TOKYO — Japanese companies are stepping up their hiring of college graduates and technical trainees from other Asian countries to address severe worker shortages that are similar to the two worst labor crunches the country experienced in its postwar history.
Japan faced its first wave of labor shortages during its rapid growth period from the 1950s to the 1970s, followed by a second wave during the bubble era of the late 1980s to early 1990s. In both periods, companies fiercely competed for new workers. Now, facing a third wave, corporate Japan is turning to young talent from other Asian countries.
