Key segments were drawn from ASIA to JAPAN’s business trip report: 【出張レポート | 韓国】海外就職の最大候補地は日本！韓国学生が日本就職を目指す主な理由とは？
In March 2025, ASIA to JAPAN — the organization behind the FAST OFFER International Program — visited South Korea to connect with local students. During the information session, the team met and interviewed many of the participants. Through these conversations, we gained valuable insights into what motivates South Korean students to pursue careers in Japan.
The South Korean Universities ASIA to JAPAN Team Visited
Dankook University
Established in 1947, Dankook University is a private university located in Yongin and Cheonan in the Gyeonggi Province. The university has active international student exchange programs and has student exchange agreements with approximately 400 universities around the world, including about 26 universities in Japan.
Kyonggi University
Started as the Choyang Kindergarten Teacher’s School in 1947, Kyonggi University is a private comprehensive university located in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, and in Seodaemun-gu in Seoul.
It is one of the largest universities in the country, and is known for its tourism and hospitality programs.
Kyung Hee University (KHU)
Kyung Hee University was founded in 1949 and is a private comprehensive university.
It is one of the highly reputable universities in the country, currently offering a wide range of degrees in engineering, medicine, humanities, sciences, arts, and more. Kyung Hee University is famous for its College of Korean Medicine, which is known for traditional medicine.
Interested to learn more? Below are some of the main reasons South Korean students aspire to work in Japan, along with stories from FAST OFFER candidates who successfully landed jobs there.
Reasons Why South Korean Students Want To Work In Japan
1. Domestic Competition
From our university visits, we found that many students get jobs through internships, not traditional direct job offers. The more impressive a student’s resume is, the more likely they are to obtain a good internship and, eventually, a sought-after job. As a result, the job market in South Korea is highly competitive [1].
Many South Korean parents invest heavily in their children’s education[2]. Because of this, many students we spoke with felt strong pressure to perform well academically and secure positions at well-known companies.
Given the intense competition in the domestic job market for prestigious jobs, some students ultimately look overseas for career opportunities, such as in neighboring Japan.
“The job-hunting markets in Japan and South Korea are very different. My experiences in South Korea ultimately led me to try to find a job in Japan as a South Korean.
After my military service and graduation from college, I began looking for a job. At first, I also looked for opportunities in South Korea, but my heart wasn’t in it. Interviewing with several Korean companies was tough. The interview was quite stressful, with interviewers scolding me for answers they didn’t like. It was a demotivating experience.”
– From Japanese Craftsmanship Inspired This South Korean’s Career
2. An Alternative to Europe and the United States
Another insight from talking with students is that many aspire to work overseas, especially in Europe or the United States. However, recent attitudes toward foreign workers in some areas have discouraged them.
As a result, many students shift their focus from Europe or the U.S. and consider job opportunities in nearby Japan.
ASIA to JAPAN’s job-hunting support services show that more students from certain South Korean universities are pursuing employment in Japan.
3. The Cultural Experience
Japanese pop culture has become popular among young people in South Korea. This is why many students at the information session want to work in Japan and experience Japanese culture firsthand. In fact, the majority of the students we met during our university visits held a Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) level of N3 or higher.
Some students reported that they had taught themselves Japanese primarily to read manga and watch anime in the original language. Through this process, they were able to develop strong language skills and understand nearly everything that was said during our interactions. Some even asked questions in Japanese.
On my own, I enjoy watching Japanese dramas. One of my favorites is Solitary Gourmet, a show featuring scrumptious-looking food amid Japanese business scenes. Watching J-dramas like that show not only helped me learn the language but also fed my fascination and fueled my goal to eventually reach Japan.
Thanks to the people around me and my efforts, I became highly proficient in Japanese by the time I was in high school. By my second year at the university, I obtained JLPT N1 certification.
– From How My Family’s Japanese Heritage and Passion for Cars Shaped My Career Goals in Japan
Before I ever stepped into Japan, back home in South Korea, I was already surrounded by Japanese culture. I still remember watching Studio Ghibli movies back in elementary school. The stories were so unique, the music was magical, and the characters felt so real with their own incredible journeys. It left a lasting impression on me, and I wished that I could be like the characters in the story — tenacious with a taste for adventure.
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