The Entry into the Host Labor Market Among International Students in Japan

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K13850
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Sociology
• Research Institution: Kanazawa University
• Principal Investigator: Mazumi Yusuke 金沢大学, GS教育系, 講師 (50747582)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 留学生のキャリア / 移民研究 / 国際教育 / 国際社会学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study investigated how international students in Japan are incorporated into the Japanese labor market with a particular focus on those from South and Southeast Asian countries. More specifically, it delved into three issues, involving (1) the relationship between international students’ part-time work experiences and skill development during the school period, (2) the extent to which these students enter the labor market post-graduation, and (3) the characteristics of occupations of those who found employment in Japan. Regarding the third issue, the study suggested that they are employed as a workforce that serves the migrant population and/or supplements shortages of native-born workers.

Free Research Field

社会学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

従来、日本における留学生のほとんどは東アジア出身者であったが、日本政府による「留学生30万人計画」を背景に、過去10年の間、南・東南アジア地域出身の留学生数が大きく増加した。本調査は、こうした留学生が日本の労働市場にどの程度、どのように組み込まれるのかという問題を扱う、いまだ数少ない研究の１つである。この問いの考察は、日本の人口減少と労働力不足に対する懸念、関心の高まりを踏まえると、社会的にも意義があるといえる。