Intermediate level roles remain hardest to fill in Japan as hiring intensifies to address skill gaps. スキルギャップ解消に向け、企業の採用意欲が拡大 ―
日本企業の89％がスキル不足を実感、中堅層採用が最大課題に

人材紹介会社ヘイズ・スペシャリスト・リクルートメント・ジャパンの最新調査によると、日本企業の89％が過去12か月間にスキル不足を経験していることが分かりました。
 
調査結果のポイント
 
  • 中堅層人材が最も採用困難：55％の企業が中堅層ポジションの採用に苦戦
  • ヒューマンスキルや職種横断的に活かせるスキル（ポータブルスキル）への需要が拡大：特に「コミュニケーション力・対人スキル」（48％）が最も求められている
  • スキル不足の最大要因は育成・能力開発の不足：41％の企業が指摘
  • AI活用への組織的支援は限定的：AIツール導入に向けた研修やサポートを提供している企業は32％にとどまる
     
A recent Hays survey reveals that skill shortages remain widespread in Japan, with 89 per cent of organisations experiencing skill shortages in the past 12 months.
 
 

Key findings at a glance

 
  • Mid‑level talent is hardest to secure, with 55 per cent of organisations struggling to hire for intermediate roles
  • Demand for human and transferable skills continues to grow, with the most in‑demand capabilities being communication and interpersonal skills (48 per cent)
  • Lack of training and professional development is the leading driver of skill shortages, cited by 41 per cent of organisations
  • Only 32 per cent of organisations currently offer training or support to help employees adapt to AI tools at work
 
 

Mid‑level roles hardest to secure

 
The Salary Guide found that hiring challenges are most acute at the middle and senior levels:
 
•    Intermediate‑level roles (55 per cent)
•    Managers and directors (48 per cent)
•    C-Suite (16 per cent)
 
Hiring intentions in Japan have strengthened in response to these shortages. 60 per cent of hiring managers expect to increase headcount this year, up 54 per cent from 2025.
 
 

Human skills increasingly in demand

 
Demand for human and transferable skills remains strong. The most sought‑after skills in Japan were:
 
•    Communication and interpersonal skills (48 per cent)
•    Problem solving (29 per cent)
•    Ability to learn and upskill (27 per cent)
 
Communication skills remain highly valued as day‑to‑day work increasingly requires coordination, adaptability and alignment across teams. Such skills are becoming increasingly important as professionals are required to operate in environments marked by ongoing change, uncertainty and evolving role expectations.
 
 

Lack of training and development cited as primary drivers

 
At the same time, the emphasis on these in‑demand skills is intensifying competition for a relatively limited pool of experienced talent. When asked about the main causes of skill shortages, employers in Japan pointed to hiring and capability challenges:
 
•    Lack of training and professional development (41 per cent)
•    Competition from other employers (40 per cent)
•    Pay levels (30 per cent)
 
This suggests that constraints in training and development are shaping hiring outcomes, with organisations competing more actively for professionals who can make an immediate contribution.
 
 

AI adoption outpacing organisational support

 
While the use of AI is already widespread among professionals in Japan, organisational support has yet to keep pace. The research found that:
 
•    74 per cent of professionals already use AI technologies at work
•    Only 32 per cent of organisations currently offer training or support to help employees adapt to these technologies
 
Despite this gap, professionals are proactive about staying relevant. An overwhelming 81 per cent said they are willing to take part in upskilling programmes to better adopt AI in the workplace.
 
 

Grant Torrens, Managing Director of Hays Japan

 
“Skill shortages continue to be most pronounced at the mid‑level in Japan, prompting organisations to step up hiring efforts as they look to fill critical talent gaps. These roles require a combination of technical expertise, problem‑solving ability and strong communication skills, which remain in limited supply.”
 
At the same time, human and transferable skills remain central to hiring priorities. As roles evolve and expectations broaden, demand continues to focus on capabilities such as communication, adaptability and learning agility, particularly in environments shaped by ongoing change and uncertainty.
 
“Meanwhile, although AI tools are already widely used by professionals in Japan, the lower level of formal training and structured support highlights how quickly skills requirements and day‑to‑day work practices are shifting across the labour market.”
 
Download the latest Hays Asia Salary Guide here.