAN

EXPAT HEALTH

We at G&S Japan provide access to complete health care services to our clients. Whether related to physical or mental health, we can connect you with a suitable provider that can offer top-level health care in German or English. Next to individual care, G&S Japan can also assist with corporate health care programs.

Physical and mental readiness is essential for our potential candidates to take on a leading role in our client companies. To minimize business and operational disruption due to health issues of incoming executives, our health check service is designed to give sufficient assurance to our clients regarding prospective candidates. This service is in compliance with local regulations.

In Japan, the Industrial Safety and Health Hygiene Law, suggests that a company with more than 50 employees must have at least one company doctor. However, for companies with less than 50 employees, we recommend that it is both beneficial and cost effective to contract out this service, promoting health and safety at work.

For all health care services, we work very closely with the Mejiro SOLA Clinic, as well as the Tokyo International Clinic. For acute cases, 24hrs on-site consultation and diagnosis, as well as treatment in overseas advanced medical facilities, is possible. Both clinics have top-level doctors and medical experts with international experience and, together with their multilingual staff, can make you feel well taken care of.

FREE CONSULTATION

WE SPEAK YOUR LANGUAGE

LEADERSHIP

JAPAN TEAM

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MARKUS GFELLER

PRESIDENT G&S JAPAN
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MARTIN STRICKER

BOARD MEMBER
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YUKIE AKIMOTO

HRM PROFESSIONAL
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YATOMI KAMATANI

HRM PROFESSIONAL
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DOBIE CHEUNG

IT PROFESSIONAL
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ANNETTE BOSSLER

PARTNER RENEWABLE ENERGY
 
 
JAPAN

ADDRESS

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G&S JAPAN KK
The Plaza F Bldg, 801
5-35-15 Narita-Higashi
Suginami-ku, Tokyo 166-0015
Japan

T: +81 (0)3 6323 6975
E:  info[at]gs-japan.jp