The 20th Kobe University Joint Company Information Session for International Students, titled the "Global Job Fair 2026," co-hosted by the Center for Global Engagement and the Career Center, was held on Wednesday, April 22, at the Kobe University Centennial Hall (Shindai Kaikan).
The fair was attended by representatives from 19 companies as well as two external organizations involved in supporting the employment of international students. Out Of 214 applicants, 146 international students from approximately 42 countries and regions attended the event on the day.
The Global Job Fair is a joint company information session that Kobe University independently launched in 2007 as part of its initiatives to support the career development of international students. In addition to students scheduled to complete their studies in March of the following year, this event also welcomed international students who are interested in pursuing employment in Japan in the future, attracting participants from a wide range of backgrounds.
In recent years, Japan's job-hunting environment has been undergoing significant changes, including shifts in recruitment timing, evolving corporate needs, and increasingly diverse hiring practices. Internship have also become more important year by year. In response to these trends, in addition to the 19 participating companies, the Consortium of Universities in Hyogo and the Kobe University City Industry-Academia-Government Platform set up booths at this year's fair to provide information on short-term and mid- to long-term internship opportunities for international students.
At the venue, many international students were seen enthusiastically visiting company booths, demonstrating a strong interest in employment with Japanese companies. Feedback from student participants indicated that the fair effectively conveyed information in a way that was easy for international students to understand. Comments included remarks such as "It was a valuable opportunity to obtain useful information" and "It was a very good learning experience."
Participating companies also expressed positive feedback, noting that the fair provided an excellent opportunity to engage in direct dialogue with a large number of international students. In particular, the high level of attendance and the steady flow of students to each booth were highly appreciated. Some booths offered explanations in English and other languages, highlighting the growing diversity of talent sought by companies.
Moving forward, Kobe University will continue to strengthen cooperation within the University as well as with local communities and government organizations, while actively providing educational support for the career development of international students in response to their increasingly diverse needs.
【Participating Companies】
Aica Kogyo Company, Limited
AIMNEXT Inc.
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
Mitsuboshi Belting Ltd.
FURUNO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
SANKYU INC.
Information Security, Inc. (iSEC)
SHINKAWA Electric Co., Ltd.
Nikko Co., Ltd.
Resona Group (Resona Bank, Limited; Saitama Resona Bank, Limited)
Sogo Co., Ltd.
Nichirin Co., Ltd.
Sohatsu Systems Laboratory Inc.
Kawashima Group
LIXIL Corporation
MK ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
UACJ Corporation
ISHIHARA CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
MORIGO SEIKI Co., Ltd.
(A total of 19 companies, listed in no particular order)
【Other Participating Organizations】
The Consortium of Universities in Hyogo
The Kobe University City Industry-Academia-Government Platform
＜Scenes from the GJF2026 Venue＞
（Center for Global Engagement）