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2028 Japan Job Hunting Schedule: Full Timeline & Advice for Students

By Kenji Tanaka Published: Oct 20, 2026 Updated: Oct 24, 2026 9 min read

Key Takeaways & Quick Summary

1. Shuukatsu starts as early as your 3rd year in university with summer internship selection.
2. SPI/Tamatebako aptitude tests eliminate up to 50% of applicants prior to human resume review.
3. International students should highlight intercultural adaptability and bilingual communication skills.

Understanding the Shuukatsu Cycle in Japan

Japanese universities and major corporations follow a synchronized new-graduate recruitment pipeline known as 就活 (Shuukatsu). Missing key deadlines can set your career start back by an entire calendar year.

Key Milestones for the Class of 2028

Year 3 (June – August): Summer 1-day to 2-week internship applications open on major portals.
Year 3 (December – February): Winter workshops, company information sessions, and SPI web aptitude testing practice.
Year 3 (March 1st): Official recruitment portal opening. Entry Sheet (ES) submissions accelerate.
Year 4 (April – June): Main corporate interview rounds (1次面接, 2次面接, and 最終面接 with corporate executives).

Frequently Asked Questions

When do formal job offers (Naitei 内定) get finalized?

Under Keidanren guidelines, formal Naitei ceremonies occur on October 1st of the senior year, although unofficial Naiteishou (内々定) are frequently extended between April and June.