An article about the "Nikkei Connect Fair," a company introduction fair held on March 2nd, was published in Nikka Today, so I'm sharing it here.
— March 2, 2023, UBC —
Jointly organized by "UBC Japan Association," "UBC Japan Career Network," and "Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce."
I covered a company fair connecting university students in British Columbia with Japanese companies in Vancouver.
[Exhibitor List]
HIS Canada Inc. / HIS Trading
Twilight Traveler Corp.
Bridges International Insurance Services
Mitsui & CO (Canada) Ltd
Consulate Office
HighMont Advisors
Higo Venture Inc.
Remedios and Company
Japan Airlines
Beach Hotels
Listel Hotel
Japan Canada Chamber of Commerce
Rwakai
Wa Beauty
From the organizers
Robert Fujita and Saya Helton, board members of the Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce, one of the organizing bodies, say, "When we were university students, there weren't any company introduction fairs where we could talk to company representatives and feel their creativity."
In early March, the Nikkei Connect Fair was held by three organizations—the Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce, the UBC Japan Association, and the UBC Japan Career Network—with the primary goal of connecting top university students in British Columbia (BC) with companies.
This event provided a platform for networking with companies from various industries, including finance, technology, and consulting. Participating companies not only introduced their services and products but also had the opportunity to discuss potential career paths with students.
This event was particularly important given the current economic situation, as the pandemic has forced many businesses to shift online, making it more difficult for students to connect with potential employers and gain valuable work experience.
The Nikkei Connect Fair was an important opportunity for students to network and learn about various career options, while companies could access promising young professionals and discover future employees.
The connections between foreign workers in Japan and Canada are an important aspect to consider when thinking about Nikkei Connect Fair. In recent years, Japan has been actively seeking to increase the number of foreign workers to address labor shortages in certain industries. In April 2019, Japan established a new residence status called "Specified Skilled Worker" to accept skilled professionals from overseas.
This new residency status allows foreign workers to work in certain industries in Japan without prior training. In other words, it expands opportunities for foreign workers with specialized knowledge and skills in specific fields to work in Japan, thus broadening their work opportunities abroad.
The Nikkei Connect Fair, aimed at connecting talent between Japan and Canada, plays a crucial role in supporting the Japanese government's efforts to increase the number of foreign workers. Through events like this, Japan can attract skilled workers from around the world, contributing to the country's economic growth and development.
Visitor comments
"I've really come to realize that learning English broadens your world!"
"I want to stay in Canada for a long time, so I'm grateful that there's a fair like this."
"It's amazing to be able to meet the company president in person."
"Even small companies are proactive and interesting," said one student, filling the venue with smiles.
Exhibitor Interviews & Comments
Yasushi Yogo, Mitsui & Co.:
Q) What kind of questions were asked?
There were various questions, but the following were some of the most frequently asked:
What kind of students are you looking for in your recruitment process?
If there are any skills that students should acquire during their time at school, please let me know.
What are some of the most memorable experiences you've had in your business career so far?
To what extent do you use English in your work?
What are the specific details of your business, and what kind of infrastructure-related businesses are you developing?
Are there any job openings at the Canadian subsidiary?
Q) What impression did you get of the students?
We were grateful for the large number of students who came. It seemed that the students on short-term study abroad programs were there as part of their job search after returning home, while the others seemed interested in working in Canada. It's clear that students have a variety of motivations. I hope they will listen to presentations from various companies before starting their job search and make the best choice for themselves.
Q) What kind of employees are you looking for?
Our company operates various businesses all over the world, so we're looking for people who are interested in many different things, who can explore those interests, discuss their ideas with others to deepen their understanding, accumulate knowledge, and then connect that to business. We're particularly drawn to people who have put in a lot of effort during their student years and achieved outstanding results, no matter what their field is.
Japan Airlines (JAL) Tony Cubby:
There was a long line from the start to the end of the event.
The most frequent question was, "What are the application requirements in Japan?" This was followed by, "Is it possible to do an internship in Canada?" Other questions included, "How much is the airfare?" and "What kind of aircraft is it?" It was really fun.
Consul Keiji Hisada, Consulate-General of Japan in Vancouver:
Thank you to all the students who stopped by. It was a stimulating experience for me as well, and I hope that the Consulate General and government agencies can provide a valuable platform for you as you pursue your goals. Thank you.
Co-organizer's comment
Sammy Takahashi, President of the Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce:
This event was co-hosted by the Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce, the UBC Japan Association, and the UBC Japan Career Network, with the cooperation of the Vancouver Business Roundtable. At our table, which is certified by the Canadian government, we introduced our activities to many students. A key feature of our organization is that our 16 board members, each working under the main theme of "Connecting Canada and Japan," include members with non-Japanese backgrounds, and our monthly board meetings are conducted in English. Under the concept of "Connecting Canada and Japan," those interested in volunteering are encouraged to briefly summarize what they would like to do and contact the secretariat.jccoc.office@gmail.com). It's a great opportunity to learn leadership skills as well."
[contact address]
UBCJA: ubcjapan@gmail.com
Facebook (UBC Japan Association)
UBC JCN: ubc.jcn@gmail.com Facebook (UBC Japan Career Network)
Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce Secretariat: secretariat.jccoc@gmail.com
Robert Fujita: rfujita.jccoc@gmail.com
(Contribution by: Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce)
