The Evolution of Shūkatsu: Japan's Unique Job Hunting Culture

Shūkatsu, short for shūshoku katsudō (就職活動), is Japan's distinctive system for university students seeking full-time employment upon graduation. Unlike job markets in many Western countries where applications are targeted and sporadic, shūkatsu is a highly structured, marathon-like process that begins as early as the second or third year of university. Regulated by government guidelines from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) and the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), it traditionally aimed to prevent interference with academics by setting formal selection dates—company info sessions from March 1 and interviews from June 1 of the final year. However, in practice, these rules have eroded, leading to earlier and more extended recruitment.

This shift reflects Japan's persistent labor shortages amid a shrinking population, pushing companies to scout talent sooner through internships and preliminary selections. For students at institutions like the University of Tokyo, Waseda University, and Keio University, shūkatsu now permeates much of their university experience, often at the expense of studies and personal growth.

Early Starts and Extended Timelines: The New Normal

Recent data from Persol Comprehensive Research Institute reveals a dramatic change: the percentage of students beginning shūkatsu by winter of their second year jumped from 5.9% for 2019 graduates to 19.2% for 2025 graduates, while third-year winter starters dropped from 33.9% to 18.6%. By 2026, this trend continues, with universities like Showa Women's University hosting early seminars for one in five second-year students. Recruit Works Institute reports that as of October 1, 2025, 92.3% of 2026 graduates had offers, but with 35% still active post-June 1, many endure prolonged efforts.

Companies cite securing top talent amid low birthrates, but this extends the process. Students apply to dozens of firms— one Rikkyo University senior submitted 38 applications—balancing endless seminars, group discussions, and internships that can last months.

High Offer Rates Mask Underlying Struggles

Despite challenges, employment remains robust. As of February 1, 2026, 92% of job-seeking students had informal offers, down slightly from 92.6% last year but the highest since 2000 records began. Regional variations exist: Chugoku-Shikoku at 94.2% (up 6.2 points), Tohoku-Hokkaido lowest at 83.1% (down 8.2 points). Females edged males (93.4% vs. 90.9%). Science majors fared slightly better (92.8%) than humanities (91.9%).

Yet, for the 8% without offers, and even those with multiple navigating 'final confirmations,' the hunt drags into late spring, clashing with thesis deadlines and exams. Recruit data shows continuation rates around 35% post-official start, prolonging stress.

Academic Disruptions: From Attendance Drops to Thesis Delays

An Asahi Shimbun and Kawai塾 joint survey of 612 universities (79% response) found only 12% reporting improved job-study balance, 14% worsening, and 71% unchanged—but many note hidden declines. Early internships (often 2-3 months) coincide with midterms; Strobolights survey shows 85% of students face event-test overlaps, 65% skipping activities.

A Rikkyo senior lamented slow thesis progress amid job research, ignoring professor feedback: "Even if told that, job hunting..." MEXT's 2019 survey highlighted 24.2% universities seeing class-exam interference, 41% student confusion from early selections. While no nationwide GPA drop stats exist, anecdotal evidence and balance surveys suggest motivation wanes, attendance falls, especially in humanities where gakureki (school prestige) trumps grades.

Rational faculties feel it too, with labs disrupted by absences. Tokyo University education professor Yuki Honda notes shūkatsu "drastically declines QOL," prioritizing corporate fit over learning.

Extracurriculars and Social Life Suffer

University in Japan promises holistic growth—clubs (sākuru), research, friendships—but prolonged shūkatsu erodes this. The Rikkyo student quit his literature circle, missing discussions on favorite works. Persol's Yuki Kobayashi observes job hunting "starting ambiguously throughout years," diluting campus vibrancy.

Showa Women's career director Akihiko Isono admits: "Not interning means falling behind," pressuring early involvement over clubs. Students report 'poor' lives: less travel, hobbies sacrificed for ES (entry sheets) and SPI tests. This 'poverty' fosters isolation, as peers compare offers.

The Mental Health Crisis: Shūkatsu Utsu on the Rise

Shūkatsu utsu—job hunting depression—affects ~14% (1 in 7), with 95.9% anxiety pre-start, 83.7% stressed. ABABA 2025 survey: 54.3% self-identify (up 8pts), 56.5% suicidal thoughts. Cultural Partners: 50% 2026 grads fear mental toll. Symptoms: withdrawal, helplessness from 'no-rules game,' gakureki filter despair.

Counseling surges; universities strained. Suicide links: 20% student cases job-related (2017 data, trend persists). Females, non-elite unis hit harder amid rejections.

Case Studies: Impacts at Elite Institutions

At Waseda/Keio, prestige aids offers, but volume overwhelms: endless OBOG sessions, alumni pressure (50% uncomfortable). Tokyo U students balance labs with seminars; one-third report GPA slips indirectly.

Regional unis like Tohoku struggle more (83% offers), prolonging hunts. Private unis push early: Showa's 300 sophomores in seminars.

Universities' Dilemma and Support Initiatives

Career centers promote internships despite faculty concerns: "Too early; focus studies." Responses: flexible theses, job-leave policies, mental health workshops. MEXT pushes rules, but enforcement weak.

Some innovate: online ES, alumni networks sans harassment. Keio prof Shotaro Tsuda calls for maturity hiring post-thesis.

Stakeholder Perspectives: Companies, Government, Experts

Companies: labor crunch justifies early hunts. Govt: considers 1st-year starts for 2029 grads? Experts: Honda proposes post-thesis apps; Kobayashi notes motivation dilution.

Students seek WLB, flexibility over passion—down from 2019.

Future Outlook: Reforms and Resilience

With 92% offers, system works—but at what cost? Potential: AI matching, flexible timelines, valuing skills over gakureki. Universities could prioritize learning, perhaps shorter degrees or dual tracks.

Positive: high employment builds confidence; intl students (400k+) diversify.

Photo by Erin Song on Unsplash

Actionable Insights for Students and Institutions

• Prioritize 5-10 dream firms; quality over quantity.
• Time-block: mornings studies, afternoons shūkatsu.
• Seek uni counseling early; join support groups.
• Internships strategically: skill-building, not just offers.
• Unis: audit schedules, mental health mandates, alumni ethics codes.

Balancing shūkatsu with enriched uni life demands strategy amid Japan's evolving market.