Japan’s reliance on foreign labor keeps rising. According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the number of foreign workers reached a record 2.3 million in 2024, up 12.4% from the previous year. By 2040, Japan will need nearly 7 million to sustain growth.

As teams become more diverse, Japanese managers need the skills and experience to lead across cultures. Nothing builds that better than an overseas assignment, but it also comes with risks.

A recent Mainichi article reported that over 90% of companies have had employees return early from overseas postings, often due to cultural and communication struggles rather than language. Most companies still focus on language and safety training, but overlook what really matters: how to adapt to different work cultures and communicate assertively.

When I was in university, two Japanese students joined my dorm. One reached out, made friends, and thrived. The other stayed in her room and returned home within months. It reminded me how important it is to step outside your comfort zone and connect with others. The same applies to professionals abroad.
Pre-departure training should be required, especially for first-timers. Even experienced employees need refreshers before new assignments, and once abroad, they need support from HR, their manager, and a mentor.

If Japan wants managers ready to lead global teams, we must prepare them not just to work abroad, but to connect abroad.

Does your company require pre-departure training for employees going on overseas assignments? If not, I can certainly support you.