This story about why Chinese graduates are seeking job opportunities in Japan was drawn from and revised from the original Japanese story: “【出張レポート | 中国】 公務員の給料が20年前の約18倍!飽和する学生と就職氷河期で安定を求める中国学生の現状とは?” on the ASIA to JAPAN website.
In recent years, Japan has emerged as a top career destination for foreign professionals, including a growing number of Chinese graduates. Facing an increasingly competitive job market at home, many are now exploring better employment prospects abroad. Among the most promising options are job opportunities in Japan, where demand for skilled international talent continues to rise.
In May 2025, ASIA to JAPAN — through its FAST OFFER International Program — collaborated with universities in China to host seminars aimed at students eager to launch their careers in Japan. This article explores the rising interest in Chinese graduates seeking job opportunities in Japan. Alongside, we share inspiring success stories from young professionals who have made the move and followed their dreams. If you’re planning to move to Japan as well, you’re in the right place!
Why Chinese Graduates Are Looking To Japan For Job Opportunities
Saturated Job Market
China’s job market has become increasingly saturated in recent years. Although the number of Chinese university students has been gradually declining, there were still approximately 47.63 million students (including graduate students) as of December 2024 — that’s roughly one-third of Japan’s entire population.
At the same time, hiring by domestic companies in China has been on a downward trend. Large-scale corporate restructuring and hiring freezes have become more common, leading to far fewer available positions than graduating students.
This imbalance has created what many are calling a long-term “employment ice age.” This has been pushing more young professionals to explore opportunities abroad, particularly in nearby Japan. “Since the COVID-19 pandemic became serious, many Chinese companies have gone bankrupt, and job-hunting has become more difficult,” shared a Wuhan University graduate who moved to Japan for work.
Stable Employment
One of the key drivers behind the rise in Chinese graduates seeking job opportunities in Japan is the appeal of stability and favorable working conditions offered by Japanese companies. Japanese firms offer structured work environments, maintain long-term employment systems, and provide comprehensive employee benefits, including health insurance, paid leave, and workshops to upskill employees. These factors make Japan an increasingly attractive employment destination for Chinese graduates who value workplace security and personal growth.
Interest In Japanese Culture
In addition to seeking career prospects, many Chinese graduates pursue job opportunities in Japan to enhance their Japanese language skills and fully immerse themselves in the country’s unique culture.
The growing global popularity of Japanese culture, especially among otakus who love manga, anime, and other aspects of pop culture, has also sparked increased interest among Chinese youth in living and working in Japan. This cultural connection makes Japan a professional choice and a personal dream destination for many. A young job seeker from China shares how a Chinese character in an anime influenced him to move to Japan. “My favourite anime LoveLive! Superstar!! inspired and motivated me to one day work in Japan and experience life there, just like Tang KeKe,” he said.
Competitive Requirements
In China, academic background plays a critical role in job hunting. This often makes the biggest difference in a graduate’s employment prospects. Major companies actively seek students from prestigious universities like Peking University, and these students generally face fewer challenges securing jobs.
Meanwhile, graduates from mid-tier and smaller universities often struggle to find stable employment amid fierce competition. This intense competition in China’s job market is one of the driving factors pushing many Chinese graduates to explore job opportunities in Japan. Japan’s demand for skilled international talent offers a promising alternative.
One fresh graduate from China shares about the harsh working environment many young workers face, “Do you know what ‘996’ means in China? It means working from 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week.” He adds, “Furthermore, in many Chinese companies, overtime is not paid, and laying off is common.”
Fresh Graduate Opportunities
In China’s competitive job market, employers prefer candidates with experience, making internships essential for Chinese graduates. However, internship pay is low—around 30,000 to 60,000 yen per month, which often barely covers living costs. This financial pressure causes some students to give up their job search early.
“It became difficult to find an internship even as someone from a top university like me. I could see the damaging effects of the pandemic continuing for years to come. This made me rethink my vision of the future,” a Tsinghua University law graduate shares.
In contrast, Japanese companies are more open to hiring fresh graduates, offering structured training programs twice a year. This welcoming environment makes job opportunities for Chinese graduates in Japan especially attractive.
Wage Gap
In China, the annual income difference between a bachelor’s degree and a doctorate is only about 1.5 times. This encourages over 50% of students to pursue doctoral programs. While this may boost qualifications, the growing number of doctoral graduates has saturated the market. Competition for positions at major companies has intensified because of this.
Although small and medium-sized businesses are hiring, many target candidates who can command higher salaries, leaving some graduates discouraged and unable to secure jobs. This challenging environment is driving more Chinese graduates to explore job opportunities in Japan. In Japan, the demand for skilled talent and clearer career paths offer a promising alternative.
Chinese Universities Visited By ASIA To JAPAN
ASIA to JAPAN visited several universities across China to connect with students interested in building careers in Japan. Some of the universities they visited include:
Zhejiang University
Zhejiang University, located in Hangzhou, is one of China’s oldest universities, founded in 1897. Scholars widely recognize it as one of the country’s top five prestigious universities, following Peking University and Tsinghua University. The university actively promotes international exchange and commits to advancing academic education, scientific research, and cultural development.
Zhejiang Gongshang University
Zhejiang Gongshang University began in 1911 as Hangzhou Secondary Business School. They later changed its name to Hangzhou Business College in 1980, and adopted the name Zhejiang Gongshang University in 2004. It is a local key university under the Zhejiang Provincial People’s Government and jointly operated by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Commerce.
Shanghai Tongji University
Germans in Shanghai founded Shanghai Tongji University in 1907 as the Tongji German Medical and Engineering College. It is a comprehensive research university with departments including science, engineering, medicine, literature, law, philosophy, management, and education.
Since its founding, the university has had close ties with Germany and has a representative development center for China’s linear motor cars, using technology introduced from Germany. A test track with a total length of 1.5 km has been laid on the campus.
Fudan University
Fudan University was founded in 1905 as Fudan Public School. With support from the Ministry of Education and the Shanghai Municipal Government, it has developed into a comprehensive research university. Their research covers the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, technical sciences, and management sciences.
It maintains a high employment rate among many government officials, as well as in fields such as finance, law, and certified public accountancy.
Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Huazhong University of Science and Technology is a comprehensive university located in Wuhan, Hubei Province. The university originated from three schools: Huazhong Technical College, founded in 1952, Shanghai Dewen Medical College, founded in 1907, and Zhongnan School of Architectural Engineering, also founded in 1952.
Ranking organizations consistently place it among the top 10 universities in China. As a comprehensive university, it especially highlights its science, engineering, and medicine departments, and operates numerous high-level national key laboratories and research centers.
Wuhan University
Wuhan University’s predecessor was Ziqiang University, founded in 1893, and is the earliest comprehensive university established in modern China.
The Ministry of Education directly oversees it as a key comprehensive university. The national government designates it as one of the key universities in the “985 Project” and “211 Project.”
In September 2017, the university was also selected as a “double first-class” construction university.
Beijing Foreign Studies University
Beijing Foreign Studies University was founded in 1941 as Yan’an Foreign Language School and became the current Beijing Foreign Studies University in 1994.
It is one of the key universities directly under the Ministry of Education and has the longest history among China’s higher education institutions, offering the widest range of languages in its language education.
In September 2017, the university was selected as a “double first-class” first-class academic department construction university.
University of Science and Technology Beijing
Beijing University of Science and Technology was founded in 1952 as the Beijing College of Chemical Engineering under the direct control of the Ministry of Chemical Industry at that time. In September 1998, they became a university directly under the Ministry of Education.
The university has a goal of “producing high-level chemical engineering talent that will advance research in the field of cutting-edge science and technology for the nation,” and is a comprehensive, key university with a focus on science faculties that have a high level of expertise and strength in chemical engineering.
Renmin University of China
Renmin University of China became the first university established after the founding of the People’s Republic of China. It originally opened as Shaanbei Public University in 1937 during the Anti-Japanese War and officially adopted the name Renmin University of China in 1950.
It is a comprehensive university that mainly focuses on humanities and social sciences, and also has some science and engineering departments, and is one of the key universities in Japan.
In September 2017, the university was selected as a “double first-class” construction university.
Peking University
Founded in 1898 as Beijing Imperial University, Peking University was China’s first national comprehensive university and the highest educational authority at the time.
Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, the university has developed into a comprehensive institution engaged in basic education and research across the humanities and sciences, and ranking organizations place it among the top three universities in Asia in world university rankings.
In 1998, on Peking University’s 100th anniversary, the Chinese government launched the national “985 Project” as a plan to create a world-class university.
Success Stories Of Chinese Graduates Looking To Japan For Opportunities
From 0 to JLPT N1 Success Story: I Didn’t Do It Alone!
Starting with no Japanese knowledge, this Chinese graduate, looking for a job opportunity in Japan, faced challenges in mastering the language. Through dedication and intense study, they achieved success by passing the JLPT N1 exam.
Chinese Job Market Experience Inspired a Wuhan University Graduate to Work in Japan
Facing a tough job market in China, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and harsh work conditions, a Chinese business Administration major student aimed to find employment in Japan. He passed the JLPT N1 in less than a year, driven by his love for Japanese culture and anime.
LoveLive! Superstar!! Inspired Me To Work in Japan
Inspired by LoveLive! Superstar!!, a Chinese anime fan, turned his passion into a path to Japan. Drawn to the character Tang KeKe, who also moved from China to Japan, he joined the FAST OFFER International program.
Excelling in Japanese Workplace Culture & Enjoying a Fun Life: You Can Have It All
Initially considering working in Shanghai, she realized the need for a more independent lifestyle during a year-long exchange program in Japan. Captivated by Japan’s clean environment and inclusive culture, she decided to pursue a career there.
China to Japan: How to Turn a Love for Anime into a Career
This story follows a determined individual from China with a passion for languages, especially Japanese, and a background in mechatronics engineering. Their journey began with a love for anime and Japanese music, which grew into a deep appreciation for Japan’s manufacturing industry during university.
Japanese vs Chinese Work Culture Pushed Me to JLPT N1 Fast
A Chinese computer science graduate shares a journey shaped by anime, academic pursuits, and career ambition. Inspired by Japan since childhood, lead him to pursuing a Master’s degree on Computer Science at Waseda University. His perspective on Chinese vs Japanese work culture motivated him to take a gap year learning Japanese.
Working in Japan vs. China: Passing Japanese Gaokao Changed This Talent’s Life
Ddriven by a love for anime, he self-studied Japanese and excelled in the Japanese section of the gaokao, China’s university entrance exam. This achievement led to a near-perfect score, opening opportunities for studying and working in Japan.
Chinese National’s Online Tools Landed Him a Job Opportunity in Japan
After facing challenges in the Chinese job market due to the pandemic, a Chinese national redirected his career aspirations towards Japan. Initially pursuing a law degree with dreams of becoming a high-paid lawyer, he found it difficult to secure internships. This led him to explore job opportunities in Japan, where he discovered a favorable job market and supportive labor laws. His interest in Japan, fueled by a love for anime and thorough research, convinced him to pursue this path. He studied Japanese diligently and utilized FAST OFFER International for job hunting, which provided mentorship and interview opportunities. Despite initial setbacks, his perseverance paid off, and he secured a job. Key strategies included researching companies, understanding Japanese interview etiquette, and using ChatGPT for natural-sounding translations. Now, he looks forward to a fulfilling career and life in Japan, encouraging fellow Chinese nationals to explore similar opportunities.
Bridging Cultures: How Learning Japanese Opened Doors for a Wuhan University Graduate in Japan
Inspired by Japanese game anchors, he embarked on a self-taught journey into the Japanese language. Participating in Wuhan University’s anime and Japanese language clubs in China luckily led to a meeting with a Japanese tutor. This encounter opened his eyes to the work opportunities in Japan. Despite first doubts after registering with FAST OFFER International, he received an unexpected interview invitation, marking the start of a hopeful journey. With patience and guidance from FAST OFFER, he honed his interview skills in Japanese, improved his business in Japanese, and learned to align with Japanese companies’ expectations. His persistent dedication paid off with a job offer.