On March 26, the "Nikkei Connect Fair," a company introduction event connecting students in British Columbia with Japanese companies based in Vancouver, was held in BC. 33 companies and approximately 300 students participated.
This event was co-hosted by the student group "UBC Japan Career Network" and the Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce. It began in 2019 with the aim of supporting connections between students living in British Columbia, Canada, and Japanese companies based in Vancouver, and this was the third time it was held. Several companies that shared the same vision also cooperated, making it a large-scale event that connects the future of companies and students.
ー A starting point for building a career that leverages global experience.
"I wanted to learn about the differences in job content and work styles between Japan and Canada. I've only been in Canada for six months, so I'm looking for a wide range of information."
The person who said this was a student from Japan studying marketing in Canada. She hasn't yet decided on her career path after graduation, and said this experience gave her a chance to think about her future career.
Another student, who has been attending a university in British Columbia, Canada for about four years, said, "I was happy to learn that Japanese companies are active in Canada. I'm interested in how they succeeded overseas."
While the majority of participating students are considering careers in global fields that leverage their language skills and overseas experience, many students without prior work experience lack a concrete image of what career paths are available to them after graduation. This event provided a valuable opportunity for students to ask company representatives questions in a dialogue format, not only about employment conditions but also about working styles and career paths in other countries.
⚫︎Comments from participating companies
ー Because these students have left Japan, they have experiences that they couldn't have in Japan.
Mitsui & Co. Canada / Yasushi Yogo, Vancouver Branch Manager
"Students asked many questions about employment, including career paths and necessary skills for working overseas. Because these students are venturing out of Japan to broaden their horizons and take on new challenges, I hope they will gain experiences they couldn't have in Japan and find fulfilling jobs."
ー In this age of diversity, we aim to promote Japanese culture through a wide range of experiences.
Kyujiro Okeya / Takuya Matsuda, Representative Director
"Through conversations with students, I was delighted to find that so many were interested in Japanese culture. As inbound tourism demand increases, it's important for us to proactively promote Japanese culture. In today's world, where diversity is in demand, I want students to experience a wide range of things."
— Things you won't know unless you go and try them.
Japan Airlines / Miwa Kobayashi, Account Manager, Japan Airlines Vancouver Sales Office
"I was surprised by how many enthusiastic students there were. From my own experience, I believe that sometimes things go well if you broaden your horizons instead of getting too fixated on one thing. I hope you broaden your horizons and have many experiences that you can only have by going and trying."
⚫︎Interviews with the organizers and co-organizers
ー By diving into what you want to do, your career will naturally expand.
Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce / Director Miwa Suzuki
"Opportunities like this, where students can have casual, direct conversations rather than formal interviews, are invaluable for both students and companies," said Ms. Suzuki, a board member of the Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce.
Drawing on his own experience, he sent a passionate message to the students: "I want you to take action no matter what. Even if it doesn't lead to money at first, by jumping into what you want to do and gaining experience, your career will naturally expand."
ー A chance for students working hard in Canada to connect with each other.
UBC (University of British Columbia) Japan Career Network / Airi Hirota
Hirota happily stated, "Compared to last year, a remarkable number of companies and students participated, and the seminar venue was so full that we couldn't fit all the students inside."
Having studied at a university in Canada herself while aspiring to work in Japan, she expressed a desire to help other students who share the same aspirations. She stated her enthusiasm for developing future events that directly lead to corporate internships and selection processes.
ー Find your strengths and turn them into confidence.
Consulate-General of Japan in Vancouver / Consul General Satomi Okagaki
Okagaki said, "I was surprised that so many students came, more than I had imagined." On the same day, Okazaki also held a seminar on the work of diplomats and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where she received many questions from students about working overseas and the specific duties of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"I want you to find what you want to do and work hard towards it. I also want you to find what you're good at and what your strengths are, and build your confidence," he said.
ー The synergistic effects that arise from collaboration between organizations and companies
DISCO International / Isao Ogake, CEO
DISCO, which supports job fairs and other events for global talent, is cooperating by providing its expertise gained from holding similar events in the United States and Toronto, free of charge.
Ogake said, "Our mission is to support global talent. It would be difficult to hold such a large-scale event on our own, so collaborating with many organizations like this is very meaningful. We also thought it would be good if our company could contribute to creating synergistic effects."
While it's now easier to obtain information through social media and other channels, large-scale in-person events like this one serve not only as a means of information gathering but also as a way to foster connections between people. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for such events will likely increase further as globalization progresses.
<List of participating companies >
Azuma Foods
H.I.S. Travel Agency
MYK ENTERPRISES LTD.
Enjoy Canada
Endeavor Tours
・ENVIROWISE
ARA Professional Travel
・Okeya Kyujiro
CANADA TOUR SYSTEM INC.
- Mitsui & Co. Canada
KUNON Landscape & Design
・Global Vision Technology Vancouver Inc. (Gabby Academy)
Coast Hotels
Consulate-General of Japan in Vancouver
・JTOA
・JTB INTERNATIONAL CANADA LTD. / TOURLAND TRAVEL LTD.
・JAPAN PACIFIC TRAVEL SERVICE INC. (J-PAC TRAVEL)
・GPI NORTH AMERICA SERVICES INC.
SKYLAND TOURS LTD.
Daruma Japanese Market
TSUKIJI FISH MARKET Inc.
・TRANS ORBIT CANADA TOURS, INC.
Japan Travel Canada
Japan Video Translation Academy Co., Ltd.
·Japan Airlines
・Valuable Link
・Bridges International Insurance Services
・Bridge Language Consulting Inc.
MAPLE FUN TOURS LTD.
Life Assist Canada
Listel Hospitality Group
Remedios & Company
WONDERLAND TOURS INC.
＜Nikkei Connect Executive Committee
• Student organization "UBC Japan Career Network"
Airi Hirota
Ota Sosuke
• Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce
Sammy Takahashi
Miwa Suzuki
Keigo Sera (Public Relations)
Seiya Machida (Public Relations)
Maria Tagami (Interview and text)
⚫︎DISCO International
Isao Okake
(Contributed by the Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce)
