How Japanese Companies Hire International Graduates: Shukatsu, Entry Sheets & Interviews

Last year a student walked into my office — he'd finished a language school in Tokyo and got into Senshu University. He said, "Sir, I was planning to go back to Bangladesh after graduating. But companies are coming to campus for interviews and I don't know what to do." I laughed and told him, "What you think is a problem is actually your biggest opportunity."

That's exactly what I want to unpack here — how hiring actually works for international graduates in Japan. Shukatsu, entry sheets, interviews. It sounds strange at first. But once you understand the system, you'll see it's far more structured and transparent than the job market back home.

What shukatsu really is, and why it starts so early

The whole job-hunting system in Japan is called shukatsu (就活). In Bangladesh we usually send CVs after we graduate. In Japan it's the opposite — you start job hunting roughly a year before you graduate.

Say you'll graduate in September 2026. Your shukatsu will begin in spring 2025. Big companies open internships and entry registration on fixed dates — usually from March. It's a big part of Japanese corporate culture: everyone moves together, at the same time.

Roughly three stages

• Self-analysis and entry: Know yourself, then register on company entry systems.
• Setsumei-kai and OB/OG visits: Company seminars and talking to alumni.
• Selection: Entry sheet, web test (SPI), group discussion, then multiple interview rounds.

One honest note — these dates shift slightly every year. Confirm with your school's career centre.

Entry sheets: where 80% of students stumble

The entry sheet (ES) is the core document of a Japanese job application. It's not a CV. It asks about your motivation, your student life, and your gakuchika (学生時代に力を入れたこと — what you gave your all to as a student).

I've watched many Bangladeshi students freeze here. The reason is simple — we're used to praising ourselves, but Japanese recruiters want specifics. "I'm hardworking" means nothing. "I woke up at 6am every day for two hours of kanji study so I could pass JLPT N2, and learned 500 kanji in three months" — that they believe.

My advice: before writing any ES, ask yourself — "What's my proof?"

Language matters too. Many companies now accept English ES, but writing in Japanese puts you ahead. Generally JLPT N2 opens a lot of doors, and N1 opens more.

Interviews: not an interrogation, a conversation

A Japanese interview usually happens in three rounds — HR first, then technical or manager, then a director or the president. Smaller companies sometimes do it all in one day.

The questions are mostly the same — "Why did you come to study in Japan?", "Why our company?", "Where do you see yourself in five years?", "You're not going back home, are you?"

That last question isn't meant to hurt you. Japanese companies invest a lot in training and want you to stay at least a few years. Answer honestly — "I want to build my career in Japan."

Money and timeline: the real numbers

Now, money. Language school in Japan costs roughly 7–9 lakh yen per year including tuition and living costs. University tuition is lower, but rent in big cities is higher. There are government scholarships, but not everyone gets them — don't rely on that alone.

Once hired, the starting salary for a fresh graduate is usually around 2.2–2.8 lakh yen per month (with bonuses on top). That's much higher than Bangladesh, but after Tokyo rent, taxes and pension, look carefully at what you actually take home.

An honest caution: not everyone gets a job. Those who pass N2 and take shukatsu seriously usually land good positions. Those who start at the last minute often come home empty-handed.

Special advice for Bangladeshi students

• Start speaking Japanese from day one at language school — it's your biggest weapon in shukatsu.
• Stay in touch with seniors in your department — OB/OG visits are a core part of shukatsu.
• Choose part-time work for communication skills, not just money — customer service roles help.
• If you don't find a job before graduating, there are other routes to stay — read our student visa vs SSW vs work visa guide.

When Bangladeshi students think about studying abroad after HSC, they often look at the UK, Canada or Australia. But if low-cost study abroad matters to you, Japan is genuinely smart — lower tuition, more scholarships, and real post-graduation work options. If you're searching for study abroad without IELTS, Japan is a strong option because many schools and universities accept JLPT or an English test.

And if you're still deciding between a language school and a university, read our language school vs university in Japan page. For the direct route, our study in Japan after HSC guide will help.

One last thing — don't be afraid of shukatsu. It's a process, and once you learn it, anyone can do it. I counsel students at Inochi Global Education Institute from our Barishal office on Nobogram Road, Muslim Para — we sit down over tea and talk through exactly these things: how to choose a language school, how to prepare for shukatsu. If you're serious, come by our study in Japan guidance service and let's talk.