Tech Talent on the Move:
Over half of tech professionals in Japan looking to move jobs in the next 12 months
Japan, August 8 2025 - Hays, the world's leading recruitment and workforce solutions specialist, has revealed that 55 per cent of tech professionals in Japan are planning to change employers or transition into contracting within the next year. This compares to 60 per cent of tech professionals globally, suggesting buoyant movement in the Tech talent sector according to insights from the recently launched global report, The Tech Talent Explorer.
At the same time, findings from the Hays Asia Salary and Recruitment Trends survey revealed that 71 per cent of organisations reported experiencing moderate to extreme skills shortages over the past year. This combination of employee mobility and persistent talent gaps suggests mounting competition for skilled tech professionals in Japan.
Japan vs. global Key findings:
・55 per cent of permanent tech professionals in Japan intend to change organisation in the next 12 months, compared to 53 per cent globally
・82 per cent of permanent tech specialists and 58 per cent of contractors in Japan are open to working for an organisation based abroad, compared to 86 per cent and 83 per cent globally
・37 per cent are willing to relocate internationally, compared to 50 per cent of professionals globally
Based on talent market analytics and insights from almost 10,000 tech professionals, the report identifies key motivators for changing roles globally as well as across 32 countries, including job security (68 per cent), better career progression (42 per cent) and recognition and appraisal (32 per cent). In Japan the top motivators are availability of remote work options (73 per cent), career progression (70 per cent) and recognition and appraisal (70 per cent) suggesting an emphasis on flexibility, growth and meaningful acknowledgement.
Tech consultants and project managers remain the highest in-demand roles locally, followed closely by software engineers, business analysts and data scientists. With the candidate market still favourable and tech professionals increasingly aware of their value, organisations must adopt more strategic approaches to attracting and retaining key skills.
The report also highlights the global mobility of tech talent. A significant majority of professionals are open to working for international employers, globally 87 per cent of tech specialists in permanent roles willing to work for an organisation based abroad for their next role, and 50 per cent open to relocating to another country. This is compared to 82 per cent of tech professionals in permanent roles in Japan, with 37 per cent willing to move to abroad, indicating a lower appetite for international opportunities. This presents an opportunity for organisations based in Japan to tap into global talent pools, especially in regions where local supply is limited.
The Tech Talent Explorer is an interactive tool designed for senior technology leaders seeking a competitive edge in talent strategy. It enables users to explore data on the availability, location and expectations of in-demand tech professionals, including salary and contracting rate benchmarks. By revealing what tech professionals value most—beyond just compensation—The Tech Talent Explorer enables organisations to make data-driven decisions around talent attraction, helping them to enhance their employment proposition, particularly in competitive markets and when operating under budget constraints.
When broken down by skill area, the data reveals that 30 per cent of experts in project & change management are set to explore new opportunities in Japan. Similarly, 11 per cent of technical or solutions architecture professionals are considering a move. In contrast, cloud computing professionals are the least likely to want away from their current employer with none having stated their attention to look elsewhere – this could be due to the nature of these roles, which often involve longer-term projects for which professionals will likely want to oversee the results.
James Milligan, Global Head of STEM at Hays says:
“The global tech talent landscape continues to undergo significant transformation. With over half of tech professionals actively considering a move, and many open to working across borders, the competition for skilled talent is intensifying at a time when businesses are already struggling to attract and retain key skills.
“The findings from our study highlight the importance of effective employer branding and the need for organisations to optimise their employment proposition by truly understanding what professionals value the most in a potential employer.
“The Tech Talent Explorer equips organisations with the insights they need to respond strategically. By aligning their offering with the expectations of today’s tech workforce, businesses can build compelling, targeted propositions that attract and retain the talent critical to innovation and growth.
“Upskilling is also a crucial part of this equation. Offering development opportunities not only strengthens internal capabilities but also signals a clear commitment to long-term career growth, making organisations more attractive to top tech talent.”
Grant Torrens, Managing Director at Hays Japan says:
"In Japan, many tech professionals are beginning to look beyond domestic borders in search of career growth. Our latest report highlights a rising interest in global mobility, as individuals seek opportunities that offer exposure to new markets, advanced technologies, and more dynamic career paths."
"While the appetite for international roles is growing, there are still clear barriers to progression. Professionals aiming to transition into global workplaces must ensure they’re equipped with the right skills, cultural fluency, and adaptability to succeed in diverse environments."
"For organisations worldwide, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Those that support cross-border talent movement and invest in capability building will be better positioned to attract, retain, and empower a globally minded workforce."
Japan vs. global Key findings:
・55 per cent of permanent tech professionals in Japan intend to change organisation in the next 12 months, compared to 53 per cent globally
・82 per cent of permanent tech specialists and 58 per cent of contractors in Japan are open to working for an organisation based abroad, compared to 86 per cent and 83 per cent globally
・37 per cent are willing to relocate internationally, compared to 50 per cent of professionals globally
Based on talent market analytics and insights from almost 10,000 tech professionals, the report identifies key motivators for changing roles globally as well as across 32 countries, including job security (68 per cent), better career progression (42 per cent) and recognition and appraisal (32 per cent). In Japan the top motivators are availability of remote work options (73 per cent), career progression (70 per cent) and recognition and appraisal (70 per cent) suggesting an emphasis on flexibility, growth and meaningful acknowledgement.
Tech consultants and project managers remain the highest in-demand roles locally, followed closely by software engineers, business analysts and data scientists. With the candidate market still favourable and tech professionals increasingly aware of their value, organisations must adopt more strategic approaches to attracting and retaining key skills.
The report also highlights the global mobility of tech talent. A significant majority of professionals are open to working for international employers, globally 87 per cent of tech specialists in permanent roles willing to work for an organisation based abroad for their next role, and 50 per cent open to relocating to another country. This is compared to 82 per cent of tech professionals in permanent roles in Japan, with 37 per cent willing to move to abroad, indicating a lower appetite for international opportunities. This presents an opportunity for organisations based in Japan to tap into global talent pools, especially in regions where local supply is limited.
The Tech Talent Explorer is an interactive tool designed for senior technology leaders seeking a competitive edge in talent strategy. It enables users to explore data on the availability, location and expectations of in-demand tech professionals, including salary and contracting rate benchmarks. By revealing what tech professionals value most—beyond just compensation—The Tech Talent Explorer enables organisations to make data-driven decisions around talent attraction, helping them to enhance their employment proposition, particularly in competitive markets and when operating under budget constraints.
When broken down by skill area, the data reveals that 30 per cent of experts in project & change management are set to explore new opportunities in Japan. Similarly, 11 per cent of technical or solutions architecture professionals are considering a move. In contrast, cloud computing professionals are the least likely to want away from their current employer with none having stated their attention to look elsewhere – this could be due to the nature of these roles, which often involve longer-term projects for which professionals will likely want to oversee the results.
James Milligan, Global Head of STEM at Hays says:
“The global tech talent landscape continues to undergo significant transformation. With over half of tech professionals actively considering a move, and many open to working across borders, the competition for skilled talent is intensifying at a time when businesses are already struggling to attract and retain key skills.
“The findings from our study highlight the importance of effective employer branding and the need for organisations to optimise their employment proposition by truly understanding what professionals value the most in a potential employer.
“The Tech Talent Explorer equips organisations with the insights they need to respond strategically. By aligning their offering with the expectations of today’s tech workforce, businesses can build compelling, targeted propositions that attract and retain the talent critical to innovation and growth.
“Upskilling is also a crucial part of this equation. Offering development opportunities not only strengthens internal capabilities but also signals a clear commitment to long-term career growth, making organisations more attractive to top tech talent.”
Grant Torrens, Managing Director at Hays Japan says:
"In Japan, many tech professionals are beginning to look beyond domestic borders in search of career growth. Our latest report highlights a rising interest in global mobility, as individuals seek opportunities that offer exposure to new markets, advanced technologies, and more dynamic career paths."
"While the appetite for international roles is growing, there are still clear barriers to progression. Professionals aiming to transition into global workplaces must ensure they’re equipped with the right skills, cultural fluency, and adaptability to succeed in diverse environments."
"For organisations worldwide, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Those that support cross-border talent movement and invest in capability building will be better positioned to attract, retain, and empower a globally minded workforce."
The Hays Tech Talent Explorer research was completed in early 2025 and features talent market analytics across 32 countries and input from almost 10,000 tech professionals worldwide. The report allows users investigate the costs, availability, plans, desires, and skills priorities of IT/Tech professionals (permanent and contracting) across markets globally.
Access the report here.
Access the report here.
Contact
Eunice Lee, Global External Communications Executive, Hays
T: +44 333 010 2648
E: Eunice.lee@hays.com
Eunice Lee, Global External Communications Executive, Hays
T: +44 333 010 2648
E: Eunice.lee@hays.com
About Hays Japan
Hays Specialist Recruitment Japan KK ("Hays Japan"), established in Tokyo in 2001, is one of the largest foreign recruitment companies in Japan with three offices across the country (Tokyo Head Office, Osaka and Yokohama).
At Hays Japan, our experts provide professional services across the private sector, dealing in permanent positions, contract roles, recruitment process outsourcing (RPO), Managed Service Programmes (MSP) and IT solutions in the following 13 specialisms: Accountancy & Finance, Banking & Financial Services, Engineering, Marketing & Digital, Human Resources, Insurance, Legal, Life Sciences, Office Professionals, Property, Sales & Marketing, Supply Chain and Technology. This ensures a highly focused, fully tailored specialist recruitment service, enabling us to power the future of work by serving thousands of companies and candidates in Japan. Hays Japan is recognised as a Great Place to Work® by the esteemed Great Place to Work® Institute Japan, the global authority on workplace culture. We continue to strengthen our position in Asia with the world-leading ISO 9001:2015 certification in all our operational markets including Japan, China, Hong Kong SAR, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.
At Hays Japan, our experts provide professional services across the private sector, dealing in permanent positions, contract roles, recruitment process outsourcing (RPO), Managed Service Programmes (MSP) and IT solutions in the following 13 specialisms: Accountancy & Finance, Banking & Financial Services, Engineering, Marketing & Digital, Human Resources, Insurance, Legal, Life Sciences, Office Professionals, Property, Sales & Marketing, Supply Chain and Technology. This ensures a highly focused, fully tailored specialist recruitment service, enabling us to power the future of work by serving thousands of companies and candidates in Japan. Hays Japan is recognised as a Great Place to Work® by the esteemed Great Place to Work® Institute Japan, the global authority on workplace culture. We continue to strengthen our position in Asia with the world-leading ISO 9001:2015 certification in all our operational markets including Japan, China, Hong Kong SAR, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.
About Hays
Hays plc (the "Group") is the world’s leading specialist in recruitment and workforce solutions, such as Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) and Managed Service Provider (MSP). The Group is the expert at recruiting qualified, professional, and skilled people worldwide, being the market leader in the UK, Germany, and Australia and one of the market leaders in Continental Europe, Latin America, and Asia. The Group operates across the private and public sectors, dealing in permanent positions, contract roles and temporary assignments. As of 31 December 2024, the Group employed over 10,300 staff operating from 225 offices in 33 countries. For the year ended 30 June 2024:
・the Group reported net fees of £1,113.6 million and operating profit of £105.1 million.
・the Group placed around 57,700 candidates into permanent jobs and around 225,000 people into temporary roles.
・13% of Group net fees were generated in Australia & New Zealand, 32% in Germany, 20% in United Kingdom & Ireland and 35% in Rest of World (RoW).
・the temporary placement business represented 59% of net fees and the permanent placement business represented 41% of net fees.
・Technology is the Group’s largest division, with 25% of net fees, while Accountancy & Finance (15%) and Engineering (11%), are the next largest.
・Hays operates in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, UAE, the UK, and the USA.
・the Group reported net fees of £1,113.6 million and operating profit of £105.1 million.
・the Group placed around 57,700 candidates into permanent jobs and around 225,000 people into temporary roles.
・13% of Group net fees were generated in Australia & New Zealand, 32% in Germany, 20% in United Kingdom & Ireland and 35% in Rest of World (RoW).
・the temporary placement business represented 59% of net fees and the permanent placement business represented 41% of net fees.
・Technology is the Group’s largest division, with 25% of net fees, while Accountancy & Finance (15%) and Engineering (11%), are the next largest.
・Hays operates in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, UAE, the UK, and the USA.