Published by Makana Partners
The Hardest Market
Japan’s talent market, in English. An independent publication and data service on hiring in Japan, written for the HR leaders and executives who build teams here.
What’s inside
Data, law and analysis on hiring in Japan
Most of what governs Japan’s talent market is written down, in Japanese. The Hardest Market puts it into English, sourced to the original.
Japan Human Capital Data
Pay, women in management, parental leave and gender pay gap data for listed and unlisted Japanese employers, in English and Japanese. Free company pages, with paid datasets and reports.
Explore the data → Employment lawLabour Law Tracker
Changes to Japanese employment law, with effective dates and what each one requires of employers.
Open the tracker → ReferenceJapan HR Glossary
The Japanese employment terms that run the talent market, explained in English for employers, with the rule behind each one.
Browse the glossary → Labour marketPay and job market data
Pay by occupation, the job market, pay rises, minimum wage, turnover and foreign workers, from official statistics.
See the numbers → PlanningHR Calendar and Service Directory
The dates that shape the HR year in Japan, and a directory of HR service providers.
Plan ahead → Every other weekThe Newsletter
A biweekly read on hiring in Japan. Key takeaways are free; full issues are for paid subscribers.
Subscribe →Our approach
Sourced, not argued
Every claim is sourced to MHLW, the Bank of Japan, the OECD or a company’s own filings. The aim is to describe Japan’s talent market accurately rather than argue a position.
How it connects to Makana
From data to a search
The Hardest Market grew out of Yan Sen Lu’s book, The Hardest Market in the World, and is published by Makana Partners. When the data shows a leadership hire will be hard, our consultants can run the search.
Stay informed
Japan’s talent market, every other week.
Subscribe to The Hardest Market newsletter for sourced analysis on hiring in Japan.