The new Japanese Immigration Policy, spearheaded by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in late 2018 and implemented later in April 2019, is the country’s way of addressing the depleting and aging Japanese workforce, especially in their IT industry.The current administration is looking to hire at least 345,000 foreign workers in the next 5 years. They initiated the program by creating two types of visas. The first visa is for the “low-skilled” aspirants (Specified Skills Visa-1 or SSV-1) who are allowed to work for a maximum of 5 years. The second is for the “medium-skilled” ones (Specified Skills Visa-2 or SSV-2) who can stay for 10 years, with non-stop renewable visas and even the option of applying for permanent visas after.But as of recently, only a small portion of the applicants have been granted employment by the companies, with only 30,000 estimated foreign IT workers being a part of the Japanese workforce today.What could this mean for the future of foreign IT workers? Is Japan truly ready to embrace immigrants into the workforce? And what’s the best type of visa that IT professionals can apply for to ensure employment? In this article, we’ll address all of those questions and understand how the new Japanese Immigration Policy affects foreign IT workers.Overall Response to the New Japanese Immigration PolicyAlthough the government has good reasons to execute the Japanese Immigration Policy, it still managed to have mixed reactions from everyone, including some local leaders, traditional Japanese nationals, and foreigners seeking long-term employment in the country.Some officials were skeptical about the new program noting that previous policies with similar platforms, such as Japan’s “trainee” program, have failed due to inadequacies and proneness to abusive practices. Leaders also voiced concerns over probationary employees under the existing trainee program being forced to work excessive overtime, severely underpaid, and in some instances, having their passports embargoed by their employers.Meanwhile, traditionalists criticize the policy as an “easy” route for foreigners to take if they desire to live in the country permanently. Aside from allowing workers to be permanent residents, it also gives them the ability to naturalize their respective families. Some Japanese nationals also take issue with the ever-growing presence of foreigners in Japan.On the other hand, foreigners praise Japan for welcoming international talents and creating new programs that will benefit foreign aspirants and boost the country’s economy. IT workers are especially thrilled, as the country has tons of great opportunities for tech experts to grab. And even though some people have not yet embraced this new concept, the current regime is invested in making this vision come to fruition.Will Japan Finally Open Its Doors to Immigrants?Because of the constant skepticism towards the policy and only a small number of foreign workers have successfully applied for jobs in the country in recent months, many have wondered if Japan has genuinely opened its doors to gaijin like the thousands of aspiring IT workers.The answer is a resounding yes. Even before Prime Minister Abe lobbied for the new program, Japan saw an increase in the presence of foreigners in the country every year. And since April 1, 2019, when the immigration policy was officially implemented, various industries have accepted foreign workers. In fact, in the first 6 months of the new system, Japan saw its highest recorded foreign worker population with 1,658,804.In recent months, however, there has been a decline in the number of applicants from international talents hired by Japanese companies. It has absolutely nothing to do with the companies, the local government, the policy’s skeptics, and even the aspirants. Japan’s current administration is doing its absolute best to fulfill their goals with the new immigration policy.In the first months of the pandemic, the job market has been slow in accepting applications from international talents, but this isn’t true for IT companies. As the tech industry embraces the online application process, IT professionals’ job market continues to welcome foreign applicants as the need for workers in this field is expected to rise.The coronavirus may have put a setback in Japan’s job market, but aspiring foreign workers in the IT field and other industries can still apply for work visas overseas during the pandemic. Japan has gradually eased its travel restrictions to kickstart the country’s economy. As soon as the travel restrictions are completely lifted, foreigners can start working in the country again.Japan’s Immigration Policy – The New Specified Skills VisaThe new Specified Skills Visa or SSV is perfect for workers seeking opportunities in the IT industry of Japan. The government’s goal is to make up for the expected 800,000 IT worker deficit by 2030. So, there are plenty of employment openings that are just ripe for the picking.Machine Parts and Tooling industry:IT workers who can assist them in machine inspection and maintenance.Electric, Electronics, and Information industry and Industrial Machinery industry:IT workers to aid in manufacturing, electronic and electrical equipment assembling, and machine maintenance.Construction industry:IT workers who are experts with telecommunications.Shipbuilding and Ship Machinery industry:IT workers who can help in electrical equipment assembling.Automobile Repair and Maintenance industry:IT workers who can support maintenance and repair for cars’ infotainment systems.Manufacture of Food and Beverages:General food and beverage manufacture.Aside from the tons of opportunities available, another great thing about the SSV is how the Japanese government will take care of the foreign workers who’ll be residing in the country.Companies are required to give services such as housing support, Japanese language, lifestyle, and administrative procedures tutorials, assistance with work-related concerns, and even providing aid to international talents who have been terminated or are subject to termination.But for international IT workers to work under the SSV program and avail of these benefits, they have to meet specific requirements. For SSV-1 workers, they need to have a Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N4 certificate, have a passing grade in the Specified Skills Test, and be able to stay and work in the country for 5 years.Meanwhile, applicants of SSV-2 have to compile their JLPT N4 certificate, proof of a higher level of specialized skill with experience and must be able to reside in the country until they become a permanent Japanese resident.ConclusionThe Japanese Immigration Policy has positively affected foreign IT workers in Japan. Despite the COVID-19 situation, the future of foreign IT workers in Japan looks promising. The Japanese government has exerted so much effort in making immigrants feel welcomed in the workforce despite some backlash. The country’s SSV program presents terrific openings for foreign workers and IT talents alike.Take this time to learn more about Japan’s Immigration Policy and apply for work online at the comfort of your home. Your next IT employment opportunity could be in Japan. Discover openings and useful tips on our website below.Sources:https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46492216https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/japan-labor-migration-reforms-breaking-pasthttps://thediplomat.com/2020/01/is-japan-ready-to-welcome-immigrants/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2019/01/30/how-tos/demand-non-japanese-engineers-growing-know-youre-apply/#.XsYnCmgzZPZhttps://www.nippon.com/en/in-depth/d00572/covid-19-and-the-crisis-in-japanese-immigration-policy.htmlhttps://www.nippon.com/en/in-depth/d00515/https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Japan-immigration/Japan-bumps-into-challenges-welcoming-overseas-workershttps://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/07/a022f23f4d45-coronavirus-outbreak-latest-july-1-2020.htmlhttps://www.mofa.go.jp/files/000459527.pdf

この記事では、これから日本で就職活動をする外国人留学生向けに、2021年卒業予定の就職活動をしている日本人大学生に人気がある企業やその理由をまとめています。他の国とは異なり、日本ならではのユニークな結果となっています。これから日本で就職活動をする外国人の方は是非ご参考にされてみてください。日本の大学生（2021年卒業予定）の就職人気企業ランキング新卒学生向けの就職情報メディアのキャリタス就活21が、2021年3月卒業予定の大学生・大学院生を対象に就職希望の企業についての調査を行っています。そのランキングがこちらとなります。8位三菱商事総合商社順位企業名業界1位東京海上日動火災保険損害保険2位損害保険ジャパン損害保険3位伊藤忠商事総合商社4位三井住友海上保険損害保険5位日本航空（JAL）空運6位全日本空輸（ANA）空運7位ソニー総合電機9位サントリーグループ食品10位トヨタ自動車自動車メーカー参照：キャリタス就活21/人気企業ランキング基本的には大手企業ばかりとなり、これは他の国においても同じような傾向になると思います。しかし、1位、2位、4位が損害保険会社というのは他の国では考えられないことだと思います。現在の日本の大学生は就職で何を求めているのか、なぜ海外で人気のインターネット企業やメーカーではなく、保険会社を選んでいるのでしょうか。なぜ損害保険会社が人気なのか？新型コロナウィルスの影響によって募集人数を減少した企業が多々ある中、損害保険会社は採用募集人数を減らしていないようです。損害保険会社は給与が比較的に高く、安定をしている印象があり、また学校の専攻なども関係なく、幅広い層の学生が応募ができることが人気を集めているのではないかと考えられます。また、自動車保険の営業がメインだった損害保険は、近年、自動車の需要がなくなる可能性を考慮した上で、地震などの災害時に適用される保険に力を入れているため、損害保険業界はまだ成長性が高いと考えられます。3つの損害保険会社がランクインすることで、21年卒の就活生は、チャレンジができる職場より安定な就職先を求めていると考えられます。人気が上昇・低下した企業今年トップ10にランクインした企業の中にはJALや伊藤忠商事のように毎年人気がある企業もあれば、東京海上日動火災保険などの損害保険会社のように、今年になってランキングが更に上位に上がった企業もあります。これからは、ランキングの中でも特徴的な5つの企業について詳しく説明をしていきたいと思います。東京海上日動火災保険東京海上日動火災保険は、前年の人気企業ランキングでは10位でしたが、今年は1位となりました。この背景としては「平均年収の高さ」や「グローバルな環境」が要因として考えられます。平均年収の高さ東京海上日動火災保険では、基本給は他の企業と大きく差はないのですが、各社員がもらえる賞与は年収に大きな影響を与えています。この会社の平均年収は約835万円ではありますが、業績によると1000万円を超えるケースがよく見られます。入社2ヶ月目の新卒社員に約60万円のボーナスが支給されたことがあり、この点で他の企業よりも収入面で魅力的と言えます。また、給与以外にも、社員には最大10万円の家賃補助が支給されたりするため、福利厚生においても優れており、待遇面で魅力を感じやすい企業と言えます。グローバルな環境東京海上日動火災保険は、国内だけではなく、グローバルに事業展開をしており、約45の海外拠点があります。世界の様々な大都市で働くことができるのも人気の理由と言えるでしょう。そのため、働く環境においても、ダイバーシティが浸透し、留学生や海外の方々にも人気の就職先となっているようです。伊藤忠商事日本には「商社」というビジネス形態の企業が大きな影響力を持っています。特に「総合商社」と言われる伊藤忠商事や三菱商事、住友商事などは常に大学生に人気がある就職先です。総合商社とは？総合商社は、食品、エネルギー資源、機械など様々な商品をグローバル規模で調達を行い、日本国内に限らず世界で販売を行なっています。国に大きな影響を及ぼす大きなプロジェクトもあり、またグループ会社にメーカーや金融会社などもあるため、グルーバルに大きな規模で事業を展開しています。平均年収の高さ伊藤忠商事の平均年収は約1400万円となっており、日本の企業の中でも非常に高い水準と言えるでしょうk。新卒1年目でも総合職社員の平均年収は約550万円なので、入社して1年目から高い水準の給与が得られることになります。様々なスキルの取得大手総合商社には日本国内や世界から優秀な人材が集まっており、ビジネスのノウハウを学べる環境がそこにあるだけではなく、優秀な人材から様々なスキルを取得できる側面もあります。英語などの語学、ファイナンスなどグローバルにビジネスをしていくためのスキルを学ぶことができることも人気の理由の1つと言えるでしょう。日本航空（JAL）航空会社特有の福利厚生社会保険や交通手当などの一般的な福利厚生の他に、社員用航空券制度があります。この制度は社員が9割引きで航空券を購入することができるJAL特有の福利厚生です。旅行が趣味な学生にとって、とても魅力的に感じる福利厚生であることは間違いありません。平均年収の高さ航空業界は一般的な平均年収も高く、その中でもJALの平均年収は約827万円と業界の中でトップクラスとなります。サントリーグループ海外進出の成功日本の大手飲料メーカーと言えば、キリンやアサヒ、サントリーなどが挙げられますが、その中でもサントリーが常に高い人気を集めています。その理由として、社風の魅力が良く挙げられます。「やってみなはれ」という創業者の有名な言葉がある通り、様々な新しい物事にチャレンジをしており、実際に海外への進出も一番最初に成功を収めているのもサントリーです。非上場企業サントリーグループは非上場企業であるため、株主のために短期的な成果を出す必要がないことから、長期的なプロジェックトに携わることが可能であることも魅力の1つなのではないでしょうか。トヨタ自動車なぜ人気が低下した？トヨタと言えば、日本で一番時価総額が高い企業であり、世界的にも有名な自動車メーカーとなります。日本の大学生の就職先として現在も１０位と高い人気ではありますが、数年前と比べると就活生への人気は少しずつ低下しています。なぜなら、現在の若い層は自動車への興味が減っており、また自動車業界の今後を考えると、必ずしも成長産業とは言えない状況です。自動車への興味を持たなくなった学生が増えれば増えるほど、自動車メーカーに就職したい学生は今後も減少していくかもしれません。まとめコロナショックをきっかけに、2021年卒業予定の大学生は今まで以上に安定性を求めていると言われています。そのため、今後もランキングの上位には安定性が高い企業が入ってくると思います。その他にも、新たな考え方や国際的なコミュニケーションを求める学生が近年増加しているため、三井住友海上火災保険や伊藤忠商事などのダイバーシティや国際的な展開に力を入れている企業が就活生に人気も集めていくと考えられます。日本で就職をすることによって、ご自身が望んでいるキャリア構築が実現できるよう心よりお祈りしております。日本での就職を考えている留学生でIT関連の仕事に就職したいという方は、外国人ITエンジニア専門の人材紹介会社G Talent（ジータレント）にご登録ください。プロのコンサルタントが無料で就職活動をサポートいたします。

If you’re thinking about working in Japan’s advanced tech industry, now is the right time to pursue your career. Aside from the high pay, the country offers more growth opportunities for IT engineers. But the whole moving process and living adjustment can be mentally exhausting for foreigners. From picking the right apartment to making new friends at the office, worries might seem endless for those who just started living in Japan.What it’s like to be a Foreign Worker in Japan?There are over 28,000 foreign engineers in the IT industry, which comprise 3% of all IT engineers in Japan. With the influx of overseas talents to the country, the number is expected to grow even more. You’ll most likely meet or pass by a foreign national in a company that you will be working for, especially if you’re living in one of the big cities in Japan.Working in the country as a foreign worker has its pros and cons. Foreign workers are often offered housing assistance and other benefits. In the IT industry, there are hundreds of conventions and tech fairs that you can join. Foreigners also get the chance to experience many exciting holidays and visit places in the country. However, being away from your family, the new work culture, and communication barriers can cause stress. Once you know more about what to expect when working for a Japanese company, you will get the idea of how to avoid or cope with these stressors and benefit from the positive points.ProsLet’s discuss the positives of working in the Japanese IT industry or working as a foreigner in the country and why you should grab the opportunity. The following strengths don’t necessarily apply to IT companies only, but also to most organizations with foreign employees.Opportunity to upskillOne of the best points of working for a Japanese company is having the chance to upskill. More IT companies are accepting foreign engineers with minimal experience as they provide office training. Moreover, big companies also offer other classes and let you join conferences for free!PolitenessForeign workers appreciate this workplace character, and this also applies outside of work. People being pleasant and non-aggressive at work helps foreigners and Japanese feel comfortable and make way for excellent communication among colleagues.TeamworkAnother character foreigners love about Japanese colleagues is their teamwork. They prefer to collaborate and always give relevant feedback to each other’s output. Also, their teamwork is applied to their decision-making process, which is appreciated by many foreign IT engineers. They prefer making a decision based on everyone’s opinion, which allows you to share your ideas.ChallengesWorking in Japan can be inspiring and challenging at the same time, mainly because of the difference in cultures. These challenges are the main factors of stress you might get to experience when you’re working in Japan.Indirect CommunicationJapanese colleagues tend to be indirect and vague. You won’t get a definite answer once you ask for their opinion about your output. Instructions and feedback may be conveyed indirectly, leaving foreign workers to wonder. For IT engineers, if you can’t pick-up their subtle negative signals, this can cause delays and problems on your projects.Detail-orientedPeople worldwide applaud the country for the level of dedication they have for work, but it can cause a lot of stress and pressure, especially to foreigners in the IT industry. This can be time-consuming and may lead to extra work during the whole development process.LanguageIt’s true that most companies, especially big IT companies, have relaxed some of their language requirements, but the lack of direct communication can cause problems and stress. Unlike working in your country when you can easily ask for confirmation, you won’t be able to do that when working for a company in Japan with few to zero foreign employees. It’s also quite challenging to make new friends outside work if you haven’t learned the Japanese language.How to Fight Stress?In the IT industry, companies receive vast amounts of workload every month, and it can be hectic with all developments and team meetings. So what can you do to get rid of stress? Here are some tips to help foreign IT engineers have a pleasant career and stay in Japan.    1. Take Regular BreaksYou want to impress your Japanese colleagues through hard work and dedication especially when you’re new to the company, but don’t be afraid to slow down. You are allowed to have 45 minutes to an hour’s worth of break a day. That’s enough to take some time off away from your desk. Take breaks and enjoy those little pauses to look outside your window or eat some sweet treats.    2. Stay at an Onsen Ryokan (hot spring inn)Visiting a hot spring inn is one of the ways the Japanese relieve their stress from work. These places are usually away from the hustle and bustle of the city and surrounded by nature. You’ll have a relaxing time soaking at the hot spring or walking around under clear skies.    3. Indulge in Shopping, Food, and HobbiesThere’s nothing like rewarding yourself after your hard work. Japan has many restaurants and cafes that offer delectable dishes and treats. Aside from that, foreigners and locals are also fond of spending extra time shopping to take their minds off work. IT engineers usually go for exciting events in the country or pursue their hobbies, be it music, arts, and sports. You can even spend some time learning the language to make friends easily.    4. Know that it’s ok to ask for helpIf you have been having a hard time with your tasks, it’s always a good idea to ask for some assistance from your colleagues. Since you’ll be working most of the time with a team in the IT industry, checking each other’s work and asking for advice is common.If your coping strategies don’t work, you can always ask for professional help. Counseling support in Japanese and English is available online, and there are offices in big cities that you can visit.ConclusionWorking as an IT engineer in Japan can be one of the essential steps to leveling up your career and acquiring new skills. However, moving to a country with an entirely different culture and living situation can cause stress, which affects your emotional well-being, but don’t let it hinder your potential. Japan offers many activities and platforms you can use to get your mind and body away from work for a while. Don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it and continue having a successful career in the country.Sources:https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2019/01/30/how-tos/demand-non-japanese-engineers-growing-know-youre-apply/#.Xv1JYygzbIUhttps://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2019/01/30/how-tos/thinking-working-japan-good-know-youre/#.Xv1DHSgzbIU

Compared to overseas, Japanese companies apart from having good salaries are said to have a lot of employee benefits in Asia. In this article, for foreigners such as international students who want to work for Japanese companies, we would like to explain the most common benefits that Japanese companies provide to their employees.Employee Benefits “Fukurikosei”First, employee benefits in Japan (Fukurikousei) means various efforts aimed at supporting employees and their families in terms of health and life. Also in Japan, there are two types of welfares, legal employee benefits (Houtei-Fukuri Kosei) which are said by law that companies must provide to their employees, and the other is which companies voluntarily provide (regardless of the law) to their employees.Types of Employee BenefitsLegal Employee Benefits (Houtei-Fukurikousei)Below, we would like to briefly describe each type of legal employee benefits (Houtei-Fukurikousei). Worker’s Accident Compensation Insurance (Rousai-Hoken)Worker’s accident compensation insurance is an insurance when workers are injured or ill due to accidents that occur during work or on the way to work. Child Allowance (Kodomo/Kosodate Kyoushutsu-Kin)This is a contribution that is paid to a family with children when the company pays the government a fixed amount. Unemployment Insurance (Koyou-Hoken)Unemployment insurance is the allowance paid by the state when a worker loses his or her job.For example, if the company’s business performance is poor and you are dismissed due to the reason, you can apply to the country and receive about 50 to 80% of the salary of the previous job as an unemployment allowance in a period of 90 to 150 days. Health Insurance (Kenkou-Hoken)Health insurance is a medical insurance system to prepare for situations such as illness, injury, birth, and death.For example, if you go to a hospital and receive medical treatment, depending on the case, and you show your insurance card, you will pay about 30%, and the rest will be borne by the government. Nursing insurance (Kaigo-Hoken)Nursing insurance is an insurance system in which the government provides a portion of the cost needed for nursing care when is determined that it is necessary. Welfare Pension Insurance (Kousei-Nenkin-Hoken)Welfare pension insurance is a pension system that is provided in addition to the national pension.These legal employee benefits (Houtei-fukurikousei) are legally obligatory for companies when they employ workers.The percentage at which the company and employees pay is regulated by law, the company deducts the amount to be paid from the employee’s monthly salary and the company pays it to the country.Most Common Employee Benefits in Japanese CompaniesIn many cases abroad, transportation costs to go to work are borne by workers themselves, but in Japan, it is common for companies to bear the transportation costs of their employees. Like in this case, the welfare provided by companies differs between Japan and abroad.From now on, we would like to introduce the most common welfares that Japanese companies provide to their employees. Commuting Allowance (Koutsu-teate)It is a benefit that the company bears for the cost of commuting from your home to your office with round trip. Some companies pay the full amount, while others only pay a fixed amount. Most companies in Japan provide employees with commuting allowances. Medical Check-up (Kenkou-shindan)Under Japan’s Occupational Health and Safety Act, companies are obliged to take good care of their employee’s health.A medical check is recognized as welfare for this health care obligation, and most of the Japanese companies offer their employees a yearly medical check as welfare.For details on the types of medical examinations that foreigners can take in Japan, their contents, and the time required, please read the article below if you are interested.What kind of medical examination can foreigners receive at a Japanese company? Housing Allowance (Jutaku-teate)It is a system in which part of the rent is paid together with the monthly salary. The amount paid depends on the company. This allowance is often found in financial and manufacturing industries that require national transfers. Employee Stock Ownership Plan (Juugyoin Mochikabu-seido)This is a system in which employees who are willing to purchase stock can withhold the deduction from the salary and purchase the stock of the company or its parent company and receive the profit separately from the salary. It is a system often found in listed companies and big companies. Retirement Allowance (Taishokukin)The money an employee is paid when they retire. The purpose of the retirement allowance is to provide monetary support for retirees who worked for many years in the same company.However recently the cases in which an employee works until his retirement (60 years old) in the same company are decreasing notably. Also, the retirement allowance fund is not being managed well, and the burden on the company side is increasing.For these reasons, instead of a retirement allowance, companies that offer a monthly fund to collaborate with a defined contribution pension plan have recently increased. Special Leave for Weddings and Funerals (Keichou-kyuuka)It is a type of leave that can be taken when you or a close relative gets married, it can also be used in the case of bereavement. Maternity Leave (Shussan-kyuuka)Maternity leave is a type of leave that combinate the prenatal period and the recovery period after delivery. Depending on the company, you can get leave from 6 weeks before birth but on the other hand, the recovery period is set by law to get 8 weeks. Parental Leave (Ikuji-kyuuka)Parental leave is a leave system that helps employees take time off and concentrate on childcare until their child is one year old. Working from Home or Telework (Zaitaku-seido)It is a system that allows you to work from home without having to come to the office. This system is often found in IT-related jobs such as web designers and system engineers, also in sales-related jobs such as inside sales and customer support services. Choose your own PCThis is a system that allows employees to freely choose a pc from the types of pc that the company prepares.ConclusionIn addition to the welfare that we have introduced, some companies have different types of welfare. Japan’s welfare program is fulfilling worldwide, and it can be said to be one of the merits of working as an employee in Japan.IT engineers who are looking for work or change jobs for a Japanese company, please register with G Talent, a recruitment agency specializing in IT engineers. A professional consultant will support you in changing jobs for free.

日本には「正座」や「食器をもって食べる習慣」などの独自の文化やスタイルを持つ国として世界中に知られています。この独特なスタイルは私生活だけではなく日本のビジネス界にも反映されています。今回の記事では、日本の企業で働く予定の外国人や現在日本の企業に勤めている外国人の方々向けに、語学学校などで学べない日本独自のビジネスマナーについてご紹介したいと思っています。日本独特のビジネスマナー名刺交換アメリカなどでは、名刺はあくまでの連絡情報カードにすぎないのですが、日本での役割は挨拶代わりになるものです。昔から「名刺＝相手の顔と同じ」という考えがあるため、名刺を交換するときに注意をしなければならい点がいくつかあります。どんな場面で名刺を交換すればいいのか日本では、初対面の人とお仕事をする際には最初に名刺交換をしなければなりません。これが日本でビジネスをやる上での第一印象になりますので、以下の手順を参考に一度練習をしてみてはいかがでしょうか。名刺交換の手順日本の名刺交換の手順を簡単にご紹介したいと思います。 名刺入れから名刺を取り出しますどのような場面でも先に交換をしなければならない相手は、訪問先の上司です。名刺を交換する前に渡す相手の人数分の名刺を取り出し、名刺入れの下に重ねて置きます。その時の手の位置は胸元あたりにします。 名刺は目下の者から差し出します日本で名刺交換をする際、訪問している側の目下の人から名刺を差し出すのが基本です。ここで言う「目下」という意味は年齢や役職ではなく、「仕事をもらう側」のことを指しています。 例えば、営業マンが訪問を認められた企業に商品を提案する場合には、営業マンが先に名刺を指し出さなければなりません。この手順を間違ってしまうと相手に失礼になりますので注意しましょう。 社名と名前を名乗ります名刺を交換するとき、無言で相手に差し出すのではなく、相手と目線を合わせながら「○○社の○○と申します」と自分が勤めている企業の社名と自分の名前を名乗り、軽いお辞儀をしながら名刺を渡すようにしましょう。外国人の名前は、日本人にどうしても聞き取りにくいものがありますので、ゆっくりとわかりやすく自分の名前をカタカナ読みで伝えるようにしましょう。 両手で名刺を受け取ります名刺を受け取るときは、「頂戴いたします」と一言述べてから、両手で受け取りましょう。受け取った際に、相手の会社名や氏名などが記載してある部分を自分の指でふさがらないように注意しましょう。相手の名前の読み方が分からない場合には名刺を受け取った際に尋ねるようにしましょう。 商談中はもらった名刺を左手前に置きます相手側の上司の名刺を名刺入れに乗せ、座席順に自分の左手の手元に並べます（右利きの場合）。メモを取るなどしたときに誤って落としたりしないように利き手と逆の位置に置きます（左手が利き手の場合は右手の手元に並べます）。役職によって座る場所が変わる社会日本のビジネスシーンでは、会議や商談、食事の際には、目上の者に気を配らなければなりません。言葉遣いだけではなく、座る位置に注意を払う必要があります。上記の名刺交換は外国によく知られているものではありますが、今から説明をする座席配置については海外にあまり知られていませんが、日本のビジネスシーンでは昔から存在するビジネスマナーです。①＞②＞③、と立場が高い人順で座ります。上記の図の①のように、入り口から一番遠く離れた席のことを“上座”と呼びます。入口から近い席のことを“下座”と呼びます、上記の図では下座は③にあたります。上座下座の由来日本のビジネス界ではお客さんや目上の人に上座を勧めることが常識となっています。その由来は、上座と下座は武士がまだ存在していた古い時代（室町時代）にできた言葉であります。貴族や身分の高い人が暗殺されるリスクを減らすために、入口から離れた位置に座ることになりました。また、多人数の集まりでは部屋の出入りが激しいため、身分の高い人が快適に過ごしてもらうために、身分の高い人を入口から一番離れたところに座ってもらうようになったそうです。今でも会議の時だけではなく、タクシーやエレベーターでも、上司や目上の人に安全でいられる位置に座るようにしたり、故障の際に怪我をなるべくしない位置に立ってもらったりするのも、この危機管理のマインドがまだ残っているからだと考えられます。時間通り＝5分前日本では、時間通りに約束の場所に着くことは遅刻とほぼ同じです。時間に対しての考え方は小学校から教えられていて文化の1つになってります。そのため、ビジネス会議の開始時刻より5～10分前に到着することが重要です。目的地に出発する前に、その場所までの行き方や時間を調べ、電車で移動する必要がある場合は、その出発時刻や乗り換え場所を事前に確認するようにしましょう。“苗字”もしくは”下の名前”のどちらで呼ぶべきか海外では自己紹介をするときにはよく「I am ○○」か「My name is ○○」と下の名前から自己紹介をすることが多いです。しかし、日本では親しい関係である時に下の名前で呼んだりするため、日本のビジネスシーンにおいては、基本的に下の名前ではなく、相手の苗字に「さん」をつけて呼ぶようにしましょう。相手が顧客の場合は、苗字に「様」をつけて呼ぶようにしましょう。まとめ最近ではこのような日本独自のビジネスマナーは少なくなってきていますが、日本のほとんどのビジネスシーンにおいてはまだまだ多くの場面で日本独自のビジネスマナーが見受けられます。最近では、両手で名刺を受け取ったり、座る位置に気を配ったりなどの細かいビジネスマナーは少しずつ求められなくなってきていますが、外国人の社員が日本のビジネスマナーをできると、同僚や上司に対して日本企業で働く前向きな姿勢を見せることができたり、他のできていない社員と大きな差をつけることができるかもしれません。上記で紹介しましビジネスマナーを習得して損はありませんので是非自分のキャリア成長のために身に着けてはいかがでしょうか。

Japan is known throughout the world as a country with a unique culture and style such as sitting on the floor (Seiza) or eating holding tableware and bringing it closer to their mouth. This unique style is not only reflected in their personal lives, but also the Japanese business world.In this article, we would like to introduce some of the Unique Japanese Business Etiquette that cannot be learned in language schools and other schools for foreigners who are planning to work in Japan or are currently working in Japanese companies.Unique Japanese Business MannersExchange of Business CardsIn the U.S. and other countries, business cards are just contact information cards, but in Japan, it is used as a substitute for greetings. There are some things you should pay attention to when you exchange business cards because there is an old belief in Japan that a business card is the same as a person’s face.When to Exchange Business Cards?In Japan, when you meet someone for the first time, you must exchange business cards when you start working with them. This will be the first impression you get when doing business in Japan, so why not practice the following steps to help you get started?Procedure for exchanging business cardsWe’d like to give you a brief introduction to the process of exchanging business cards in Japan. Take a business cards from the business card case.The first person you need to exchange business cards with in any situation is the boss or superior you are visiting. Before exchanging business cards, you should take out enough cards for each person you are giving them to and place them underneath the card case. You should place your hand on your chest when exchanging cards. The inferior one in the business (Meshita) had to start the exchanging of the business card.When you exchange business cards in Japan, the basic rule is that the inferior person who is visiting should give their card first. The word “inferior” here does not refer to the skills, age or the position of the person, but to the person who offers a business idea. For example, if a salesperson is proposing a product to a company that has been approved for a visit, the salesperson must show his or her business card first. Be careful not to get this procedure wrong, as it is rude to the other party. Give the name of the Company and your Name.When exchanging business cards, instead of offering your business card silently, make eye contact with the person you are giving it to and say, “My name is XX and I work for XX company.Some foreign names are difficult for Japanese people to understand, so try to say your name slowly and clearly using the katakana pronunciation. Receive the business card with both hands.When accepting a business card, say “Thank you” (Choudai-Itashimasu) and accept it with both hands. When you receive the card, be careful not to block the part of the card where the other person’s name and company name are written with your fingers. If you do not know how to read the person’s name, ask the person when you receive the card. During business negotiations, put the business card you received on the left front.Place the other party’s superior’s business card on your card case and arrange them in order of seating position close to your left hand (if you are right-handed).Place the card case in the opposite direction of your dominant hand to prevent it from being dropped accidentally when you are taking notes (if your left-handed, place it close to your right hand).A society where your seat depends on the company hierarchyIn the Japanese business world, you must pay attention to your superiors when you are in a business meeting or a meal. Not just wording, you also need to pay attention to where you sit. Although the above business card exchange manner is well known abroad, the seating arrangement we are about to explain is not so well known in other countries, but it is a business etiquette that has existed in the Japanese business scene for a long time.The order of seating is ① > ② > ③, in order of high hierarchy.As shown in ① above, the seat farthest from the entrance is called “kamiza”. The seat closest to the entrance is called the “shimoza”; in the above diagram, “shimoza” is ③.The Origin of Kamiza & ShimozaIn the Japanese business world, it is common practice to recommend the “kamiza” to customers and superiors.The origin of these words was in ancient times (Muromachi Period 1336-1573) when Samurais still existed. To reduce the risk of the assassination of a nobleman or person of high status, they were to sit away from the entrance. Also, because of the large number of people coming and going out from big rooms, they started asking people of the higher status to sit farthest away from the entrance so that people of higher status would be more comfortable.Even now, this crisis management mindset is still present, not only in meetings but also in taxis and elevators, where we ask our bosses and superiors to sit in a position where they can be safe or stand in a position where they can avoid injuries in a case of breakdown.On-time = 5 minutes agoIn Japan, arriving on time is almost the same as being late for an appointment. Punctuality is taught from elementary school and is part of the Japanese culture. Therefore, it is important to arrive 5 to 10 minutes before the start of a business meeting. Before you leave for your destination, find out how to get there, and if you need to take a train, find out the departure time and transfer point in advance.“First names” or “Last names”?In foreign countries, people often introduce themselves by saying “I am XX” or “My name is XX”, starting with their first name. However, in Japan, when you are in a close relationship with someone, you often call them by their first name, so in Japanese business situations, you should basically call them by their last name with a “san” at the end, not their first name. If the person you are talking to is a customer, you should call them by their last name adding a “sama” at the end.ConclusionThese days, this type of business etiquette is becoming less common in Japan, but it can still be found in various business situations in Japan.However, if foreign employees can use Japanese business etiquette, they can show their colleagues and superiors that they have a positive attitude towards working at a Japanese company and can make a big difference to other employees who are not as well versed in this area.There is no loss in learning the above-mentioned business etiquette, so why not learn it for your career growth?

Fintech is attracting attention not only around the world but also in Japan. In this article, G Talent, a recruitment agency specialized in foreign IT engineers, summarized four advanced IT technologies in Fintech and each job demand in Japan.Fintech Four Key Advanced Technologies in FintechIn this article, we would like to focus on the following four important advanced IT technologies in Fintech.AI/Big DataBlockchainIoTBiometricsNow, we are going to explain each technology one by one, taking into account the current demand for recruitment.AI / Big DataThere are many cases in which big data technology is applied to credit examinations of credit cards and loans, using a large amount of data such as stock price information, economic indexes, and personal financial information.The cost of data analysis is drastically reduced due to cloud servers and distributed processing systems that can process big data, and large amounts of data are collected and processed by using text mining technology and natural language processing technology for data collection and conversion.AI performance has dramatically improved due to deep learning technology developed around 2010. AI technology has begun to be used in various areas of the financial industry, such as automation of counter operations, automatically analyze financial indicators, and buy and sell stocks using big data.Along with that, it is said that the work that people were doing in banks will be replaced by AI and that there is going to be a huge lay off in each bank in the future. Also, it is said that banks that cannot be transformed into IT companies will be eliminated.Job Demand for AI / Big DataIn fact, the recruitment of data engineers and data scientists are increasing at major insurance companies and credit card companies, and by effectively utilizing big data, each company is working to improve operational efficiency and create new services.Also, each bank is focusing on hiring IT engineers, every financial company is looking to become a fintech company.However, there is a shortage of human resources related to big data and AI in Japan. When working in Japan, the language of Japanese is often required, but some Japanese insurance companies do not require it, so there are many fields where foreign IT engineers can play an active role.BlockchainIt would be no exaggeration to say that the first word that comes to mind as fintech technology is “blockchain.” In more technical terms, it is also called “distributed ledger technology”. It is not a centralized type of management, but a network system made to distribute data to computers all over the world and reduce the risk of destruction and tampering.Normally, if you deposit money in a bank, transaction records are maintained by the bank’s central server. But with blockchain technology, the transaction information can be distributed and stored on the network without the needing for central management such as financial institutions. In addition, the encryption technology allows users to refer to only the items that are permitted, and the risk of leakage of personal information is extremely low.All records are stored on a computer network, allowing anyone to scrutinize and audit and prevent counterfeiting or double payments by exposing them to the eyes of the general public.Bitcoin and other virtual currencies are typical examples of blockchain technology. Speaking of blockchain, there are many people who think of virtual currency, but the reason why blockchain is getting so much attention is that it can be applied to a wide range of areas apart from the virtual currency, and it is expected to revolutionize the business so far.For example, it is expected that the blockchain will be utilized in the basic operations necessary for business, such as ordinary commercial transactions, electronic voting, and the conclusion of contracts.Job Demand for Blockchain TechnologyJob offers to require blockchain technology continue increasing in Japan. Not only in cryptocurrency companies but also in financial industries such as banks and startups that provide blockchain solutions are in very high demand. In addition, Japan has few engineers with blockchain technology knowledge, and this is an area where many foreign engineers are active.IoTCurrently, there are few cases where IoT has been introduced in the financial field. However, recently, with the introduction of IoT technology in automobiles, there is a possibility that data on automobile driving methods and automobile insurance may be linked, but the state of car insurance when automatic driving progressed is calling for a debate. Therefore, IoT technology in the financial field is gradually gaining attention.In addition, the use of IoT technology in the medical field may have a major impact on medical insurance. Recently, with the spread of wearable devices, IoT technology has been applied to the payment support of Apple Watch, etc., and there is a possibility that IoT technology in the financial field will grow in the future.Job Demand for IoT TechnologyIt is said that the market size of IoT technology will exceed 36 trillion yen in 2020 (Gartner’s estimate), and also, it’s said that the demand for IoT technology is a field with extremely high growth potential.The demand for IoT engineers is still low in existing financial companies and fintech companies, but in the manufacturing industry that produces IoT-equipped devices (cars, wearable devices, etc.) linked to financial companies the demand for IoT engineers is in a higher situation.BiometricsWhen using online services such as banks and securities, personal authentication is always the first key. In July 2012, the FIDO (Fast IDentity Online) Alliance was established by 6 companies such as Pay Pal and Lenovo aiming to standardize global authentication centered on online authentication including biometrics, and its scale still increasing at present. Board members, which are major companies, include global financial giants such as Visa, MasterCard, and Bank of America, as well as global companies such as Microsoft, Google, and NTT DoCoMo.Fingerprints and vein authentication have also started to be used at some ATMs at Japanese banks.Recently, not only image data but also authentication by physical movement such as keyboard typing method has been developed, demonstrating that it can be said the application of new technology is a remarkable field.Job Demand for Biometrics TechnologyRegarding biometric authentication technology, the application is still limited to personal authentication, so demand can be said to be still far ahead of AI, big data, and blockchain technology.ConclusionIn addition to the four technologies introduced this time, various new advanced IT technologies will be used in the fintech field. Also, not only advanced IT technology, modern frameworks have become necessary to improve usability for consumers. G Talent, a recruitment agency specialized in foreign IT engineers, will keep an eye on FinTech trends and keep updating our readers about relevant technology.

At present, the field of financial IT technology called Fintech is drawing attention around the world. In Japan as well, the government is supporting the use of IT in the financial field, and also the term Fintech is used every day in major financial industries and startups.In this article, for foreigners who are interested in Japan’s Fintech field, we will explain in an easy-to-understand manner the current status of Fintech in Japan and the featured companies in the field.What is Fintech?First of all, we would like to explain what Fintech is.Financial technology (abbreviated fintech or FinTech) is the technology and innovation that aims to compete with traditional financial methods in the delivery of financial services. It is an emerging industry that uses technology to improve activities in finance.[2] The use of smartphones for mobile banking, investing, borrowing services[3], and cryptocurrency are examples of technologies aiming to make financial services more accessible to the general public. Financial technology companies consist of both startups and established financial institutions and technology companies trying to replace or enhance the usage of financial services provided by existing financial companies.Reference: The Free Encyclopedia “Wikipedia”In more simple words, it is about transforming existing financial services and creating new services using advanced IT technologies such as AI, big data, IoT, and blockchain. Some familiar examples are, remittance and payment using smartphones, virtual currency using blockchain technology, etc.Why Fintech gets attention from IT Engineers in Japan?Currently, the Fintech area is receiving a lot of attention from IT engineers in Japan, and the number of IT engineers who are changing jobs to the Fintech field is increasing. The reasons for this are “magnitude of social impact” and “acquisition and application of advanced IT technology”.The Magnitude of Social Impact“Money” is indispensable to establish the economy and people’s lives, by transforming financial services, there is a potential to significantly change the economy and people’s lives. Therefore, many entrepreneurs and IT engineers who want to make a big impact on society are challenging in the Fintech field, and the government is supporting it.As we will explain later, the business in the Fintech area is outstanding, also in financing Japanese startups. Major banks and insurance companies have also started CVC (Corporate Venture Capital) and various fintech-related businesses. The number of these cases are increasing by investing in startups, making capital and business alliances.Acquisition and Application of Advanced IT TechnologyIn the Fintech field, there are opportunities to use advanced IT technologies, and we can say that it is an attractive career development environment for IT engineers who want to hone their technical skills. Related technologies that are important in FinTech include big data, AI, blockchain, and IoT.If you are interested in those technologies, please refer to the following article for related technologies in Fintech and their recruitment demand.Fintech Key Advanced Technologies and Job Demand in Japan11 Fields of Fintech and their Representative ServicesCurrently, the “Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry” and Japanese consulting firms are frequently researching the trends of Fintech around the world and Japan. As the segment used at that time, fintech is divided into 11 fields.Smart PaymentInvestment/Asset management/Robot-advisorVirtual currencyHousehold Management and Advice (PMF: Personal Financial Management)Social LendingCrowdfundingInsuranceLoans/LoansAccounting/FinanceRemittance & Split BillsFinancial InformationFrom now, we would like to explain each field and its representative services.Smart PaymentSmart payments are electronic payment methods that does not require cash or financial institution procedures. Using smart payment eliminates the need for cash management, procedures time at financial institutions, and also reduce the fee. Smart payments can broaden the range of payment methods for consumers.There are roughly two types of smart payments currently used in Japan, card payments and QR code payments are often used.Credit card payments and debit card payments are the most common examples of payment using a card. Payment is performed by entering card information online or displaying a card at a store. Recently, not only credit cards but also prepaid cards have been attracting attention. For example, LINE pay cards.Prepaid cards can be issued without a screening, they can be used for payment only as much as you charged them at a convenience store. It is a card that can be used by young people who couldn’t have a credit card until now.Regarding QR code payment, many major IT companies such as PayPay, Merpay, Rakuten Pay have entered the market, the settlement is completed by reading the QR code via a smartphone. QR code payments have already become mainstream in China and other countries. PayPay used China’s Alipay technology and features as a reference.Representative Services of Smart PaymentPayPay (In Japanese), Merpay (In Japanse), Paidy (In Japanese), etc.Investment/Asset Management/Robot-advisorThis is a service that selects and manages financial merchandise using analysis by AI in asset management such as stocks. Since AI learns data daily, it is said that asset management and investment by AI will be more accurate than human prediction in the future.A Robot-advisor means that an AI robot manages personal assets. In Japan, there are two types of Robot-advisors: the discretionary investment type, that manages and sells based on investment algorithms and, advice type that diagnoses and advises asset management.Representative Services for Investment/Asset Management and Robo-advisorWealthNavi (In Japanese), THEO (In Japanese), etc.Virtual CurrencyBy utilizing blockchain technology, virtual currency is a currency that can store transaction records such as deposits and withdrawals even if there is no centralized management agency such as banks. Unlike fiat currencies such as yen and dollars, it is a new currency that doesn’t have the form of bills or coins.Previously, it was reported in the news that the number of people holding a virtual currency for investment purposes increased, and the value of virtual currency rose and fell sharply. Also, there was a case in which the virtual currency leaked due to hacking because the security management of the virtual currency vendor was weak.Thereby, the public image of virtual currencies has become temporarily deteriorated, but as of July 2020, the virtual currency market has been stable, and it is expected that the market will expand steadily in the future.Representative Services of Virtual Currency (Virtual Currency Business Operator)bitFlyer, Coincheck, etc.Household Management and Advice (PMF: Personal Financial Management)One of the most familiar fields of Fintech is PMF. The main function of this is to manage daily spendings and incomes. In a nutshell, it plays the role of a household account book application. Unlike the household account book softwares and apps that have been used up to now, it is possible to manage accounts of various financial institutions with one service. Furthermore, bank account information, but you can also get information about payments by credit card and other payment methods.Representative Services of PMFMoney ForwardIt is one of the Japanese companies that provide PMF services. This app allows you to check the electronic money used at convenience stores, credit cards used for shopping, bank accounts with salaries transferred. Japan’s top household account book application with more than 8 million people.Dr. Wallet (In Japanese)It is the second most popular household account book application after money forward with more than 1 million users.Social LendingSocial lending, also known as “lending-type crowdfunding,” is a service that connects borrowers (mainly companies) and investors who want to invest money through financial products. Companies that provide social lending services perform, borrower screening, investor recruitment, loans, repayments, and also performs distribution management.The difference with mutual funds is that investors find the lenders, and the price is not affected by the market price.Representative services for social lendingSBI Social Lending, CROWD CREDIT, etc.CrowdfundingCrowdfunding is a service that allows you to raise a small amount of money from an unspecified number of people via Internet. In the case of financing, generally, there are loans from banks and investment by venture capital. But unlike traditional funding, crowdfunding is getting attention as a new funding mechanism for been “Easy”, “High diffusivity” and “Implementing test marketing”.Anyone who has an idea or wants to solve a social problem or launch a new product can become a “drafter”, and anyone who wants to support it or want to help try to a new product is a “supporter”. in this way, in crowdfunding, It is to raise money by recruiting people on the Internet to fund the project that the creator wants to do.Representative Services for CrowdfundingCamp-Fire, Makuake, Ready For, etc.InsuranceUntil now, it was supposed to take out insurance through an insurance salesman or an agent, but in recent years, online insurance services have grown now till you can take out insurance with just one smartphone. With LINE insurance you can take out insurance in as little as 60 seconds using a smartphone.There is also a system that uses IT for car insurance, to acquire and analyze driver data such as mileage and driving characteristics, determining insurance premiums based on that data.Representative Services for InsuranceLINE Hoken, Sony Assurance / Good Drive (In Japanese), etc.Financing/LoansFintech is being utilized for the financing of banks and loan companies. This technology has been used in mortgage comparison, mortgage refinancing services, the examination of borrowers using big data, the limit of lending, determination of loan interest rate, etc.Representative Services Financing and LoanJ.Score (In Japanese), WhatzMoney (In Japanese), etc.Accounting/FinanceVarious cloud services are being offered in the fields of corporate accounting and financial management. In the past accounting process, there were many human errors and wasted time, but with the advent of cloud services, the accounting process time is shortened, human errors are reduced. Now, it is possible to visualize the accounting status of the company.Accounting/Finance Representative Servicesfreee, Yayoi-kaikei, etc.Remittance & Split BillsServices that allow people to share payments, receive money, and pay for drinking parties (Nomikai) through smartphone apps are becoming popular. When carrying out split bills, it was very troublesome to calculate by 1 yen and collect cash, but due to this technology, it turns possible to easily split bills without cash.Representative Services for Remittance and Split BillsKyash (In Japanese), YoroPay (In Japanese), etc.Financial InformationFinancial and economic data needs to be collected efficiently when an investor manages an asset or when a corporate business planning department makes a strategy. In response to such needs, using IT technology to analyze huge amounts of financial and economic data, a service that can obtain high-quality information in a short time has been created.Representative services for financial informationZUU, SPEEDA, etc.Fintech Chaos Map of JapanLastly, we would like to introduce the Japanese Fintech service landscape map announced by MA STAND.In addition to the services mentioned above, various companies provide services.Reference:【Fintech Industry Landscape Map 2019】Top 50 FinTech Companies in Japan / MA STANDConclusionMany fintech services have been created in Japan, and considering the magnitude of social impact and the acquisition of advanced technology for IT engineers, the fintech field is a very rewarding environment for them.If you are a foreign IT engineer who wants to work in the Japanese fintech industry, please register with GTalnet, a recruitment agency specialized in foreign IT engineers. A professional consultant will help you to find a job in the field of fintech for free.

世界はもちろん、日本でも注目を集めるFintech（フィンテック）。今回の記事では、外国人ITエンジニアの転職エージェント GTalnetが、Fintech（フィンテック）に関連する4つの先端IT技術と各技術に対する求人需要をまとめました。Fintech（フィンテック）において重要な4つの先端IT技術今回の記事ではFintech（フィンテック）において、以下の重要な4つの先端IT技術について取り上げたいと思いいます。AI・ビッグデータブロックチェーンIoT生体認証それでは、各技術に関して現在の求人需要も踏まえて１つ１つ説明していきたいと思います。AI・ビッグデータ株価の情報、経済指数、個人の金融情報などの大量なデータを利用し、クレジットカードや融資の与信審査などにビッグデータの技術が応用されている事例が多く挙げられます。ビッグデータが処理可能なクラウドサーバーや分散処理システム等によりデータ分析のコストが大幅に低下、データの収集や変換もテキストマイニング技術や自然言語処理技術などを用いることで、大量のデータを収集・処理できるようになっています。そして、2010年前後に開発されたディープラーニング技術によりAIの性能が飛躍的に向上し、ビッグデータを使って自動的に金融指標の分析や株の売買、窓口業務の自動化など金融業界の様々な領域でAIの活用が始まっています。それに伴い、銀行等では人がやっていた業務がAIに取って代わられると言われており、各銀行で大きなリストが今後始まっていくと言われており、IT企業に変化できない銀行は淘汰されると言われています。AI・ビッグデータの求人需要実際、大手保険会社やクレジットカード会社などでデータエンジニアやデータサイエンティストなどの求人が増加してきており、ビッグデータを有効活用することで、各社ともに業務効率化や新サービスの創造を図っています。また各銀行においてもITエンジニアの採用に力を入れており、どの金融企業もフィンテック企業に変化することを視野に入れています。しかし、日本国内ではビッグデータやAI関連の人材は不足しています。日本で仕事をするときは、日本語が必要とされるケースが多いですが、一部の日系保険会社では日本語不要で採用をしたりもしており、外国人のITエンジニアが活躍できるフィールドが多くあります。ブロックチェーンフィンテックの技術として一番最初に思い浮かぶ言葉が「ブロックチェーン」と言っても過言ではないでしょう。より専門的な用語で表現すると、「分散型台帳技術」とも呼ばれています。中央集権型の管理ではなく、世界中にあるコンピューターにデータを分散させ、破壊・改ざんなどのリスクが低くなるように作られたネットワークシステムとなります。通常、銀行にお金を預けた場合、取引の記録は銀行の中央サーバーによって管理されますが、ブロックチェーン技術を使えば、金融機関などの中央管理を必要とせず、取引情報をネットワーク上に分散して保存ができるようになります。また、暗号化技術により利用者は許可された項目しか参照できず、個人情報の流出リスクも非常に少ないです。すべての記録はコンピューターのネットワーク上に保存されているため、誰でも精査・監査ができて、不特定多数の人の目にさらされることで偽造や二重払いを防止しています。ブロックチェーン技術が用いられている代表的なものは、ビットコインなどの仮想通貨となります。ブロックチェーンと言うと、仮想通貨をイメージされる方が多い状況ですが、これほどブロックチェーンが注目されるのは、仮想通貨以外の幅広い領域に応用ができ、これまでのビジネスが大きく変革されることが期待されているためです。例えば、通常の商取引、電子投票、契約書の締結など、ビジネスに必要な基本業務においてブロックチェーンが活用されることが期待されています。ブロックチェーン技術の求人需要ブロックチェーン技術が求められる求人は日本においても増加し続けています。仮想通貨事業者だけではなく、銀行などの金融業界、ブロックチェーンのソリューションを提供するスタートアップなど、非常に高い需要があります。また、日本はブロックチェーン技術を持ったエンジニアが少なく、外国人のエンジニアが多く活躍している領域でもあります。IoT現時点では金融領域でIoTが導入されている事例は少ない状況です。しかし、最近では自動車にIoT技術の搭載が進むにつれて、自動車の運転方法のデータと自動車保険がリンクされる可能性が挙げられたり、自動運転が進んだ時の自動車保険の在り方などが議論を読んでおり、金融領域におけるIoT技術が少しずつ注目を集めています。また、医療現場でIoT技術が使われることで、医療保険においても大きな影響を与える可能性があります。最近では、ウェアラブルデバイスの浸透により、Apple Watchの決済対応などもIoT技術が応用されており、今後金融領域におけるIoT技術は成長が見込まれる可能性があります。IoT技術の求人需要IoT技術の市場規模は2020年に36兆円超に達する（Gartner推計）と言われており、IoT技術の需要は今後も非常に成長性が高い分野と言えます。既存の金融会社やフィンテック企業においてIoT技術者の需要はまだ少ない状況ですが、金融会社にリンクされるIoT搭載デバイス（車、ウェアラブルデバイスなど）を製造している製造業におけるIoT技術者の需要は高い状況です。生体認証銀行や証券などオンラインでサービスを利用する場合は、必ず本人認証が一番最初に鍵を握ります。2012年7月には、生体認証を含むオンライン認証を中心とした世界的な認証の標準化を目指すFIDO(Fast IDentity Online) Allianceが、Pay Pal、Lenovo等6社により発足し、現在もその規模を拡大しています。主要企業であるボードメンバーには、Visa、MasterCard、Bank of Americaなどの世界的金融大手に加え、Microsoft、Google、 NTTドコモ等の世界的企業も加盟しています。また、日本の一部の銀行のATMにおいても、指紋や静脈による認証も開始されています。最近では、画像データのみならず、キーボードの打鍵方法等身体運動による認証も開発されており、新しい技術の応用が目覚ましい分野と言えるでしょう。生体認証技術の求人需要生体認証技術に関しては、まだまだ用途が本人認証に限られることもあり、AIやビッグデータ、ブロックチェーンの技術に比べると、需要はまだまだこれからと言えるでしょう。まとめ今回ご紹介した４つ以外にも、フィンテックの分野では様々な新しい先端IT技術が用いられていくでしょう。また、先端IT技術だけではなく、消費者のユーザビリティを上げるためにモダンなフレームワークなども最近では必要となってきています。外国人ITエンジニアの転職エージェント GTalnetでは、今後もフィンテックの動向を随時調査し、必要となる関連技術をアップデートしていきたいと思います。

この1~2年、様々な企業の人事部でAIの導入を検討されていることを見聞きします。今回の記事では、AI時代に何が人事部に必要なのか、実際の人事領域のAIツールのご紹介もしながら、理解を深めていただきたいと思います。多くの人事部が抱える課題人事部は、給与計算、採用などの人材の確保、社員の教育や研修、またはその評価の管理など数多くの業務を行わなければ部署の1つであります。採用活動だけをみても、応募者の母集団などのマーケティング業務、継続的な採用ブランディング、面接の調整、オンボーディングなど、営業的な要素から事務的な要素まで多岐に渡る業務をカバーしなければなりません。そのような背景もあり、業務の効率性が低い人事部では過度な残業が状態化しているケースが多々みられます。その一方で、AIなどのテクノロジーを活用したツールを積極的に導入し、業務効率をあげ、高いパフォーマンスを発揮している人事部もあります。本来、人事部は企業がビジネスを成立させる上で一番重要な人的リソースを増やし、生かすことがミッションであり、今後の人事部においては、革新性と効率化を意識した上で、本来のミッションを果たせる人事部が一層重要になってくるでしょう。AIは人事業務のどこに活用できるのか採用活動におけるAI活用ツール書類選考マイナビと三井総合研究所が共同に開発したプライオのようなツールは、書類選考の際に優秀な求職者のエントリーシートや履歴書をAIで認識することがで、自動で書類選考の可否の判断が可能になります。実際には、AIが最初の書類選考を行い、そこで最低限のスクリーニングを行い、それらを人事が判断するという形で使われているケースが多いようです。面接株式会社タレントアンドアセスメントが提供する対話型AI面接サービス「SHaiN」のは、受検者がスマートフォンを利用し、非対面・非接触で24時間365日どの場所でもAIと対話しながら面接できるサービスです。そして、企業側は評価レポートの結果などを参考に、対面の面接時には候補者ごとに適した質問をしたり、候補者の特徴に合わせた動機づけをしたりすることで、内定辞退防止、入社後の人材配置や育成などに生かすこともできるそうです。SHaiNは、「遠隔地受検者への受検機会の提供」、「戦略採用メソッドに基づいた評価基準の統一」、「採用担当者や面接官の面接工数の削減」といった部分が評価されており、2020年7月20日の時点で、200社以上の企業が利用しているそうです。参考：AI面接サービスSHaiN 導入企業 200社を突破/PR Times社員評価におけるAI活用ツール株式会社ヒトラボジェイピーが提供するAIを活用した人材評価ツール「マシンアセスメント」は、アセスメントにかける時間と費用が大幅に削減され、どの社員に投資すべきか？ どの社員を昇進させるか？など、企業におけるタレント人材の発掘、育成、選抜のスピードが格段に上がり、均質な基準での評価判断ができるようです。ヒトラボジェイピー社は、これまで約１万人の人材の評価、発掘、育成のアセスメントを行ってきており、そのアセスメントノウハウをAIに学習させ、成果を記した文章から該当者が持つビジネスコンピテンシーを自然言語処理技術を用い30余種類に分析、可視化を可能にしたそうです。事前にAIにハイパフォーマーの行動特性を学ばせているため、現場のしがらみのない状況で、市場競争力という観点から“均質な基準”で評価し、ポテンシャル人材、タレント人材の発掘を行うことができるようです。参考：人材評価もAIが代替する時代に。評価ツール「マシンアセスメント」は進化するHR Techに新たな地位を築けるかAI時代の人事はどうであるべきか上記で紹介したAIが活躍している分野で共通しているものは、人事に今まで多くの時間が必要となっていた業務をAIが自動的に行うことによって、その作業に使っていた時間を他の業務に使えるようにしていることです。つまり、AIが仕事を全て行うものはなく、あくまで人事が自分の仕事を効率よく行うために使われています。では、AI技術の発達がはやいこの時代に人事部に要求されるスキルはどういったものなのでしょうか。判断力のあるチャレンジャーなぜ人事はチャレンジャーである必要があるのか？それは、様々なAIツールがある中で、自社にメリットが高いものを判断し、その技術に恐れず、業務効率の向上や優秀な人材の確保に積極的に使用することが重要です。ただ単に多くのツールを試せばいいことではなく、人事がAIツールに具体的な役割・目的・目標を決めることがAIｘ人事の一番重要な部分です。まとめ人事とAIを合わせることによって、業務効率の向上や優秀な人材の確保は容易になりますが、その代わり人事部に技術を使いこなせる力だけではなく、人間らしいスキルが以前よりもさらに求められている時代になるのではないでしょうか。自社の更なる成長のために、現在の人事業務の課題を洗い出し、整理を行なった上で、AIツールの導入を試してみてはいかがでしょうか。