Key Facts
• June 2025: Job fair in Yamaguchi City saw sparse student attendance.
• Local university graduates’ job placement in the prefecture remains at 26.7%.
• Since 2019, the rate has hovered around 25–30%, with only 2022 exceeding 30%.
• Companies struggle to recruit due to declining birth rates and student preferences for urban areas.
• A financial institution reports increased job offer rejections, impacting operations.
• Yamaguchi Prefecture deployed a career consultant in Fukuoka City to promote local job opportunities.
• By 2025, travel subsidies will be offered to under-30s visiting local companies for job hunting.
• Students cite urban aspirations and limited local role models as reasons for leaving.
• A male student (21) expressed a desire to stay local, while a female student (22) noted a lack of working mothers in local firms.
Summary
Yamaguchi Prefecture faces a persistent outflow of young talent, with only 26.7% of local university graduates securing jobs within the region. A recent job fair in Yamaguchi City highlighted the challenge, as student attendance was low compared to recruiters. Companies struggle to compete with urban areas and large corporations, exacerbated by a declining birth rate and a student-driven job market. Efforts to address this include deploying a career consultant in Fukuoka City and introducing travel subsidies for job seekers under 30 by 2025. Students cite urban aspirations and limited local role models as key factors for leaving, while some express a desire to remain close to home. The prefecture aims to create a supportive environment for those considering a return.
