2018日本薪资调查（英文版）_45页_1mb

Salary Survey 2018 Summary: Japan

Core Content

The 2018 Robert Walters Salary Survey provides a comprehensive overview of hiring and salary trends in Japan, emphasizing the impact of global economic conditions, technological advancements, and workforce dynamics on the recruitment landscape.

Key Trends in Japan

• Labour Shortages: Japan experienced significant labour shortages, particularly for bilingual professionals with specialized skills. The effective job openings-to-applicants ratio reached a 43-year high of 1.5:1, with some sectors seeing ratios as high as 4:1 to 5:1 for highly specialized roles.
• Demand for Bilingual Talent: Companies are increasingly seeking English-Japanese bilingual professionals, especially in finance, HR, and IT. These candidates often receive salary increases of 10–15%, with some roles in emerging tech fields seeing increases of 20–25%.
• Technological Growth: The rise of "tech" fields such as fintech, meditech, HR tech, and agritech has created new job opportunities. Companies are also investing in IT security ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
• Shift to Contract Roles: There is a growing trend towards contract and temp-to-perm roles, especially in the financial services sector, as companies seek flexibility and agility in their workforce.
• Mid- and Senior-Level Hiring: Companies are prioritizing mid- and senior-level professionals with strong technical and managerial skills, as younger candidates are less available and less experienced.
• Work-Life Balance and Flexible Work: As competition for talent intensifies, companies are offering more flexible work arrangements and improved employment conditions to attract and retain skilled professionals.
• Salary Growth: Despite economic uncertainty, salary growth for certain roles remains modest, influenced by long-term deflation and cautious company spending on personnel costs.

Recruitment Focus

Robert Walters Japan specializes in permanent and contract recruitment across a wide range of industries, including financial services, real estate, manufacturing, automotive, energy, chemical, information technology, online, retail, healthcare, and supply chain. The firm emphasizes its local expertise and global reach, with offices in Tokyo and Osaka.

What Makes Robert Walters Unique

• Team-Based Profit Share Model: Unlike many competitors, Robert Walters does not pay individual commission, ensuring a focus on client and candidate needs.
• Industry Specialists: Recruiters have direct industry experience, allowing them to better understand the specific needs of hiring managers and candidates.
• Bespoke Consultative Service: The firm offers tailored solutions to clients, including premium advertising packages and flexible recruitment strategies.
• Local Expertise with Global Reach: While operating globally, the firm remains committed to hiring local talent and maintaining a deep understanding of the Japanese market and culture.
• Innovation and Leadership: Robert Walters has pioneered recruitment process outsourcing and continues to lead in industry innovation through sponsorships and brand development.
• Long-Term Strategy: The firm focuses on organic growth through international expansion and diversification of recruitment disciplines.

Industry-Specific Insights

Accounting & Finance

• There is a growing demand for JCPA and USCPA license-holding professionals, particularly in insurance, real estate, and asset management.
• FP&A specialists are in high demand, with some companies offering salary increases of up to 20% for particularly talented candidates.
• Young and dynamic auditors from major accounting firms are being recruited to fill FP&A roles.
• Financial controller roles are increasingly being offshore to alternative locations.

Financial Services

• Asset management companies performed well in 2017, leading to a notable shift of professionals from securities firms and investment banks to asset management roles.
• Demand for bilingual professionals is high, especially in roles related to cross-border M&A and foreign exchange.
• Recruitment for middle office and operations roles is primarily on a replacement basis.

HR & General Administration

• There is strong and consistent demand for HR business partners (HRBPs) and talent acquisition professionals.
• HR departments are becoming more strategic, with a focus on change agents and individuals who can add value during M&A processes.
• Bilingual HR specialists are highly sought after, particularly those in their 30s with 7–10 years of HR experience.

Information Technology

• Bilingual IT professionals, especially those with experience in cloud computing, IoT, AI, and big data, are in high demand.
• The shortage of experienced professionals in SaaS and IaaS is becoming more pronounced.
• Companies are accelerating their investment in IT security in anticipation of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Key Points from the Survey

• Top 3 Decision Factors for Job Changes: Work itself, salary, and interpersonal relationships are the primary considerations for professionals looking to change jobs.
• Global Trends: The trend towards digitalisation and the demand for tech-related skills are global, with Japan being no exception.
• Advice for Employers: Companies are advised to be flexible, consider hiring professionals with transferable skills, and streamline their recruitment processes to retain top talent.

Conclusion

The Japanese job market in 2018 is characterized by a significant shortage of skilled professionals, especially bilingual individuals with expertise in emerging technologies. Companies are adapting by offering competitive salaries, flexible work arrangements, and focusing on strategic recruitment. Robert Walters remains a trusted partner in this evolving landscape, leveraging its local expertise and global network to support both clients and candidates.