66.8% of Japanese University Students Want to Work Overseas – Europe is The Top Destination

A recent survey conducted by the Mainichi Shimbun and Tokyo-based IT firm Penmark Inc. reveals that two out of three university students in Japan are interested in pursuing careers abroad, indicating a significant interest in foreign opportunities. The online survey, conducted between July 4 and 14, gathered responses from 1,116 first- to fourth-year university students, asking 13 questions about their lifestyle and work preferences.

The results showed that 66.8% of respondents expressed interest in working overseas, while 33.2% were not interested. Among those who wanted to work abroad, the top reasons cited were learning a new language (28.3%), experiencing a different culture (26.9%), and the potential for higher income (14.2%).

Naoaki Yokoyama, the 27-year-old CEO of Penmark, noted that the finding was striking, considering his own college experience. He observed that the number of students interested in working abroad seemed particularly high.

There is also a growing trend among Japanese youth, particularly those under 30, who opt to work in Australia through working holiday programs that provide special visas for young people. Yokoyama mentioned that many students view these programs as a more cost-effective alternative to studying abroad, as they offer both learning opportunities and the ability to earn money. He suggested that this trend might be reflected in the survey results.

The survey also explored students’ interest in traveling overseas. While 56.5% of respondents said they would like to travel abroad but find it too expensive, 18.2% indicated they are planning a trip. A smaller group, 11.6%, expressed no interest in traveling.

When asked to choose up to three preferred travel destinations, Europe topped the list at 57.9%, followed by South Korea (48.5%), Hawaii (46.1%), and North America, including the U.S. and Canada, at 43.7%.

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