@ green | January-February. 2026

� Japanese firms are expanding recruitment efforts into Southeast Asia to secure technology-driven talent.

� Employers are prioritising skills, adaptability and innovation over language barriers.

� China is pushing coordinated development of technology, industry, and large-scale deployment.

That shift was clear at the ASEAN Career Fair with Japan held in Singapore, where 13 Japanese firms met over 600 prospective candidates.

The turnout demonstrates the increasing interest among students and graduates who are eager to explore opportunities beyond their home countries. Furthermore, it also illustrates Japan’ s resolve to compete more proactively for regional talent.

Among the participating firms was Tokyobased NOK Corporation, a manufacturer of high-performance sealing devices designed to prevent oil leaks. As the company seeks to diversify and expand into new areas, it is

REGIONAL TALENT GATHERS: Students and graduates crowded the ASEAN Career Fair with Japan for career opportunities.

prioritising recruits with knowledge of AI and robotics to support their venture. To demonstrate their commitment, the company dispatched its head of research and development to engage directly with candidates.

NOK company representative, Anita Bhandari, stated that the organisation welcomes individuals from diverse backgrounds, as long as they show a genuine interest in Japan and enthusiasm for the company’ s ambitions.

The event drew students from some of Asia’ s top universities. Attendees regarded it as more than a typical job fair. Many aimed to gain a clearer understanding of the future direction of Japanese industries.

Japanese employers, however, are navigating a highly competitive recruitment landscape. Employers from China and South Korea continue to offer attractive compensation packages and expand into innovation sectors.

For Japan, attracting ASEAN graduates involves showcasing not only stable career options but also significant involvement in pioneering development.

As demographic pressures tighten Japan’ s domestic labour market, outreach initiatives such as the ASEAN Career Fair exemplify their strategy to attract global talent for sustaining innovation and long-term growth.

CHINA prioritises artificial intelligence( AI) as a core part of economic restructuring, with Premier Li Qiang calling for greater unity between technological innovation, industrial development, and the deployment of AI systems.

He stated that a comprehensive effort is necessary to develop new high-quality productive forces and promote high-quality growth.

The remarks were made during a State Council group study session focused on AI development, highlighting the leadership’ s ongoing emphasis on incorporating emerging technologies into overall growth strategies.

Li emphasised that China requires a comprehensive understanding of AI development trends and should encourage breakthroughs throughout the entire value chain. He also highlighted that AI development is essential for broader application in various scenarios to maximise the technology ' s potential.

He emphasised that innovation should

NEXT WAVE AMBITIONS: China prepares to integrate AI for better technological development. not remain at the research stage but must translate into tangible economic benefits. According to Li, technological breakthroughs, industrial growth, and practical AI applications need to develop together.

Li also called for improved coordination of essential resources such as data, computing power, and electricity supply. These elements are the foundation of AI systems and must be managed effectively to enable large-scale adoption.

Promoting commercial applications and encouraging businesses to incorporate AI into their operations were also recognised as priorities.

Furthermore, as AI becomes more widely adopted, Li emphasised the importance of strengthening laws, policy frameworks, technical standards, and ethical guidelines. Clearer standards and regulations will help ensure that the technology develops safely and responsibly.

Furthermore, Li urged China to cultivate an open and inclusive environment by broadening the talent pool, particularly through fostering multi-skilled professionals.

The session included a briefing by Zhou Bowen, head of the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. Vice Premiers Ding Xuexiang and Zhang Guoqing, along with State councillor Wu Zhenglong, also took part in the discussions, emphasising the high-level focus on AI development in China. – @ green