【Press Release】 JPort’s International Student Scholarship Draws 2,500+ Applicants — 15x Growth from Last Year
【Press Release】 JPort’s International Student Scholarship Draws 2,500+ Applicants — 15x Growth from Last Year
by SPeak Team / May 27, 2025
SPeak corp. (Office: Tokyo; CEO: Hiromi Karahashi), operator of JPort—a career support platform for young international talent and a corporate branding solution for global recruitment—launched the International Student Scholarship on March 10, 2025. In just under two months, the initiative garnered more than 2,500 applications, far surpassing initial expectations and highlighting the strong demand among international students across Japan.
◼️ Addressing a Critical Issue: Employment Challenges for International Students
The number of international students in Japan continues to rise, reaching 336,708 in 2024—a 21% increase from the previous year, according to Japan’s Ministry of Education (source). Despite this growth, the employment rate remains low. A JASSO survey found that only 44% of international students secure jobs in Japan post-graduation. Barriers include language and cultural differences, as well as limited hiring experience among domestic companies.
◼️Scholarship Purpose: Empowering International Students Beyond Financial Aid
The International Student Scholarship aims not only to ease financial burdens but also to elevate the visibility of talented international students and foster stronger engagement between students, companies, and local communities. Despite their academic and extracurricular achievements, many international students in Japan lack platforms where their contributions are recognized and celebrated.
This scholarship evaluates applicants holistically—considering academic excellence, leadership, creativity, and adaptability—to spotlight the unique strengths of each student. It serves as a bridge to new opportunities, contributing to a more inclusive and globally minded workforce in Japan.
◼️ Results and Reach of the International Student Scholarship
By the application deadline at the end of April, more than 2,500 international students had submitted applications, signaling overwhelming interest and unmet demand. Submissions were managed via JPort Match, SPeak’s global hiring and engagement platform.
JPort’s user base—primarily international students from top Japanese universities—has exceeded 9,000, with 2,272 new users joining in the most recent month alone, marking a 15-fold increase year-on-year.
◼️ Highlighting Outstanding Applicants
Among the many qualified applicants, several individuals stood out for their exceptional achievements:
- Applicant A (Uganda): Founded an NGO providing reusable sanitary products in refugee camps, supporting over 85,000 women.
- Applicant B (Pakistan): Conducting AI-based research to improve emergency vehicle navigation using Japanese infrastructure data.
- Applicant C (China): Launched an art project led by foreign residents in Japan, securing ¥1 million in funding and earning critical acclaim both domestically and abroad.
These examples reflect the diversity, talent, and social impact potential of international students in Japan.
◼️ Looking Ahead: Expanding Support and Engagement
Building on the success of this initiative, SPeak plans to expand its support for international students by enhancing career services and hosting inclusive events such as networking sessions, alumni-led career talks, and company briefings. These activities are open to all students, regardless of scholarship status.
By sharing the stories and achievements of international students more broadly, JPort aims to raise awareness of their value and advance a more diverse and sustainable society.
◼️ Message from the Team Leader
“I'm so excited that we were able to reach so many international students across Japan. Many of them had to overcome significant challenges—securing financial support, adapting to a new culture, and building a life in a foreign country. Their applications truly showed how hardworking and resilient they are. We're looking forward to sharing their stories in the future and hope to create even more opportunities to support international students in Japan.”
Corporate Site：https://jporthr.jp/
JPort Match：https://jportmatch.com/
Community Info：https://about.jportjournal.com/ja
Inquiries：https://jporthr.jp/contact
Company : https://speak-corp.com/
＊Full article (Japanese)：https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000027.000050611.html