Promoting Active Roles of Vietnamese Technical Professionals in Japan: Shiga Prefecture’s Initiative

The Shiga Prefectural Government has been supporting talented Vietnamese technical professionals in living, working, and fully utilizing their abilities at companies in Japan, particularly in Shiga Prefecture. As part of such efforts, Shiga will take part in SEKISHO JOB FAIR 2025 to be held at Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST) on November 1 and 2, 2025, aiming to connect local Vietnamese students with companies based in Shiga Prefecture.

- Start of the initiative

Collaboration with Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST)

On November 12, 2021, the Shiga Prefectural Government signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with HUST and the Shiga Economic and Industrial Association to cooperate in recruitment, career support, and student development. It was the first time that HUST had signed an MOU with a Japanese local government. In line with the MOU, the Shiga Prefectural Government has offered Japanese-language courses, participated in job fairs, and facilitated internships with Shiga-based companies for HUST students, among other undertakings.

- Key initiatives for fiscal 2025:

Participation in SEKISHO JOB FAIR 2025

Dates: November 1 (Saturday) and 2 (Sunday), 2025

Time: 9:00-16:30 (Vietnam time)

Venue: HUST

Participants: 15 companies from Shiga Prefecture expected to take part

The Shiga Prefectural Government will take part in SEKISHO JOB FAIR 2025, a job-matching event to be held at HUST. In addition to the two-day job fair, furthermore, Shiga is planning to host a special program on October 31 (Friday) aimed at facilitating exchanges between Japanese-language course students at HUST and representatives of Shiga-based companies.

Results achieved so far:

Since the first job fair held in 2016, a total of 89 Vietnamese engineers has received job offers, and many of them are now actively working in Shiga Prefecture as partners supporting local industries.

Scene from SEKISHO JOB FAIR 2024: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103190/202510167246/_prw_PI1fl_H03c4JfU.jpg

Launch of "HUST Alumni in Shiga" community on Facebook:

The Shiga Prefectural Government has launched a new Facebook group called "HUST Alumni in Shiga," consisting mainly of HUST graduates and current students. This is an online community where graduates who are already working in Shiga Prefecture and current HUST students interested in working in the prefecture can connect and share information on real-life experiences and work in the prefecture.

Possible content will include:

- Introduction of companies participating in job fairs (business details, recruitment information, etc.)

- Voices from Japanese colleagues working with Vietnamese staff

- Daily life stories about HUST alumni who enjoy living in Shiga Prefecture

- Information from the university for graduate students (homecoming day, etc.)

- Aspects of daily life and culture in Shiga Prefecture

Internship program (August 2025)

From August 24 to 30, 2025, a total of 10 HUST students visited Shiga Prefecture for internships at companies in the prefecture. The first half of the week-long program focused on hands-on training at local companies, and the latter half offered opportunities to experience culture and a rich natural environment, helping students better understand life and work in Shiga Prefecture and Japan as a whole.

Voices from students:

- "This experience further strengthened my desire to work in Japan, especially in Shiga Prefecture. The prefecture has not only a professional and disciplined work environment but also warm-hearted people and many growth opportunities."

- "I met and interacted with many kind and talented people after participating in the internship program. I am happy to have experienced what I had only heard about from alumni. I’m grateful for the opportunity to take part in the program. If an opportunity arises, I would like to live and work in Japan in the future, not as a student but as an engineer."

HUST students: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103190/202510167246/_prw_PI2fl_29nO9Lqx.jpg

Scene from cultural experience: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103190/202510167246/_prw_PI3fl_up9Ug8m3.jpg

Offering Japanese-language course at HUST:

The Shiga Prefectural Government has been offering a Japanese-language course at HUST since fiscal 2022 as it believes it necessary to provide opportunities to students interested in working in the prefecture to learn Japanese and, at the same time, deepen their understanding of and interest in Japanese culture. These courses go beyond basic language skills, introducing students to the local natural environment, culture, and corporate appeal in Shiga Prefecture.